St.Iff lands on the Dojo decks with a tough yet soulful selection for our latest guest mix! Blending classic with up to the minute, the mix takes in cuts from Symmetry, Full Cycle, Ingredients and Metalheadz alongside a healthy selection of dubs. Weighty business, we think you’ll agree!
As always you can check out the mix via Soundcloud below or head to Youtube or iTunes to stream. You can also grab a download from Google Drive.
Break should need no introduction; possibly the hardest working man in Drum & Bass and a producer and DJ with a long and amazingly consistent career. His latest work finds him on top form once again, dropping a sick new single for his own label Symmetry Recordings.
Got A Feelin’ has its sights firmly on the dancefloor, stripping things back to the essentials; sparse but weighty drums, a wonky melody, wobbly sub bass and a memorable vocal hook. Vintage Break, this one manages to be both very “drum & bass” and nothing like most of the rest of the music dropping right now.
Over on the B side, Sesame Seeds hits a more jungle-y vibe, with crunchy break-chopping and funk samples a-plenty, recalling some of the classic sounds of old Moving Shadow.
Another essential release from one of the best names in the scene! Check it out below and hit up the usual digital outlets to grab this one now…
When you think across the biggest names in the scene, it’s hard to find one both as well regarded and as prolific as Break. The Symmetry boss somehow manages to churn out a breathtaking quantity of originals and remixes, all possessing his trademark crisp drums, warm but punchy basslines and organic musical flourishes. If there were an award for the hardest working man in D&B, we’re pretty sure it would go to Break every year without fail.
This year sees him celebrating 10 years of Symmetry Recordings and for the occasion he’s put together a cracking new LP of material featuring collabs with many of the label’s familiar faces and some solo material to boot. Alongside big, stomping slices of dancefloor tech like Total Science collab Betamax and solo cut Ain’t No Turning Back there’s space for a take on the 20/20 sound on Inside (written with Spectrasoul), a reggae infused roller on Overdub and a couple of distinctly jungle-tinged beats like the cracking closing track Not Forgotten.
While none of the tracks here are particularly breaking the mould or pushing the envelope, the love, care, and detail that’s gone into their production shines through and the presence and vibe is absolutely undeniable; another fine album from a scene legend at the top of his game. Check out the clips (and a wicked 30 min promo mix) below and hit up the Symmetry store to grab a copy right now!
We’ve been eagerly awaiting new music from Boston since his last release for Symmetry and true to form he’s back on Break’s imprint with four new silky smooth rollers that glide along effortlessly.
As with previous releases, Boston’s compositions are characterised by live guitar licks, crisp percussion, rich synths and a hint of jazz. That hint of jazz is handled subtly too, unlike some of the rather sax-heavy “jazz’n’bass” stylings employed by other producers in the scene, and that subtlety really makes the music shine.
Treading that beautifully fine line between being musical enough for the living room and hefty enough for the club with style and aplomb, this is another superb EP from a producer whose style has found the perfect home on Symmetry. Absolutely lush. Check out the clips below and hit up your favourite store to grab a copy right now.
The legendary Break gives us the first taste of his forthcoming third album Simpler Times with a two track sampler. The LP’s title track sees Kyo on vocal duties for a quality chunky roller with that unmistakeable Break balance of bass weight and soul. There’s nothing particularly surprising in the composition but the balance of the track is just too perfect not to enjoy, from the crisp breaks to the warm bass and up to the melodic flourishes sprinkled over the top.
Over on the flip we’re treated to a sampler exclusive tech roller in the form of Top Shooter. Apparently extensively road-tested by Break over the past few months, this one will certainly do the damage on the dancefloor. Check out the clips below and hit up the Symmetry store to grab this one now; digital is already out, with vinyl to follow in two weeks.
Young Welsh producer Boston touches down for his second single on Symmetry Recordings with two slices of impeccable deep liquid. Taking the energy and melody back a couple of notches compared to his excellent label debut, both tracks exhibit the flair and musicality which makes Boston such a rare and exciting talent.
Catch Your Breath is an exercise in understatement; resisting the temptation to over-egg the elements, the bass is warm but not too aggressive, the melody poignant but subtle, and the breaks simple but effective. Jazzy licks round off a super deep slice of liquid brilliance. Over on the flip, For Grace takes the energy up a couple of notches for a more playful, less contemplative track with more warm bass and beautiful guitar work. D&B for a jazz bar perhaps? Beautiful either way. Check out the clips below and grab this from March 9th via the Symmetry Store.
Break’s debut LP Symmetry was host to many treats, the most rinsed of which was undoubtedly Is This What You Want? Featuring that inimitable Break combination of crisp breaks, big scuzzy bass riffs and an incredibly catchy hook, this one still slays floors to this day. The subsequently released VIP mix also got plenty of attention but for me the original is elegant in it’s simplicity. You can still snag the album from Beatport so grab yourself a classic if you don’t already own a copy!
Symmetry Recordings welcomes a fresh new talent to the roster with a great release from Cardiff producer Boston. A side Go With Me recruits singer-songwriter Solis for an absolutely mesmerizing deep liquid roller, tinged with sorrow and feeling. The soft vocals and shimmering guitar work on this are outstanding.
Over on the flip The Little Things touches down in jazzier territory, with another rolling break and a plethora of understated guitar and sax work providing the appropriate melodic chops. A fantastic debut release from a young producer who doubtless has tons more to offer! Check out the clips below and grab this on digital from Monday October 27th.
Symmetry Recordings return with a fresh double A side from label regulars Break and Fields. Break goes in on the A side with the rolling charms of Duck For Cover, focusing on groove over the hyperactivity that much of modern Techstep embraces. Hypnotic vibes and tons of atmosphere.
Over on the flip Fields presents his first solo outing for the label with an unusual beat structure, chunky bass textures and tons of little details sprinkled into the mix. This one’s all in the percussion, with bongos punctuating a shuffling, cymbal heavy drum workout.
Check out the clips below and grab this one from the Symmetry Store now.