(Hardfloor/Creative Vibes)

Hardfloor, aka German production team Oliver Bondzio and Ramon Zenker, are undoubtedly one of the most popular and well known German techno artists. Most of the group’s work has come out through Sven Vath’s influential Harthouse imprint.

This collection of Hardfloor 12” releases put together on CD for the first time since their release, has been given somewhat of a bad rap in reviews of late. The list includes Who Took Da Box? which was released exclusively in Japan as a limited edition run of 500 copies and the previously unreleased bonus track Devils & Donuts. Hardfloor were pioneers of the acid house sound, and this compilation only reinforces the longevity and progressiveness of their sounds today, with any number of the tracks working on a dance floor nowadays despite being up to 10 or 15 years old.

Fans of techno, acid house, techno and progressive house should look this one up, albeit for a piece of history or looking back to learn about where the music of today came from. Their release history is prolific and they did things with the Roland 303 that others are still emulating today.