AGN7 Audio – Mantra / Vignette

Today we’ve got a brand new production / label project for your listening pleasure in the form of AGN7 Audio (that’s pronounced ‘Agent Audio’ if you were wondering; perhaps a sly nod to Trace’s DSCI4?). Coming at you from the US, AGN7 is the new brainchild of established producers SPKTRM and Ronin Selecta, and their press release sets out the bold aim of “adventurous” drum and bass.

While the first single perhaps isn’t defining any new sub-genres quite yet, it’s certainly ignoring current trends in both US and worldwide D&B; a cynical attempt to top the Beatport charts this is not. Mantra brings to mind 2005-era hard, break driven techstep with a deep, ominous build-up giving way to harsh chopped up drums and massive bass hits. Over on the flip Vignette takes the foot off the gas a little, easing back on the bassline heft to focus on cleaner break manipulation set to creepy atmospherics. This one brings to mind darker material from the back catalogues of Seba, Paradox or Blocks and Escher, and it’s totally up there in terms of quality too.

Overall this is a solid statement of intent from a duo we’re looking forward to hearing more from! Check out the clips below and hit up Beatport to grab the release now, with other stores following in two weeks time.

Rush Records Premieres

Today we’ve got a double-dose of exclusive business as we present two tracks from the brand new Rush Records Remix LP!

First up is Solo’s epic Sun VIP! Serious break chopping business with a side of liquid pad action on this one; fans of Breakage, Paradox et al will be all over it.

The second of our two exclusives comes from Structure, on the remix for label boss Colossus. His take on What I Want serves up lush, rolling D&B with a hint of jazz and a touch of snarl in the bassline; proper liquid business! Hit up Beatport to grab yourself a copy of the album right now.

Solo:
Facebook → www.facebook.com/solodnb
SoundCloud → @solouk

Structure:
Facebook → www.facebook.com/structurednb
SoundCloud → @structurednb
Twitter → www.twitter.com/dannystructure

Rush Records:
Facebook → www.facebook.com/rushrecordsuk
SoundCloud → @rush-records-dnb
Twitter → www.twitter.com/RushRecords_dnb

Premiere: innaSelf – Last Dance

Another Dojo exclusive today as we bring you the B-side from innaSelf’s brand new single for Philadelphia imprint Redcliffe Records! Crispy breaks and enigmatic piano characterise this jazzy liquid roller; definitely one the melodic heads will lose themselves in. Look out for the single dropping September 19th at all good digital stores.

innaSelf:
Facebook → www.facebook.com/pages/innaSelf/524564470933436
SoundCloud → @inna-self
Twitter → twitter.com/innaSelf_uk

Redcliffe Records:
Facebook → www.facebook.com/redclifferecs
SoundCloud → @redclifferecs

Premiere: Cirrus – Lost Heart

Regular readers will know we’re huge fans of Cirrus here at the Dojo so it’s an absolute pleasure to present the premiere of the title track from his new EP, Lost Heart.

Dropping on Dust Audio sub-label Turbine Music next month, Cirrus hones his trademark halftime grit once more here, combining heavy hitting kicks and snares with rumbling sub and clattering amen fills for a relentless slice of experimental D&B pressure. Serious business!

Cirrus:
Facebook → www.facebook.com/cirrusdnb
SoundCloud → @cirrusdnb
Twitter → twitter.com/cirrusdnb

Dust Audio / Turbine Music:
Facebook → www.facebook.com/DustAudioDNB
SoundCloud → @dustaudio
Twitter → twitter.com/dustaudio

Premiere: Precision – What Could You

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Precision joins the ranks of Nurtured Beatz with a cracking new EP later this month and we’ve got the exclusive on closing track What Could You! Featuring smooth pads, deep sub and a crispy break, this is classic roller territory and executed with style and finesse.

As always you can get your hands on this first via the Nurtured Beatz Bandcamp; the EP drops there Aug 26th with full release a week later.

Precision:
Facebook → www.facebook.com/precisionuk
SoundCloud → @precisionuk
Twitter → twitter.com/Lukeeynicholls

Nurtured Beatz:
Facebook → www.facebook.com/NurturedBeatzRecordings
SoundCloud → @nurtured-beatz
Twitter → twitter.com/Nurtured_Beatz

Premiere: Out of Fuel – Ghosts

Time for another Translation Recordings exclusive as we present Ghosts, taken from the forthcoming EP by Finish duo Out of Fuel. As you’d expect from the enigmatic Translation this is deep, dark and moody, with tight percussion filling out the otherwise sparse halftime composition. Gully business!

