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.

The Rum Baba – Strike EP

Posted on 18th July 2015 by DNB Dojo

Self-styled “Tropical Bass” producer The Rum Baba brings her intriguing blend of electronic shenanigans to the ridiculously named Aluminium Shiny Shin Side Shackout Music (try and say that when you’ve had a couple of pints…) and the results are pretty intriguing. The tracks on the EP career around the genre spectrum, taking splashes of influence from D&B, bashment, dub, soca, ska and who knows what else.

Meatallic and Nuclear prove the most uptempo tracks on offer, with the former providing a kick and sub dominated smasher and the latter serving up a tidy slice of drum-roll heavy D&B shenanigans. The middle of the EP definitely takes it a little easier, with slouching, bass heavy riddims a plenty for your sonic delectation. There’s definitely a hint of the tropical to it all, and it’s certainly a bit different from the usual fare.

Check out the clips below and hit up Juno for the pre-order before the July 31st release date.

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.

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.

Electrosoul System – Flawless LP [Med School]

Posted on 29th June 2015 by DNB Dojo

Russian producer Andrey Burtaev has been making his mark on the D&B scene as Electrosoul System for a decade now, honing his craft with releases for Fokuz, Subtitles, Spearhead and more. His latest venture sees him turning in his second full length LP for Med School, and it’s a bit of a treat.

The first thing that struck me upon listening to the album was the detail and depth of the tracks; despite all being firmly drum & bass material and all being relatively DJ friendly in structure, there’s no laziness in the production, with every bar imbued with the minor variations that elevate a track from club fodder into something worthy of repeat home listening.

There’s also a variety in the album which somehow doesn’t spoil its cohesion as a body of work; every track sounds related to the last, but the influences and styles that went into the melting pot are wonderfully diverse. Picking favourites on such a strong record is tough, but the frenetic FX chopping of 8th Dimension and the serene, rolling breaks and jazzy licks of Past Time Cruiser stand out in particular.

Overall this is another strong contender for album of the year in a 7 month period that has already seen incredible full lengths from a number of artists both big and small. Check out the clips below and hit up the Hospital Store to grab a copy on CD, vinyl or digital; the album drops Jun 29th.

DNB Dojo Mix Series 15: Phentix

Posted on 22nd May 2015 by DNB Dojo

Austrian producer Phentix brings us a varied selection for the latest DNB Dojo mix! With beats signed to Citrus and Disturbed and a new EP dropping shortly on IN:DEEP Phentix is definitely one to watch for 2015, and his mix for the Dojo proves his chops as a DJ, gliding effortlessly through deep liquid and heavier tech styles. Yes yes!

As usual you can check out the mix via Soundcloud below or head to Mixcloud, Hearthis.at or iTunes to stream. You can also grab a download from Dropbox.

Kimyan Law – Daimyo
Dub Phizix & Skeptical – Rags
Roygreen & Protone – Warman
Loxy & Isotone – Ancients (Skeptical Remix)
Roygreen & Protone – Speak the Truth
Amoss – The Shapeshifter ft. MC Fokus (Skeptical Remix)
Alix Perez – The Observer
Dub Phizix & Skeptical – The Enemy
Bredren – Rotten
Phentix – The Grim ft. Kinetical
Skeptical – Refraction
Kasra & Enei – So Real
Pessimist – Abstract
Octane & DLR – Back in the Grind (Cern & Dabs Remix)
Phentix – Hoax (unsigned Dub)
Klax – Blackball
Ivy Lab – Forex
Bredren – Control
Enei – Trainchaser
Amoss & Dabs – Latch
Sabre & Cern – Pinch Me
Break – Condensor
S.P.Y – Xenomorph
Ivy Lab – Gomeisa
Spectrasoul – Bygones
Break – Trying

Kimyan Law – Daimyo VIP [Blu Mar Ten Music]

Posted on 18th May 2015 by DNB Dojo

The enigmatic Kimyan Law is back! Blu Mar Ten Music’s brightest new talent returns to the label with three great new tracks following on from last year’s rather excellent album.

Album cut Daimyo gets the VIP treatment, switching the rhythm up to a slightly more insistent gait and adding a handful of jungle breaks to the mix. Lavish keeps things on a stripped back tip; airy drum patterns with a hint of swing and a generally pretty dubbed out vibe. The merest hints of jazz can be heard fading through the mix for a little extra shimmer.

Last but not least, Chai takes things even deeper, spacing out the drums into a lolloping rhythm against a backdrop of rich melodic textures. This one is the star of the show for us; absolutely beautiful. Check out the clips below and hit up the Blu Mar Ten store to grab a copy on vinyl or digital now.

Q&A – Chimera [Ronin Audio]

Posted on 2nd May 2015 by DNB Dojo

Originally one half of Alchemic Breaks, we got the word recently that Chimera had struck out on his own to start a new imprint, Ronin Audio. It seemed only right that we track him down for a chat; read on for some info on their first release and what else he’s got in store!

Continue reading →

HLZ – Dying Memories / Duel [Warm Communications]

Posted on 21st April 2015 by DNB Dojo

Warm Comms continue their impressive run of recent releases with two firing new beats from ex-Need For Mirrors member and general badman HLZ. The release shows a real knack for combining straight up D&B heft with more experimental influences as evidenced by the soaring guitar riffs of Dying Memories, bringing an element of prog rock to the tune against the backdrop of sub and breaks.

Duel meanwhile lives up to it’s name, conjuring up the image of some strange ethereal battle with the opposing forces swooping in and out of the stereo field, swiping at one another before disappearing back behind enemy lines. If anyone needed proof of the innovation present in D&B, this single should be ample evidence. Check out the clips below and look for this on vinyl and digital from April 20th.

DNB Dojo

Drum & Bass News and Reviews

Tag Archives: Experimental