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.

January Roundup Part Two

Another month has flown by in a flurry of wind, snow (here in Scotland at least…) and beats, so it’s time for another roundup! New material from Ed:it, Ghast, Saxxon and more after the jump… Continue reading

Classified V2 [CIA]

CIA are back with another storming selection on Vol. 2 of the Classified EP series and trust us, these are some pretty essential dancefloor selections. Ed:it & Pennygiles collab Set Theory gets the remix treatment from Ulterior Motive who keep the alterations subtle, retaining the vibe of the original but tuning it up for maximum punch. Next up, ST Files team up with Response for a characteristically deep outing on Wanna B 3; mellow high end floats along under an insistent, rolling break that seems primed to warm a floor before the bigger guns are broken out.

Label bosses Total Science join forces with FD for a classic liquid roller on Found A Reason Why, delivering that uplifting break-driven business that Total Science have made such a name for. Lush, sultry and sure to put a smile on your face! Last but not least, Villem & McLeod take things grimey on a stripped back halftime workout in the form of Strange You.

As usual CIA walk the line between musicality and dancefloor chops with ease and finesse, providing another fine selection for your record bag. Check out the clips below and hit up the CIA Bandcamp to cop the release on vinyl or digital right now!

Q&A – Pennygiles

If you’re a fan of the deeper side of D&B then chances are you’ll have come across Pennygiles by now. The Welsh producer has built up an impressive catalogue of liquid rollers over the past few years, gracing the likes of Rubik, Demand, IM:LTD and Fokuz with his emotional styles.

Pennygiles’ latest 12″ for Tempo Records is due to drop very shortly, so we got in touch for a quick chinwag about the inspiration behind the tunes, collaborating with Ed:it and his use of natural breaks.
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Eastcolors – Mad Day (Ed:it Remix) [Addictive Behaviour]

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Nottingham-based producer Ed:it steps up on the latest release for Addictive Behaviour, providing a fresh lick of sonic paint for Eastcolors Mad Day alongside two fresh new tunes of his own. Super punchy and highly detailed drums are the order of the day here, with three techy stompers to choose from. The frenetic percussion of the Mad Day remix makes it our pick of the bunch – check out the clip below and look out for this on vinyl from Feb 23rd with digital to follow from March 9th.

Hyroglifics – Why Don’t You / The Forest [Vandal Records]

Vandal Records have lined up quite a release schedule for 2014 with their latest selection of dark tech following hot on the heels of some big releases from Nickbee and Primal Therapy. This time it’s Hyroglifics at the controls who comes in with a pair of tasty collaborative tracks.

Ed:it collab Why Don’t You hits down with a heavy break and modulated bass, plus a nicely chosen vocal hook which brings to mind Break’s classic Slow Down. Over on the flip Philth gets in on the act, building atmosphere on the intro with eery synth work before a crisp drop and a big hulking bassline shuffle the tune along. Grimey! Check out the beats below and watch out for the release dropping from April 20th.

Ed:it – Sound Killer / I Would [SGN:Ltd]

Ed:it ups the ante for SGN:Ltd with the monstrous Sound Killer. Dubby chords and a ragga vocal sample provide the icing on a warped, twisted cake of heavy kicks, reverb drenched snares and monstrous bass.

Over on the flip I Would shows the deeper side of Ed:it’s production, with a nice vocal cut up layered over a meaty package of bass and beats. This one doesn’t pull any punches either! Check out the A side below and watch out for the release dropping Feb 16th on vinyl and digital.

Ed:it – Defects / Ideology [Commercial Suicide]

Klute’s Commercial Suicide imprint returns once again, this time with a techstep 12″ from promising up and comer Ed:it. Fresh from releases for Blu Mar Ten Music, Rooted Records and Alignment, the Nottingham based producer has come correct for Suicide with a pair of dark, rolling tunes with a dash of soul and plenty of character.

Defects leads the charge with an echoing vocal sample reverberating out over the chunky percussion and dark, warping sub bass. Over on the flip Ideology takes the beat to more stepping territory, setting the same warping bass style to calm pad work and a grimier vocal cut.

Both tunes do a great job of showcasing a duality with soft harmonic elements complementing the rough and tough techstep style to great effect. Check out the beats below and watch out for the release dropping September 2nd.

Ed:it – Cargo Dub (Total Science Remix) [Rooted Recordings]

Rooted don’t seem to be in any hurry to get the beats out there but when they come to the table with a release it’s always top notch, and their third 12″ sticks to that theme. First up Total Science give their classic remix treatment to Ed:it’s Cargo Dub, adding emphasis to the melodic elements on the intro and bringing a dirty reese bassline to the table over some classic TS breaks.

Over on the flip, Mikal delivers a hard hitting break and some meaty bass stabs on Kick Back. Stopping short of the “full roll” of a traditional D&B break, instead we’re treated to a slightly more angular beat with tons of punch. Watch out for these dropping June 17th.