Friske – Temperamental EP [Metalheadz]

Posted on 3rd September 2015 by DNB Dojo

After a strong showing for the Metalheadz XX series Friske returns with another solid EP, this time for ‘headz Platinum. The work follows on nicely from where the last EP left off, providing tough groove-led techstep with a hint of soul.

DLR & Ant TC1 step up with a super crisp remix of Requisite to open the EP before clearing the floor for Friske to do his thing. True to form the man serves up a pair of solid head-nodding rollers in the form of the hypnotic Temperamental and the smooth, jazzy tones of Down.

Out into the back end of the EP things get a bit more old-skool in flavour, with some rougher break chopping and classic vocal slices filtering through the mix on Your Loving before Question closes things out on a darker and more militant tip. Tasty business all round as usual from one of the leading labels in the scene! Check out the clips below and hit up the Metalheadz store to grab a copy on vinyl or digital now.

Arkaik – My Love EP [Flexout Audio]

Posted on 2nd September 2015 by DNB Dojo

Arkaik’s productions first caught my ear via his early releases for Diffrent Music and since then I’ve kept an eye out for more of his stripped back stylings. His latest EP for Flexout is possibly his finest work to date, bringing five slabs of gritty techstep to the table that should get fans of this deep yet edgy end of D&B excited.

The titular My Love opens the EP nicely, combining a tough but clean rolling break and dark bass with a warped yet soulful vocal line for a track that treads the path between dark and smooth with aplomb. Other highlights come on the dingy, threatening halftime of Doppelganger, which makes great use of shuffling hat fills, and the simple yet insistent staccato clicks and pops of Wusi Street.

As usual you can grab this one from your favourite digital outlet, so check out the clips below and go grab it now!

QBig & Zenith B – Enkidu EP [Demand Records]

Posted on 2nd September 2015 by DNB Dojo

QBig & Zenith B’s latest EP for Demand Records sees them exploring unusual halftime/slow-fast riddims with a selection of top notch tracks that showcase some fantastic percussive chops.

The tracks on show veer between more spacious, dubbier vibes on Enkidu & Mombasa Dub and the more frenetic, Stray-esque sounds of Narc and This Is What You Get. The footwork-tinged insistence and generally chaotic vibe of these latter two make them the Dojo favourites, but the whole EP is really strong. Check out the clips below and hit up Beatport to grab a copy now!

Zombie Cats – Cat Attack EP [Commercial Suicide]

Posted on 1st September 2015 by DNB Dojo

Zombie Cats, the project now revealed to be none other than the new alias of longtime collaborators Rregula & Dementia, have been carving up the D&B scene for the past year with releases for Bad Taste, Eatbrain and Lifted Music, and now they’ve landed on Commercial Suicide with another firing selection of hard-edged neurofunk.

The tracks on the Cat Attack EP do exactly what they say on the tin, bringing darkness and energy for unashamed dancefloor rollouts with crunchy textures and heft in absolute abundance. As the closing track so aptly puts it, Don’t Be Playing. Check out the clips below and hit up the Commercial Suicide Bandcamp page to grab the EP direct now.

Zero Method – Deep Fields LP [Red Light Records]

Posted on 1st September 2015 by DNB Dojo

Neurofunk fans should already be more than familiar with Optiv’s Red Light Records imprint, responsible as it is for putting out hard hitting, futuristic D&B for the past 13 years. Their latest offering comes from Hungarian producer Zero Method who brings a full length LP to the table, and the results don’t disappoint!

The first thing that struck me upon listening to Deep Fields is the consistency of tone present throughout the album. The tracks are varied in composition, but the body of work feels very coherent; not merely 11 tunes thrown together, but a journey through thematically similar and deliberately placed tracks. That tone is undeniably mechanical, carrying a ruthlessness and efficiency which gives the album a really single-minded vibe.

There aren’t many surprises in terms of style here but the level of detail and robustness of the tracks makes up for any shortfall in genre innovation, and if you’re looking for well polished neurofunk with an undeniable groove it’s difficult to fault this LP. Check out the clips below and hit up your favourite digital outlet to grab a copy right now!

Koronis – The Replicant LP

Posted on 31st August 2015 by DNB Dojo

Kiwi producer and sound-design artist Koronis isn’t a name I’ve come across before, but it’s certainly one I’ll be keeping an eye on in future based on the strength of his latest LP project The Replicant. Bringing together creepy atmospherics more common to dark ambient and crisp techstep minimalism, the resulting tracks have a bleakness and intrigue which draws the listener in impressively.

