The dark thrum OF "Mr. Mean" that starts Damon Wild's DOWNTOWN WORLDS gives you a clear picture of what's to come. Even after the synths come in to brighten things up, the percussion keeps pounding. But "Like 'Dis" is immediately more upbeat, even if "Crankpot" goes back down deep. "Halflife" brings in the dub elements. The tracks tend to run together, though, but this might speak more about their dancefloor potential than their melodic potential. But "Tribecca" and "Eva" stand out as exceptions to that rule, with the sparkling tones of the former and twinkling slow breaks of the latter. Not a bad world to visit now and again.

One of the most prolific and highly regarded producers on the Techno scene, Jan Stegemann (aka Damon Wild), has been constructing amazing tracks for more than 12 years. Whether for his own label Synewave or any number of other well-respected outfits, he is consistently at the forefront of trends and groundbreaking sounds. This release is his first full length for German powerhouse, Kanzleramt and is a follow up to his excellent Downtown World EP, released last February. From the shuffling beats of the opening track “Mr. Mean”, through the laid back vibe of “Tribecca” and the mesmerizing essence of “Traveler”, this is an comprehensive snapshot of the world of Techno, circa 2004. With ample multiplicity for the living room and muscle for the dancefloor, this is an absolute masterpiece in every way.