The Re:Birth EP [Utopia Music]

Posted on 9th August 2015 by DNB Dojo

Utopia Music have had something of a hiatus recently (probably due in no small part to Mako’s extensive work with other labels) but the label is back with a new EP and for the first time they’re going digital only. According to the press release the previous strict vinyl-only release policy is now being relaxed to try and get more of the label’s signings out into the world, so expect to see more digital releases over the coming months.

As usual from the Utopia Camp the tunes are all top quality, but the vibes are even deeper than usual, with the imprint making it’s first forays into halftime D&B. Hydro, War & Mateba go in on 87 with some pretty spooky synths over a chunky back beat, while Coerce serves up floaty, almost ambient business on Merkava.

Israeli producer PLK switches things up with a chunky slice of angular D&B with a techy edge, leaving it to label boss Mako to close things out with a blissful “ReDub” of Sunchase’s previous release for Utopia, Nathennia. The track lives up to it’s name, being entirely dubby and almost entirely unrecognisable from the original.

You can grab these right now from the Utopia store, and if you want more Utopian vibes be sure to check out Hydro & War’s brand new mix for our exclusive mix series!

Classic Track: Unknown Error – The Yearning

Posted on 30th July 2015 by DNB Dojo

Unknown Error are chiefly remembered for their hefty neurofunk outings for the likes of Lifted Music and Renegade Hardware but the duo also had a knack for the deeper side of D&B as evidenced by their 2006 single for Horizons Music, The Yearning.

Combining rough breaks with soft pads, the track explores the “liquid with teeth” style that other producers like Chris.Su have since taken up, and the track walks the line between deep euphoria and darker dancefloor sensibilities with finesse. Tasty stuff, and a record I’m yet to tire of.

Modern Soul LP [Vandal Ltd]

Posted on 27th July 2015 by DNB Dojo

Vandal’s deeper-focussed LTD imprint are back with a fresh new compilation entitled Modern Soul, and for our money it’s the best summer liquid collection you can spend your hard earned pennies on right now.

The roster features heavyweights like Random Movement, Redeyes and Kabuki alongside rising producers such as Chromatic and a few relative unknowns, but the quality and diversity on show is unarguable regardless of each contributor’s pedigree. DJ Chap & Andrezz are among the crop of new producers turning in shimmering rollers, as are Soulvent co-owners and recent Hospital signings Pola & Bryson.

While picking favourites is tough, there are a few tracks that stood out for us here at the Dojo. Kabuki bucks the melodic trend with a dark yet jazzy flex on Black Byrd, while Random Movement turns in an effortlessly sleek and faintly sleezy roller named Cash Or Credit. Regular grime-slingers Kolectiv are also on hand with a sexy melody and some R&B style vocals, though their usual dutty basslines still make an appearance.

Essential business as usual from the Vandal camp; check out the clips below and look for this dropping at all good digital stores from July 27th.

Bad Graphics – Progression / Altitude [Ronin Audio]

Posted on 19th July 2015 by DNB Dojo

Leeds label Ronin Audio bring us their first release, with two experimental cuts from local production duo Bad Graphics. Progression keeps things pretty stark and ominous, switching at will between bassy minimalism and hyperactive break smashing, creating a really nice duality. Over on the flip Altitude keeps the beats a bit steadier, playing around with a fantastically wonky bassline that refuses to pin itself down into an obvious groove, preferring to keep the listener off balance with it’s odd rhythms.

You can grab this one right now from the Ronin Bandcamp, and if you want to find out a bit more about the label be sure to check out our Q&A with label boss Chimera.

The Event Horizon LP [Hangout Music]

Posted on 19th July 2015 by DNB Dojo

Two years on from its initial conception, Romanian label Hangout Music is launching a new imprint called The Grey Division aimed at exploring the deeper and less dancefloor oriented side of D&B. They’re not pulling any punches on the first release either, with 11 tracks collected from up and coming producers to form The Event Horizon LP.

There’s a really diverse array of material on show here, ranging from the expected (though enjoyable) deep halftime numbers from the likes of Lefty & Ovh and Dycide through to much more experimental material. Amigo’s Mercury stands out as an evolving, psychedelic synth jam, as does the ominous ambient vibe of Hidden Life’s rather serene Communications.

There’s certainly plenty to enjoy here for anyone looking for electronic explorations on the more eclectic fringes of the D&B world. Check out the promo mix below for a flavour of the tracks and look out for the LP dropping sometime in August.

