Masa Ueda: Sprecher Verdammteres Label: Torque

This release from Torque represents some really great techno remixing contributions from both sides of the Pacific. Masa Ueda, the label's co-founder, throws down a sick original track and has asked friends from Japan, China, and the West Coast to do their business on it. The original (#1) itself of "Sprecher Verdammteres" is amazing. But I also thought the Q'Hey, Truncate, and Technetium remixes were strong too. Truncate's mix is especially powerful and hard-hitting, and the Technetium remix was innovative and brain-grinding. This is an impressive release from Torque. Try 1,2,4,5.

1. (Original): Holy shit. This is some nasty hard-stomping tech-house which is the basis for the 4 other remixes on this release. It's crunchy, dirty, rough, slightly arhythmic beats, with an insistent vocal sample cut up.
2. (Q'Hey remix): Bangin'. There's no other word for it. Hard driving bassline, with a metallic reverberating tone. Fantastic techno remix.
3. (JAK remix): Chunky tech-house remix. Solid groove with a massive breakdown.
4. (Truncate remix): Straight-up techno with a hint of synth - doesn't resemble the original as much, but uses slight elements from it and takes it to a powerful crescendo. Pure dancefloor banger. Love the claps.
5. (Technetium remix): Beijing-based Elvis T joins in on this with a twisted and potent techno remix with some wonky effects and tweaky buildups in the middle.