When the likes of Om Unit, Doc Scott and Fracture are giving you props you know you’re doing something right. That’s the case for Jaquan, who’s latest freebie Telepath shows an aptitude for the kind of heavy hitting halfstep that has been rocking dark basement rooms in the D&B scene for the last few years.
The tune is a masterclass in hefty yet simple bass and intricate percussion, and is moody and deadly in equal measure. Check it out and grab yourself a free download below.
Om Unit delivers us a late festive treat in the form of his remix of Jay 5ive & Kromestar’s Wishful Thinking. Much sought after since being featured on Om Unit’s XLR8R podcast back in 2011, the track features a deep half-step groove and massive, spacey synth leads, and is very reminiscent of the tracks on the Aeolian EP. Check out the beat below and head to Om Unit’s Bandcamp for a free download.
Amoss celebrate 9000 followers on Soundcloud with a menacing amen smasher in the form of The Kirbis. Weird mid-bass reverberations and hefty, angular breaks characterise the tune with creepy tones adding to the tension in the bridge…lovely. Check it out and grab yourself a free download!
With so many artists celebrating a great 2013 with free giveaways, we thought it only wise to round up the selection of tasty freebies currently available!
Firstly Xtrah has been kind enough to give us the VIP of Soundclash, a masterclass in minimalism and drum edits. To grab this, head to his Facebook page.
Also from the Critical stable comes a cheeky VIP from Emperor who gives us the dubplate special of Monolith. Significantly wonkier bassline business than the original on show here, and again available for a wee like on Emperor’s Facebook page.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZgncwTBgq4]
State of Mind celebrate the impending release of their new album on BSE’s Blackout imprint with a free download of their BSE Collab Unconscious. As we’ve come to expect from both parties this is a stomping neurofunk belter imbued with faintly trancey chords and plenty of energy. Head over to the SOM Facebook page for your copy.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n42KbRXF_iM]
The ever unpredictable Dawn Day Night steps up with a freebie of his own in the form of A Christmas Carol…droney zombified slow-dance anyone?
Maztek & NPhonix have also gotten in on the act with a tidy slice of scuzzy neuro business, available for download either via Facebook or email – check out Maztek’s website for details.
Finally S.P.Y gifts us the VIP of the legendary By Your Side, still as majestic as the original but with a few subtle extra touches. Blissfull liquid roller territory. Grab yourself a download from S.P.Y’s website.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iw1XUt91m8Q]
Mayhem & Logam give us a taster of forthcoming D&B releases with Orion, a tidy mix of crisp drums, stark synth stabs and crunchy bass. This one is more about groove than a huge drop, but the attention to detail in the breaks and synth work is impressive. Check it out and grab yourself a free download below.
Purveyors of all things eclectic Diffrent Music celebrate their 20th release with a various artists LP featuring a varied cuts from the extended label family. The tone of the material varies greatly, from the beautiful, laid-back beats of Fybe:one and Kolectiv, through the slouching, tripped out dub of Jekyll’s Horcurso and out into the brutalised industrial bass and heavy snares of M-Zine, Skepticz & Mtwn’s Choices.
The common thread is that almost all the tracks on the album eschew the familiar drum patterns of most D&B compositions in search of percussive innovation, the only real exception being Arkaik’s broody stepper Wax. If you’re looking for DJ friendly crowd pleasers this definitely isn’t a collection of them, but it’s proof that the 170 tempo range continues to be a hotbed for experimentation and truly interesting music. Watch out for this dropping via CD and digital from December 9th.
To celebrate the release of the album Diffrent are throwing a party in London this Friday. With a stellar lineup of the label’s best producers and tickets available for only a tenner, those in the nation’s capital should be sure to check it out – details over on Facebook here. As if that wasn’t enough, they’re also giving away a free track from Fybe:One – check it out below and head to the Diffrent Facebook for your download.
Edinburgh producer Strange Sound conjures up the ghost of Drum & Bass past with a freebie that could well have been taken from the Total Science back catalogue. Rolling breaks, subtle jazzy samples and a warm sub line with a tasty edge, what’s not to like? Check it out below and keep an eye out for more from SS including an appearance on the forthcoming Liquid Boppers compilation.
Syk2ne delivers a nice free release with his Abnormal Behaviour EP showcasing two slices of filthy hardstep. Cinematic soundscapes combine with tearing basslines and face-melting drum lines to great effect. Fans of the breakcore/metal tinged end of D&B should definitely give this a listen. Check out the tunes below and grab yourself a free download from Bandcamp.
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As a celebration of reaching 20,000 likes on Facebook, those nice Total Science boys have offered up a wee freebie on their soundcloud page. Searching is classic TS business; crisp breaks, lush synth work, a catchy vocal hook and the sort of attention to detail that has cemented their place as legends in the scene. Check it out below and grab yourself a free download!
NeurofunkGrid continue their convincing crusade to prove that free music can knock the socks off anything you paid money for with another top notch EP, this time from Akov. Construct kicks things off nicely with chunky beats, warped bass and a great switchup into drumstep rhythm halfway through the tune.
Negative Space dials things back a bit and heads for deep, growling territory with intricate, angular beats characterising the tune and the atmospherics and vocal samples lending the tune hints of IDM and Dub. Finally Rubix heads for heavy hitting neuro territory once again, but only after lulling us into a false sense of security with a funky intro and a catchy vocal hook.
Check out the beats below and head over to the NFG Facebook page for a free download!