20/20 LDN – Om Unit, Deft, Hannah Faith & Ivy Lab

Posted on 17th May 2014 by DNB Dojo

Good news for fans of the experimental 170 sound in our nation’s capital – Ivy Lab are starting up their own club night! Entitled 20/20 LDN, the new night aims to showcase “the emerging landscape of fusions between Drum and Bass, Hip Hop, Footwork, and Future-Soul”. Not a bad aim methinks.

The first event on June 11th will feature sets from Om Unit, Hannah Faith and Deft (with support from Ivy Lab themselves). To celebrate, the team are giving away a series of free bootlegs, the first of which you can hear below as Sabre gives Jeru Da Damaja’s Come Clean a gritty halftime refix. Head over to the 20/20 LDN Facebook page for a free download of the track and check out the full event details here.

Abstract Elements, Detail & A-Cray – Wrecked / Stomper [Neodigital]

Posted on 16th May 2014 by DNB Dojo

Neosignal’s digital only sub-imprint returns after a bit of a hiatus with two superb new tracks. Abstract Elements & Detail get in the studio together on Wrecked, building tension on a sparse, moody intro before dropping into an angular soundscape of glitchy vocal cut ups, creaking synth swells and helter skelter drum hits. Definitely not the usual 170 business!

Over on the flip A-Cray delivers a more regulation but nonetheless tasty slice of techy D&B business, driven along by an insistent bass riff and a solid break. Solid dancefloor business. Check out the clips below and grab this one now from Beatport!

Actraiser – Long Way From Home EP [Fokuz Recordings]

Posted on 14th May 2014 by DNB Dojo

Cambridge producer Actraiser returns to Dutch imprint Fokuz Recordings with four tracks of warm, melodic and bassy liquid D&B. All four tracks are excellent in their own way but the pick of the bunch for me is the rapid melodic chimes, infectious groove and huge sub bass of Without You. Check out the clips below and watch out for this dropping at all good digital stores from May 19th.

Forbidden Codes LP [117 Records]

Posted on 13th May 2014 by DNB Dojo

For anyone who’s wondering what DJ Trace has been up to lately, it seems he’s been busy founding a new label in the form of 117 Records. Apparently having tired of the neuro sound he’d been championing for over a decade at DSCI4, he shut that label down and started 117 with a view to releasing a slew of music from producers who have been harnessing a more old school sound in combination with modern production techniques.

The label’s latest output is an absolutely gigantic LP featuring D&B and Jungle cuts which are dark and at times techy but definitely a shade different to the neurofunk sounds that defined DSCI4. The two LP bundles available are split between 8 tracks in a vinyl only bundle (available at Redeye here) consisting of 4 limited edition clear 10″s, and a 24 track digital bundle.

Particular highlights from the vinyl bundle come on from Kid Lib with the manic jungle syncopations of The Rifle, Gremlinz & Homemade Weapons absolutely menacing Scar-H and the equally brutal roll of Genotype’s aptly titled Aggression Snare. The digital bundle meanwhile plays host to some treats such as the hyperactive amen cut ups of X Nation’s remix of Trace’s Never Felt This Way, the distinctly old skool stabs and breaks of Fade’s Phobia and Trace and Nico’s clattering Monkeys.

The whole LP is well worth a listen so check out the clips on Soundcloud and pick your own favourites.

EP.1 [Blind Music]

Posted on 13th May 2014 by DNB Dojo

Something a little different today as we take a look at the debut release from Blind Music, a self professed “record label experiment” where every release will be entirely anonymous. The three tracks are written by three different producers, but no clues are available as to who might have penned any of them, and there appear to be no tell-tale production signs either.

BLND#1 provides a nice combination of classic breaks, reverb drenched piano and warm sub bass. The second track on the EP lulls you into a false sense of security with a semi-ambient intro before smacking down with a huge drumline (featuring some dangerously metallic snares) and a meaty sub line. This one sounds like it’d benefit from a proper rig for full effect. Finally BLND#3 heads for upbeat roller territory with some old school bass swells and some nice jazzy touches over the top.

The EP is available now from Bandcamp so have a listen and puzzle over who might be behind the beats.

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Frederic Robinson – Live Signals [Blu Mar Ten Music]

Posted on 12th May 2014 by DNB Dojo

Frederic Robinson continues to push the boundaries of 170BPM electronica with another outing on Blu Mar Ten Music, this time in the form of a live album. Chris BMT has long made much of the incredible performances Frederic puts on and this album provides a snapshot of his intricate, airy percussion, live violin and soothing melodies. The music really speaks for itself so give the preview a listen below and grab yourself a copy from Surus, iTunes or Beatport.

InsideInfo – Metamorphosis / Being [Viper Recordings]

Posted on 12th May 2014 by DNB Dojo

InsideInfo returns to Viper Recordings with an unusual twist on the MC led single. Metamorphosis sees Miss Trouble take to the mic with an effortlessly smooth and sultry flow over a beat that oozes swagger, eschewing a full on approach in favour of a slightly more relaxed yet tough and bassy vibe.

Over on the flip Being provides a decent enough slice of dancefloor neurofunk with some nice bassline modulations, but to be honest the A side is the star of this show by a long chalk. Check out the clips below and grab it now from your favourite store.

Naked Objects – Polar Shift [Default Recordings]

Posted on 11th May 2014 by DNB Dojo

Default Recordings celebrate their tenth release with an interesting new single from Naked Objects, featururing two distinct mixes of the same tune. The South Mix provides a heavier hitting drumstep rhythm and plenty of low end growl, while the North Mix heads for dark roller territory, swapping the half-time rhythms with a full tempo break and emphasising the sub over the growlier bassline elements.

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

Invisible 007 [Invisible Recordings]

Posted on 11th May 2014 by DNB Dojo

Noisia’s Invisible Recordings imprint returns with another various artists EP showcasing the deeper side of the 170BPM spectrum. Nickbee returns to the imprint with a rolling slice of tech with plenty of atmosphere, but to be honest the other tracks on the release prove far more interesting.

Bop and Diagram’s Abstract Elements collaboration make their first appearance on the label with the angular microfunk of PMS!!!, complete with one of the oddest samples I’ve heard in a tune for some time. Fre4knc serves up a dark, industrial slice of half-step business with some interesting rhythms on Cardiome, and finally Berlin duo Survey deliver a distinctly tribal sounding rhythm in the form of Swim.

Check out the clips below and watch out for this dropping on vinyl from Monday with digital following on the 26th.

Dabs – Stentah / Half Truth [Horizons Music]

Posted on 10th May 2014 by DNB Dojo

Dabs brings another pair of innovative beats to the ever busy Horizons Music roster. Stentah sees MC Kwality step up on vocal duties, providing a ragga style toast to a distinctly dub and dancehall influenced riddim. Hints of jungle peak through the unusual drum arrangements, keeping the energy D&B while refusing to drop into an obvious rolling break.

Half Truth brings HLZ and Need for Mirrors into the mix for a deep, melancholic roller. Crisp, insistent high hats and hefty sub provides the backbone of the tune, with a liberal sprinkling of piano and strings giving the beat character and soul.

Head over to the Horizons store to grab this on vinyl or digital now.

DNB Dojo

Drum & Bass News and Reviews

Monthly Archives: May 2014