Artist Collective LP [Conspired Within]

US imprint Conspired Within Music are back with a big release this month in the form of the Artist Collective LP. Featuring tracks from many of the best names in the dark halftime game, the LP is a pretty formidable statement of intent from a group of producers who share a passion for gritty, minimal beats and bleak soundscapes.

Tracks range from militant percussive steppers courtesy of Epilleptech, through to techno infused grinders like Tobe:n’s Shinigami. There’s a few seriously hefty tracks in the pack too, such as standout number Burning from Out of Fuel & Criba – the bassline on this one will shake your foundations! Elsewhere the LP contains thoughtful and interesting new beats from the likes of Kit Curse, Medika, Akinsa and label boss Conspired Within.

We could waffle on further about the tracks on here but you’re far better off listening for yourself; rest assured you’ll find a great selection of music bound together by an emphasis on percussive precision and atmosphere. One for the heads that know…check it out and hit up the label Bandcamp store to pre-order now on CD or digital; the LP drops there Feb 9th with all other stores following on the 16th.

Premiere: Vortex – Defcon-5

Canada’s D&B supergroup Vortex return this month with a full length album for Deviant Audio, and we’ve got the exclusive on one of the LP’s highlights, Defcon-5. Blending halftime grooves with jungle-influenced production, rumbling sub bass and a tight bleep lead, this one is subtle but deadly. Look out for the whole album coming Feb 21st…serious business.

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John Rolodex – DreamCypher EP [Machinist Music]

John Rolodex returns to his own Machinist Music imprint this month with one of his most varied and enjoyable collections of material to date. DreamCypher kicks off the EP, combining growling sub bass, dubby percussion and eastern samples for a hypnotic, trance like journey through one of John’s recurring dreams. This feels like the soundtrack to an opium den re-imagined via the medium of drum & bass, and it’s a really inventive piece of work.

BoneBender continues the trend, combining unusual percussion with menacing bass set to a halftime rhythm that’s nonetheless packed full of energy. Insistent woodblock drum patterns and a siren-like top-end loop make for another absorbing ride through a fevered imagination.

InnaZone is more vintage Rolodex, and definitely the most conventional track on the EP; old school reese bass drones and a cymbal-heavy rolling 2-step beat keep this one up there with previous Dojo favourite Warship Worship. This will smash up a dance! Last up Until The Sky Takes Me drops the tempo to 160 and brings to mind early 90s releases for the likes of Metalheadz; classic jungle samples and chunky chopped breakbeats characterise a tune with plenty of depth and character, tasteful homage rather than lazy rip-off.

Not that we needed any more evidence, but if anyone did this is ample proof that John is still one of the best names in the game! Check out the EP below and hit up the Machinist store to grab a copy now.

Q&A & Premiere: Interline

Interline returns to the realms of D&B this month after a bit of an absence from the scene, but he’s back with a tight selection of new beats on Nurtured Beatz. We caught up with him to find out about his time away, his approach to production and what 2018 has in store, plus we’ve got the exclusive premiere of Red Army’s remix of Mentality from the new EP. Check that out below and read on for the interview…

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DNB Dojo Podcast #15 – Jan 2018

Hex kicks off 2018 with the usual full-spectrum D&B selection for the first podcast of the year. New beats inside from John Rolodex, Paradox, AudioSketch, SubMarine and many more, plus unreleased dubs from GY96 and Just Jungle. Get to know…

As always you can check out the podcast via Soundcloud below or head to Youtube or iTunes to stream. You can also grab a download from Google Drive.

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Premiere: Rune & Kaiza – Fifty (Ingram Remix)

It should come as no surprise that today’s premiere is dark, dirty and futuristic in sound; Kaiza’s German tech/neuro imprint T3K continues their run of remix EPs and we’ve got the exclusive on Ingram’s stomping take on Fifty. Militant techstep drums and gritty filtered bass; sick one. Watch out for the EP dropping Feb 6th at all good outlets.

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Premiere: Low:r – Over 9000

Low:r returns to Such Music and the Dojo spotlight with a seriously funky jam! Over 9000 dials up the energy to appropriately exuberant levels and layers huge brassy synth hits with funk guitar and a bassline packed full of bounce. There’s even some rhodes action for a hint of the Blues Brothers! Something quite different from the usual D&B fare, but still more than big enough to smash up the dance. This one drops at all the usual outlets Feb 4th.

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Premiere: Bad District & DaVIP – Chemical Spill

Wonky neurofunk madness from Bad District & DaVIP as we present the premiere of Chemical Spill! Swung beats and rowdy basslines a-plenty here with an infectious hook to match; look out for this dropping Jan 29th at Beatport with all other stores following two weeks later.

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Premiere: CELO – Critical

Today’s exclusive comes courtesy of Nu Venture Records who bring us a straight up dancefloor smasher from Danish producer CELO! Tearing reese bass and heavy drums characterise a club ready weapon; peak-time destruction guaranteed. Check it out below and look for the release dropping Jan 26th.


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Premiere: Petroll – Inside Out (feat. Cluda)

Today’s exclusive comes via a brand new label from the Netherlands, Differential Records. Focusing on the deep and soulful side of D&B, their first EP features four top notch liquid cuts from a host of upcoming producers, the best of which in our humble opinion comes from Groningen’s Petroll! Inside Out checks all the liquid boxes, with floaty pads, crisp drums, soft vocals and warm bass modulations all blended together in the mix. Mellow and evocative; yes yes. Look for the EP dropping Feb 1st at all good stores.

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