Category Archives: Releases

Dan Guidance – Dub Bomb [Anamorphic Recordings]

Posted on by
Reply

After quite a period of preparation since we first learned of Anamorphic in Feb this year, the new Belfast-based label is ready to unleash their first release from Dan Guidance, and it’s definitely been worth the wait. The appropriately named Dub Bomb leads the charge with a nice rolling skank, while Up In The Air brings together lush melodic elements with a healthy bassline for a slice of liquid that’s still more than capable for the dancefloor.

Perhaps predictably though the star of the show here is Zero T’s slamming remix of Dub Bomb.  The kicks and snares have been sharpened up considerably and the bassline carries some seriously tasty extra scuzz, making this one a sure fire weapon for smashing up the dance. Noice! Check out the clips below and look for this on digital and vinyl from August 26th.

Mako – The Narrator EP [Metalheadz]

Posted on by
Reply

Mako’s blend of tough yet nuanced techstep has won him plenty of plaudits over the last couple of years, with releases across some of the best labels in the scene, and his latest work for Metalheadz sees him at the top of his game.

There’s an old school tinge to a lot of the work here, eschewing the hyper-technicality of modern D&B in favour of simple but effective basslines and detailed break chopping, a combo which proves just as weighty and just an energetic as any of the ultra modern productions found elsewhere. Possibly the finest example on this release comes on The Gap, an exercise in high octane percussion concussion in collaboration with frequent partner in crime Fields. The tension and intricacy of the track are pretty breathtaking, giving the impression that every completed work for Mako is a labour of love.

Shades of classic scene originators (notably Photek) can be heard in the EP, but Mako’s talent is undoubtedly his ability to draw on these influences for inspiration without merely copycatting them. In a scene where originality is soon packaged and immitated, Mako succeeds in standing apart from other producers; The Narrator is a record that is distinctly ‘headz while at the same time not quite like anything else on their recent roster.

Overall if you’re looking for something with heft and soul in equal measure, this should be right up your alley. Check out the clips below and hit up the Metalheadz store to grab it on vinyl or digital right now.

Mystic State – Clockwork EP [Nurtured Beatz]

Posted on by
Reply

We picked out Mystic State earlier this year as one of our top 5 to watch, and their latest EP for Nurtured Beatz adds another solid release to their already impressive catalogue. If you like your beats deep, moody and groove focussed then this one should hit the spot nicely!

Clockwork lives up to it’s name with a steady halftime groove built around chiming percussion and a distinctly mechanical feel. Submerge continues the halftime trend but takes things darker, with bassline and heavy snares evoking brooding, murderous tones.

The second half of the EP ups the ante with full-roll collaborations with Howz & D-Side; the murky aesthetic is still present and the style remains stripped back, but the sludgy halfstep beats are swapped out for a crisp, insistent 2-step. The Room 2 heads will definitely be feeling these!

As usual you can pick up the whole EP direct from Nurtured Beatz via Bandcamp at a reduced price, or grab them from all the usual digital stores. Check out the clips below and go cop the release right now!

Altered Perception – 1144 EP [PowerON Records]

Posted on by
Reply

Sam Altered Perception is a busy man. Between co-running five (five!) record labels and a nearly constant stream of new productions, we’re not quite sure when the man finds any time to sleep or eat.

His latest EP for 50/50 sublabel PowerON is some of his finest work to date, exploring the halftime D&B template with an emphasis on intricate percussion. Title track 1144 brings some serious bassweight to the party, growling away behind a plethora of skittering percussion inside a tight kick/snare riddim. Synchronicity takes things deeper, with floaty synths, heavy sub and almost drumfunk style fills driving the tune along.

Last but not least, Space Invaderz takes things in a ravier direction with old school stabs and a staccato feel to the composition. This one hits hard! The halftime style continues to prove an exciting dimension to the D&B sound, and we hope to hear more from AP in this style in future. No release date as yet, so keep your eye on the relevant Facebook feeds for news.

Pin – Solitude [Goldfat Records]

Posted on by
Reply

Since impressing us with his release last year for Sub:mission Audio, Croydon-based producer Mitekiss has busied himself setting up a liquid imprint of his own in the form of Goldfat Records. Having released two singles of his own material, the label doors have been thrown open to welcome East Londoner Pin to the Goldfat family.

