Beats News

Shall Not Fade continues a tradition of marking its anniversary with star-studded compilations; for its sixth year, expect no less. Fans of the Bristol-based purveyor of feel-good dance music will recognise the names; members of the Shall Not Fade family from across all of its sublabels and series come together for a stellar 24 track project, presented in a triple vinyl boxset.

Including tracks from long-time affiliates like Harrison BDP, Subjoi, Black Loops and Felipe Gordon, as well as new faces to the label like Cinthie, Kessler & Barry Can't Swim. The compilation brings out the genre-spanning, globe-trotting ethos at the core of Shall Not Fade.

The three disc vinyl package shines a light on the various sounds and styles of Shall Not Fade. Disc one is dedicated to the main Shall Not Fade label, whilst disc two focuses on bass driven sublabel Time Is Now with its focus on the delicate and dirty sound palettes of UKG and jungle, featuring label regulars Bakey and Ell Murphy. Disc three merges the sound of sub-label Lost Palms, as well as Shall Not Fade's "classic cuts" and "killer cuts" series, featuring a label debut from Parisian producer Tour Maubourg, ahead of his full EP out early next year.

With nothing but exclusive unreleased tracks from a phenomenal range of artists, the Six Years compilations shows off what makes Shall Not Fade tick and celebrates the label's ability to constantly explore new trends.

Two and a half years after the inception of Shall Not Fade's bass-focused sub-label, and a year since its last edition, Time Is Now is proud to present Allstars Vol.3.

For most, the artists featured on the compilation need little introduction. This will almost certainly be true for the Leicester duo who kick off proceedings with a fresh garage cut. "Pick Me Up" is Y U QT's second contribution to the Time Is Now catalogue and sees them rep the Midlands sound with their take on UKG, complete with a 4x4 speed garage switch-up, sure to energise any dancefloor.

Next up, proving that all good things come in twos, is Manchester duo Cortese who first blessed the label with the warmth of their tuneful concoctions in June last year. This time around is no different: "Regatta" is a real summertime banger, with sunny piano stabs and arpeggiating synths that drift above.

Keeping things soulful is Dublin producer PROZAK who hots things up with the buoyant 4x4 garage track "Next To You" - his third release on TIN.

Yosh sees in the compilation's B-side with "To Me" - a track that captures the London badman's ability to keep you on your toes with stuttering breaks that catch you off-guard.

Next up, and repping Copenhagen for the third time on the label, is Main Phase with the aptly-named "Pull Up Tool"- a thumping 4x4 UKG track which gives a healthy dose of ruffage before Groovy D closes proceedings with speed garage banger "Wun4Me". Set closer business.

Frankel & Harper deliver the appropriately named "Return EP" on their council work imprint. following on from the "Crouching Tiger EP", CWR005 sticks to the signature Council Work sound, bringing together a fusion of UK Garage, Drum 'n Bass, Breakbeat, Dub and many other flavours. The 3 original tracks feature in the shape of Counter Strike, Armshouse and Return, with the release rounded off with an infectious, stripped back remix of the title track from Trule head honcho Al Wootton. From all out dance floor destroyers, to deeper and more cinematic textures, this collection of beats should easily find a home in many record bags.

Welcoming Joe Koshin to the Time Is Now family with a release of two halves. Time Is Now White Vol.15 takes us on a whiplash journey through the contemporary iterations of breakbeat hardcore before slowing down the pace and stationing in UKG's shadier corners.

With previous releases on Planetaria Music and Gimme A Break Records, Joe Koshin has been making some serious waves with his no-prisoner approach to breaks and jungle. Time Is Now White Vol.15sees the London producer continue in this vein with two raucous breakbeat hardcore tracks, and two dark garage tracks which boast the style's potential to be at once introspective and club-ready.

"Chunk" slams things into action. And if you thought the clattering drum breaks and growling low-ends couldn't do more to rip open a dancefloor, just wait for the switch-up. Stutters that Sully would be proud of. The title track grounds itself firmly in the genre's antecedents: breakbeat which is at once gloriously old-skool and fiercely forward-facing.

