Cory James: My 10 Favorite Techno Tracks

New York imprint Dusk Notes return with four cuts from ASC, Imugem Orihasam and label bosses Soramimi and Cory James.

Since its inception in 2014, Dusk Notes have maintained their philosophy of pushing the more experimental spectrums of electronic music whilst accommodating to both the dancefloor and the introspective listener. The label founders invite the first guests onto the imprint including UK artist and Auxillary founder ASC and Japan’s Imugem Orihasam who together have releases on Semantica Records.

In celebration of the release, we have asked Dusk Notes Co-Founder Cory James to share 10 of his favorite techno tracks.

1. Jeff Mills – From Beyond The Star

It was really tough to pick just one bit from Mills. The way the string moves with synths and carries this track along really resonates heavily with me. It’s so beautiful and I find this cut from him to be one of the most memorable for me. The string pushes this rhythm through space in that magic way that only Mills can do.

2. Ness – A Personal Voyage (Evigt Morker Remix)

A perfect choice for the 6am set or as a momentary breather before another long haul. A big cleverly programmed breakbeat with really nice pads. It has this really unmatched emotive freestyle, yet rave as hell feeling to it. This track has such a nice impact after a steady run of more pounding / heavy techno, it takes you to a place.

3. Porter Ricks – Nautical Dub

The claps in this track are everything. They sound so good being brought into the mix along with the hypnotizing lows. This one is the cream for me from this classic LP and it’s frequently stuck in my head. A haunting rhythm that will elevate any set.

4. Axling – Hypersleep

It’s really important to me to have tracks on hand that contain a definitive event that grab your attention or reset the rhythm. This fine arp’ing sine track has one of the best breakdowns I’ve heard lately as it drones off and the synths move out of pitch and dissolve. The rest of this EP is pure gold as well, definitely looking forward to hear more from this artist.

5. Soramimi – The Lightworker

A recent fave of mine from my partner in crime Soramimi. This tune hammers it so hard and has a vocal sample that ropes you in, and just sticks with you long after you hear it. Every time I’ve seen her play this live the place explodes and I am so happy that this ended up on our Dusk Notes Iris Eclipse V/A release.

6. Robert Hood – Then We Planned Our Escape

Every time I play this track, someone has to know what it is. That’s how good this tune is! Pure Hood dubbed out minimalism at its best. Escaping on a spaceship, speeding past the last layer of the atmosphere and into the stars. That is what this sounds like. This might be my favorite track from this legend.

7. Stanislav Tolkachev – Self Renewal

Another artist that I had a hard time nailing down one track to talk about. Tolkachev is one of my favorites of this era, a master of negative space and achieving the infinite loop that revolves around heavily swung rhythms. Self Renewal has uniquely sculpted and determined synth work with a restless kick that doesn’t give in. This is the perfect track to deconstruct whatever feeling you had built on with the past few tracks, as this probably doesn’t sound like anything you just played.

8. Oisel – Paradosso

This is what I imagine being sucked into a space curve or time ripple would sound like. The mixdown and the way the side chaining is pulsing on this one is so commanding.  The metallic perc sounds like rocks hitting the inside of a bottomless oil drum. The track feels like a force is pulling you, it’s completely fucked and I love it.

9. Infiniti – Thought Process (TV Victor mix)

This rework of Juan Atkin’s minimal classic is so effective. The stepping synth mixes in so nicely and really keeps the momentum going then it switches into a rework of the original lead and locks your attention. Before you know it, the track is on its way out. The beauty of this 4 min record truly comes and goes in a flash, make sure to have that next record ready!

10. Lemon D – In My Life

Classic drum and bass has a huge place in my heart, especially those old V Recordings and Metalheadz tracks. This track by Lemon D from 1996 still hits me so strongly today. It’s heavily soaked with jazz keys and horns, filtered drum rollidge/edits and this unforgettable vocal that ties it together so nicely. This has been stuck in my head constantly for the past few months. Top shelf Lemon D Metalheadz material.

Various Artists – Iris Eclipse – DUSKNOTES006 is available HERE

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