Break – Steam Train [Symmetry]

In the wake of the excellent The Other Side LP and a seemingly endless series of remixes and collabs for other labels, the ever prolific Break has found time to cook up another doozy for his own Symmetry imprint. Steam Train rolls into the proverbial station with some nice hissing samples, classic chord stabs and a beefy bassline that’s sure to move the crowd.

Over on the flip Detail & Tiiu go in deep with Days Go By. Mournful synths and an echoing, folorn vocal intro the tune before a brooding sub rumble adds the bass weight. Soulful, introspective and brimming over with musicality, the simplicity of the production is what makes this tune; rather than crowding the mix with unnecessary layers, Detail has stripped it back to the bare essentials.

Watch out for these dropping July 15th on vinyl and digital.

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.

Seismix – Code / Sincere [Violation Music]

Usually I’m skeptical of press release hype but I think Violation Music are genuinely onto a “hidden gem” with this release from up and coming producer Seismix. With releases on BTK’s Dutty Audio imprint and DJ support from the likes of Sabre, Octane & DLR, Insideinfo, Cern and Hybris, I wouldn’t imagine he’ll stay hidden for long mind.

Code delivers dancefloor tech at its best, combining atmospheric synths, rolling drum breaks, deft synth work and that all important bass growl to create a tune that will fit right into any dark D&B DJ set. Over on the flip, the man shows us a little more depth with a half-time tune that’s all about the percussion; natural hits and fill abound, with the warm sub adding to the deep, tribal feel.

Watch out for the single dropping July 1st via all good digital outlets.

In The Mix…toastercookie

Seattle’s toastercookie drops a huge selection of dancefloor oriented D&B to celebrate his appearance at the city’s Bottom Heavy monthly club night. With cuts from the likes of Break, Enei, Calyx & Teebee, Logistics, Netsky, Noisia & Phace all featuring, the mix moves effortlessly through tech and liquid styles with an emphasis on rolling beats and upbeat vibes. Check it out and grab a free download below.

Thrashpilot – Firewalker / Calisthenics [Killscreen]

After a lengthy absence from the scene Thrashpilot returns with a new single on a new label, and hits home with some genuinely innovative beats. Firewalker gets straight down to business with some great synth work, warm techy bass and an insistent hat-led half-step beat. Imagine 2005-era Boxcutter making D&B and you’re somewhere close.

Over on the flip Calisthenics takes things up to full roll but keeps the beat angular with kicks and distorted snares dropping left right and centre. Robotic midrange and rumbling, fast-paced sub adds to the character of the tune before a drop into ethereal, floaty bridge before the tune comes back in for round two. Watch out for these dropping July 15th.

Atlantic Connection – It’s Me, It’s You (Mikal Remix) [Atlantic Connection]

Mikal steps in on the remix for Atlantic Connection delivering a classic switcheroo – all signs on the intro point to a liquid roller before Mikal drops that dirty tech bass we know and love. Growling sub pairs nicely with the trancey synths and treated vocals of the original tune to create a tune with enough dirt for the heads and enough melody for, *ahem*, “da laydeez”. Or something.

Check it out below and grab it as part of the Love Architect Remixed LP alongside a range of mixes across the spectrum of bass music, out July 2nd.

Klute – Best Bits Not Over [Commercial Suicide]

Klute warms up for the impending release of his seventh full length with a cheeky sampler featuring a couple of seriously heavyweight rollers. On The A side Klute delivers an old school reese-led dancefloor beast, hopped up on hard snares and baying for blood. This one will be wrecking the floors at Sun & Bass this year methinks!

Over on the flip Invaderz give the VIP treatment to Take A Breath, giving the classic (and out of print) amen smasher a nice polish for 2013. Watch out for both of these dropping on vinyl and digital June 24th.

The Not So Future Jungle EP [36 Hertz]

36HTZ030 ART

36 Hertz take us back to the old skool on their latest release, bringing together four tracks with a distinctly jungle flavour. SR & Digbee kick things off nicely with the appropriately named Back To Basics; classic chords, simple pads, chopped up amens and some timeless samples. “Stop the beat, drop the beat” – yeaaaah boi!

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ie1DrcyG9BU]

Elsewhere on the EP Jem One delivers some classic rave euphoria with the oddly titled Bullet To The Head and DJ Vapour brings us some classic amen darkness complete with authentic stretched ragga vocal on Never Feel. Finally Skink goes in deep with the tribal, atmospheric sounds of Trapped Inside the Dream.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zCrxXHXOWkM]

Look out for the EP dropping on June 24th.

DNB Dojo Mix Series 04: M:Pathy

MixSeris04MPathy_new

Origins Birmingham resident M:Pathy delivers the fourth in our exclusive mix series, packed full of Terabyte Records dubs, some of which have never been heard before! Gritty techstep beats all the way. With his second release dropping on Terabyte on Monday, expect big things from this man over the coming months!

Stream the mix below and grab a free download from Dropbox, or check it out on Mixcloud.

M:Pathy – Grit VIP (Forthcoming Terabyte)
Paiton – Cosma (Forthcoming Terabyte)
M:Pathy – The Grind (Forthcoming Terabyte)
Clarity & Overlook – Chinatown
Paiton – Wrapped in (Forthcoming Terabyte)
Elkie & M:Pathy – TBC
Hyroglifics – Soundboy
Fre4knc – Tubular
Volatile Psycle – Twisted Imagery (Forthcoming Terabyte)
Stealth – Deep Inside
A-Cray – Untold Stories (Forthcoming Terabyte)
M:Pathy – Meditate (Forthcoming Terabyte)
Kolectiv – Dog Eat Dog
Dreadzone – Zion Youth (Bazil remix)
J-DOK – Make Haste
Amoss – Cranium (Dakosa remix)
J-DOK, M:Pathy & Elkie – Further
Mindmapper & Fre4knc – Dictionary of Dreams
Amoss – Footloose VIP
Jekyll – Blabbermouth
Clarity – Terminology

Genotype – Lessons In Depth EP [Samurai Music]

The legendary Genotype brings his signature brand of deep, futuristic jungle to Samurai Music with an EP that oozes character and atmosphere. From the natural, tribal percussion and dubby hip-hop vibe of Jam That Feel through the oddly cheery classical flourishes of the intro to Financial War and out into the bleak minimalism of Creative Elements, the EP largely defies genre conventions and eschews traditional structures in favour of delivering beats aimed at your head and your heart.

Even when we’re in more familiar D&B territory on The Day After The Night the quality and sound design is absolutely breathtaking, and the track retains a left-field vibe, harking back to old Hardware B-sides. Definitely one for the deep heads, but also possibly the best thing Genotype has ever made…look out for this one on vinyl and digital from June 24th.