Flip to the B side and it is configurations of dark garage that take to the fore: first adorned with a hypnotic melody that floats above pitched-up vocals ("T4LK 2 M3"), and later energised by a buoyant swing which implores you to move ("Spectra Don").

Time Is Now White Vol.15 drops 29th April via Time Is Now.

Yosh returns with his fourth Time Is Now release. Following the success of UKG-focused 5-tracker, "The Warning" released at the end of last year, Modulate EP sees the London producer put his inimitable spin on breaks, translating into 4 tracks firmly rooted in the genre's antecedents yet offering something distinctly new.

"New Dawn" is a prime example of Yosh's priceless ability to create something which is at once hard-hitting and soulful with clattering breaks and luscious vocals which float blissfully above them. Next up, "Modulate" adds a thumping 4/4 beat into the equation, creating an assertive march with plenty of swing before "Snap Back" brings the ruffage with a sharp two-step rhythm and fierce bass womps. Finally, it's up to "Track 1" to close proceedings. A real heater, a syncopated triplet rhythm lends it its driving propulsion - almost resembling the club sounds native to northeastern regions of the US such as Jersey and Baltimore. Thudding assertively beneath the stylistic tropes of UKG, this makes for a truly unique sound and solidifies Yosh's status as a highly innovative and forward-facing producer.

Main Phase on Hardline. Say less.

The next Time Is Now white label sees two UKG powers join forces. The first of these will be no stranger to loyal followers of the series: Bristol native and Animated Audio boss Daffy makes his eagerly awaited return, one year after his label debut which established his prowess in producing UKG with a distinctly forward-facing essence. His collaborator PJ Bridger needs little more introduction. A nominee for the 2021 DJ Mag Best Of British Awards, categorised alongside Autechre, LCY and Calibre, the Berlin-based producer has been making some serious waves over the last couple of years, with his self-released refixes being nothing less than a staple in UKG sets across the country.

Way Back When EP gets off to a strong start. An assertive razor-sharp two-step rhythm drives 'We Come Dere' and 'Dutty', the former teasing elements of breaks whilst the latter leans closer towards grime. On the flipside, 'Way Back When' is an ode to the old school with ragga vocals and skippy 2-step drums that cruise along blissed-out ambience. TIN mainstay Bakey's flip introduces a mean warped bassline for an extra sprinkling of ruffage whilst Tola Peckham resident Ollie Rant takes an all together different approach, adding in a 4x4 pulse and a piano melody that capers gleefully over the top.

Mid-summer, 2021, Waleed quietly released his debut single 'Se Rompen'. The response was anything but, with the track immediately taking hold as a sleeper hit that summer, being played out by the likes of Four Tet, Floating Points, Daphni, DJ Boring, DJ Seinfeld, Tourist and more. With word already spreading, an inclusion in Ben UFO's winter Essential Mix solidified the desire for more from this surprising new producer.

Last month, Waleed announced his signing to City Slang (Caribou, Gold Panda) with a re-release of 'Se Rompen', offering the track on ultra-rare test pressings (50 / sold out already) for the first time.

Today, we announce the pre-order of a white label 12” with “Se Rompen” and his new single “SuenÞos”, limited to 300 units worldwide.

Born in Washington DC to Iraqi/Puerto Rican parents, Waleed works in coding by day. Built around ready-made for the dancefloor kick and chopped vocals, 'Se Rompen' is an ambitious debut that showcases his focus on sound design. Waleed’s meshing of cultures and references gives 'Se Rompen' a unique perspective on dance music. At once melancholic and high energy.

“A beautiful euphoric/melancholy fusion of cut-up vocals, soft electronics and two-step beats.” The Guardian

“Highly refreshing, 'Se Rompen' has a rare immediacy, a feeling that it has always been a part of your life." Clash

Punchy, UK inspired House EP

“XCPT is back with the third chapter of Time Horizon series: a six track palette illustrating the variegate broken beat sound of this full italo squad, blending their different backgrounds in a multi face dancefloor weapon.
The A side starts with return on wax by Modes and his breakbeat symphony "FB2thsn" followed by a no mercy chemical assault by Train to Eltanin and a hybrid footwork tune by DJ Plant Texture. Flipping the record here is label co owner Nothus’s first appearance on the series with his track Konnor 3012, followed by Marco Segato’s live-taken debut track on a 12” “Pirate Utopias”, finfishing up with Soreab's grimy samba “AVP”."

