Hector & Bryant

'The aptly named ''Tension'' is a masterclass in suspense and hypnosis; a sleek, brooding techno cut which doesn't so much attack the danceflooor as enfold it. It simply builds and builds, scooping the listener up on a wave of dubbed-out chords and intertwined synth melodies, under and over-scored with taut drum edits, a rolling bassline and strings which hang like mountain mist. On remix duty is Appleblim - the Skull Disco co-founder and Apple Pips boss who has made the space where dubstep, house and techno overlap his own - in partnership with Al Tourettes. Typically unconstrained by genre expectations, the duo sculpt an epic, adventurous re-version of 'Tension'. Propelled at first by a galloping steppa's rhythm and analogue bass stabs, soon echo-drenched vocal samples and deep dub flavours take hold, before the track climaxes in heads-down, thrillingly linear four-to-the-floor style. Phonica has inaugurated its label with a 12'' of depth, energy and innovation'

• 1 original
• 2 applebim & al tourettes remix)