February Roundup Part Two

Once again we’ve been inundated with quality music in the Dojo inbox and despite the bonus extra day February has vanished before we could write it all up! Here’s some coverage of the best of the rest including new music from Alix Perez & Ivy Lab, Calibre, Hanover, SCAR, Bone and more…

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Art of Deception LP [Authentic Music]

Authentic Music are now well and truly back; after a lengthy hiatus from releasing music and a couple of retrospective EP releases, the Czech label returns proper this month with a various artists LP in the form of Art of Deception.

It’s worth noting at this point that I’m not a big fan of compilation LPs. Certain labels have taken in recent years to releasing ever bigger and bigger albums packed with twenty, thirty or even forty tunes loosely bound by rough subgenre and largely lacking in vision or purpose; sure, there are often some good tracks to be found, but who wants to listen through dozens of beats to find the gems? Quality before quantity should be the maxim, but more and more in this ADHD digital age that maxim is being ignored.

Enter Authentic Music, a label that has always striven to provide that all important quality. In the three and a half years of its existence, the imprint has moved slowly but steadily, releasing only tracks which pass the tests of both production sheen and innovation, and thankfully that ethos hasn’t changed for their latest outing.

The slightly old school approach shines through in the release of samplers, a-la vinyl LPs of yesteryear; there might not be wax in the offing, but a handful of tracks have been selected from the main body to lead the pack, and in that fine tradition of samplers they feature some of the LP’s strongest material, with remixes from A-Cray and ArpXP sitting alongside originals from Revaux and Kusp.

Tone-wise most of the album holds true to the Authentic aesthetic; techy vibes fit for the dancefloor but featuring strong sound design and enough of an experimental edge not to be forgettable club fodder. There are some surprises to be found too such as Revaux’s uplifting remix of Mr. Magician and the playful rolling melodies of Dephzac’s sublime Sum Is Wrong.

I could spend time picking out favourites from the selection but with the quality so high you’re better off just listening for yourself. Wicked vibes through and through; hit up Beatport to grab the lot right now.

Get To Know…Addictive Behaviour

2016 is a weird time for D&B labels. With the tendency towards more rapid release schedules and the increasingly crowded marketplace, it can be tough for a label to forge a distinctive sound and identity while fighting not to get lost in the wash. With that in mind, Addictive Behaviour’s accomplishments are all the more impressive.

With a commitment to quality over quantity, an eye catching visual brand and some seriously heavyweight artists on the roster, Addictive Behaviour are already floating to the top of the pack after two short years with no signs of stopping. Read on for our top 5 from the label’s back catalogue.

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Dojo Damager: Soligen & Type-2 – It Gets Lively

This week’s Dojo Damager comes courtesy of Lincoln-based production duo Soligen & Type-2 who bring a wicked slice of modulated tech funk to Nurtured Beatz. Amping things up a bit compared to some of the imprint’s deeper releases, It Gets Lively rolls hard and heavy with crispy breaks and a moving, scuzzed up bassline. Punchy business! Hit up the Nurtured Beatz Bandcamp to grab this one right now, with full release coming next week.

DNB Dojo Mix Series 26: The Untouchables

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The mixes are coming thick and fast this month as we welcome The Untouchables to the DNB Dojo decks! With a superb new EP just out on Translation Recordings and previous releases gracing the likes of Alphacut, Cylon and Samurai, their distinctive dubby sound has been rumbling the bassbins at Dojo HQ for some time now. Serious weight!

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 Google Drive.

Classic Track: Hive – Krush

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This week’s classic comes straight outta the ‘headz archives as we wind back to 2005 and the threatening vibes of Hive’s Krush. Exemplifying the harder D&B style of that period, the chopped up breaks, reese bass and rave stabs on this one are still more than capable of sending a few shivers up the spine. Hectic business! Check it out below and hit up discogs if you’re keen to grab a copy…

Cirrus – Remixes Vol. 2 [Terra Null]

Given that all three artists involved in the latest release for Terra Null have contributed mixes to the Dojo Mix Series, it probably comes as no surprise that the release proved to be right up our street!

Label boss Cirrus turns in two tracks for the remix treatment; on the A side Fearful dishes up a menacing new mix of Diacria; throbbing bass, rapid fire staccato percussion and tons of atmosphere on this one.

Not to be outdone, Fuj keeps things gritty and ominous on the flip with a creeping remix of Angel. The progression on this one is fantastic, particularly the eerie synth melody that ramps up in the second half of the tune. Wicked stuff; check out the clips below and hit up the Terra Null Bandcamp to grab this right now.

Dojo Damager: Agressor Bunx – Total Destroy

Agressor Bunx makes his second entry in the Dojo Damager series with another absolute stomper, this time for Bad Taste Recordings! The aptly named Total Destroy is a straight up neurofunk power play, building tension with hammering snare riddims and throbbing bassline gristle before dropping into full roll madness. The scuzz on the low end in this tune is just unbelievably satisfying; get ready for this one to wreck floors!

Total Destroy drops this Friday with B-side Crusader exclusively on Beatport, so check out the clip to wet your appetite and keep an eye out! If you’re hungry for more Bunx action then check out his mix for the Bad Taste Podcast here…gnarly business.

February Roundup

With winter rapidly escaping and another two weeks of the year down, it’s time for another roundup. New beats from Response, Lenzman, Metro, Ayshot prod and more… Continue reading

DNB Dojo Mix Series 25: Cirrus

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Following hot on the heels of our last mix from Fuj, Terra Null Recordings boss Cirrus steps up with the 25th instalment of the DNB Dojo Mix Series! Whether via the excellent releases on Terra Null or his other work for Terabyte, Nurtured Beatz and AutomAte, Cirrus has been making waves within the dark D&B world for a couple of years and that looks set to continue.

His selection for DNB Dojo features new dubs from the catalogues of Terabyte, Alchemic Breaks and Terra Null alongside a host of Cirrus productions and beats from the likes of Ruffhouse, Red Army and Skeptical. Militant head nodders and grimey textures all the way on this one.

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 Google Drive.

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