Brand New World LP [Nurtured Beatz]

Nurtured Beatz have been carving a nice little niche for themselves since the label’s inception in 2013 and their 5th release sees them upping the ante with a 15 track Various Artists LP featuring up and coming producers alongside scene stalwarts like Genotype, all turning in deep dark 170BPM business.

Highlights come in the form of the kick heavy drum lines of Kolectiv & Incognito’s Circle Of Sound, the gloomy half-time atmosphere of Mystic State’s Street Talk and the menacing distorted snares and 90s techstep vibe of Paragon’s Detractors. Check out all the LPs tracks below and grab a copy from your favourite digital outlet now!

Forbidden Codes LP [117 Records]

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.

Reanimation EP [Renegade Hardware]

Hardware bring us another selection of sick techstep cuts with a remix EP featuring contributions from the biggest and best in the scene right now. Taking pride of place is InsideInfo’s update of the legendary Usual Suspects belter Killa Bees. This one has been destroying floors across the world for months, and for good reason; retaining the vibe of the original but updating it nicely with modern production values and that trademark InsideInfo synth detail, this is setting a benchmark for modern updates of classic tunes.

Elsewhere on the EP Maztek turns in a typically gritty refix of Optiv & BTK’s Inception, with the duo dropping a huge rework of Maztek’s Limber in return. To be honest I think Optiv & BTK won this round, but both tunes are well worth a listen.

Finally Verb has been let loose on another classic, putting the modern polish on Future Cut’s Whiplash. This still sounds as eery as it did way back in 1999 and fans of the original will be pleased to note that the absolutely tearing drum-line has been faithfully recreated and reinforced. Watch out for the full EP dropping on vinyl and digital July 15th.