Hedway – At You EP [Black Tuna Recordings]

Posted on 17th June 2015 by DNB Dojo

West-coast Canadian label Black Tuna kick off their promising release schedule with the debut EP from local producer Mike Heath aka Hedway. The titular At You opens the EP with a slick liquid roller, keeping the breaks crisp and the melodies understated.

Strange Guy switches things up, bringing the darker vibes on a thumping tech monster. Crunchy beats and old school reese bass action keep the energy flowing nicely on this one. Last but by no means least, Tonight brings the jazz licks for a cheeky liquid stepper to close out the EP.

Overall the EP is a varied statement of intent from both Hedway and Black Tuna, and we’re sure there’ll be plenty more from both. Check out the clips below and watch out for the release dropping June 23rd at all good digital stores.

Duo Infernale – Closer [Infiltrator]

Posted on 13th June 2015 by DNB Dojo

Berlin producers Duo Infernale return to the scene with a great new single for German label Infiltrator Records. Closer provides a chunky teched up stepper with plenty of soul and some lush vocals from Panic Girl; a nice dancefloor warmer for that middle part of the night before the heavy hitters amp things up.

Over on the flip Cause4Concern’s Make Me Wonder gets a great new remix. The original saw release on the now defunct Shadybrain imprint and proved an unusually mellow number compared to C4C’s usually banging output, and this new remix does the original’s vibe justice while flipping things around with a rolling break and techy bass underpins. Nice!

Check out the clips below and look for this on vinyl and digital from June 15th.

Atic – Tuff Times EP [Free Love Digi]

Posted on 8th June 2015 by DNB Dojo

Attentive readers may remember some coverage last year of Denver producer Atic‘s releases for Free Love Digi, which impressed us with a rolling techstep vibe. A year on, Atic is back with a six track EP for FLD featuring some tasty new tunes.

The work here brings to mind the likes of DLR and Mako, melding techstep heft with the more musical side of D&B to create tracks that balance atmosphere and dancefloor sensibilities to a very pleasing end. Favourite moments here at the dojo came on Blue Mountain, Critical Sound and Juil but the whole EP is well worth a listen. Check out the clips below and grab this one from Beatport right now – full release follows from June 15th.

Total Science, Quadrant & Iris – Pushin Your Luck [CIA]

Posted on 25th May 2015 by DNB Dojo

CIA are back, and that means only one thing – rollers! Label owners Total Science team up with Seattle production duo Quadrant & Iris for a weighty, old school roller on Pushin Your Luck, which wins zero points for innovation but 10/10 for being big, bad and generally dangerous!

Over on the flip Obsolete gets the VIP treatment, retaining the spirit of the original but adding some cheeky little rhythm and bass tweaks to dust the cobwebs off the track; worthy, but unlikely to trouble the A side for our money. Check out the clips below and grab this one from the CIA bandcamp right now!

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Digital – Catch A Fire EP [Function Records]

Posted on 12th May 2015 by DNB Dojo

The rejuvenation of Function Records continues with another fresh EP from label owner Digital (who has been more than prolific recently with an absolute slew of material landing at labels all across the scene). The theme across the tracks this time definitely seems to be dub and jungle, with Rejection and Response-collab Light Years both harnessing classic jungle breaks for their groove and bringing an old school vibe to the table.

The titular Catch A Fire meanwhile drops the tempo for a dub reggae skank out that’s so spaced out it might as well be in orbit. If you’ve enjoyed Morphy’s outings as Dubmonger this last one should float your boat for sure. Check out the clips below and look out for the release dropping on vinyl and digital mid-May; pre-orders are up now at the Function website.

Colossus & Imprint – Broken Chains EP [Rogue Beatz]

Posted on 29th April 2015 by DNB Dojo

Rogue Beatz are back and this time they’re bringing the liquid rollers, with Rush Records alumni Colossus & Imprint on the buttons for some smooth, rolling styles. Both tracks on offer here are worthy of your attention but for us it’s all about Broken Chains, a tough edged slice of deep liquid with a top notch bit of amen chopping in the bridge. Definitely check this one out – it’s due at all good digital stores from April 30th.

Gran Calavera – Unreachable [Flexout Audio]

Posted on 27th April 2015 by DNB Dojo

Australian production trio Gran Calavera touch down on Flexout Audio with a pair of deep, soulful rollers; tough enough breaks to move a dancefloor but still with a musical edge, and more than a hint of jazz on the B side which features vocals from Bonnie Laschon. Check out the clips below and head to your favourite digital store to cop this one now.

Spirit – Life Goes On / 107 [Blu Mar Ten Music]

Posted on 8th April 2015 by DNB Dojo

Spirit is a name you should already be more than familiar with. A constant and innovative presence in the scene for nearly 20 years, both as a solo artist and with regular production partner Digital, Spirit’s productions are as varied as they are plentiful and that looks set to continue based on the strength of this release.

Life Goes On drops in with a playful acid bassline that bucks all the current trends for both liquid and tech D&B, bringing a classic sound but taking it in an unusual direction. 107 goes deeper, powered along by shimmering synths, growling bass yawns and a distinctive ratcheting drum break; this is one to get lost in. Both tracks have that crisp engineering that only experience can bring, and should prove rewarding at home or on the dancefloor.

Check out the clips below and hit up the Blu Mar Ten store to pre-order this one now ahead of the April 13th release.

Classic Track: Lynx – 5am Soul City

Posted on 2nd April 2015 by DNB Dojo

Today’s classic track selection comes from Lynx on his own (now sadly dormant) Detail Recordings imprint. Released in 2011 as the flip to the altogether darker Dirty Red, 5am Soul City lives up to it’s name with a deep and melancholy vibe set to a crisp, rolling break. If Drum & Bass were to play the Blues it would sound like this!

Olski – Open Heart / Look [Peer Pressure]

Posted on 26th March 2015 by DNB Dojo

Peer Pressure’s latest single comes from new name Olski who serves up a pair of moody rollers. Open Heart layers together tight breaks, pitched vocals, soft melodies and a nice little wobbly bassline for a top notch deep liquid jam, while Look carries a more ominous tone reminiscent of classic dark rollers like Total Science & S.P.Y’s Venus Prime.

Check out the clips below for a flavour of the tracks; the release is available from your favourite digital store right now.

DNB Dojo

Drum & Bass News and Reviews

Tag Archives: Rollers