Pressed on 130 g crystal transparent vinyl with transparent matt graphic insert in a clear plastic sleeve.





e 05. Marco Segato - Pirate Utopias live

Shall Not Fade continues a tradition of marking its anniversary with star-studded compilations; for its sixth year, expect no less. Fans of the Bristol-based purveyor of feel-good dance music will recognise the names; members of the Shall Not Fade family from across all of its sublabels and series come together for a stellar 24 track project, presented in a triple vinyl boxset.

Including tracks from long-time affiliates like Harrison BDP, Subjoi, Black Loops and Felipe Gordon, as well as new faces to the label like Cinthie, Kessler & Barry Can't Swim. The compilation brings out the genre-spanning, globe-trotting ethos at the core of Shall Not Fade.

The three disc vinyl package shines a light on the various sounds and styles of Shall Not Fade. Disc one is dedicated to the main Shall Not Fade label, whilst disc two focuses on bass driven sublabel Time Is Now with its focus on the delicate and dirty sound palettes of UKG and jungle, featuring label regulars Bakey and Ell Murphy. Disc three merges the sound of sub-label Lost Palms, as well as Shall Not Fade's "classic cuts" and "killer cuts" series, featuring a label debut from Parisian producer Tour Maubourg, ahead of his full EP out early next year.

With nothing but exclusive unreleased tracks from a phenomenal range of artists, the Six Years compilations shows off what makes Shall Not Fade tick and celebrates the label's ability to constantly explore new trends.

White Vinyl

On the brink of releasing his eighth album, Example is beginning a new chapter. Having spent well over a decade in the game, the UK mainstay has crafted a career drenched in accolades: Platinum albums, chart-topping singles, headline festivals slots, and a lengthy stint releasing inescapable anthems that bridge the gap between electronic, rap and pop. Still, Example isn't ready to hang up his boots just yet; rather, he's preparing for the most important release of his career.

For our 6th release, we welcome Belgium based artist Enrico Dragoni alongside Dub Sensation.

4-tracks featuring shuffling drums, basslines and warped sounds - the sound of UKG how it should be.

Now for something a little different on the Make A Dance imprint, M.A.D 003 sees the first joint release on the label and welcomes rising Yorkshire post-punk outfit DEADLETTER to collaborate.

When we heard the demo for ‘Line The Cows’ we knew we wanted it and with Make A Dance being more of a feeling than a genre, we knew there was scope to collude. Two studio sessions later and we had it in the bag.

The first version of ‘Line The Cows’ is a combination of both the Make A Dance and Deadletter styles, a synthetic baseline providing a deep groove as the backbone of the track with Zac’s vocals cutting through like a knife.

The second track we recorded the band doing a full live take in London’s Pony Studios showcasing just how tight this 6 piece band are.

On the flip Make A Dance get to work with the remix package with broken beats and arpeggiated baselines, turning the track into a dark twisted monster fit for a 4am bass bin workout.

Welcoming Arfa to the Time Is Now family with his debut EP: a tight 5-tracker which sees the emerging producer come into his powers with a fiercely forward-facing take on dark garage, featuring a raucous remix from London's Bakey.

Real Badman EP starts as it means to go on. 'Run It Back' is driven by a fractured syncopated rhythm and a heavy warped bassline which lends it its tune, fusing together the stylistic elements of dark garage and speed garage to offer a fresh take on both genres. Clattering rimshots and a womping bassline compliment 'For The Mandem's luscious pads before being carried onto 'Ain't Ready' which adds a tight two-step rhythm and the chopped-up vocals of an old skool garage MC. Finally, 'Real Badman' sees the EP at its most playful. Staccato piano chords infuse it with an uplifting melody before Time Is Now family member Bakey steps in to deliver his take: a half-time rendition which strips back the higher ends to make way for a focus on the subs. A real stomper.

Carrying on a new white label series of killer garage cuts, Bristol's Time Is Now have hand-picked British duo Cortese for their next installment. Expect playful, niche-inspired garage sounds with a unique touch of modernism.

