Utopia bossman Mako looks set for an amazing 2015; fresh from a great collab with Villem & McLeod and with a great new EP for Warm Comms on the horizon, we thought it was high time to find out what else he’s been cooking up.
Q&A – Mako
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Mako, Villem & McLeod – Inner Revolution [Utopia Music]
The Utopia family return with a silky smooth liquid roller from bossman Mako alongside familiar partner in crime Villem and his erstwhile sidekick McLeod. Inner Revolution is pure bliss! Over on the flip Villem & McLeod go in deeper, swapping the uptempo breaks for a downtempo half-time beat but retaining the lush synth work and soulful vocals of the A side. Musicality and feeling all the way on this one. Hit up Redeye to grab this on vinyl right now, with digital release to follow very soon.
Horizons 10 [Horizons Music]
Horizons Music celebrate 10 years in the game with an excellent new compilation featuring 14 fresh cuts from names that will be familiar to anyone who’s been following the label in recent times. The compilation takes a look back at the label’s very first release, with Jubei and Amoss both turning in remixes of Skitty’s 10 Steps, but for the most part they’re looking forward with new material from some of the best names in the scene.
It’s difficult to pick highlights from such a strong selection, but a few stand out from the pack. Silent Witness brings a perfectly balanced combination of melodic elements and rolling, dancefloor tech on Fields, Amoss explore their deeper side on the subby liquid of Piano Licks and DLR turns in a trademark chunky stepper on Outta Time. The whole LP is well worth a listen, so check out the clips below and head to your favourite outlet to grab this on CD, vinyl or digital now!
Dispatch Dubplate Series
Dispatch have been making waves once again with the launch of their latest project, the Dispatch Dubplate series. Featuring new tracks, remixes and VIPs from the Dispatch Stable (including one vinyl exclusive track per release) and a limited press of 300 copies per release, vinyl fans will need to be quick off the block to lay hands on these!
The theme from the series so far has been no nonsense rolling techstep, with the first release featuring a big dirty Break remix of DLR, Hydro, Mako & Villem’s The Formula and DLR & Xtrah’s long sought after Direct Approach. Vol. 2 is no slouch either, with Survival serving up the Outlook VIP of Dub Soldier and the flip featuring two fresh cuts from SCAR, including a vinyl only VIP of Call To Arms.
Volume 1 has already sold out on the Dispatch store and volume 2 looks set to follow, so head over to Redeye or the Dispatch store swiftly if you want to pick up the vinyl releases; digital is set to follow from November 10th. The latest news from the Dispatch Facebook feed has unveiled the tracklisting for Vol.3 including Break & DLR’s Murmur VIP, a new VIP of DLR’s Tugboat and a fresh new DLR track in the form of Regeneration, while Ant TC1’s latest mix for Bassic reveals that Zero T & Alix Perez’s 2007 banger Ladders is set to finally receive a release via the Dubplate series.
Here at the Dojo we’ve enjoyed the first two releases so much we decided to put together a cheeky vinyl only Dispatch Dubplates mini-mix; check that out below (or directly on Mixcloud here) and head over to your favourite outlet to grab the plates while you still can!
[mixcloud http://www.mixcloud.com/DnBDojo/dispatch-dubplate-minimix/ width=580 height=300 hide_cover=1 hide_tracklist=1]
Break, Mako, Fields & Villem – Shadowlines [Utopia Music]
The Utopia dream-team combine forces once again for a predictable but nonetheless satisfying slice of rolling tech-funk. Fans of the crew’s output will know what to expect – crisp breaks, grimey bass and the kind of production values that 40 odd years combined experience brings to the table!
Over on the flip Mako has signed up something distinctly mellower in tone from rising liquid producers Chromatic, who turn in a blissful slice of melodic D&B which is smooth as silk as it washes over the eardrums. Once again, maybe not the world’s most original stylings but the execution more than makes up for it, and the warmth and groove are up there with the best of the scene. Check out the clips below and look out for this on vinyl (which you can pre-order now at Redeye) and digital from 27th October.
