Samsara Beats are currently winding up to release a massive new compilation LP called Detonation, so naturally we had to grab a premiere! Label boss HNGVR brings the halftime weight with a lilting, entrancing melody paired with a healthy dose of hip-hop swagger. Big! Look for this coming Mar 16th at digital stores…
Experimental vibes on today’s premiere, with VRUM bringing an epic sound to his new single for Subplate Recordings. Burial-esque vocal manipulations, sweeping synths and an insistent drum line combine for a track that feels ethereal…emotional stuff. Look for this one coming Mar 20th…
Tempo Records have been a steady presence on the scene since 2013, releasing a slow but inspiring selection of releases from the likes of Voyager, DJ Trax, Soul Intent and Digital. 2020 sees new ventures on the horizon including a brand new sublabel called “Speed”. To find out more we grabbed label boss Frodo for a chat…
Jazz Juice (previously known as Unit 1) was the ephemeral two-piece collaboration between Alex Reece and Wax Doctor, featured on the equally ephemeral Precious Material label formed by the steadfast Phil Wells, better known as Basement Phil (side note – an excellent account of the Precious Material label can be found over on God Is No Longer a DJ).
Jazz Juice’s self-titled song on their 1995 self-titled EP is a beauty of a tune beloved by those who are enchanted by its soothing vibes. This ramble through a languidly lush soundscape is speckled with the unmistakable Do This My Way break from Kid ’N Play that cleverly captures a cadence marked by 90s techno influence. Alex Reece and Wax Doctor employ an impeccable palette of colourful sounds, each one tastefully complementary to the last. Perhaps my favourite aspect of this tune is its clever phrasing, highlighted by alternations between just beats to beats with melodic backing. No doubt a unique track, give Jazz Juice a listen below to discover (or remember) what makes it so special.
Written by Luke Kessler
Context Audio take things a bit less rolling than usual for their latest VA release, delving into the realms of halftime, autonomic and experimental 170. Today’s premiere comes from that release; Khords teams up with the mysterious Burns for an evocative journey through sparse drum rhythms and dubbed out sounds. Hit up the Context Audio Bandcamp to grab the Per Ardua II LP right now; all other stores follow on Mar 13th.
If you’ve been looking for a deep liquid roller then today’s exclusive is for you! Shibumi brings an effortless, shimmering cut to DLT9, a warm blanket of sub bass set to rolling breaks and understated, hypnotic melody. Wicked tune! Look for this coming Mar 6th at Beatport.
RMS and Dublic bring the jungle fiya on today’s exclusive! Dubwise guitar chords and old school chopped breaks all the way on this one…watch out for Inna Dub dropping alongside a selection of other RMS collabs on Inner City Dance’s Stereo One imprint, coming Mar 9thy at all good digital stores.
Sneaking in just in time for the end of the month, Hex delivers the February podcast with 75 minutes of brand new music including cuts from Break, Ancient Radius, Philth, Kidsan and many more. There are also unreleased dubs inside from Boredome, Livid Cheese, MAE917, Howler, Layton, Plasmer and Hardnocker so watch out for those!
As always you can check out the podcast via Soundcloud below or head to Youtube or iTunes to stream. You can also grab a download from Google Drive.
Today’s premiere comes from US artist Sigrah, taken from his forthcoming (and very personal) debut LP This Is Letting Go. Written in the forests of Washington state, One Revolution goes deep, incorporating elements of dub, jungle and ambient for a floaty and atmospheric slice of 170BPM business. Watch out for the track dropping Feb 28th, with the full album following on Mar 13th.
The recent passing of the venerable Edward Holmes, better known as Optiv, has been a time to celebrate his body of work. A stalwart in the pantheon of Drum & Bass luminaries, Optiv’s impact will live on forever. One such work by Nomis and Optiv sticks out indelibly for me in a lineup of classics from the Cause 4 Concern camp, released on Optiv’s Red Light Records.
Piston is an underrated 2002 track that can stand with the best bass bangers in the genre. I love to crank the dial on this tune to get the full effect of its behemoth bass…yet, I always end up having to bring it down a notch or two just because of its sheer force. Intensity is further mounted by the frantic cacophony of howls and shrieks that ensnare the atmosphere. And what’s a song in the C4C domain without slick drum sequencing? This track has it in spades. Sonorous grooves beat away in this brute force classic. Long live Optiv!
Written by Luke Kessler