We’ve got more raved up halftime business from the mighty Samurai Breaks as he lands on Forest Biz with a big new EP of eclectic material appropriately titled Pick & Mix. Bringing the bassweight and a seriously infectious riddim, De Clangers blends halftime backbeats and throbbing low end with more rapid rave and jungle influences for a cracking take on the 170 sound. Look for this dropping May 18th!
Today’s premiere comes from Leeds producer Ingot (previously one half of Bad Graphics) who lands on Austrian label Moshbit this month with some cracking sonic experimentations. Junkyard combines unusual halftime rhythms with soft female vocals from Kintsuku and driving sub bass for a truly unique take on the 170 sound. Look for this one coming May 4th via all good digital outlets…
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.
Eighteen months old and still going strong, Dojo boss Hex is back on the decks this month with another selection of all the best beats from the inbox. Tracks inside this month from Apex, War, Invadhertz, Spirit, Missing, Mark Kloud and loads more.
As always you can check out the podcast via Soundcloud below or head to Youtube or iTunes to stream. You can also grab a download from Google Drive.
Berlin imprint Through These Eyes return with their fifth release at the beginning of next month and we’ve got the exclusive on lead track Flow! London producer Noh Vae is on the buttons, dishing up a sick halftime flow with hints of the old school D&B sound. Look out for this dropping exclusively on vinyl from May 7th.
Long running US underground imprint Translation return with the third volume of their Bassment Beats EP series this month and we’ve got the first look at Mark Kloud’s contribution, Coplanar. As you’d expect from both the artist and the label, this one is a deep, experimental cut, building atmosphere on the intro with soft percussion and expansive synths before dropping into razor edged halftime drums that progress into a plethora of intricate percussion fills with a dubby edge. Look for this alongside new tracks from Fuj, Akinsa, Rogue State and Broken Promise; Bassment Beats Vol. 3 drops April 14th.
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.
You all know the score by now…Hex is back with the monthly DNB Dojo podcast, this month featuring beats from Coppa, Hyroglifics, Whiney, Fade, Low:r and many more, and exclusive dubs from Øska and Just Jungle. Full spectrum D&B sound…get to know.
As always you can check out the podcast via Soundcloud below or head to Youtube or iTunes to stream. You can also grab a download from Google Drive.
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.