15 Yearz of Fokuz – Episode 1 [Fokuz Recordings]

Fokuz Recordings celebrates a mighty 15 years in the game this year and to celebrate they’ll be releasing six 12″s and double CD packed full of their brand of rolling, emotive D&B.

Kicking things off is Episode 1, three 12″s featuring a selection of the labels trademark liquid vibes. Command Strange’s Rocksteady gets the Lenzman summer remix treatment on the first plate, with Reds turning in a deep, warm roller on the flip. Plate number two sees Malaky deliver the soft strings and soulful vocals of Connected, while Impish delivers the more dancefloor oriented bassline modulations of With U. Finally the third single features the simple, infectious hook of Emery & Dreazz’ Things backed with a jazzy take on the old school D&B roller from Reds.

If you like your D&B musical and rolling it’s difficult to argue with the selection on offer here. Check out the clips below and watch out for these dropping from June 9th.

Warehouse Music [Chronic]

Recently relaunched V Records sister label Chronic Records is back with a bang with Warehouse Music, a 24 track compilation showcasing a great selection of D&B with a CD mixed by Bailey to boot.

Stylistically the compilation leans towards dancefloor friendly material, with rolling tech, old-school jump up and rolling modern jungle making an appearance. Bladerunner delivers a classic jungle-tinged roller on Lockoff, Capone hits us with the old skool stabs on I’ll Be Your and Command Strange’s infectious and recognisable Disco Ball finally sees release.

Elsewhere there’s tons more on show including beats from Optiv & BTK, Serum, Nitri, Need For Mirrors and L-Side. You can check out the tunes below, and the full compilation will drop on CD, vinyl and digital from Feb 24th.

Command Strange – Hyperbug / Regrets [Horizons]

Kazakhstan may seem like an unlikely place for a prolific D&B producer to be based, but it hasn’t stopped the inimitable Command Strange from chalking up a ridiculously large discography over the past few years, on prestigious labels like Fokuz and Metalheadz Platinum. 2013 seems likely to see a slew more top notch releases, and among the first is a tidy little 12″ for Horizons.

A side Hyperbug sees the man from ‘stan bringing the dancefloor vibes with a dark stepper that features some nice jungle-tinged breakbeat fills but for me it’s all about the soulful, melancholy atmosphere of Regrets on the flip. Beautiful piano melodies and echoing vocal cut ups combine with a dark bass that gives the track enough edge to avoid formulaic liquid territory. One for the deep selectors.

To celebrate the release Command Strange has also recorded the latest episode of the Horizons podcast, which you can check out (and download for free) below. Grab the release from the Horizons shop, out now!