Various Artists – Min2Max (M_nus)

Minimal is back. Apparently once again a dance genre in vogue, Richie Hawtin’s M_nus label releases Min2Max. This compilation, the second on the M_nus label, reveals a rather unexpected fullness. Instead of a sparse, cold and mechanical world – the 12 tracks from Hawtin’s acolytes are a whole lot more than tics, pops and pulses, subtle texture and variance. Basslines swing and analogue synth tones bubble and shake, Heartthrob’s opener is bouncy electro-influenced techno whilst Troy Pierce’s GRVL is effectively modulating acid techno and the trance-like end of Loco Dice’s Orchidee could be 1992 (and Hawtin’s +8 label) all over again – except for the persistent glitch percussion. The standout track is from none other than Wink. His Have To Go Back is all futuristic deep space techno, complete with radar pulses that build into a disorienting maze of reflections. This is music that for the most part could really be anywhere from 15 years to 15 minutes old, and that’s a shame because coming from Hawtin’s stable I had expected more depth and, to be frank, proper minimalism.