Heist – Rejected Love [Horizons]

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Heist isn’t a name we’d normally associate with Horizons Music, nor a producer we’d commonly cover here at DNB Dojo since we’re not big fans of the Jump Up sound he’s most associated with. His work for the long running London label sees him moving outside his traditional sphere of influence with two cracking tracks which amply demonstrate the man’s skills; no surprise given his recent work as principle engineer for Goldie.

A-side Rejected Love is a beautifully minimal outing, harnessing elements of Bop-esque microfunk and the autonomic sound for a soft, thoughtful piece full of expansive synths, twinkling melodic florishes and crisp, glitchy drum work. Seriously lush!

Flip-side Charybdis amps things up, keeping some of the glitchy percussive elements but adding a rolling drumline and scuzzy tech bass for a dancefloor worthy roller with an abundance of groove and character. Wicked stuff! No sign yet of a general digital/vinyl release but we believe it’s in the works, and the truly dedicated can grab these on advance white label 12″ from the Horizons store right now.

Classic Track: Total Science & S.P.Y – Gangsta

The recent release of Shogun’s 10 Years compilation reminded me of one of my favourite tracks from their back catalogue (and one of the most worn 12″s in my collection). 2010’s Gangsta is a straightforward roller, but one that bears the hallmarks of some of the best producers in the game. Proof that less is often more, this one has serious groove and an instantly identifiable break/bassline combo. Certified dancefloor killer!

Classic Track: Doc Scott – NHS (Total Science Remix)

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Today’s classic track is in itself a remix of a classic track, as we take a look at Total Science’s rerub of Doc Scott’s ’92 raver’s favourite NHS. Taking the crunchy breaks and memorable piano of the original but bringing the tempo up and adding some of that Total Science flavour, this one is pure summer fun.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHTYJbQWZss

Kaset – Final Stop / Surface [Free Love Digi]

Free Love Digi’s latest offering from Denver producer Kaset touches down with a bang. Final Stop proves a no-nonsense dancefloor roller; crisp breaks, hefty sub and some nice bass distortion keep the tune moving along at quite a pace.

Over on the flip Surface takes the energy down a notch and cranks up the atmosphere. More frenetic breaks drive the tune along as creepy pads wash over the tune and a moving, almost talkative bassline lends the tune some bite. A tidy balance of dancefloor sensibilities and musical flourish – nice. Check out the clips below and grab this one from your favourite online store from October 6th.

Hex – Slugproof [Free Love Digi]

Dojo’s very own Hex sneaks another tune out via Quentin Hiatus’s Free Love Digi imprint. Slugproof brings together sharp breaks, bouncy bass and a cheeky vocal sample for a tune with plenty of roll and a side helping of swagger. 10 points if you can spot the classic rap group sampled! Check it out below and grab yourself a free download via the FLD Soundcloud.

Strange Sound – Love Lost [Free Download]

Edinburgh producer Strange Sound conjures up the ghost of Drum & Bass past with a freebie that could well have been taken from the Total Science back catalogue. Rolling breaks, subtle jazzy samples and a warm sub line with a tasty edge, what’s not to like? Check it out below and keep an eye out for more from SS including an appearance on the forthcoming Liquid Boppers compilation.

Technimatic – Intersection EP [SGN:Ltd]

Somehow Technimatic always manage to tread that thin line of quality that is the difference between a top notch summer liquid roller and cheese-tastic nonsense. Their latest EP Intersection showcases this beautifully on opening track The Evening Loop. The super polished vocal has all the hallmarks of the sort of cheddar-step liquid that I normally find a bit tedious, but the sheer musicality in the melodies, the crisp beats and the near perfect composition are just impossible to argue with.

The titular Intersection takes things a bit deeper, laying down a pretty meaty reese bassline and stripping the piano back in the mix slightly. Light enough to amp up a liquid set, tough enough to roll out in a tech set, this is definitely a versatile tool for the record bag. Sphere also delivers a tidy slice of melody driven D&B, taking the roll down a notch in favour of a stepping beat and some hypnotic lead synth work.

As far as I’m concerned though, these are just pleasant entrees for the true main course, hitting home with the absolutely stellar Frozen Leaves. Up there with the best liquid rollers that the likes of Blu Mar Ten, Seba and Total Science have knocked out over the years, this tune is deep, rolling euphoria at it’s absolute best. Every single layer sits in the mix perfectly without overshadowing the other elements, with piano flourishes icing a big, warm, melodic cake of majestic proportions. This is *the* liquid tune of the year, and the soundtrack to your summer. 

Watch out for this one on vinyl and digital July 8th.

Klute – Best Bits Not Over [Commercial Suicide]

Klute warms up for the impending release of his seventh full length with a cheeky sampler featuring a couple of seriously heavyweight rollers. On The A side Klute delivers an old school reese-led dancefloor beast, hopped up on hard snares and baying for blood. This one will be wrecking the floors at Sun & Bass this year methinks!

Over on the flip Invaderz give the VIP treatment to Take A Breath, giving the classic (and out of print) amen smasher a nice polish for 2013. Watch out for both of these dropping on vinyl and digital June 24th.

Chroma – Intermission / Knock Knock [CIA]

The latest in a series of D&B supergroups sees Phobia, Sato & Tyrone team up to present Chroma. Fresh from releases for Renegade Hardware and ProgRAM, their latest endeavours will be dropping on Total Science’s CIA imprint late this month.

It’s not hard to see why Total Science signed these tunes; both have the classic CIA roller vibe to them, with Intermission on the A side bringing the warm sub while Knock Knock on the flip brings a slightly tougher beat and some very Photek-esque stabs to the party. Old school vibes with new school production, top notch!

Watch out for the release on vinyl and digital from May 20th.