Sticking to the label’s deep liquid aesthetic, Solitude provides the more dancefloor focussed yet still deep and melancholy roller, while When We Were eases back on the gas in favour of softer beats and shimmering, IDM-style synth leads which are drenched in reverb and beauty in equal measure. Blissful stuff. Check out the clips below and watch out for the release dropping August 22nd.

Cern – Hollow Moon VIP [Dispatch Recordings]

Posted on by
Reply

After a bit of a hiatus, Dispatch return with the fourth instalment of their Dispatch Dubplate series and this time it’s Cern on the buttons. As per previous releases in the series there are some new VIPs and one vinyl exclusive track, with Hollow Moon and Tiamat both getting the VIP treatment and new Mayhem collaboration Hydraulic on the wax for the vinyl buyers.

As you’d expect from Dispatch and Cern the EP features three tracks of rugged techstep, with a nice balance between bassline scuzz and atmosphere. If you haven’t yet snapped up a copy you should move fast – pre-orders are already flying out of the door via the Dispatch Store and Redeye.

Theme – Scenes 1-4 EP [Samurai Red Seal]

Posted on by
Reply

Berlin-based producer Theme returns to Samurai Music after a popular release on their Horo imprint with a new EP blending halftime D&B with elements of dub techno, and the results are pretty stunning. Shimmering synth progressions, reverb drenched snares and a muted yet euphoric vibe characterise the tunes, and the compositions really draw you into the abstract world of their creator via a hypnotic, enveloping array of sonics.

While words like “hypnotic” and “meditation” get thrown around willy-nilly when discussing electronica that draws on ambience or floaty synths, these descriptions seem entirely fitting here. What exactly Theme is meditating on via these tracks is probably known only to him, but the body of work certainly carries a serene, thoughtful aesthetic which isn’t common in drum & bass…but then to many this isn’t drum & bass, and isn’t really trying to be either. The overall tone certainly shares more in common with dub techno, though the tempo and drum structures give away the influence of 85/170BPM music, call it what you will.

Pointless chin stroking regarding “true genre” aside, Scenes 1-4 is a breathtaking selection of tracks and one of the best attempts we’ve heard recently at the kind of musical zen producers of Theme’s ilk endeavour to create. Check out the clips below and lose yourself in it all…then head over to the Samurai Store and grab a copy on vinyl or digital, out right now.

If you want more from Theme, be sure to check out his mix for the Samurai Podcast below; 58 minutes of dubbed out halftime selections.

Brandon Miles & Tricky Pat – Crazy Pills EP [Faded Music]

Posted on by
Reply

US duo Brandon Miles & Tricky Pat bring their experimental stylings to Faded Music with a four track EP of genre-bending 85/170BPM business. Hints of IDM, hip-hop, jungle, juke and a general taste for all things ravey have been chucked into the sonic blender and the results are chaotic, unpredictable and generally really good fun.

Particular highlights come on the sludged-out, crunked up, gurn-inducingly bassy halftime hip-hop of Get Em’ and the irresistibly hyperactive rave-up of Memory Shot. Check out the clips below and grab the release from your favourite digital store right now!

Future Ghost & Tim Reaper – Back To Basics [Guangzhou Underground]

Posted on by
Reply

Guangzhou Underground impressed us a few months ago with a ruffneck jungle remix from Tim Reaper and their latest release sees Tim back in action going head to head with Future Ghost.

The aforementioned Ghost provides the first two tracks, serving up a smooth, vibesy hip-hop-infused roller with an infectious groove on 139 and Lennox before heading for more melancholy territory on the deep and thoughtful Truant Muse.

Reaper lives up to his usual stylings in the back end of the EP, bringing junglist breaks and plenty of lush soundscapes on 220 to 319. If you’re looking for a smooth ride the original mix might float your boat, but for us it’s all about the frantic break chopping of the chaotic VIP. Check out the clips below and hit up Beatport to snag the tracks right now.

Dark Soul – Stay Behind You [Kill Tomorrow]

Posted on by
Reply

Danish neurofunk label Kill Tomorrow dish up their latest release from Dark Soul, and while it’s not the most innovative slice of D&B you’ll hear this year the tracks have power and groove in abundance. Stay Behind You is full-on, balls-out, neuro tearer business. Stomping business on this one!

Over on the flip Complete takes things deeper with a rolling break, deep sub and some tasty percussion fills, keeping the energy high but backing off the bassline gas a little. Check out the clips below and grab this from your favourite digital outlet right now.