Tag Archives: Deep

Tokyo Prose – Presence LP Sampler [Samurai Red Seal]

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As Samurai prepare for the release of Tokyo Prose’s debut LP next month, the first glimpses have appeared via the LP sampler, and they’re a bit of a treat. Waiting On sees the ever talented Riya stepping up to the mic to deliver her trademark soulful vocals on an effortlessly smooth, piano-led roller. It would be easy to dismiss this as yet another deep tune with a Riya vocal, but while this may not be treading particularly innovative ground the execution is faultless. Perfectly reverbed vocals, soft, warm piano and crisp breaks come together in a perfect storm of mood and beauty.

Over on the flip Ventura proves no slouch either, kicking in with a slightly more insistent break and deep sub bass but keeping the tone somewhat distant; definitely one for the heads. Vinyl addicts can pre-order the 12″ from Samurai’s brand new store (along with pre-order options for the album itself) and the digital can be picked up right now exclusively from Samurai’s Bandcamp.

Get To Know…Transmission Audio

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Regular readers of the blog will probably already be familiar with Leeds-based upstart Transmission Audio. Altered Perception, Peak and Sanction have been busy over the last year building a fierce catalogue of dark, edgy D&B from up and coming producers like Komatose, Skepsis and Xsetra, and they’ve even found time to start a sister Sub:mission imprint to put out some more melodic beats.

With the labels moving from strength to strength, and the releases dropping all too quickly, the Dojo crew decided it was time for a wee retrospective on the last few releases and what’s to come over the next few months.

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Mako – Back To The Source EP [Dispatch Recordings]

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Mako continues to cement his position in the scene with a new EP for Dispatch Recordings featuring four tracks inspired by the classic sounds of 90s D&B origins. Utopia Music alumni and frequent collaborator Villem brings his studio skills to the table for the first track, bringing tonight intricate break-work, atmosphere and bass heft in the style that Mako exercises so well.

Planet Physical takes things in a darker direction, blending modern techstep bass and production sheen with the helter-skelter drum patterns of jungle. Vocal snippets interspersed in the track explore Mako’s obvious interest in philosophy; maybe a few ravers might scratch their heads in the dance a bit for good measure. Ya Know What I’m Sayin continues the drum workout, with simple sub hits and a driving energy giving the composition tons of pace.

Last but by no means least, There’s Nothing We Can’t Be brings huge reverbed snares and atmospheric synths for a softer, more melodic track full of quirky samples and musicality – a great swan song to an EP that feels like Mako really settling into his abilities as a producer and experimenting freely with the flexible form that is D&B. Check out the clips below and head over to the Dispatch Store to grab an early copy before the general release on July 7th.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-9LvJsaYIw&list=PLRcyxRjocmcCtoPBHd9sOtLmas0pnGnhR]

Fracture – Loving Touch EP [Exit Records]

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The ever enjoyable beats of Charlie Fracture touch down on dBridge’s Exit Records imprint, continuing his leftfield explorations of the 170 sound. Title track Loving Touch (which absolutely went off when I heard dBridge drop it at Glastonbury last weekend) blends old school D&B bass, footwork drum patterns and the irresistible vocal hook from a Chicago house classic. Apparently it was conceived in a dream; we’re not sure if that’s entirely true, but it’s a cracking track and no mistake.

Elsewhere on the EP we’re treated to a stripped-back drum workout on Werk It, twisted, bouncing dub vibrations with more than a hint of jungle on Overload and cheeky Sam Binga collab which keeps the syncopations rapid and the subs massive to close out the EP. As usual Exit are the ones to watch when it comes to pushing the envelope; check out the beats below and grab this one on vinyl or digital now.

All Cities Vol. 2 [Vandal Ltd]

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Vandal bring us the 3rd release on their “Ltd” imprint with a varied selection of D&B from four up and coming production outfits. Soul:motion delivers deep liquid vibrations and minimal melancholy on Reminisce, while Joakuim heads for gritty roller territory with ominous pads, rolling beats and some tasty but not overplayed bass growl.

Over in the back half of the EP Tim Reaper explores the old school sound with classic breaks and IDM-esque melodies layered with a big slab of sub bass. Last up, Roygreen and Protone veer off into experimental territory with Laser Cats, a mellow tune with an unusual percussive groove that brings to mind the Autonomic sound, though with a touch of the jazz that we’re used to from the duo.

Check out the clips below and look for this at your favourite digital outlet from July 7th.

Fuj – Terror Firmer / Pressure Plates (Remixes) [AutomAte Deep]

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Automate Deep return with a bit of tasty remix pressure as Dexta and Mtwn rework Fuj’s tunes from his previous release for the label. The Diffrent boss kicks things off with a half-time refix of Terror Firmer, all stomp and growl with an insistent riddim and bassline modulations taking centre stage against a backdrop of reverbed atmos and FX sprinkles.

Mtwn step up for the B side with a deep, dark re-imagining of Pressure Plates, stripping the tune back to it’s basic elements and working it into a twisted, dubby vibe with off kilter percussion landing left, right and centre. Check out the clips below and watch out for this one dropping at all good digital outlets from July 7th.

EP.2 [Blind Music]

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Blind Music continue their anonymous sonic experiment with three more slabs of 170BPM goodness and no clue as to who’s been pressing the buttons. BLND#4 pushes the boundaries of the 170 sound with a stomping half-time beat, ominous pads and a catchy vocal sample. BLND#5 takes things tribal with more ominous synths, dark sub bass and an insistent riddim. Finally BLND#6 heads for glitchy, minimal territory with idiosyncratic percussion and some great sampling.

Check out the beats below and pick up the release from Bandcamp now.

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Fourfit EP 02 [Soul:R]

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Soul:R present the second in their Fourfit EP series with a diverse selection from some of the best names in the scene. LSB opens up the release with a shimmering deep liquid roller replete with beautiful strings, flourishes of piano and a crisp, rolling break. Silky smooth business.

Next up FD switches thing up with a grimey tech roller that ticks all the right dancefloor boxes. Anile raids the classic breaks and turns up the atmosphere for the appropriately titled Depths, and Kid Drama rounds things off by tapping into that serene Autonomic melancholia for a great slice of leftfield 170BPM action.

Check out the beats below and look for this one on vinyl and digital from June 23rd.

Eveson – Grey Dawn EP [Ingredients]

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Ingredients return with a fresh new EP from liquid impresario Eveson. The opening track sees him team up with Halogenix for a moody stepper replete with deft touches, from the warm bass to the simple yet effective melodic flourishes and through to the vocal snippets which ice the cake during the breakdowns.

A Dystopian Romance heads for brighter, more rolling territory with uplifting synths, crisp breaks and more choice vocal highlights. Rounding the release off, Deluge drops the tempo for a soft, atmospheric breakbeat outing; pure armchair joy. Check out the clips below and watch out for this one dropping from June 23rd.

Tremah – Blend / Creep [E-Motion Records]

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E-Motion get in touch with their deeper side once again with their latest single from Tremah. Blend lays down a smooth, melancholy vibe with punchy, rolling drums, deep sub vibrations and soft, sad synths coming together nicely.

Over on the flip Creep follows a similar pattern, with insistent beats, well placed vocal samples and a little more emphasis on the bassline. Check out the clips below and watch out for this one dropping from June 9th.