Monthly Archives: September 2014

M:Pathy – Thumper / Velocious [Terabyte Records]

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Terabyte return after their eclectic selection of remixes with a fresh single from previous label alumnus M:Pathy. Thumper takes it’s name from a thumping sub line, driving the tune along in tandem with a rolling techstep beat and a minimalist selection of midrange growls and subtle pads.

Velocious (as in rapid, or fast) sticks with the stripped back, gloomy tone but switches the beat up, punctuating a half-time kick/snare rhythm with a rapidly shuffling top percussion line. Once again there’s some impressively hefty sub on show here; iPod headphones or laptop speakers are certainly not gonna do these tunes justice. The release is out right now at all good digital stores so check out the clips below. If you want a little more on all things Terabyte be sure to check out our recent interview with label boss Auzi here.

Cynematic – Daytona / Space City [Viper Recordings]

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I’m not usually a huge fan of the synthy “big room” sound, but every now and then a release comes along which combines the clichéd elements into a perfect package, and the latest release from Russian duo Cynematic is just such a release.

Daytona brings together shimmering synths on the intro with a big, crunchy bassline and a standard but effective D&B break for a tune that combines melodic euphoria with low end weight in just the right quantities – not too soft, not too cheesy, total dancefloor energy. Space City on the flip achieves a similar balance, with an infectious groove, sparkling melodies and warm bass all playing their part in another great dancefloor roller.

Make no mistake, these aren’t the cleverest compositions in terms of stylistic originality, but sometimes it’s enough just to hone a formula to perfection, and Cynematic have done just that. Check out the clips below and grab this one from your favourite store now!

Soligen & Type-2 – Martyr [Blendits]

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Soligen & Type-2 continue their impressive assault on the D&B scene with a new beat for Rotterdam-based Blendits Audio. Showcasing their versatility, the duo lay down an unusual rhythm with heavy sub kicks and metallic percussion scattered across the mix. A conventional roller this is not, but deep, dark and exciting it most definitely is!

Over on the flip Young:G heads for slightly more predictable but nonetheless enjoyable territory with a grimey, stripped back techstepper in the form of Shantytown. Fans of Amoss will definitely enjoy this one. Check out the clips below and look for the release from September 22nd.

A Sides – Revisited [Eastside Records]

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A Sides returns to his own Eastside Records imprint with a brand new LP full of rolling D&B vibes. While perhaps not the most original selections ever to grace the scene, the LP brings together a variety of styles and flavours with a general lean towards rolling dancefloor beats. Highlights come on the gangster-lean of Kool is Back, the techier edge of Swamp, and the soulful liquid of Reminisce, but doubtless everyone will find their own favourites.

Check out the clips below and grab the album from your favourite store now!

Rowpieces – Recollection EP [Expressions Recordings]

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Fokuz Recordings present the latest release from their Expressions sub label with a new EP from German liquid producer Rowpieces. Engineers of our Future kicks things off with a dense but perfectly balanced assortment of rapid breaks, synth swells, strings and rapid arpeggios.

Artemis’ Temple feels like classic Good Looking Records territory with soft, swirling pads and a classic break forming the backbone of the tune over which funkier elements are added; the result is a mellower composition but still with plenty of depth and energy. Last up comes An Intense Moment; true to the name the track carries an intensity of feeling while aiming for a mellow vibe musically; again the influence of GLR and the classic “intelligent D&B” of the past shines through here.

Check out the clips below and watch out for the EP dropping September 22nd.

Hybris – Emergence LP [Invisible Recordings]

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The wait is over – Hybris’ debut LP has dropped on Noisia’s Invisible Recordings imprint, and quite a treat it is too. Spanning a healthy 15 tracks and exploring different styles and tempos alongside a healthy dose of dark D&B.

