The ever-reliable TC80 returns with a dose of club-sharpened futurism, this time landing on the Algerian label Duckit for its fourth vinyl instalment. With previous releases featuring RSlane, sEmoa and Franck Roger, the imprint has been quietly carving out its own lane, favouring stripped, groove-tight techno with flashes of colour. TC80 fits naturally into that world, but brings his unmistakable synth craftsmanship to deepen the palette.
Our premiere focuses on “Tranceporter”, a six-minute weapon that fuses intricate drum programming with a fierce breakbeat backbone. The rhythm section snaps and bites from the outset, instantly setting the tone for something urgent. As the track unfolds, fluttery synth lines begin to seep into the mix, softening the mood into something more hopeful.
Underneath the melodies, a menacing bassline rumbles in sync with moody stabs that add just the right amount of tension. It’s a track that balances grit and expression with precision from an artist who has been refining his craft for years. TC80’s Sequalog label has been a pivotal and taste-making presence in the scene for many years, crafting emotive soundscapes with his machines.
The rest of the EP continues TC80’s widescreen approach. ‘1001 Nights’ taps into stronger, stomping techno territories with a cutthroat snare, while ‘Sanctuary’ floats into dub-innfused territory. Cosmic, weighty and spacious, with light synths drifting above the low-end pressure.
‘Natural Joy’ is a masterclass in tight, snappy drum work, with warped melodies smearing an atmosphere that is feels somehow futuristic and retro at the same time. ‘Electric’ closes the record with a more peak time energy, ducking and weaving with jittery potency.
For Duckit, this release marks another confident step forward, reinforcing its taste for tracks built for serious sound systems but never short of personality. For TC80, it’s yet another showcase of his ability to fold rave energy, precise engineering and melodic nuance into something fully dance-floor ready.
Buy the record at juno.co.uk.
More info on TC80
Soundcloud | Bandcamp | Discogs
More info on Duck It Records
Instagram | Soundcloud
