Tag Archives: Techstep

Friske – Speculate [Metalheadz]

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Friske is a name I haven’t heard frequently enough since first coming across his deadly collaboration with Perpetuum, Step Up, way back in 2006. It’s good to see him back in the scene and gracing the mighty Metalheadz with new beats, and his new three tracker for the Meth XX series is well worth a listen.

All atmosphere and drum groove, the tracks remind me of Paradox’s work except for with less reliance on classic breaks, the percussion instead taking a slightly more modern approach. This one’s out now on vinyl and digital – check out the clips below and go grab a copy from your favourite outlet.

Incognito – Under The Dome / Autopilot [Vandal Records]

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Vandal Records continue their run of excellent releases with two solid atmospheric tech steppers from Incognito, who the attentive among you may recognise from his previous releases for Dutty Audio, Proximity Recordings and Nurtured Beatz.

Under The Dome combines lush sci-fi atmospheres with a rolling break and some tasty bass modulations; perhaps not the most innovative track this year, but sure to get your head nodding nonetheless. Autopilot meanwhile goes deeper, with a beat driven along by insistent shakers and a pleasant atmosphere crafted from echoing piano hits and deep sub vibrations.

Check out the clips below and grab this one from your favourite digital outlet now.

Classic Track: Dillinja – Nasty Ways

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Dillinja; a name that constantly appears in interviews. To call him influential is the under statement; the number of top flight D&B producers who have name checked him as an inspiration over the years is staggering. The Cybotron era featured some of his finest work, and it’s that era we’ve revisiting for today’s classic track selection.

The flip to the equally iconic (and equally dangerous) I Wanna Know, Nasty Ways lures you in with the suspense and atmosphere of the intro and those soft vocals before slapping down a sharp break and a big throbbing reese bassline. Carrying Dillinja’s trademark booming production quality, this still has a fearsome edge to it 14 years on. Check it out below, and be sure to find yourself a copy of the Cybotron LP if you’re not familiar with it.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_oHBREK4NO0]

Handra – Coat of Dust / Stay Away [Addictive Behaviour]

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Addictive Behaviour take things a little deeper than usual on their latest release from newcomers Handra. The polish production duo serve up a stripped back piano-led roller on Coat of Dust, amping up the atmosphere nicely. Stay Away seems to have the dancefloor more firmly in its sights, with a higher impact beat and more bass texture, though the stripped-back stylings are still evident.

Handra should be one to watch this year if they can continue with releases of this quality. Check out the clips below and watch out for the release dropping on Beatport from September 1st, with vinyl and worldwide digital release following on September 15th.

If you’re itching to hear more from Handra then be sure to check out their recent promo mix featuring Stay Away and seven other tracks. Check it out below!

Phonetick – Can’t Stay / Far Away [Transmission Audio]

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Transmission Audio present arguably their best release to date from Czech producer Phonetick. Can’t Stay blends softer musical elements with a super-tight break and some finely tuned bassline modulations; the balance of dancefloor readiness and musicality which so many producers fail to achieve is really impressive and brings to mind the work of A-list producers like Mako and DLR.

Far Away continues the trend with sweeping synths on the intro giving a simultaneously retro and yet futuristic vibe to the tune; somewhat Blade Runner-esque. Appropriate then that a sci-fi vocal snippet speaks of “other life” just before the main drop. The verse provides another finely tuned set of bass and breaks; battle-ready dancefloor business! Check out the clips below and watch out for the release dropping at all good digital outlets from September 4th.

Classic Track: DJ Ink & Dylan – Need You

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Today’s classic track selection sees us winding the clock back to 2001 for DJ Ink & Dylan’s seminal Need You. Back when times (and tunes) were a little simpler, the tune is pretty sparse compared to modern productions, but the irresistible vocal hook, rolling breaks and catchy stabs combine for an instantly recognisable tune which still rips up dancefloors. For the dedicated D&B historian, there’s also a very respectable Calibre remix that came out a year later. Vibes!

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

Dark Matter Part 1 [Transmission Audio]

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Transmission Audio celebrate their 10th release with a various artists EP showcasing four up and coming producers’ contributions to the tech D&B scene. Skepsis’s relentless Breach proves to be the highlight, with a heavy rolling break and throbbing bass distortion driving the tune along at maximum velocity.

Elsewhere kloaa &  J.M.C team up for a dark, percussive groove on the ominously titled Ultimity, Tekan leads us on a screeching, clattering path on The Evil Inside Me and Quatermass (formally E-Quartermass) brings the rolling vibes with plenty of mid range modulations on Event Horizon. Check out the clips below and grab this from your favourite digital store now.

Response – S.O.S / Control [Ingredients]

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Ingredients return with another excellent 12″ from up and coming Manchester producer Response. S.O.S. brings old school techstep vibes with up to the minute production techniques, combining rolling breaks, throbbing sub and ominous synth stabs for a Tech Itch style workout.

Control is the real star of the show here though, and is one of the most interesting tunes to have graced the Dojo inbox in recent times. A crisp 2-step beat provide the backbone of the tune, over which we’re treated to big sweeping synths, a melancholy lead melody and a repetitive, dystopian mantra about computers and their control on our society. You can hear all sorts of musical influences being melted down into this one, and the vibe is impressively creepy.

Check out the clips below and watch out for this one dropping on vinyl and digital September 8th.

Hyroglifics – Terra [Dispatch LTD]

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Fresh from his futuristic bass excursions for Critical’s new Binary imprint, Hyroglifics touches down on Dispatch as part of the latest release in their LTD series. Terra is all about the bass textures, with ominous pads and a solid techstep backbeat providing the framework for a hefty bass growl, powering the tune along with tons of sizzle.

Tize sees Hyroglifics teaming up with Kolectiv for another slice of dark, atmospheric tech business; this time the emphasis is definitely more on the beats with the tune rolling along to a fearsome kick/snare riddim punctuated by weighty sub and all manner of additional bassline stabs.

Last but by no means least, The Fear rounds off the release with another deep dark stepper. This time it’s a huge team at the controls as Kolectiv, Dexta, Maouq and Kyrist all get in on the act. Angular rhythms and more creepy pads are the order of the day here; one for the heads as much as the dancefloor, but weighty nonetheless. Check out the clips below and head over to the Dispatch Store where you can grab this now prior to full release on Monday.

DLR – Your Mind EP [Metalheadz]

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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.