Requisites #1 [Demand Records]

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Regular readers should know we’re big fans of the vinyl format here at Dojo HQ; in an age where music has become increasingly disposable, a well produced and curated slab of wax stands as something slightly more tangible than the ever increasing slew of digital releases. Of course it sounds cracking too!

Enter Swiss label Demand and their new vinyl EP series, Requisites. To quote their own press release, “every release symbolises one particular requisite that you’d evidently need to rock the so called black gold”, starting with the obvious; headphones. It’s clear that the Demand crew hold vinyl in as much esteem as we do, and everything about this release from the artwork to the tracks themselves suggest this is a labour of love.

On to the music, and we’re treated to a diverse array of tracks from artists mostly familiar from the label’s back catalogue. Phil Tangent and Phase both turn in respectable deep but edgy rollers that are well worthy of your attention, but the limelight falls elsewhere for us. EastColors and Tiiu team up for a super deep and moody outing on Naked Skin, synths stalking through the track as Tiiu’s delicate vocals shimmer above a sparse beat.

Perhaps the best of all though comes from the super team of Big Bud, RoyGreen, Protone and Dual, who join forces to deliver blissfully laid back vibes on Gospodi. Taking a few notes from the Calibre playbook without resorting to cheap imitation, this one just grows on us more and more with every listen. Hypnotic stuff. Check out the clips below and hit up the Demand Store to grab a copy right now.

Handra – Forget EP [Addictive Behaviour]

Regular readers are probably already aware that we’re big fans of Addictive Behaviour; pretty much every release from the burgeoning London label has been a treat, and that tradition looks set to continue for some time based on their latest offering.

The Forget EP sees Polish duo Handra follow up the success of their previous releases for the label with two new tracks following their usual deep-leaning style. Forget kicks things off with another beautiful Tiiu-voxed roller, bringing together tough bass with soft piano and the Russian singer’s delightfully delicate strains. We’re suckers for a melancholy number here at Dojo HQ and this is up there with the best of them.

Arcane sees the energy levels rising as Mystic State join Handra in the studio for a gritty, vibe-full roller; simple but effective business as big splashy snares punctuate the growling bass under a layer of echoed rap vocals. Finally Ed:it rounds things off with a chunky remix of Far Away, swapping the deep halftime flex of the original with quirky but rolling drums and a more stripped back sound.

Once again the Addictive family are on top form! Check out the clips below and look for this on vinyl and digital right now…and if you can’t get enough Handra, go listen to their Showcase Mix for D&B Arena.

Competition – Win A Detail & Tiiu 12″

News of a fresh collab from Detail & Tiiu landing on Addictive Behaviour was a pleasant surprise here at the Dojo, being big fans as we are of both the label and the artists involved. The pair’s last collaboration for Symmetry back in 2013 made us wish for more, and Delusion delivers the same deep, mournful vibe in spades. Over on the flip, Detail goes in on a dark, ominous slice of stripped back tech funk for Breakout.

Being generous folk, the Addictive Behaviour crew have given us a 12″ of the single to give away to one lucky winner! To be in with a chance of winning, all you have to do is like the DNB Dojo Facebook page, like the Addictive Behaviour Facebook page, and send an email to competitions@dnbdojo.co.uk with your name & address and the subject line “Detail & Tiiu Competition”. The winner will be drawn on May 2nd.

Meanwhile you can check out clips of the release below – watch for the release dropping on vinyl April 27th with digital following from May 11th.

Tiuu – All Good Things [Blu Mar Ten Music]

Blu Mar Ten Music continue their catalogue of top notch leftfield electronica with a new single from Russian producer/singer Tiiu. Fans of Synkro’s brand of “is it Dubstep, is it D&B or is it a film soundtrack” type beats will definitely appreciate the work on show here, but that’s not to say it’s a copycat job. Oozing atmosphere with its reverb drenched pads and natural sounding percussion, All Good Things is so slow as to be practically ambient, and fantastic for it. The ghostly vocal echoes are a particularly deft touch in amongst the tapestry of sounds.

Tiiu teams up with fellow Russian producer Faib to craft a slightly more beat driven Dubstep composition on the flip; the same warm atmospheres are employed here but with a little more insistence to the drums than on the positively soporific pace of the A side. Simple but effective bassline reverberations reminiscent of Distance’s growling, sludgey style provide a nice counterpoint to the more musical elements of the tune.

Check out the clips below and grab this one on digital from Blu Mar Ten’s online store now.

Break – Steam Train [Symmetry]

In the wake of the excellent The Other Side LP and a seemingly endless series of remixes and collabs for other labels, the ever prolific Break has found time to cook up another doozy for his own Symmetry imprint. Steam Train rolls into the proverbial station with some nice hissing samples, classic chord stabs and a beefy bassline that’s sure to move the crowd.

Over on the flip Detail & Tiiu go in deep with Days Go By. Mournful synths and an echoing, folorn vocal intro the tune before a brooding sub rumble adds the bass weight. Soulful, introspective and brimming over with musicality, the simplicity of the production is what makes this tune; rather than crowding the mix with unnecessary layers, Detail has stripped it back to the bare essentials.

Watch out for these dropping July 15th on vinyl and digital.