Ultra-deep and minimal sounds on today’s premiere as we present a cut from alg0rh1tm’s new album, forthcoming on Dubkraft Records. As you’d expect from label and producer alike, this one is all in the atmosphere, with ominous, industrial soundscapes punctuated by unusual percussion and creepy vocal snippets. Haunting stuff! Watch out for the album coming July 4th exclusive to Juno, with all other stores following on the 19th.
The Dreamers return to our premiere spotlight with Italian producer Frame back for a second EP, following up his excellent Natural Sound EP from last year. Primitive Jungle brings together classic breaks with a pallet of faintly neolithic soundbytes for a playful slice of D&B that at once sounds faintly retro and very 2018. Wicked stuff! Look for this alongside at all good digital stores from June 14th.
Prolific US experimental beatsmith Quentin Hiatus launches the fourth volume of his I’m Neither Quentin Nor Hiatus album series into your living rooms this week, so to celebrate we asked him to pick through his extensive musical catalogue and pick his five favourite beats.
Rua’s talent for signing exciting releases from artists at the cross-section between D&B, jungle, halftime and other bass music influences continues on today’s exclusive as we present the premiere of Lynch Kingsley & Neve’s Deadly! Blending dub vocals, deep bass, skittering breaks and a halftime backbeat, this is pure slow-fast euphoria; proper head-nodder! Look for this on vinyl and digital from June 29th alongside three other sick new beats from Lynch…
Crypticz returns to the Dojo premiere spotlight on today’s exclusive as he serves up a typically crisp and atmospheric remix for the new Mystic State EP on their label The Chikara Project. Keeping the vibes dubbed out and adding a hint of jungle skitter to the drums, this one goes deep…look for the full EP coming May 1st via Bandcamp.
Rockwell’s work over the years has set him apart from many other producers; taking a quality-over-quantity approach and constantly seeking out innovation (much to the annoyance of some heads who clamour for more of his early sound), you always know you’re going to get something interesting from a new Rockwell release.
His latest work for Shogun Audio is no exception to this rule, drawing on various bass-music influences for an EP that is at one decidedly drum & bass and still almost completely spurning of its traditions. Roni Size collab Easy rips up the rhythm rule book, keeping the energy and sound palette ravey but refusing to settle into a stale groove. ’09 Track fuses classic dub and more modern dubstep influences for a huge halftime head-nodder, while Inventor recruits Flowdan for vocals on an infectious clash of bashment and jungle.
User rounds off the release nicely by reminding us that Rockwell still knows how to serve up an old fashioned roller, and a decidedly catchy one at that. Crisp breaks, warm bass swells and a weirdly manipulated vocal hook combine for an instantly recognisable track. More essential listening from one of the brightest names in the game; check out the clips below and hit up your favourite store to grab a copy on vinyl or digital right now.
Stoner takes a break from his usual tech-edged productions to deliver a more experimental single for Dojo favourite The Dreamers, and we’ve got the exclusive on A-side Holo! Weird sound designs, unusual rhythms and a catchy chiming lead pack this one full of that eccentric character that makes the label’s output so exciting. Look for this at all good stores from March 19th…
When it comes to true scene originators, Bop stands among a privileged few. As the chief architect of the ‘microfunk’ sound, he’s constantly found new and exciting ways to explore his unique corner of the 170BPM sound. His latest EP for Med School continues that proud tradition, melting down all manner of unusual influences, stirring in a healthy dose of signature sound and serving it up for the world to hear.
The EP opener (Untitled Pattern 52, not that the track names mean much) is as close to a traditional D&B roller as you’re going to get here; Bop’s inimitable percussive style is still present, but set to a 2-step pattern that serves as the backbone for rich synth progressions. Pattern 51 meanwhile combines classic jungle breaks with glitchy drum hits for a bouncy, exuberant clash of the retro and the modern.
Pattern 54 amps up the energy, drawing inspiration from the likes of Rockwell with a garage-infused four to the floor drum line pelting on at full D&B tilt. Maximum rave! Last but by no means least, Pattern 55 dials it back with dubby echoes and a lilting, swung beat for an appropriately serene outro.
Another cracking EP from a producer with an apparently limitless creative streak. Check out the clips below and grab it from your favourite store now.
Irish imprint Rua Sound continue their journey to the cutting edge of experimental D&B with a fresh EP from Lewis James. Clash melds a host of different influences, with soft, evocative synths on the intro giving way to darker elements as the tune drops into a weighty slab of jungle-infused halftime. Skittering drums and a big bad bassline are present and correct and the arrangement eschews the traditional “intro-verse-breakdown-verse-outro” format in favour of a gradual build and then a gradual fade, something we don’t see nearly enough of in the rigid structures of modern dance music. Watch out for the EP coming March 2nd at all good stores…
Out of Fuel return to Translation Recordings this month with another cracking EP of dubbed out halftime goodness and we’re hyped to present the premiere of lead track Minus 25! Spacey echoed chords and a trippy lead melody layer with warm bass and an infectious halftime groove for a laid-back journey, apparently into the freezing cold. Check it out and watch out for the EP coming 16th Feb.