Tag Archives: Techstep

Subtension – AK47 / Leaving [Renegade Hardware]

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We’ve been keeping a close eye on Subtension ever since his rather tasty Black Haze 12″ dropped for Samurai Music last year and his latest release for the veritable Hardware imprint doesn’t disappoint either. AK47 kicks things off with a rolling break and staccato bassline rhythm doubtless designed to invoke the rapid fire of an assault rifle; it’s a neat sonic trick and an innovative break from the usual neurofunk bassline fare.

Leaving sees the young Slovakian producer moving into more experimental territory, retaining the bassline grit we’ve come to associate with labels like hardware while playing with a drum rhythm more in keeping with recent material from Exit or Diffrent. It’s nice to see Hardware willing to push the more experimental side of 170BPM music; more of this please! Last but not least the digital buyers amongst you are treated to a third track in the form of Offset, which proves a tasty if somewhat formulaic slice of rolling techstep.

Worldwide release hits on October 13th but if you can’t wait til Monday you can get your grubby mits on this one on vinyl or digital from the Hardware store. Check out the clips below and get your orders in!

Ed Rush – Scarabs / Boxcar [Piranha Pool]

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Ed Rush launches his brand new Piranha Pool imprint with a pair of big bad neurofunk killers. Both tunes have their eyes firmly focussed on the dancefloor, and while they don’t offer tons of surprises they’ve got bass groove and production sheen in spades. Scarabs is the more up front of the two tracks while Boxcar aims for deeper but still pretty grimy territory. Check out the clips below and grab this on vinyl and digital from your favourite store now!

 

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Jvm96V0E4U]

Ulterior Motive – The Fourth Wall [Metalheadz]

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After a lengthy period of writing and a quiet buildup of hype, Ulterior Motive’s debut LP for Metalheadz has finally dropped this week. It’s clear the duo have taken the task of their first album incredibly seriously (they reportedly whittled the tracklist down from 120 demos) and they’ve managed to create a pure D&B album which still feels like a journey rather than just a collection of songs.

While all the tracks bear some hallmarks of the Ulterior Motive sound, The Fourth Wall definitely sees the duo branching out from their traditional grimey tech D&B, with tributes to the Bristol sound (Sideways) and old skool rave (Tape Pack) alongside the deeper flavours of tracks like Muted, You Must See and Chapters. There’s still plenty of room for the more “classic” UM sounds mind you, with Inta-National and Keep It Moving standing out as the best dancefloor workouts.

Doubtless everyone will have their own favourites so check out the clips below and head to the Metalheadz store to pick up the album on CD, vinyl or digital.

Get To Know…Nerve Recordings

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nerve

Glasgow-based Nerve Recordings sadly closed it’s doors in 2010 but for nine strong years the label flew the D&B flag under the keen stewardship of Pyro and Paul Reset, with releases from homegrown and international producers alike. For this week’s #TBT posting we take a look back at 10 of the best from the Narve vaults. Don’t forget you can grab all of these releases for free from either the Nerve Bandcamp or their website.

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Klax – Binary Vol. 2 [Critical Music]

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Critical continue their Binary series with a brand new three track EP from Brighton trio Klax. The boys only have a small handful of releases but with output on Renegade Hardware and now Critical expect big things in the future.

The EP showcases a knack for clean but hefty techstep, with crisp drums, dirty bass and plenty of groove. All the tracks are well worthy of your attention but Cornerstone stood out for me for pure weight and vibe; rolling business! Check out the clips below and grab this from the Critical Store now.

M:Pathy – Thumper / Velocious [Terabyte Records]

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Terabyte return after their eclectic selection of remixes with a fresh single from previous label alumnus M:Pathy. Thumper takes it’s name from a thumping sub line, driving the tune along in tandem with a rolling techstep beat and a minimalist selection of midrange growls and subtle pads.

Velocious (as in rapid, or fast) sticks with the stripped back, gloomy tone but switches the beat up, punctuating a half-time kick/snare rhythm with a rapidly shuffling top percussion line. Once again there’s some impressively hefty sub on show here; iPod headphones or laptop speakers are certainly not gonna do these tunes justice. The release is out right now at all good digital stores so check out the clips below. If you want a little more on all things Terabyte be sure to check out our recent interview with label boss Auzi here.

Soligen & Type-2 – Martyr [Blendits]

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Soligen & Type-2 continue their impressive assault on the D&B scene with a new beat for Rotterdam-based Blendits Audio. Showcasing their versatility, the duo lay down an unusual rhythm with heavy sub kicks and metallic percussion scattered across the mix. A conventional roller this is not, but deep, dark and exciting it most definitely is!

Over on the flip Young:G heads for slightly more predictable but nonetheless enjoyable territory with a grimey, stripped back techstepper in the form of Shantytown. Fans of Amoss will definitely enjoy this one. Check out the clips below and look for the release from September 22nd.

Wreckless – As The Cold Hits [AutomAte]

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AutomAte return once again with more beats from reliable London beatsmith Wreckless. As The Cold Hits gets the juices flowing with a detailed, rolling drum groove and ices the cake with a big scuzzy bassline and creepy atmospheric pad work; ice cold indeed.

Inhale doesn’t pull any punches either, with an ambient intro giving way abruptly to huge, crunchy bass hits and hard, metallic snares; more of a head-banger than a dancing tune, and fearsome in its intent. Check out the clips below and watch out for this one dropping at all good digital outlets from September 15th.

Break – Coming 4 U [Warm Communications]

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Warm Communications return for their 30th release with a top notch double A side from the legendary Break. Coming 4 U brings together beautiful melodies on the intro, that signature Break rolling drum work we all love so much and a warm, sizzling bassline; equal parts dancefloor heft and summery musical shine.

The flip sees Break giving the remix treatment to Mako’s What A Little Moonlight Can Do. Iconic samples from the original are retained but the new remix lends the song a techier edge than the original’s floatier, more atmospheric vibe. Once again the drums here are just pristine! Check out the clips below and grab this on vinyl and digital from September 8th.

Hex – Slugproof [Free Love Digi]

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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.