DNB Dojo Mix Series 34: Blueprint

MixSeries34_Blueprint

We’ve got USA’s finest on the Dojo decks this week as Blueprint brings the Deconstructed Recordings sound to our mix series! Featuring the finest deep liquid selections from the likes of Humanature, Silence Groove and Undersound alongside a fistful of Deconstructed dubplates, this is smooth sailing for the warm summer sunshine.

As usual you can check out the mix via Soundcloud below or head to YoutubeMixcloud, Hearthis.at or iTunes to stream. You can also grab a download from Google Drive.

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Minor Rain – The Resistance EP [Addictive Behaviour]

When it comes to neurofunk, Addictive Behaviour are one of our favourite labels. Between their commitment to quality vinyl releases and their talent for signing tracks that balance dancefloor chops with musicality (and avoid tearout cliche), they’re pretty much setting the bar for independent dancefloor D&B, and frankly they’re putting some of the bigger labels to shame.

Their latest effort from Minor Rain continues that fine tradition with three new cuts from Slovakia’s finest. Lead track Resistance keeps things gritty with tons of crunchy bass texture and hefty drum hits to provide a refined and detailed take on the traditional dark roller, and tasty stuff it is too.

Elsewhere on the EP Going Crazy combines some pretty “pew pew” synth lazer action with a robotic riddim and a cheeky vocal hook for the EP’s most light-hearted track. Last up, Hydra smashes the riddims up into a gloriously chaotic ensemble of beats and bass that swerves from rolling and rhythmic to angular and gnarly at will. Wicked stuff! Check out the clips below and hit up the usual stores to grab a copy on red vinyl or digital right now.

TMSV – Fission Chips [RUA Sound]

Few labels in recent memory have started as strong as RUA Sound. Their first release featured future jungle heavyweights Sully and Sam Binga and unsurprisingly sold out in no time at all (c’mon guys, repress…) so we were more than a little pleased to hear of a follow up from promising upstart TMSV.

Continuing RUA’s quest to unearth the best genre-bending sounds from the bleeding edge of the 170BPM spectrum, we’re treated to two weighty cuts with more than enough muscle for the dancefloor but plenty of playful experimentation to boot. Fission Chips kicks things off with an 8-bit grime hook, rapid footwork-style hats and hypnotic arpeggios set to a hefty slab of sub bass pressure; proper head nodding business.

Over on the flip things take on more of a dub/jungle vibe, with classic reggae sounds mixed with a sparse beat and some super tasty snare rolls. Yes please! Another fine release from a label we’ll definitely be keeping an eye on; check it out below and hit up Redeye or Kudos to grab the wax right now.

Q&A – Beat Machine

Italian label Beat Machine have been blazing quite a trail over the past few years, bringing out top releases from the likes of Lynch Kingsley and netting themselves some big remixes to boot. We’ve been thoroughly enjoying their Swinging Flavors series so with the third instalment about to drop we grabbed label co-runner Luca for a quick chat about the Milan scene, the label’s origins and their plans for the future. Check it out!

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DNB Dojo Mix Series 33: Moralz

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Hot on the heels of his excellent new EP for Free Love Digi, we’ve secured a fantastic new mix from LA producer Moralz. Blending footwork, halftime D&B and hip-hop for an exuberant take on the 170BPM sound, the mix features cuts from Moralz and fellow FLD associates Thomas B and Ghast alongside beats from Fracture, Om Unit, Machinedrum, Moresounds and many more. Future jungle business!

As usual you can check out the mix via Soundcloud below or head to Mixcloud, Hearthis.at or iTunes to stream. You can also grab a download from Google Drive.

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Q&A – Jef Methlab

With a fresh compilation EP dropping on Bad Taste today and a host of new ventures recently announced, Methlab continue to make powerful moves in the neurofunk world. To find out more we grabbed the agency boss Jef and Kloe from Bad Taste Recordings for a chat about why he started Methlab, collaborating with Bad Taste and his thoughts on the neuro scene today. Check it out…

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May Roundup

Time for another roundup of the best releases in the underground D&B scene; read on for new releases from Renegade Hardware, Flexout, Warm Communications, Invisible and more…

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Fortitude – The Incumbent [Harder & Louder]

If you like your D&B on the menacing side and you’re not already familiar with Fortitude then this release should be more than enough to whet your appetite. His latest work for Russian imprint Harder & Louder provides a miniature tour of the harder styles of D&B, and the tracks on show are top notch all round.

Red Shift kicks things off with a slice of dark, breakbeat-driven tech reminiscent of the golden era of Dom & Roland. Sci-fi-tinted pads, crunchy bass and tough but precise percussion; yes please! Incumbent ups the ante, bringing the bass to an animalistic snarl and adding a layer of distortion to the chaotically chopped breaks.

Last but by no means least, Succeed Control provides a dirty little roller that harks back to the time when neuro meant dirty bass and funky drums, not the level of precision and sheen currently associated with the genre. Nice! Check out the clips below and hit up your favourite store to grab a copy right now.

Dojo Damager: Artificial Intelligence – Ghost Racoon

A day late but hopefully not a buck short…this week’s Dojo Damager offering comes courtesy of Artificial Intelligence, who serve up an old school techstep stomper in the form of Ghost Racoon for the mighty Metalheadz.

Keeping the beats weighty but stripped back to let that monstrous bassline breathe, this one isn’t gonna win any prizes for complexity but the menacing vibe more than makes up for it. Danger! Check it out below and hit up the ‘headz store to grab a copy now.