Asides from the previously covered singles, there’s a plethora of great D&B on show here. Night Boss brings to mind Phace & Misanthrop’s excellent output in terms of precision and heft, while Subversion provides a bouncy dancefloor roller that I’d challenge anyone not to nod their head to. The Czech-based producer pushes the boundaries into stranger riddims on Northeast Groove, with some excellent use of creepy atmospherics, a trend that’s continued on the angular aggression of Tweakers.

On a more experimental tip Hybris explores groovy glitch-hop on the excellent Call Me Chuck, and even finds time to explore faintly garage-ish territory on the uplifting Every Day Away. Last but by no means least, the LP is punctuated by three epic, sometimes beatless compositions which sit perfectly within the album’s flow and showcase a flair for sound design and texture. The gloom and crackle of Zkouska Siren in particular had me grinning ear to ear.

Overall this is a fantastic accomplishment from a great producer and well worth a listen for anyone who likes their D&B deep, dark and a little bit weird. Check out the clips below and grab yourself a copy from your favourite store now!

Vromm – Prototype EP [31 Recordings]

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After a period of quiet for some three years Doc Scott’s 31 Recordings is back in full swing, and since last year the label has released a solid stream of great new music. The latest EP release comes from Vromm, the new solo project from one member of eclectic electronic collective Various Production.

The beats on show here carry a deep, dark, tribal quality; while they were clearly designed with big soundsystems in mind, there’s a definite “Room 2” vibe to the tracks. Intricate percussion, deftly crafted atmosphere and weighty groove define the EP through and through, and fans of the output on labels like Samurai Music and Nurtured Beatz are sure to lap this one up too. The EP is out now; check out the clips below and grab a copy from your favourite outlet.

You can also check out a guest mix from Vromm for KMag below, featuring tracks from the EP alongside beats from the likes of Dub Phizix, Gremlinz and Ink. Deeper beats!

Famous Lost Words Remixes: Part 2 [Blu Mar Ten Music]

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Blu Mar Ten unveil the second set of remixes from last year’s Famous Lost Words LP with reworks from Kid Drama, Anile and the winner of the remix competition, Conduct. Kid Drama brings his autonomic-esque stylings to Thin Air, retaining the lush melodies of the original but switching up the drums from their previous liquid roll and rearranging the parts to make the song his own.

Anile meanwhile performs the reverse switch, replacing the unusual rhythms of Remembered Her Wrong with a rolling liquid break, but retaining the melancholy vibe and atmosphere of the original nicely. Last but not least, Conduct turns in an absolutely serene mix of Hunter, stripping back most of the elements to leave a lean combination of piano, drums and weighty sub bass. Check out the clips below and grab this one on vinyl or digital from the Blu Mar Ten store now!

State Of Mind vs. Soligen & Type-2 – Biology EP [Citrus Recordings]

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Citrus return with their first release in 6 months; an unusual lull for the generally busy Dutch label. Kiwi neuro duo State Of Mind kick off the 12″ with another slice of their signature rolling dancefloor business; big atmospheric pads and what sounds like glockenspiel on the intro give way to a typically savage bassline and a big fat kick snare rhythm. Dancefloor heft in spades; no surprises there given the SOM back catalogue.

On the flip Lincoln-based rising stars Soligen & Type-2 present Biology. Showing off their sound design chops on the intro with some weird and wonderful noises, we’re treated to a smooth flow from an unknown voice (possible one of the duo themselves) before the tune drops into a sub heavy bas and breaks workout. Check out the clips below and watch out for this on vinyl and digital from September 15th (pre-orders available now at Triple Vision).

Prolix – Transcendent EP [Trendkill Records]

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Fans of Prolix will know what to expect from his latest output – the Transcendent EP sees him teaming up with some of the biggest names in the neurofunk scene for an all out assault on your senses, and the results are pure dancefloor destruction. Highlights include the supreme midrange aggression of the titular Transcendent (with Neosignal’s Misanthrop), the hard snares and off kilter riddims of Vital Condition (with MC Coppa on vocals) and the big gnarly stomper that is Next Level (featuring Offkey alumni Meth).

Check out the clips below and grab this one from Beatport now.