Tag Archives: Techstep

DLR – Standing in The Dark [Warm Communications]

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DLR and Warm Communications are two names we can’t get enough of here at DNB Dojo; quality vibes pretty much every time from both parties, and the latest release is no different.

Standing In The Dark delivers a classic slice of DLR tech-funk, replete with funky drum breaks, satisfyingly warm basslines and crisp sonic details. Still Alive sees DLR on the collab mission once again, teaming up with M-Zine & Scepticz for a softer roller with a hint of dub and a generally laid-back vibe. Tasty stuff on both counts! Check out the clips below and grab this on vinyl or digital right now.

Revaux – Frostbite EP [Lifestyle]

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We’ve been keeping an eye on Revaux for the last couple of years since hearing their releases for Slinkie Music and more recently Authentic, so naturally we were excited to hear their latest offerings for London’s Lifestyle Music!

The Frostbite EP keeps it punchy and concise, showcasing the Revaux sound across three new tracks. The material definitely keeps things dancefloor friendly but manages to retain a keen balance of atmosphere and melody alongside the rolling beats and bass heft; faceless throwaway fodder this is not. From the detailed punch of Head First through the deeper and more melodic Frostbite and out into the gut punching bass of Stand Off, Revaux are on fine form here!

It’s always a pleasure to hear dancefloor D&B with crisp sound design and at least a smidgen of soul, and that’s exactly what’s on offer here. Check out the clips below and hit up your favourite digital store to grab the EP now!

DNB Dojo Mix Series 36: Dreadmaul

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MixSeries36_Dreadmaul

The Dojo Mix Series is back and this time we’ve got German underground producer Dreadmaul in the mix! With releases for the likes of Authentic Music, Boundless Beatz and T3K, Dennis Leick has been carving out quite a reputation as both a producer and DJ, gigging regularly across his native Deutschland.

His mix for DNB Dojo builds slowly from deep halftime numbers through harder techstep and into dangerous, threatening amens including Dojo favourite Destroyer of Worlds. Sick selections!

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

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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.

Versus Volume One [Lossless]

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Soul Intent brings another quality release to his Lossless Music imprint and this one sees four producers facing off against one another in the first volume of the label’s Versus series.

US producer SPKTRM makes an appearance with a slice of his atmospheric, crunchy halftime; the combination of gnarly bassline scuzz and ethereal pad work really makes this one stand out from the wealth of fairly generic “dark” halftime to be found in the scene these days.

Acid Lab delivers a tough, break focussed roller on Tundra, while Chromatic turn in a stripped back stepper with a killer bass hook on The Machine. Last but not least, Soul Intent closes the EP with a Photek-esque slice of old school break chopping tech business. Quality vibes!

As always you can pick this up on vinyl or digital direct from the source via the Lossless bandcamp; check out the clips below and go grab yourself some genuine underground D&B while the getting is good.

CIA 20 LP Sampler

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CIA mark 20 years in the game with a massive new LP, and ahead of the main event there’s a cracking sampler just out featuring some top tracks from familiar label names.

DLR jumps in on the remix for Q Project’s anthemic Champion Sound, retaining the original’s distinctive synth hook but pairing it with an appropriately hefty selection of beats and bass for the current era of D&B. Sure fire dancefloor weapon!

Elsewhere Calibre delivers a characteristically smooth pinao-led roller in the form of Under Bars, and label dons Total Science throw down some fine break choppage on the dub-tinged Respect Due. There’s also a cheeky second remix of Champion Sound with DLR swapping out the beefy modern tech underpinnings of the 2016 remix for something a bit more jungle-y. Tasty stuff! Check out the clips below and hit up the CIA Bandcamp to grab this on vinyl or digital right now.

DNB Dojo Mix Series 35: I Wannabe

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Ukrainian producer I Wannabe joins the Dojo ranks as he delivers the 35th instalment of our exclusive mix series! With releases on Formation, 22:22, Cymbalism and a host of other labels and collaborations with Sunchase among his work, this is a producer with a clear passion and talent for Drum & Bass.

His mix for DNB Dojo takes in everything from jazzy liquid rollers to deep halftime grit, with one eye kept firmly on the dancefloor. Uplifting, summery vibes; yes yes!

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

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May Roundup

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Time for another roundup of the best releases in the underground D&B scene; read on for new releases from Renegade Hardware, Flexout, Warm Communications, Invisible and more…

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Dojo Damager: Artificial Intelligence – Ghost Racoon

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A day late but hopefully not a buck short…this week’s Dojo Damager offering comes courtesy of Artificial Intelligence, who serve up an old school techstep stomper in the form of Ghost Racoon for the mighty Metalheadz.

Keeping the beats weighty but stripped back to let that monstrous bassline breathe, this one isn’t gonna win any prizes for complexity but the menacing vibe more than makes up for it. Danger! Check it out below and hit up the ‘headz store to grab a copy now.

DNB Dojo Mix Series 30: Flava

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Our latest mix comes from London underground radio veteran Flava! With nearly two decades experience behind the decks and some really promising recent forays into production alongside the likes of Digital and Horrific James, Flava is definitely one to watch this year.

For her Dojo mix Flava has put together a stomping selection featuring some classic rollers alongside fresh cuts from Digital’s new Synthesis LP and a few dubs for good measure. Wicked! For more info on Flava be sure to check out our interview here.

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 Google Drive.

Digital & Spirit vs. Flava & Dissect – Primal [Function]
Genotype – Big Man Tumps [Horizons]
Hibea – The Form [IM:LTD]
Digital, Flava & Horific James – Lava [Function]
Response – I Don’t Want To Go Outside [Commercial Suicide]
Digital & Villem – Sunbites [Metalheadz Dub]
Kantye – Toughbreaker [IM:LTD]
Foreign Concept & Bringa – Cemetery [Shogun]
Theory – Buckshot [444 Dub]
Flava, Digital & Dissect – The Test [Commercial Suicide Dub]
S.P.Y – Alone [Inneractive]
Flava & Digital – From The East [Commercial Suicide Dub]
Drumsound & Bassline Smith – Fire [Function]
Digital – Dirty Money (Amit & Outrage Remix) [Function]
Digital & Flava – Retard VIP [Function]
Digital, Spirit & Need For Mirrors – Infinity [Function]
Fracture & Neptune – The Limit [Astrophonica]