The LP’s first half focuses on more conventional drum & bass patterns, and while not unduly dancefloor focussed features three tracks which wouldn’t feel out of place in a “room 2” set from the likes of Amoss or Cern. Tough amens, intricate drum patterns and a gloomy vibe pervades the material here nicely.

The second half takes things far more abstract, dropping the beats almost entirely to focus on sound design and texture, with powerful ambience and use of atonal melodies taking the tone to a deeper and almost spiritual place. Koronis is tapping into the cross section between dark D&B and dark ambient for a truly unique experience here, not least on the haunting tones of Kara, the LP’s final track.

For those who enjoy exploring the less than beaten paths at the fringes of drum & bass, I can’t recommend this record enough. Check out the video mix below for a flavour of the material and watch out for the LP dropping later this year on vinyl and digital.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y5cg2RAg1rg

Handra – Eyes On You EP [Addictive Behaviour]

Posted on 29th August 2015 by DNB Dojo

Following on from their rather tasty single for the label last year, Handra return to Addictive Behaviour with new material that continues their style for techstep with a deeper vibe and unusual elements.

Lead track Eyes On You sees the duo team up with Mortem for a track that marries a solid tech backbone of beats and bass with a truly weird vocal line…either the vocalist was pretty agitated during the recording session or the boys have done some pretty wacky processing, but either way the results catch your ear immediately and provide a unique take on the D&B template.

Next up comes a remix of Coat Of Dust from Russian techstep maestro Eastcolors. True to form this is crisp, techy and warm, with tough beats contrasting nicely against the more melodic elements. Last but by no means least, Far Away sees Handra going in super deep on a beautiful slice of mellow halftime D&B with a soft, melancholy air and tons of feeling. It’s definitely the least dancefloor friendly tune on the release but also the most heartfelt, and it’s definitely out favourite on a really strong EP.

You can pick up the EP on vinyl or digital direct from the Addictive Behaviour store right now. Check out the clips below and go grab it!

Quentin Hiatus – Time Continuum / Gully [Onset Audio]

Posted on 28th August 2015 by DNB Dojo

The ever prolific Quentin Hiatus is back and this time he’s dropping experimental riddims for Onset Audio. Time Continuum harnesses the spirit of Techno for a quirky, robotic workout with some interesting switchups, apparently exploring the vastness of time & space via it’s various peaks and troughs.

Gully meanwhile drops the tempo slightly to the 160BPM region and blends the techno influence found on the first track with crusty old school breaks and more unusual rhythmic manoeuvres. These beats will have you constantly guessing! Check out the clips below and hit up your favourite digital outlet to grab them right now.

Homemade Weapons – Clarion Call EP [Samurai Music]

Posted on 27th August 2015 by DNB Dojo

Seattle based producer Homemade Weapons has carved out quite a reputation for himself as a purveyor of stark, militant beats and his latest EP for Presha’s esteemed Samurai Music imprint is possibly his finest work to date. The title Clarion Call (and indeed the cover art, featuring images of riot police fighting protesters) should give you some idea of what to expect; this is angry music with more than a little edge to it.

The EP’s first half hits the hardest, with tough break chopping and brooding sub a-plenty, with highlights on the positively snarling Clarion Call and the relentless kicks and breaks of Mileena VIP. The digital only tracks on the second half take things deeper, keeping the ominous tone but reeling in the breaks in favour of more spacious halftime stylings.

Overall the EP is a fearsome selection of material for those who like their beats at the moody end of the spectrum. Check out the clips below and hit up the Samurai store to get a copy on digital now. Vinyl heads, if you haven’t already grabbed a copy direct from Samurai you’ll need to keep an eye on the usual outlets when the record reaches general release.

If you’re looking for more from Homemade Weapons the man himself has just mixed the latest installment of the Samurai Podcast; check out his murky selections below.

Jazzatron – Urto EP [Alchemic Breaks]

Posted on 20th August 2015 by DNB Dojo

Alchemic Breaks present their 5th release from Italian producers Jazzatron, who dish up a tasty little EP of varied delights. Urto keeps things relatively conventional, dishing up a solid slice of techstep with some nice percussive details, but this is just an entrée for the main course coming up.

Come Quick should prove a win for fans of the jungle tinged sound, harnessing classic breaks and ethereal pads for a bit of a retro-modern vibe, bringing tons of character to the tune. Our favourite here at the Dojo though is the chopped up percussion assault of Juke/Footwork influenced Just Jukking. Fantastic rhythm and low end scuzz…yes please.

Check out the clips below and look for this one dropping August 22nd.

DNB Dojo

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