REVIEWS – John Ricketts – Techno/Electronica – Zone Magazine – Issue 049 –

Send Promos To – contact@sonasaudioservices.com

Welcome to my review corner of Zone magazine. I’ve been a DJ and producer for nearly 30 years, driven by a deep passion for all shades of techno, while still holding love for breaks, electro, acid and old school sounds.

Along the way, I’ve launched the digital label Filth Infatuated (which hit its 100th release last year), co run unforgettable parties with my good friend MC DJ Ribbz, and held residencies with the amazing Collide and my Filthcast radio show is now on DI.FM, one of the longest-running global techno stations, after a great run of 8 years on the wicked Fnoob station (RIP).

From underground raves to major UK festivals, Amsterdam to Warsaw, I’ve lived and breathed the scene, and this page is where I share that same energy through music reviews.

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10/10 – TOP RELEASE – Kessler – Tender Void – 3024 

Kessler’s Tender Void EP is nothing short of a 10/10 moment — a full circle triumph for 3024. The fact that these four tracks were crafted in a studio less than a kilometre from where the label was born in 2007 gives the release a deeply resonant, almost spiritual weight.  

From the driving, uptempo energy of “Gone” to the more reflective, textured soundscapes of “Kohrt,” every track is densely layered and expertly produced. The pads shimmer with space and richness, and entwine with choppy, glitch-inflected beat programming to create a sound that’s both otherworldly and grounded. The production is top notch giving each element room to breathe while retaining a muscular low end that grips the listener. 

This EP feels like a statement piece — not just in Kessler’s discography, but for 3024 as a whole. It reaffirms their legacy and signals a bold path forward. In Tender Void, Kessler delivers four deeply engaging, multifaceted cuts that push bass music with both reverence and innovation. 

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10/10 – RECOMMENDED – 

Dunes of Dawn – Prosperity Room EP [4 Track Recordings] 

Dunes of Dawn’s Prosperity Room EP on 4 Track Recordings is a deep, dubby techno gem that steadily mesmerises across all four cuts. From the title track’s cavernous sub-bass and echo-laden textures to “I Don’t Want to Wake Up,” which layers wrenching delay with subtle tension, the production oozes atmosphere. “Long Reach” expands the soundscape further with shimmering pads and thudding kicks, while “If I Could See the Future” closes the EP with haunting, spacey synths that feel both introspective and expansive.  

Reverbs swell, delays bounce, and each track breathes with a spacious, otherworldly feel. Yet it’s never just ambient: the grooves remain firmly rooted in techno, driving without ever losing that sense of weight. 

Released on 4 Track Recordings, a label with a long history of underground, forward-thinking electronic music, this EP fits perfectly into their catalogue. Dunes of Dawn shows real maturity and subtlety here — a strong statement of intent from a producer with a clear vision. 

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9/10 – Rich Biscuit – Life – Double Dip Records

Rich Biscuit’s Life (Extended Mix) is a debut release on his very own Double Dip Records, and it’s a bold statement from a well-renowned DJ out in the north of the UK. The production is immaculate — warm, rolling drums interplay with lush, dubby chords and subtle vocal chops, all underpinned by an infectious deep-house groove. Clocking in at 126 BPM, the track feels perfectly balanced for either a late-night dancefloor or an intimate club set. 

What stands out most is the way Rich Biscuit builds tension through layered percussion and basslines that are simultaneously driving and hypnotic. The mix feels spacious yet grounded, with an emotional undertone that hints at nostalgia without being overtly retro. His experience as a seasoned DJ in Northern England really shows — there’s a refined maturity to how he shapes dynamics and guides the listener through peaks and breakdowns. 

For a debut, Life feels like the beginning of something very promising. It captures the essence of modern deep house perfectly while establishing Double Dip Records’ identity as a label.   

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9/10 – Leo Janeiro, Zopelar – Som Na Caixa [Cocada Music] 

Leo Janeiro & Zopelar’s Som Na Caixa (Original Mix) is a delightfully nostalgic trip back to the 80s, wrapped in a modern electronica shell. From the very first bar, it conjures that warm, retro shimmer — think vintage synth pads, arpeggiated melodies and sparkling keys that wouldn’t sound out of place in a classic 80s soundtrack. The beat feels laid-back yet driving, giving the track a subtle groove that nods to both old-school dance floors and contemporary electronic sensibilities. 

The mix is clean and polished, but still rich in character: swells of analog texture, gentle sidechain pulses and beautifully layered harmonic lines all work together to evoke a sense of pure, dreamy escapism. Leo Janeiro, well known for his recent deep house and electronica work, especially with his track “Redentor”, shows here a different but equally compelling side of his musical personality. Zopelar complements this perfectly, bringing in his signature finesse from previous electronica releases. 

Altogether, Som Na Caixa is a brilliantly crafted, retro-infused gem — a warm homage to 80s synth nostalgia with a fresh, modern twist. 

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9/10 – Bill Converse, Patricia – Fixer  [Acid Test]

Bill Converse & Patricia’s Fixer is a masterclass in deep, dubby acid-house finesse. From the very first pulse, the track grips you with sinuous sine waves that feel both hypnotic and dynamic, riding under a warm bed of sub bass. The acid lines swirl with purpose — brittle and springy, but never overpowering — adding a classic edge to a production that feels thoroughly modern. 

The mix is beautifully spacious: delays, reverb-laced pads, and gentle percussive hits allow each element to breathe, while the dub tendencies create an echo-rich environment that’s immersive without feeling muddy. The way the acid dance meets the deep house groove here is seamless; it’s both introspective and dancefloor-ready. 

Bill Converse, known for his thoughtful deep-house and acid outings, continues to impress. His previous releases have always balanced warmth and edge, and Fixer is a standout — a richly textured, expertly engineered track that nods to the old-school acid tradition.  

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9/10 – Origin of X – Hypnotherapy EP [DeepSessions Recordings] 

Origin of X’s Hypnotherapy EP is a sleek and deeply immersive two-track journey that reinforces his reputation for high-quality production. The title cut, “Hypnotherapy,” unfolds with drifting atmospherics and a hypnotic groove that feels both introspective and dancefloor-ready. Its rich layers of pads and delay-laden textures create a trance-like tension that lingers long after the track ends. The B-side, “Ignition Point,” brings a more driving energy, with crisp percussion and shimmering synth lines that build toward a subtle peak — a perfect counterbalance to the deeper mood of the opener. 

Origin of X has consistently impressed in his previous releases, demonstrating a strong command of both melodic depth and structural dynamics. On this EP, his production craft shines — every element is carefully sculpted, from the enveloping bass to the layered harmonics. The EP slots neatly into the label’s catalog of atmospheric, club-minded electronic music. Hypnotherapy is a polished, emotionally resonant offering that feels both thoughtful and infectious. 

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