Various Artists - Tilt

Tilt is the first release on Intonations; a 12-track unmixed compilation focused on local Scottish techno artists. The highlight has to be Stick 430's Lady Breath featuring squelching electronics: if the British Murder Boys did 'nice' electro this would probably be the eerily brutal, but restrained result. The acid sound is almost a feature for the rest of the album, and a retro nod to the early nineties is made several times over; however the tunes sound like repackaged repeats built on old software. Further tunes are featured from club DJs who are branching out into music production armed with their years of experience, including B*Wilder (Dogma) and Brainstorm (Pure). The former's Wots up Power is straight from the Adam Beyer stables with graduated air-strike zooms for a strangely euphoric sound, while Catflap is Detroit-influenced, and possibly the best-produced track in the collection. Tilt is a good first release for Intonations to have under their belt. [Alex Burden]