DLR – Your Mind EP [Metalheadz]
New material from DLR has consistently proved excellent since his split with production partner Octane (who sadly has been pretty quiet by comparison), and his latest EP for Metalheadz is no exception. While retaining plenty of dancefloor heft on the tracks, the overall vibe seems atmospheric, and even contemplative; appropriate given the title of the release.
The title track sees DLR joining forces with Mako for a skittering drumfunk extravaganza; soft pads and a plethora of percussive elements give the tune most of it’s character, but there’s some tasty bass pressure for good measure too. 10 Steps sounds more like a “conventional” DLR track by comparison, with a rolling beat and slightly more dancefloor sensibilities. An ominous and slightly hypnotic melody stalks throughout the tune, bringing to mind a slightly altered consciousness.
Sense Of Wanting continues this trend with another dancefloor friendly slice of techy business, impeccably constructed as ever. Seek Knowledge meanwhile sees Mako back on board and Rider Shafique on vocal duties for a track that sounds like the spiritual successor to the excellent Setup The Set from Octane & DLR’s Method in the Madness LP. Lastly Outbound rounds off the EP with a halfstep beat plodding along in a dubby fashion amidst creepy pads, jazzy FX and a plethora of swirling, groaning bass.
As we’ve come to expect from the Metalheadz new school this is another essential purchase – grab it now from your favourite outlet on vinyl or digital.
Mako – The Truthseekers EP [Metalheadz]
As if his recent output for Dispatch and Warm Comms wasn’t enough, we’ve also recently been treated to a Mako EP for the mighty Metalheadz on their XX series. The three tracks see him getting together in the studio with others for three collabs of varying persuasions, the first of which features Detail on a skittering, dubbed out half-stepper with some superb percussion.
Next up comes The Gully, a stripped back roller produced by Mako & Sine. All brooding atmosphere and ominous intent on the intro, once the tune drops it has a fearsome roll to it and some tasty bass growls to boot. Last but by no means least, Throwing Snow gets in on the action for Ju Ken, an interesting hybrid of breakbeat, UK Funky and D&B. The groove is unusual in it’s style but achieves a fantastic level of energy and insistence with the kicks and claps raining down for maximum effect.
The ever hard working Mako has also put together a promo mix to celebrate the EPs release, which you can check out below. Head to your favourite store to grab this one on vinyl or digital now, and watch out for plenty more from Mako in the future.
Mako – Back To The Source EP [Dispatch Recordings]
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]
Mako, DLR & Fields – Old Soul [Utopia Music]
With all his recent collaborations with head honcho Mako (and word of an album from the duo forthcoming) it seemed only a matter of time til DLR touched down on Utopia and their latest single sees exactly that. Old Soul proves another fruitful Utopia family jam session with Fields and Mako joining DLR in the studio for a big atmospheric techstepper that effortlessly blends soulful musicality and meaty basslines to great effect.
Over on the flip DLR goes in alone on Bridge The Gap, building tension with lush soundscapes on the intro before dropping into a crisp rolling break punctuated with tasty filtered bass stabs. The tune has all the hallmarks of a DLR composition but make no mistake, his style is in no danger of sounding formulaic. Check out the B side below and grab this one on vinyl or digital now!
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UjvTEQ2dzYk]
Mako, DLR, Villem & Ant TC1 – Hungry For Atmosphere [Metalheadz]
Metalheadz continue their winning form with a super collab from Mako, DLR, Villem & Ant TC1! The four D&B masterminds apparently ensconced themselves in Mako’s Bristol studio to write this one, which blends beautiful deep pads and cinematic sample work with a tough break and some fantastic warped bass. This one is all about texture and delivers it in spades.
Apparently Ant TC1 had to return to the real world but the other three continued the sesh and went in hard on the B side. A Certain Flavour delivers kick snare sucker punches a plenty with a big dirty bassline to boot and is sure to be doing the damage on dancefloors. Serious business.
Check out the clips below and grab this on vinyl or digital from Monday!