The EP opens with "Abbey Park"; a glistening neo speed-garage track with delicate synth chords dancing over the cavernous slow attack bassline. It purrs into the squelchy bassline style "Where You At", that compliments upbeat piano stabs with autotuned vocals.

"Floaty" uses an iconic Aaliyah vocal chops, dancing around a chunky El-B inspired snare. This one has a melancholic breakdown which is perfect for a dancefloor breather, before the growling bassline is reintroduced to devastating effect. A collaboration with Brighton-based DJ Movement, "Things That Make You Go 'Hmm'" is pure bassline garage energy let loose in a furore of bass patches in a moodier track that still doesn't take itself too seriously. Closing out, "Figure 1" brings a searing synth melody which complements another rolling bassline. The understated drums make excellent use of a syncopated kick pattern whilst diva vocals chime along in the background.

CELEBRATING 25 YEARS OF GARAGE HISTORY AND CHAMPIONING NEWCOMERS OF THE SCENE, ICONIC UKG LABEL LOCKED ON ENLIST RISING STAR BKLAVA TO REMIX ANTONIO’S 2-STEP CLASSIC, ‘HYPERFUNK’ DROPPING ALONGSIDE A PREVIOUSLY UNHEARD MIX FROM ELUSIVE, LEGENDARY 2-STEP PIONEER STEVE GURLEY (2STEP2HEAVEN)

Enigmatic Welsh producer Jorg Kuning lands on Facta and K-LONE’s Wisdom Teeth imprint with a four track EP of psychedelic, sunkissed modular house-and-techno. Like so many great artists emanating from the lush Welsh valleys (think Steevio, Leif, Duckett et al) Jorg creates distinctly pastoral dance music that is in equal parts playful, deep, melodic and eccentric. Through a string of low-key sell-outs on his own Bakk Heia label, the producer has already developed a unique signature sound and a burgeoning cult following to boot, with early adopters including Ben UFO, Call Super and Shanti Celeste. The record opens with ‘Chosta-del-sol’ - a noodling polyphony of warm pads, warping plucks and oozing modular noise that stretches and sprawls over a sun-baked house beat. Next up, the two-stepping rhythms of ‘Ex-tensor’ provide a bruk backbone for a constantly-crescendoing symphony of warbling chords, glitching melodies and fluttering pads. On the flip, ‘Rhos Fiddle’ sees the artist hit a more driving, peak-time pace - whilst ‘TB-SB’ sees him at his most skeletal, recalling Skull Disco-era Shackleton.

Dansu Discs are back with another instalment to their vinyl-only white label series. Dafs steps up delivering 6 edits and remixes. R&B heavy, from new school to old school and everything in-between. It’s BIG!

Supervision records is very happy to present its first various that gathers big talents for a wide range of breaky beats and groovy sounds. Garage vibe at its finest.

Sherrie B's super rare Nah Tek It gets the remix treatment from Interplanetary Criminal - flexing acid tinged basslines & 2-step FWD drums.

blue vinyl

Subjoi has a long history with Shall Not Fade, an early addition to the Lost Palms series which now hits its 48th release. The Adelaide-based producer had two stunning EPs on the label in 2020, displaying his signature blends of eclectic dance music styles.

Compared to last year's Bias, Steadfast EP is a more understated affair, leaving space for Subjoi's production skill to shine. The title track pairs piano melodies and subtle breakbeat for an emotive sound easing into "Count It Off", where slow pads give way to a beat that takes influence from UK garage and jungle. By coupling this high-energy style with sombre chords, Subjoi makes a uniquely melancholy club track.

Yearning vocals and synth stabs build complexity in "Rapids", a forward late night number. The closing track keeps the
haunting atmosphere of the rest of the records, fading out as subtly as it began with an organic sound palette contrasting the stuttering 2-step beat.

