Tag Archives: Halftime

Kelle – Respirator / Radiophobia [ProgRAM]

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Over the years RAM has steadily become, for better or worse, more and more focused on big room, dancefloor D&B from the likes of Wilkinson, and has moved away from the more experimental side of D&B production. It seems their new sibling label ProgRAM is seeking to change all that though, and the latest release from Hungarian producer Kelle takes things deep and dark.

Respirator opens up with a massive throbbing sub line, skittering percussion and a tribal rhythm that drives the relatively simple composition along nicely. Radiophobia ups the ante somewhat with more insistent snares and a slightly more rolling beat. Creepy synth stabs on the intro give way to a heavy steppers beat on the drop and more of that dark sub bass action.

Overall this release smacks of a producer who’s only just getting started; definitely one to keep an eye on over the rest of this year! Grab this one from your favourite outlet now.

None Decay – Choke / Stockbroke [None Decay Music]

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Cambridge based duo None Decay are slowly building a rep for all things deep, dark and 170 and their latest self released beats continue that trend nicely. Choke kicks down with a heavy halftime riddim and some serious bassweight from the subs, driving things along to a tribal shuffle.

Stockbroke meanwhile proves a more energetic workout, replete with the same atmosphere but imbued with an insistence from a selection of beats, stabs and bass growls. You can pick up the tracks now from the None Decay Music bandcamp page so check out the clips and get to grabbing them!

Digital & Spirit – Original Rockers / Redo [Phantom Audio]

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The return of Digital & Spirit’s much revered Phantom Audio imprint earlier this year was met with much enthusiasm, especially given the top notch Fracture re-work of Phantom Force that sat on the A-side. Now the duo return with their first original material for the label in nearly a decade.

Original Rockers sets the tone with a huge slice of footwork infused half-step. Madcap syncopation and an infectious vocal sample sit over a weighty, dub style sub line on a tune that will doubtless be rocking dancefloors over the next few months.  Over on the flip Redo heads straight for full pelt dark jungle territory, skittering breaks on the intro giving way to a crisp, rolling beat and a classic reese in the main verse.

Check out the beats below and watch out for the release on vinyl and digital from November 4th.

Sam Binga – AYO [Modulations]

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Critical sister-label Modulations continues it’s fine tradition of putting out the less conventional end of the 170BPM sphere with it’s latest release from Bristol’s Sam Binga. AYO kicks things off with an MC-led halfstepper featuring the vocal talents of Redders over a distinctly trap-influenced beat that brings to mind Fracture’s half-time explorations in terms of drum structure, but moves off into synthier territory for the lead and bassline. The influence of EPROM and the glitchy LA hip-hop sound shines through here to give the tune real character, not to mention a healthy swagger.

Freezy keeps things bouncy and half-time but ups the syncopation, drawing on classic jungle breaks and some ghetto-tech/footwork style vocal cuts for an effortless blend of slow and fast. a hypnotic lead line and some tasty old-skool rave stabs fade in and out of the mix for extra sizzle. Lastly for the digital buyers 8 Barr ups the glitchyness with a tune that’s sure to have crowds raising a gun finger or two for the deadly subs.

Check out the tunes below and watch out for the release from October 7th on vinyl and digital.

Chimpo – Frontline EP [Soul:R]

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The Soul:R camp bring us tunes on a decidedly darker tip than usual from Manchester’s favourite MC/producer Chimpo. The titular Frontline sees Chimpo pass the mic to Fox for vocal duties while he gets on with the beats, delivering a moody half-time number imbued with bass and static in equal measure. Calibre steps in to deliver a remix and surprisingly avoids his usual smooth liquid territory in favour of a clattering amen refix of the tune, keeping things on a dark tip while significantly upping the tempo.

Elsewhere on the release Chimpo gets on the mic while Manchester buddies Dub Phizix & Skeptical provide a typically sparse, kick heavy beat for the man to air his unusual vocal style over. Finally All Over turns in a super-chopped up beat and ethereal, floaty pads to produce a style that sounds like the bastard child of drumfunk and dark garage. Truly innovative work on this one.

Watch out for this one dropping on vinyl and digital on July 15th.