The ever enjoyable Automate podcast series returns after a slight hiatus with a deep and dark mix from Venezuelan producer Ortokore. With releases for Raiden’s now sadly defunct Voodoo Music and Automate’s Deep imprint, Ortokore draws on a wide range of influences to produce experimental, tribal D&B, a sound which is hugely present in the mix. Check it out and grab a free download below.
Manchester MC Skittles (who you should recognise from his huge collab with Dub Phizix I’m A Creator) gets the remix treatment on the latest release from Estate Recordings. Jubei delivers a sub-heavy stepper in his rework, while Need For Mirrors go leftfield with a dark, skittering rework; tribal drum bizness. As if that wasn’t enough Manchester newcomer Metrodome delivers a tight, bassy hip-hop rework which is well worth a listen.
Check out the first two remixes below and look out for the release dropping on vinyl and digital from August 26th.
Terabyte Records co-founder Altered Perception steps up to give us a pair of heavy-hitting techstep rollers for US label BASSordeath. Both tracks display tasty warped basslines and crisp, rolling percussion, with Bricks adding in some apt hip-hop sampling for good measure.
Check out the clips below and watch out for these dropping via all good digital outlets on August 26th.
San Francisco based Anodyne Industries is a new name to my ears but definitely one I’ll be keeping a close eye on in future. His release in the extensive and varied catalogue of the IDMf net label (which admittedly I’m coming too rather late on, given it’s release back in 2011) is a tasty selection of dark, warped beats across various styles and tempos.
The EP includes a selection of remixes both by AI and others of Make It Darker and Body Weapon, plus a bonus in the form of After The Storm. Highlights for me are the skittering, leftfield neurofunk vibes of Make It Darker (AI Remix), the dark, atmospheric halfstep of Body Weapon (AI Remix) and the sublime IDM-tinged Dubstep of Make It Darker (IG88 Remix). Check it out below and grab yourself a download from bandcamp on a free/pay what you like basis.
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Craggz & Parallel bring us a varied EP for their own Product Recordings imprint. The EP hits heavy from the start, with opener Metal Plate sounding like a modern homage to Digital’s classic Deadline. The synth stabs and clattering percussion combine nicely with a monstrous bassline to create a hefty stepper with a sci-fi tinge.
Fragments turns up the heat, dropping bigger, harder breaks over an industrial strength reese line with some nice brass sounds adding to the mix. Nobody switches things up nicely, combining a classic jungle riddim with 8-bit sensibilities and a distinctly garage-influenced vocal cut-up on the intro, before slapping you around the face with a massive kick line and some beefy sub bass. Finally Get Smart rounds things off nicely with a classic techstep roller.
Check out the tunes below and look out for this dropping July 22nd.
Kiwi neurofunk legends The Upbeats bring us a mix full of brand new cuts and huge double drops to celebrate their appearance at Playaz x Fabriclive last Friday. The tracklist is 100% Upbeats material, featuring cuts from their recent album alongside older beats such as their remix of Ewun’s Screw Up and some of the releases from their own Non Vogue imprint. Fans of the heavier end of D&B should definitely check this one out!
Hardware bring us another selection of sick techstep cuts with a remix EP featuring contributions from the biggest and best in the scene right now. Taking pride of place is InsideInfo’s update of the legendary Usual Suspects belter Killa Bees. This one has been destroying floors across the world for months, and for good reason; retaining the vibe of the original but updating it nicely with modern production values and that trademark InsideInfo synth detail, this is setting a benchmark for modern updates of classic tunes.
Elsewhere on the EP Maztek turns in a typically gritty refix of Optiv & BTK’s Inception, with the duo dropping a huge rework of Maztek’s Limber in return. To be honest I think Optiv & BTK won this round, but both tunes are well worth a listen.
Finally Verb has been let loose on another classic, putting the modern polish on Future Cut’s Whiplash. This still sounds as eery as it did way back in 1999 and fans of the original will be pleased to note that the absolutely tearing drum-line has been faithfully recreated and reinforced. Watch out for the full EP dropping on vinyl and digital July 15th.
Usually I’m skeptical of press release hype but I think Violation Music are genuinely onto a “hidden gem” with this release from up and coming producer Seismix. With releases on BTK’s Dutty Audio imprint and DJ support from the likes of Sabre, Octane & DLR, Insideinfo, Cern and Hybris, I wouldn’t imagine he’ll stay hidden for long mind.
Code delivers dancefloor tech at its best, combining atmospheric synths, rolling drum breaks, deft synth work and that all important bass growl to create a tune that will fit right into any dark D&B DJ set. Over on the flip, the man shows us a little more depth with a half-time tune that’s all about the percussion; natural hits and fill abound, with the warm sub adding to the deep, tribal feel.
Watch out for the single dropping July 1st via all good digital outlets.
Origins Birmingham resident M:Pathy delivers the fourth in our exclusive mix series, packed full of Terabyte Records dubs, some of which have never been heard before! Gritty techstep beats all the way. With his second release dropping on Terabyte on Monday, expect big things from this man over the coming months!
Stream the mix below and grab a free download from Dropbox, or check it out on Mixcloud.
M:Pathy – Grit VIP (Forthcoming Terabyte)
Paiton – Cosma (Forthcoming Terabyte)
M:Pathy – The Grind (Forthcoming Terabyte)
Clarity & Overlook – Chinatown
Paiton – Wrapped in (Forthcoming Terabyte)
Elkie & M:Pathy – TBC
Hyroglifics – Soundboy
Fre4knc – Tubular
Volatile Psycle – Twisted Imagery (Forthcoming Terabyte)
Stealth – Deep Inside
A-Cray – Untold Stories (Forthcoming Terabyte)
M:Pathy – Meditate (Forthcoming Terabyte)
Kolectiv – Dog Eat Dog
Dreadzone – Zion Youth (Bazil remix)
J-DOK – Make Haste
Amoss – Cranium (Dakosa remix)
J-DOK, M:Pathy & Elkie – Further
Mindmapper & Fre4knc – Dictionary of Dreams
Amoss – Footloose VIP
Jekyll – Blabbermouth
Clarity – Terminology
M:Pathy returns with his second single for Terabyte, delivering darkness in spades with a pair of leftfield half-steppers that carry a distinctly “Room 2” vibe. The Grind combines heavy hitting kicks and sub growl with some superb glitchy texture; heavily reverbed snares, static and a skittering percussion line all fade in and out of the mix to create some serious atmosphere.
Over on the flip Meditate goes in even harder, laying down some super compressed kick drums, a pitched down vocal and an absolutely rumbling sub line. Make no mistake, this is the sound of Birmingham; grimey, industrial and oppressive. Watch out for these dropping on June 24th.