Modu – Empathogenic EP [Alchemic Breaks]

Leftfield UK D&B imprint Alchemic Breaks return with their sixth release from Bristol beatsmith Modu. The Empathogenic EP features two nice chunky tech rollers with some quality atmospherics, but the real highlight comes on closing track Resonate.

Bringing together growling bass warmth, glitchy vocal cuts and a crooked little halftime riddim, this experimental yet eminently dancefloor-worthy track easily steals the show for us here at the Dojo. Check out the clips below and look for the EP dropping next week via all the usual digital outlets.

October Roundup Part Two

Once again we’ve had too many good releases dropping into the inbox so here’s part two of our roundup for October featuring Arcatype, Silent Witness, Rockwell, Dub Berzerker, Soul Intent and more!  Continue reading

DNB Dojo Mix Series #TBT Edition: Hex

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We’re celebrating #TBT in style today with a special all vinyl classics mix from Dojo boss Hex! Featuring some of his favourite plates from over a decade of vinyl releases and more than a handful of instantly recognisable D&B anthems, this one should put a nostalgic smile on your face, and then some.

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 Dropbox.

Rawthang – Scorned [Black Sun Empire – 2003]
Noisia – Block Control [Moving Shadow – 2005]
dBridge & Maldini – True Romance [Metalheadz – 2004]
Chris.Su – Solaris VIP [Subtitles – 2006]
Nu:Tone & Logistics – Bleeper [Hospital – 2010]
Trei – Thunder Biscuit [Samurai – 2009]
Ewun – Hate Machine (Spor Remix) [Barcode – 2006]
Photek – Ni Ten Ichi Ryu (Teebee Remix) [Photek Productions – 2006]
T.E.E.D. – Garden (Calibre Remix) [White Label – 2011]
Fracture & Neptune – The Limit [Astrophonica – 2010]
Spor – Lose It [Renegade Hardware – 2005]
Break – Your Time Will Come [Dispatch – 2011]
Concord Dawn – Morning Light (Klute Remix) [Tymeless – 2004]
Black Sun Empire – Milkshake [Black Sun Empire – 2009]
Commix – Faceless [Shogun – 2006]
Spectrasoul – Mimic [Subtitles – 2009]
Noisia – Facade [RAM – 2006]
Ben Sage & Savvy – Sleepless VIP [Evol Intent – 2004]
Noisia – Brainstitch [Shogun – 2005]
Ulterior Motive & Codebreaker – It’s On [Subtitles – 2012]
Bad Company – Bullet Time (Spor Remix) [Bad Taste – 2009]
Calibre & MC Fats – Drop It Down [Signature – 2004]
Break – Is This What You Want [Symmetry – 2008]
Ewun – Screw Up [Lifted – 2006]
Optical – Slip Thru [Virus – 1998]
Data – Compassion [Metalheadz – 2010]
Konflict – Messiah (Spor Remix) [Renegade Hardware – 2005]

Q&A – Adred [CIA Deepkut]

CIA Deepkut’s latest signing has come seemingly from nowhere. Bringing together a strong New York hip-hop influence and an obvious appreciation for D&B’s rich heritage, Adred’s new 300 Pages EP represents something fresh and different from a name we’re sure you’ll hear more from. We tracked down the man himself for a quick chat about working with vocalists, his link with Total Science and the state of the US scene.

Continue reading

Dojo Damager: Cirrus – Nightmare

We’re taking things dark and militant for this week’s Damager selection with a look at the appropriately titled Nightmare from the brand new Cirrus EP for Nurtured Beatz.

Built on a backbone of throbbing bass pressure and heavy halftime kicks, Nightmare really brings the terror with drum switchups into relentless breakbeat anger via crunchy, clattering amens. Savage business! Check out the clip below and hit up the Nurtured Beatz bandcamp to grab the whole EP now.

Midn8runner – Clear Truth EP [Bay 6 Recordings]

Bay 6 Recordings have really impressed us over their last few releases, with label owner Amphix showing a keen ear when signing up and coming liquid producers to his burgeoning imprint. Their latest release from Midn8runner continues that trend, with a pair of crisp liquid rollers buoyed along by warmth and feeling.

Soft instrumentation and old-school breakwork characterise both tracks, with the uplifting piano melodies of Silver Lining edging it out as the Dojo favourite. Check out the clips below and look for this one dropping at all good digital stores tomorrow.

Amoss – Shadow Theories EP [Dispatch Recordings]

Ever since 2012’s State of Suspension EP we’ve been waiting for the return of Amoss to Dispatch Recordings. We’re a bit surprised it’s taken this long, but their brand new Shadow Theories release has certainly been worth the wait.

While the EP treads familiar ground for the most part, sometimes evolution can be just as satisfying as revolution and hearing the the countryside duo’s sound mature proves to be exactly that. Their dark and gnarly style sounds as fresh and dangerous as ever on tracks like The Wayman Break and driving Fre4knc collab Vortice, a track that fans who have caught any of their sets over the past few years will probably recognise.

There’s room for something a little lighter amongst the grimey shenanigans too, with Viv May and C. Tivey coming aboard for the jazzy vibes of Stalling Theme before the release closes out with the thundering kick/snare riddims of Crooked Arm. Another top release from a production duo we hope will be around for a long time to come! Check out the clips below and hit up the Dispatch Store now to grab the EP on vinyl or digital.

Classic Track: Apollo Two – Atlantis (I Need You)

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This one should need no introduction; LTJ Bukem’s seminal 1993 release has been played, sampled, remixed and rinsed to death in the 22 years since its original release on Good Looking Recordings, and yet it’s a track that will never get old. From the infectious hook and iconic vocal sample to the satisfyingly crunchy breakbeats, this is blissed out rave euphoria at its best and one of the finest jungle tracks ever made. If you’ve somehow missed this one then check it out below; for the rest of you, give it another play and relive the golden age of jungle one more time…

Pythius – New Order EP [Blackout Music]

Blackout Music couldn’t really be a more perfect home for Pythius’ New Order; when I first heard the opening chords of lead track Executor it instantly took me back to 2005 and the trancey intros of old Black Sun Empire material. Following in the footsteps of the dutch trio, Pythius has succeeded in crafting a potent mix of uplifting melody and heavy duty bass, bringing a level of musicality to the sometimes sterile world of neurofunk production.

Be it on the angular, staccato rhythms of  Driveyard or the hypnotic arpeggios of Coruscant, the EP’s tracks keep things varied, with plenty of room for expression and experimentation. There’s even space for a deep, moody roller at the close in the form of Convert (which the label have kindly given away for free to celebrate the release).

Futuristic, majestic and destructive, this is everything that high energy dancefloor D&B can and should be! Check out the clips below and head to Beatport to grab the EP now, with worldwide release following from Oct 30th.

Dojo Damager: Krakota – Crash Pads

This week’s Dojo Damager comes courtesy of Hospital Records and Krakota. Krakota’s Citadels EP features four varied new tracks, the gnarliest (and arguably best) of which is the raved up smasher that is Crash Pads.

From the wonky old school chords of the intro to the hard snares and snarling bass distortions, this track is 110% hype from start to finish and a certified dancefloor weapon! Serious business; check out the clip below and hit up the Hospital Store to grab a copy on vinyl or digital right now.