TwoStep2 aka DJ Relay and Jo Public have been known for their superlative but distinctly old skool sounds, but lead track on this three cut 12" is rather a subtle departure. The beat is a little more wonderfully wonky than you might expect and the bassline bigger and more adventurous, with pleasingly original results. 'Starlight' plays off its abrasive backspins with fluttering harps that are more Luke Vibert than Sticky or Noodles, true genius, and a bubbling beat to boot. 'Weapon of Choice' plunders ravier elements but again, it's no museum piece with its off kilter piano and slowed down, drowsy atmospherics. If you're looking for memorable tunes that stick out rather than fit in, make this your destination.

YUNG DUMB Records and Model Future present Wade Galaxy. A collaboration between Toronto-based AZARI, Butr, and vocalist Jeremy Glenn. The trifecta comes forward with an EP that will bring you through a modular soundscape of love, lust, and distrust inside the hypercube. The A-Side is a hazy fusion of R&B and slowed electro, accompanied by Jeremy Glenn's ethereal vocals. The B-Side provides a room shaking cerebral 2-step remix of 'Phaze' by James Bangura of Black Rave Culture via Washington, DC

4 more quarters, 4 more contrasting expressions of global bass music culture: Barefoot sound originator and G-stone Afrofuturist Stereotyp teams-up powerfully with Malaysian rap legend Arabyrd on 'KEK', delivering a massive dose of Malay shudder trap that does not relent in either its growling bass attack or husky lyrical humour. Next up, the crisp and clean mid-90s DnB vibes of Bristolian producer K-65 ups the energy and tempo with the steadily rolling rinse-out of 'In My Mind', lightening the mood momentarily prior to the first cut on the B-side, with which we descend once more into the increasingly familiar Badman-isms of Low End Activist, who opts for a mutant strain of hardcore UKG on this outing, all scuffed swing and first light maneuvers. Finally though, it's all about the transparency of the groove, with the lush closing tune by Sentinel 793 emanating masses of UK Bruk style and charm, delivering another solid, low-slung workout from this hardworking and charismatic producer. Confined to quarters or not, get these 4 new sound pieces for the meantime, downtime, time being etc... as you like, want or need.

Bang on trend grooves from the Vivid camp, exploring the current fascination for all things that intersect both the garage and breaks genres. Lead track 'Wicked & Wild' is the one that leans furthest into UKG territory, its bumpy bassline and MC-style vocal giving it heaps of energy and attitude. Flip side instrumentals 'Push Past It' and 'Ronin' meanwhile, evoke the early 2000s spirit of breaksteppers such as Horsepower Productions, the latter especially maintaining the bassline pressure and adding it to the more hardcore vibe of rawer, sampled percussion. Maximum respect!

Pressed on pink marbled vinyl

Shall Not Fade's garage and breaks sublabel, Time is Now, has been a great success in its first year, and now starts 2021 with the first in a series of hand-stamped white label releases. London via Madrid up-and-comer Tower Block Dreams makes his debut for the label with five killer cuts, backed with a weighty remix from Manchester-based garage maestro and Time Is Now regular Interplanetary Criminal.

The A-side is all reliable garage bangers; the opener, "Wicked Ya No" is a rude wobbler for the early hours, with rave piano stabs and a dirty drop. Track two "Keep Coming" loses none of the pace, chopping up playful R'n'B diva vocals to a hard bassline; and the A-side ends with a sidewinding beast of a track in "Soundboy". Think retro synths paired with timestretched ragga vocals - it's unashamedly filthy.

Onto the B-side with gun fingers out for "Truss We", which plays again with ravey stabs and staccato female vocals for an instant dancefloor banger. Tower Block Dreams' last offering on the record is much darker; a forward stepper that cruises along at half-time, creating an ominous atmosphere on which to lead into Interplanetary Criminal's remix of "Wicked Ya Know". This one reimagines the record opener in the producer's trademark high-octane style, smattering hyper breakbeats across the track and turning up the wobble to end the record with a stinker

Four tracks of juicy, cheeky breakbeat action with an underlying hint of skippy two-step synchopation going on, overlaid with elements from the more musical end of house and the most dancefloor-slanted side of P-funk. 'Giftig', with its Bollywood string flourishes, is the most exotic beast among the pack, while 'Cllosing Time' boasts searing 80s disco stabs and some neat tickling of the Hammond very much in jazz funk style. That said, it's all action across all four tunes, so get stuck in.