Look out for this coming Aug 29th via the Translation Bandcamp.

Out of Fuel:
Facebook → www.facebook.com/outoffuel
SoundCloud → @out-of-fuel
Twitter → twitter.com/out_of_fuel

Translation Recordings:
Facebook → www.facebook.com/translationrecordings
SoundCloud → @translationrecordings
Twitter → twitter.com/translationrecs

War – Invisible EP [Methlab BNKR]

Given their roster of artists one might have expected Methlab’s new BNKR imprint to be dishing out the neurofunk smashers a la Eatbrain, Blackout etc, but so far the label’s output has shown a surprising depth and diversity, much to our delight here at Dojo HQ.

Fans of Utopia Music, Dispatch, Horizons or any of the other esteemed imprints he’s released on should already be familiar with French-born, Bristol-based War. Despite being only 23 years old he’s already made quite a mark on the D&B scene, both with his frequent collaborators Hydro and Mateba and on solo joints like his latest EP for Methlab.

On then to said solo EP, and the first thing that stands out is the drums. Drawing on the long heritage of precise yet organic percussion honed by the likes of Mako, DLR, Photek and so many other producers, the tracks all harness a raw funk so often lacking in today’s 170BPM stylings. This isn’t the over-polished crispness of Hospital’s liquid breaks or the synthetic pew pew lazer snares of modern neuro; this is the sound of the funkiest drum machine out there, channelling breaks, kicks, snares and fills through the mix with a touch of analogue distortion and tons of soul.

If the drums are the first part of the equation that binds these tracks together, atmosphere is the other; from the skittering, tribal halftime of title track Invisible through the hypnotic stabs of The Hundred Lights and out into Metalheadz-esque tech smashed Snow Blind the EP is replete with subtle pads, and a faintly ominous tone, beckoning the listener in to War’s slightly dystopian world.  

Rounding the EP off with another cracking curveball, Methlab have recruited the ever versatile Djrum for remix duties on Invisible, and true to his eclectic pallet he’s twisted it into a throbbing slice of techno well worthy of a dingy Berlin dancefloor. Overall this is a cracking EP for those that like their D&B to tread the line between dancefloor sensibilities and cerebral appeal; check out the clips below and hit up the Methlab Bandcamp to grab a copy right now.

Kelle & Juha – Mystery / Snowflakes [E-Motion]

After something of a hiatus E-Motion have returned in 2016 and their latest single from Kelle & Juha sees the label rejuvenated and back to full strength once again, bringing their brand of deeper 170BPM to the table with relish.

Both Mystery and Snowflakes keep the drums sharp and the melodic elements warm, floaty and intriguing; two more tunes to lose yourself in and essential listening for fans of the liquid sound. Check out the clips below and grab the release from your favourite digital store right now.

Handra – Forget EP [Addictive Behaviour]

Regular readers are probably already aware that we’re big fans of Addictive Behaviour; pretty much every release from the burgeoning London label has been a treat, and that tradition looks set to continue for some time based on their latest offering.

The Forget EP sees Polish duo Handra follow up the success of their previous releases for the label with two new tracks following their usual deep-leaning style. Forget kicks things off with another beautiful Tiiu-voxed roller, bringing together tough bass with soft piano and the Russian singer’s delightfully delicate strains. We’re suckers for a melancholy number here at Dojo HQ and this is up there with the best of them.

Arcane sees the energy levels rising as Mystic State join Handra in the studio for a gritty, vibe-full roller; simple but effective business as big splashy snares punctuate the growling bass under a layer of echoed rap vocals. Finally Ed:it rounds things off with a chunky remix of Far Away, swapping the deep halftime flex of the original with quirky but rolling drums and a more stripped back sound.

Once again the Addictive family are on top form! Check out the clips below and look for this on vinyl and digital right now…and if you can’t get enough Handra, go listen to their Showcase Mix for D&B Arena.

Premiere: The Corpus – El Niño

Another brand new exclusive for your listening ears! Lithuania’s Eternia Music have reached their 20th release and one of the most potent tracks comes from relative unknown The Corpus with a fantastic take on the halftime sound.

Radiant synths shine though on the intro, giving way to crisp percussion and an industrial tinged bassline; some serious weight on this one. Out now at Bandcamp!

The Corpus:
SoundCloud → @the-corpus

Eternia Music:
Facebook → www.facebook.com/thisiseternia
SoundCloud → @eternia-music
Twitter → twitter.com/eterniamusic