CODE Records celebrates its landmark 40th release with a jackin’ hardgroove techno album by record label owner Cesar Almena.
Cesar Almena is co-founder of CODE Records and its associated event series at Fabrik in Madrid, Spain. CODE parties have played host to iconic DJs including the likes of Carl Cox, Blawan, Ben Sims, Amelie Lens, Jeff Mills, Carl Craig and many more.
The record label has also released music from many of the artists who have played at the event, along with tracks and remixes by Cesar Almena and Nuke who in addition to being co-founders are also resident DJs at CODE parties.
Along with his many releases on CODE Records, Cesar Almena has also featured his raw and percussive style of upbeat techno on other prestigious record labels such as A.Paul’s Naked Lunch. This 10-track release is the third album that Cesar Almena has released via CODE Records, and it also features a collaboration with Catalyst whose an up-and-coming talent from Madrid.
“ZaPaTiLLa” opens the release with acid pulses, ravey stabs and fast-paced rhythms. Track two, “Porto” is dark and industrial with trippy vocals, and “Advent” reintroduces the rave element with its upbeat synth stabs. “Alive” continues to build an uplifting vibe with fluttering melodies and sweeping pads layered over driving percussion.
“Ekho” plunges the release back into darkness with its menacing acid line, and track six, “Alone” brings the focus back to the percussion with a full-throttle groove. “I’m So the Sure” maintains the percussive focus with a jackin’ groove cut by feel-good vocal stabs. Track eight, “Eh Oh” cranks up the tension with old-school synth chords layered with rattling percussion and invigorating vocal bursts.
“Bombeo” is the penultimate track on the album, and it releases an explosive flow of energy, before “Knights of the Groovy” closes the release with breakbeat rhythms and poignant pads.
This is a well-crafted album, where each track is dance floor focused, while also taking the listener on a captivating journey when played in full.
