Monthly Archives: February 2015

Subsonik – Grinder / Feels [Rockers 175]

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The sound of an amen break…that familiar scratchy break somehow never gets old, providing the backbone as it does for so many tracks in the Jungle/D&B arena. The latest release on Rockers 175 is definitely not the most original piece of programming you’ll hear this year but if you’re looking for some straight up amen-choppage then you could do a lot worse than this! Epic atmospherics and old school breaks and bass make for a nice combination; check out the clips below and look for this from Feb 19th at your favourite digital outlet.

Loz Contreras – The Nicked Technics EP

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We got some sad news earlier this week – liquid producer Loz Contreras was the unfortunate victim of theft outside his flat in Leeds, and has had his Technics 1210s and mixer stolen from the boot of his car. His flatmate has started an appeal to raise the cash to buy new equipment for Loz, and the man himself has generously offered to give away an EP of his hottest dubs to anyone kind enough to chip in. If you’re looking for uplifting liquid rollers it doesn’t get much better than the tracks on offer here, so check the clips below and head to the GoFundMe page and sling Loz some cash.

Conduct – Vanguard [Diffrent Music]

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Diffrent continue to expand their “Giraffestep” sub-imprint with a fresh new EP from Conduct, who follows up recent releases for Blu Mar Ten Music and Lifestyle with a militant selection of half-step badness for Dexta’s esteemed collective.

Vanguard opens the EP with a sludgy, stomping drum rhythm and grimey bass under layers and layers of ominous atmospherics. Residuum meanwhile proves an abstract, almost beatless study in reverb and ambience, echoing almost serenely around the stereo mix. Last but by no means least, Confrontation clatters around with steely drums, robotic FX and plenty of attitude. Danger! Check out the clips below and grab this from the Diffrent Bandcamp right now, with full release following at all good digital stores from Feb 23rd.

[bandcamp width=100% height=241 album=3712944004 size=large bgcol=ffffff linkcol=0687f5 artwork=none]

Signs – Wormdrive / Quantum [Vandal Records]

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Neurofunk fans who aren’t already familiar with French production trio Signs should definitely keep an eye on them this year. Made up of Opsen, Primal Therapy and Le Lutin, Signs already have releases under their belts with the likes of RAM and Project 51 and don’t look to be slowing down!

Their latest single for Vandal sees them teaming up with MC Coppa for a big bad peak-time stomper in the mold of Pocket Full of Drops or On Like That, with a hefty instrumental on the flip for good measure. Not the most original tracks you’ll hear this year but if you’re looking for high octane beats to smash up a rave these are faultless in their execution; check out the clips below and look for the single dropping from Feb 16th.

SPL – Bristol Transmission [Rhythm & Chaos]

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SPL’s departure from the Drum & Bass scene and into lower tempo arenas a few years back was a source of some sadness here at the Dojo. The brand of industrial strength hardstep and grooving technoid D&B that Sam used to produce has largely disappeared from the scene, with the producers responsible diverting off either into tedious gabba (I’m looking at you Limewax) or entirely different genres such as with Chris Raiden’s forrays into Techno as Kamikaze Space Program.

It’s been a pleasant surprise to hear SPL back at the buttons on some 170BPM material recently, and his latest release for Rhythm & Chaos features a savage slice of hardstep business in the form of Bristol Transmission. That reese bass…oh gosh! Check out the clip below and look for this one dropping Feb 17th on Beatport with other stores following from March 3rd.

Quentin Hiatus – Chocolate Cosmos EP [Free Love Digi]

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Free Love Digi continue their steady onslaught of releases with a fresh EP from label boss Quentin Hiatus. Pushing the boundaries as ever, Quentin explores more weird and wonderful takes on the 170BPM sound. The Struggle melts down influences from techno and beyond for a psychedelic and potent slice of 4×4 D&B, while Chocolate Cosmos hits those slouching, hip-hop style halftime riddims that Mr Hiatus does so well.

One Way Or Another goes into deep space, harnessing the power of dub for a tripped out, reverb drenched jam. Last but not least, Understatement ups the ante a bit with angular percussion and an ominous, robotic vibe. Check out the clips below and watch out for this dropping at all good digital outlets from Feb 23rd.

Generous man that he is Quentin is also giving away a nice little freebie to promote the EP in the form of Lucy. Treading similar ground to The Struggle, this one’s got more than a hint of techno to it; check it out and grab a free download from Soundcloud.

Mauoq – Aerosolid (Medika Rmx) / Free The Past VIP

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Four years of silence have passed since Mauoq Music’s first release, but Mauoq has finally taken it upon himself to revive the imprint with two fresh new takes on the tracks from the first release. Medika turns in a fresh remix of Aerosolid while Mauoq revisits Free The Past for a new VIP. Both tracks deliver exactly the kind of deep, atmospheric halfstep the man has made his name delivering over the past few years; no surprises, but plenty to enjoy. Check out the clips below and grab this one from Bandcamp now, with full release following from Feb 20th.

Phace – Shape The Random LP Sampler [Neosignal]

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The mighty Phace is back and his signature high-precision, high-energy neurofunk sound remains as compelling as ever! The first taste of the German producer’s second solo album drops on vinyl and digital from Monday, and fans will certainly not be disappointed. My Mind Is Modular builds suspense with tight percussion and a hypnotic melody before slamming down into a typically frenetic assault of beats and bass.

Over on the flip Monochrome proves just as fearsome, playing around with unusual rhythms on the intro before dropping into angular kicks and snares set to a terrifying rising bassline. Robotic stuff! The sampler drops on vinyl and digital from Feb 16th, with the rest of the album due to follow a month later. The physical format aficionados (or those with deep pockets at least) can also head over to the Neosignal bandcamp to pre-order an album bundle with both vinyl releases, CD, t-shirt, stickers and full digital download. Check out the clips below and prepare yourself for the neurofunk onslaught!

Classic Track: Data – Compassion

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The recent release of an old Data track via Terabyte reminded me of some of the gems from his back catalogue, before his shift away from D&B and towards slower tempos via his Nick Modern alias. One of the best from the archives saw release on Metalheadz via the Genesis EP Pt 2; blending a haunting melody and vocal line with Nick’s talent for minimal drums, Compassion remains one of my favourite slices of deep, melancholy D&B. Check it out below and head to Juno to grab a copy.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0nY-JmK96TM]

S.P.Y – BRSTL Hardcore EP [NEST]

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Hot on the heels of his well received Back To Basics double LP and a cracking essential mix for Radio 1, S.P.Y returns with a fresh new EP released collaboratively between Hospital Records and Skrillex’s NEST imprint. BRSTL Hardcore sees Carlos going in on four fresh new tracks with a techy edge that are more than primed for the dancefloor. Fans of the producer’s output will know what to expect; no surprises, but plenty to enjoy. Best of all it’s totally free – check out the clips below and grab yourself a free download via Soundcloud.