The Passengers series is a subdivision of Simina Grigoriu’s Kuukou Records which works to bring together VA releases from promising, lesser-known producers whose work propagates the same strain of sturdy Techno Grigoriu does in her DJ sets. So far, the series has included 9 editions which have showcased electronic music from Belgium, Greece, Italy, Russia, the UK, Germany and more. A thread that runs consistently throughout the catalogue is one of functionality - each and every contribution does damage on the dance floor and the 10th edition is no different. Raesfeld stalwart Roland Broemmel gets us off to a pugnacious start. Slapping claps, razor sharp acid lines and a rugged kick drum bubble under strong vocal cuts before Turkish DJ and producer Rodez follows up with a bold and punchy cut. Brazen, filtered stabs, interweaving percussion and pensive sequencing maintain an urgent vibe throughout. Romanian producer Horace Dan D then lays out a playful bass-line which bubbles away under deep, dubby stabs and polyrhythms. A trippy synth bleeds in and mirrors the bass to arresting effect while drums open / close like a camera lens before Jahaya weighs in with a dramatic, high energy addition. 'Mars' brings textured high frequencies, vibrant drum fills and a bewitching riff with the end result being a fervid dance floor track in amongst a highly effective set of DJ tools.