Strangely Enough is the long awaited label project from Matthias Meyer. As an artist Meyer is renown for his storied, emotion laden DJ sets, regularly linking multiple genres with considerable aplomb. His new moniker is an effort to transmit this recognisable style to his musical productions. From deep house to breakbeat,
Meyer will indulge his varied tastes all the while keeping it under the umbrella of his distinguished style.
The label kicks off with two original productions from Matthias himself, Strangely Enough and Fantazy.
The title track Strangely Enough is a quintessential Matthias Meyer effort. Combining a dark, vibrant groove with haunting vocal snippets, it perfectly encapsulates his mission for the new imprint. As a composition, it sits in that indefinable space between the dance floor and the after party, a powerful weapon in the right hands.
Fantazy, the B side of the EP, follows no fixed form. It is a jaunt from breaks to driving house with an emotive breakdown which prompts thoughts of escapism from the structures of modern music. It is often remarked that fantasy is the creative measure of a man, and in this cause that assertion runs true, with
Meyer showcasing his wide musical palate.

Instinct remains at the forefront of the UK garage scene as we roll into 2022 thanks to more heat like this from Main Phase. He follows up standout tunes on the likes of Time Is Now, Dansu Discs and Lost City Archives with his most complete statement yet. Opener 'Treat Me Right' is a lively stepper with lush hits and a wobbling bottom end. 'Whale Dub' gets darker and more stripped back but swings just as infectiously, then 'Nuff' layers up brain-melting bass with rude vocals and 'OG' ups the energy with a pumping old school sound and plenty of characterful details. There is more retro garage gold on closer 'Body' to make this a hugely useful EP.

Leeds garage connoisseur and Time Is Now family member Groovy D is back with a kaleidoscopic 4-tracker which sees him explore the many different flavours of UKG with the help of grime legend, Trim.

When it comes to rhythm and texture, BadderDanDem EP leaves few stones unturned. On the title track, a heavily swung two-step rhythm - seemingly off kilter yet fiercely controlled - keeps you on your toes, whilst sinister sub groans and the unmistakable flow of protean MC, Trim, make it a real soundsystem banger. Next up, '187Dreams' welcomes the first of many shifts in mood. At once maintaining the womping bassline which make it equally as suited to big stacks, this one sees melody take centre stage, licked with infectious vocals which inject a dose of groove and soul. Flip the record over and speed garage banger 'Haul&Pull' brings the high-octane ruffage before '97Groove' adds a bit of sex appeal, closing precedings luscious pads and and a tight two-step rhythm.

Whether it’s bouncy UK garage styled beats, deep dubstep excursions, skippy house, trip hop or even footwork stylings, his vision is set firmly on creating music which takes the sounds of genres like dub, downtempo, dub-techno and early dubstep in different directions but together and cohesively.

The echoes of Stillhead’s previous alias DFRNT seem to get louder here as he takes another foray into the world of deep electronic music.

Since his days of releasing deep post-dubstep as DFRNT, Alex Cowles has been crafting his sound in multiple genres and since 2014, his Stillhead moniker has carried that torch over 4 albums and a number of EPs. His newest album “Restraint And Reverb” will be landing on 12th August on double heavyweight coloured vinyl. Released on his own Brightest Dark Place label the full 12-track album will be available in both physical format and digitally.

Davide Piras is an Italian producer with a penchant for the tougher, rougher side of British bass music. Creating music under the moniker DJ Chupacabra, Piras has been picked up by labels like Haws and Dr Banana in the past year, and now makes his debut for Time Is Now with more deep raw cuts.

The EP hits hard with deep tech, breaks and rumbling bass. "Grimer" kicks off with sparse, staccato beats for heads down business before the expansive two step of "Rockstar". With its eclectic use of samples and ominous swelling bassline, it's a solid club roller.

Funky, earworming house is the game of B-side opener "Killalot" which hints just a little of an acidic edge. "Morbid" is a heady stepper with plenty of ear teasing melody and atmosphere. The EP closes with a crescendo in "Croissant", which has a chunky minimal deep tech beat and booming bassline which is destined to send the dancefloor wild.