Technimatic – Flashbulb EP [Shogun Audio]

Posted on 15th July 2015 by DNB Dojo

Technimatic return to Shogun Audio for their first release since last year’s debut LP Desire Paths. As you’d expect, it’s crisp, melodic liquid business from start to finish, and the boys manage to keep it warm and summery without succumbing to anything too cheesy.

Highlights come on the bouncy halftime of title track Flashbulb (more liquid producers should really explore this idea…) and the soft but insistent Remember You, with Secret Smile and Dirty Hands proving capable rollers to boot. Check out the clips below and hit up the Shogun Store to grab yourself a copy right now.

Blind Mice – Harbour EP [Cut]

Posted on 11th July 2015 by DNB Dojo

Cut may not be a label you’re familiar with, but it’s certainly one you should check out if you’re keen on the deeper side of electronic music across the genre spectrum. Starting as a free net label but recently changing to a subscription based model, the imprint puts out a wide range of music with an emphasis on emotionality and feeling rather than specific styles or tempos.

Their latest release comes from Blind Mice, a production outfit that I can literally find no further information on at all. Whether deliberately enigmatic or just badly publicised, one thing is sure – he/she/they have a talent for deep, moving compositions and innovative use of sound.

While it’s almost impossible to discuss this area of D&B without name-checking dBridge’s highly influential Autonomic imprint, the music here actually feels like it has little in common with that experiment beyond the halftime-ish tempo and a “deeper” sound. Where Autonomic was still to some degree club focussed, providing a fusion between Drum & Bass, Dubstep and other influences, the work on this EP feels more inspired by downtempo and film scores (and not in that “we love Vangelis” fashion so many producers are fond of either).

Despite the unified feel of the five tracks here, they move through a fairly wide set of tones. Meitene blends floating, futuristic synth washes with soft vocals for a faintly shoegaze-y opening, while Slipped Disk heads for more dubby territory with skittering percussion and reverb drenched vocal echoes. Harbour keeps the dubby vibe, with warm bass and a fairly minimal aesthetic, but Winter Solo brightens things up again, with more insistent beats and bass layered behind shimmering lead melodies. Last up Got A Feelin’ proves to be the most frantic composition, with rapid fire hats and footwork-style repetitive vocal slicing.

Overall the EP provides more proof (as if we needed it) of the near boundless array of musical possibilities within the 170BPM template. I’ll certainly be reaching for it over morning coffee again in the future. You can check out previews of the EP below; head on over to the Cut website to subscribe for the incredibly reasonable price of $2 a month, or if you’d prefer to buy the release on its own you can grab it from their Bandcamp.

Q&A – Orthodox

Posted on 8th July 2015 by DNB Dojo

The latest release on Red Bar Records comes from aspiring Oxford-based producer Orthodox, who delivers his debut EP with a blend of soulful hip-hop instrumentals and smooth liquid D&B. We hit him up to found out a bit more about the release, his production approach and his plans for the future.

Continue reading →

D Flect & Arcus – Sunworship EP [Alchemic Breaks]

Posted on 3rd July 2015 by DNB Dojo

Alchemic Breaks return with their fourth release from promising Yorkshire-based producers Arcus & D Flect. The EP sees the duo experimenting on the fringes of the 170BPM sound with deep synth work and unusual percussion arrangements, and the results make a pleasant change from the usual 2step fodder.

While Sunworship‘s heavy kicks definitely define it as the punchiest track on the EP it’s the other two tracks that really shine, with Arcane Matters blending glitchy autonomic style halftime with intricate drumfunk-esque breaks and bright leads, while Transit goes super deep exploring the semi ambient territory the likes of ASC play with so well.

Overall it’s a fine release from two producers who clearly have plenty more to offer the scene. Check out the clips below and watch out for the release dropping at digital stores from July 10th.

Erkiu – YRA EP [Shiro]

Posted on 2nd July 2015 by DNB Dojo

Apparently not content with already running three of the most esteemed labels in the scene, Samurai Music are launching their fourth imprint in July, named Shiro. Focussed exclusively on new artists who’ve never had a vinyl release, the label will produce limited white label runs with the first due on July 13th.

The music on this debut release comes from Polish producer Erkiu, who’s previously had digital releases on Cylon & CX:Digital. The EP showcases his gloomy, atmospheric sounds, blending techno influences with halftime D&B to create tracks that are minimal yet engrossing in nature.

Hollow Idol stands out as the Dojo favourite for it’s insistent groove, creepy pads and intricate percussive flourishes. Check out the clips below and hit up the Samurai Store to pre-order now.

DNB Dojo

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