Icicle – Entropy Remixes [Shogun Audio]

Shogun have recruited some of the heaviest hitters in the neurofunk scene for their latest remix project, with material from Icicle’s Entropy LP in for the relick treatment along with a bonus remix of Dreadnaught from Neosignal badman Phace. The iconic stabs and SP:MC vocal are retained but the bass and beats are amped up to the energy levels you’d expect from a Phace mix, and it’s a fresh take on a tune which should be familiar to everyone in the scene.

Joe Ford injects a punchy new rhythm and a playful tone into Neutralize, while Black Sun Empire deliver an absolutely disgusting rework of The Edge – this one is absolutely off the hook! Sadly Ulterior Motive’s remix of Will You Be Mine proves a little disappointing, being practically indistinguishable from the original, leaving it to Proxima to up the ante once again with a devastating new mix of Isolation.

As usual you can pick this up on vinyl and digital from the Shogun Audio store; pre-orders are up now ahead of the June 29th release.

Electrosoul System – Flawless LP [Med School]

Russian producer Andrey Burtaev has been making his mark on the D&B scene as Electrosoul System for a decade now, honing his craft with releases for Fokuz, Subtitles, Spearhead and more. His latest venture sees him turning in his second full length LP for Med School, and it’s a bit of a treat.

The first thing that struck me upon listening to the album was the detail and depth of the tracks; despite all being firmly drum & bass material and all being relatively DJ friendly in structure, there’s no laziness in the production, with every bar imbued with the minor variations that elevate a track from club fodder into something worthy of repeat home listening.

There’s also a variety in the album which somehow doesn’t spoil its cohesion as a body of work; every track sounds related to the last, but the influences and styles that went into the melting pot are wonderfully diverse. Picking favourites on such a strong record is tough, but the frenetic FX chopping of 8th Dimension and the serene, rolling breaks and jazzy licks of Past Time Cruiser stand out in particular.

Overall this is another strong contender for album of the year in a 7 month period that has already seen incredible full lengths from a number of artists both big and small. Check out the clips below and hit up the Hospital Store to grab a copy on CD, vinyl or digital; the album drops Jun 29th.

North Base & Stapleton – Can I Live [Nation of Shopkeepers]

Long time D&B rhymesayer Stapleton teams up with Manchester bass slingers North Base for his latest work, and they’ve recruited a weird and wonderful array of remixes for the release. The original combines Stapleton’s swaggering UK hip-hop flows with a hint of wompy dubstep for a cheeky little ode to slacking off and fucking about, but the remixes are where the release really shines.

Need For Mirrors delivers a tripped out, tough edged roller, turning the playful vocals to an altogether more ominous vibe. Resound switches the vibe again, crafting beats with a hint of Trap but keeping the synth vibes airy to the point of near-ambient stylings. Last up, Signs come with a bizarrely angular and thoroughly enjoyable half-time flex. This one was definitely not the aggy neuro remix I was expecting! Check out the clips below and grab this one right now.

Kolectiv & Survey – A Bunch Of Notes / Circular Logic [Plasma Audio]

Melbourne’s Plasma Audio return with their fourth release, this time tapping London’s Kolectiv and Berlin duo Survey for the beats. The former turn in a super deep halftime number coyly titled A Bunch Of Notes – we’re thinking a bit more thought went into the arrangement than that name implies. Hints of dub and serene atmospherics collide with intricate percussion and dark, stalking bass, and the result is top class.

Over on the flip we’re treated to more of Survey’s trademark gloomy, ominous, tech-edged style. The bass on this one throbs away against a grooving, tribal rhythm that’s likely informed by Berlin’s thriving techno scene; either way, this is heavyweight business. Check out the clips below and pick this one up right now from your favourite digital store.

DJ Monita – Luv Ta Luv Ya (Fracture VIP) [Astrophonica]

Astrophonica’s latest sees Fracture going in on a huge VIP of DJ Monita’s rave classic Luv Ta Luv Ya. If you enjoyed Loving Touch this should be right up your street; it’s a joyously chaotic chopped up jungle bouncer, and no mistake! Hit up the Astrophonica bandcamp to grab this on 10″ vinyl and digital right now.

Kasra & Enei – Inside The Box [Critical Music]

Critical’s latest sees label boss Kasra teaming up with Russian production stalwart Enei for an EP of varied tracks tied together by that heavyweight Critical sound. Kicking off with the stomping 85BPM hip-hop of Inside The Box, seguing into minimal halftime on Words and then heading for rolling territory on the excellent DRS-vocaled Overthinking, they clearly didn’t want this EP to fall into any obvious sub-genre pigeon-holes.

Out into the digital exclusives we’re treated to more dark minimalism on Arcana followed by a straight up tech thumper on Greed, which is sure to be smashing up the dance over the coming weeks. Another great release from one of the most influential labels in the scene – hit up the Critical store to grab this on vinyl and digital right now.

All Hell Is Breaking Loose (Gentleman’s Dub Club Remix) [Hospital Records]

The latest release from Hospital definitely breaks the mould, featuring remixes and cover versions of London Elektricity in some unusual styles. All Hell Is Breaking Loose gets a fantastic dub reggae remix from Gentleman’s Dub Club, KYX Orchestra provide a swing & bass cover of Out Of This World and the Riot Jazz Brass Band provide an appropriately brassy cover of Just One Second. 

Hearing these songs lovingly retooled with such different instrumentation is absolutely fantastic, and it’s great to see Hospital putting out a release for the love of the music with no eyes on the club/DJ market. Check out the clips below and hit up the Hospital Store to grab the tracks on 10″ vinyl or digital.

 

Villem & McLeod – Ain’t No Way [Warm Communications]

Villem & McLeod continue their extremely fruitful collaborative efforts with a new selection for esteemed US imprint Warm Communications. Ain’t No Way builds the tension with lush but faintly ominous synths before an old school combo of big whomping bass and tough breaks kick the tune into orbit. Heft!

Make Tomorrow follows in the footsteps of Inner Revolution, showcasing the duo’s knack for crisp liquid rollers; soft piano, well articulated breaks and warm sub are the order of the day here, but the track is definitely far more than the sum of its parts. Last up, Saved You takes things grimey once again with a dark stepper to close the EP.

Neither Villem & McLeod nor Warm Comms have disappointed lately and this release is no different – look for it on 12″ (with the first 100 copies being white & red marbled) and digital from June 29th.

Classic Track: Teebee – The Force

The sad news that Renegade Hardware will be closing its doors for good immediately had me digging for classic Hardware via the old Future Beats mix series, and while listening to Chris Renegade’s instalment The Force jumped right out at me.

While far from the only D&B track to make use of a few cheeky Star Wars samples, their use in this track is subtler and altogether more rhythmic than in most other tunes. Combine that with the rolling break and instantly recognisable bassline and you’re onto a classic that still moves floors. RIP Hardware, and long live Teebee!

Crypticz & Lakeway – Bubblegum / Guns For Hire [Sweetbox]

Brand new Bristol label Sweetbox should be one to keep an eye on this year on the strength of their debut release, showcasing two forward thinking slices of 170BPM action from Crypticz & Lakeway.

The former provides an exercise in trap-infused half-time minimalism on Bubblegum, which we assume takes its name from the distinctive “popping” FX which characterise the tune. Lakeway ups the ante on the flip with a militant slice of halftime blending hip-hop style sampling with a hefty wall of sub and a tasty percussion line. This one absolutely throbs at the low end!

Hit up the Sweetbox Bandcamp for pre-order now, and watch out for these dropping from Jun 29th at all good stores.