Conduct – Oma LP [Blu Mar Ten Music]

Just over a year on from their superb debut LP for Blu Mar Ten Music, Conduct are back to the label for a second LP. After the varied delights and beautiful atmospheres of Borderlands, how well will the duo cope with the so called ‘difficult second album’?

Pretty well, it turns out. The guys haven’t rested on their laurels at all, and they’ve found time to explore some different sounding rhythms while still retaining that detailed, cinematic quality that defined the previous album. From the obvious rock influences on intro track Welcome In, to the shades of Burial and Frederic Robinson on the breathtakingly beautiful Out of the Blue and out into the aggy, staccato gut punches of RDM, there’s a positive smorgasbord of sonic delights to be found here.

The only possible complaint upon the first couple of listens is that the album perhaps doesn’t seem as cohesive as its predecessor; every track sounds distinctively Conduct, but the segues from one to the next sometimes jar slightly. Maybe this will ease with familiarity, and this is certainly an album we’ll be getting more familiar with over the next few months.

Oma is out now on Blu Mar Ten Music; hit up the label store to grab a copy on vinyl, CD or digital now.

Breakage – Ric Flair Strut [Index]

Breakage is a man with some history in the D&B scene. From early singles on Reinforced and Bassbin, through the anthemic Staggered Dub on Critical and out into his later work for Digital Soundboy, James was a constantly inventive force in the scene for a decade, and his presence was missed when he began to eschew drum & bass in favour of explorations into other genres.

Thankfully in recent times he’s been back up at 170, although seemingly in no hurry with his output; Ric Flair Strut is only the second release on his newly minted Index imprint, following on from the February drop of Elmhurst Dub. The quality over quantity approach really shines through as a result, and both tracks on the new single are essential listening.

We’re not quite sure of the link to Ric Flair’s wrestling signature but the A-side certainly has a swagger; a deceptively simple combination of breaks, pads and bass, this one has a satisfying low-end wobble and more than enough punch to rock a floor. Flip-side Sanctuary meanwhile provides an ode to old school jungle, from the classic bleeps and echoed vocals to the basic sub hits and crispy breaks. Both sides are exactingly crafted, providing the antithesis to the hyperactive production found elsewhere in the scene.

Another great single from a master at work; check out the clips below and hit up your favourite digital store to grab a copy right now.

Premiere: No_Name – The Things We Left Behind

Chopped up darkcore jungle from the depths of Germany on our latest premiere as No_Name returns to Krytika Productions with a slamming slice of breakbeat chaos called The Things We Left Behind. Ominous pads, growling bass hits and a frenzied assault of chopped breakbeats combine on a track that takes in the influence of techstep, old school jungle and breakcore. Sick! Check it out and look for the track dropping as part of the VA We Are Products EP on Monday.


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Premiere: John E. Wink – Cycles

Mark Kloud’s Ground Mass label are back with another cracking new EP from Kansas City artist John E. Wink, and we’re very pleased to present the premiere of title track Cycles! Built around a sturdy halftime backbeat, Wink spins an intricate web of atmospheric synth lines, warm bass and percussive detail for an enveloping track that draws you into its depths. Look out for the EP dropping exclusively on Bandcamp from November 9th!

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Premiere: Freqax & Kaiza – Electrik

Fragmented are back with more dancefloor destruction this month and we’ve got the exclusive on Freqax & Kaiza’s fantastically wonky Electrik. Built on a backbone of punchy neuro bass and hard hitting kicks and snares, the tune’s character really comes from the twisted vocal cut ups and helter skelter percussion and FX hits; different elements are constantly pouncing in and out of the mix and the result is just beautifully chaotic. Look for this alongside three other weapons from Freqax and friends dropping Nov 17th.

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Premiere: Trox – Rising

Philadelphia imprint Redcliffe Records are back with a solid new release from Italian producer Trox. Deep atmospheric pads, shuffling beats punctuated occasionally with rapid-fire break chops and sublime, understated melodies make for a wicked slice of laid back D&B hypnosis. Watch out for the release dropping Nov 17th on Beatport.

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Premiere: Alberto – Walk With Me (Solo Remix)

We’re very pleased to welcome Leeds producer Solo back into the Dojo spotlight for today’s exclusive as he drops a lush new remix for Alberto’s Walk With Us EP on Jupiter Sounds. Putting aside the more jungle-tinged sound he’s usually known for both as a solo artist and on his productions with Redpine, Solo dishes up a deep, halftime stepper with more than a hint of the autonomic sound; crazy synths, tons of reverb and a wicked groove on this one. Check it out and watch out for the release at all good digital stores from Nov 13th.

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