Beats News

Follo up release by the Wonder Kid from Liverpool on RAWAX!
Terry usher delivers here some great Breakbeat Rave tunes.
Don't miss!

For their second release Breidenbach Label once more gathers six artists from their regional circuit. Connected by their floating and sometimes even hypnotic soundscape, pulsating pads and strong grooves, each of the four tracks has its own intimate style.

With Love Entropy Crécy delivers a powerful and emotional ambient introduction to the A-Side. His fellow artist and close friend Ami adds a poetic layer: spoken word which shimmers through the sound, adding to the sentimental vibe. An atmospheric first serve. KliX picks up the love theme and transforms it into a mesmerizing ear catcher called Give Me Love. The somewhat trancy elements accompanied by evolving patterns, vocoder-vocals and classy 909 drums give this track its enticing and unique character.

Spaceloop on the records B-Side marks a debute release for the Mannheim based duo Seeder. They teamed up with Benny Delara to deliver a hip shaking dancefloor weapon that captivates through its strong and pulsating baseline combined with atmospheric elements that carry the records narrative. The EP is accomplished by Tech Report from the promising live-due CVSO. While blending breaky grooves with atmospheric elements the listener may find himself surprised by a jazzy piano melody that is proof of their creative and forward-thinking musical mindset.

First things first, I want to thank Nectax for his patience, because he's been regularly sending me his music for well over 2 years & I was so swamped with other music being sent to me on a regular basis from other people, that I never made the time to actually check most of what he was sending me or to properly get back to him in response to the tracks of his that I did check. It's hard making time for listening to demos submitted for Future Retro London, amongst all the other commitments I have to take care of on a day-to-day basis, but he kept at it until I was finally able to realise what I had been sleeping on for so long.

Now that's out of the way, I was first made properly familiar with his music through his release on Over/shadow, as well as seeing some of his sets in London and hearing other people supporting his music, which made me more vigilant towards any music he'd send to me.

He sent me "London Bridge" and I really liked it, so much so that it gave me some ideas that I wanted to add to it & we turned it into a collab. He also sent me "Akaizen" which to me, is my favourite track of his that I'd heard of everything he'd sent me (that I actually made effort to check!), which Harmony has done a great job remixing. And then to complete the release, he met up with Champa B (who's based near him) to work on "Prisoners Of Psilocybe", and like that, it all came together in the end!

Big thanks to Nectax for his music (& again, sorry for being so consistently slow to respond!), to Harmony for his quality version of "Akaizen" & to Champa B for collaborating on "Prisoners Of Psilocybe".

Repress!

Drum & Bass veteran Zero T teams up with multi-instrumentalist duo Unitsouled to bring us a slice of 'Irish soul music for the 21st century' with their Baby Grand EP'. Due on The North Quarter on the 11th of May this exclusive project sees Zero T's trademark sound reach new heights through the addition of live instrumentation and exploration of a broader palette of genres. Additionally a host of talented vocalists are featured throughout the project - including fresh NQ signing Abnormal Sleepz. From start to finish the 'Baby Grand EP' effortlessly moves through Hip Hop, Neo Soul, Broken Beat and Drum & Bass adding another ambitious chapter to the eclectic North Quarter portfolio.

Two powerhouses of atmospheric jungle join forces for the first time!! Skanna makes a very welcome return by teaming up with ASC for Switch and Beyond Time. Both tracks perfectly crafted by James and John - showing their mastery for creating sublime, emotive music.

A Musical Partnership Forged At The Beginning Of The Millennium, Ajit Steyns And Kate Mcgill Have Developed A Well Defined And Unmistakable Sound As The Untouchables. Tribal Rhythms Drenched In Dub, With Characteristic Nods To The Breaks And Rave Stabs Era Of Late 90's Dnb, Their Music Has Been An Integral Component Of The Darker Half-time Sound That Has Become More Prevalent Within Dnb Over The Past 5 Years. Tempering The Menace Of Their Atmospherics With Distinctive Low-slung Bass Lines Has Made Their Music Essential To Dj's Championing This Sound.

'mutations' Focuses On Fleshing Out The Essential Elements That Have Marked The Untouchables As Unique. Ricocheting Shards Of Classic Breakbeats And Heavy Jabbing Kick Drums Compliment Their Carefully Sculpted Bass Lines. Being Somewhat Dnb Traditionalists, Sampling Is Another Crucial Element Of The Untouchables Sound. There Is A Distant Familiarity Created By Their Sample Selection And Placement That Lays Bare The History Imbued In Every Untouchables Tune.

'mutations' Show The Untouchables At The Top Of Their Game, And Deservedly Carves Out A Place That Is Totally Their Own.

fabric, the iconic hub of electronic music culture, proudly announces its latest addition to the fabric mix series: "FABRICLIVE. presents Pola & Bryson". This mix will be a dynamic exploration of contemporary drum & bass, fluid in genre, rich in emotion, and sharp in sound design. It navigates the space between soulful reflection and controlled chaos, painting a vivid picture of contrast and transformation.

Showcasing a unique blend of melancholy, emotion, and euphoria that elegantly yet purposefully harnesses the immense power of electronic music, UK-based duo Pola & Bryson have solidified themselves as one of the most talented production duos flying the flag for the genre today.

Throughout the mix, you’ll hear liquid textures layered with depth and warmth, tracks that breathe with shimmering pads, smooth rolling drums and emotionally resonant melodies. These moments evoke late night introspection and spacious clarity, tapping into the more human, melodic side of drum & bass.

But the mix doesn’t stay in one mood for long. It periodically plunges into darker, more technical territory, where the basslines twist, the rhythms fracture and tighten and the atmosphere becomes tense and futuristic. Here, the emotional gives way to the mechanical, driving energy through razor-sharp precision and relentless force.

Experimental soundscapes weave throughout, blurring genre lines and adding moments of unpredictability. At times ambient and abstract, other times intensely rhythmic, the mix balances structure with freedom, always pushing forward without losing emotional weight.

For 25 years, fabric has stood as a cornerstone of the UK’s drum and bass movement, a place where the genre has not only thrived but evolved. More than just a club, fabric has been a vital incubator for underground sounds, consistently championing drum and bass alongside a wide spectrum of electronic music. From early pioneers to cutting-edge innovators, its legendary room two has become hallowed ground for DJs and ravers alike. As a bastion of innovation and inclusion, fabric has shaped the soundscape of UK nightlife, influencing global trends while staying fiercely true to its roots.

In addition to the mix album, fabric and Pola & Bryson unveil the brand new original single "Worlds Apart" an emotional vocal lead anthem featuring the incredible vocals of Emily Makis. The track balances Emily’s heartfelt lyricism with Pola & Bryson’s signature crisp liquid drums and deep and intoxicating basslines. The 2 acts first combined on the track "Complete" alongside Monrroe and followed it up with the certified hit, "Phoneline", dubbed by Radio 1 as the D&B Anthem of 2023. With a history of making pure magic happen when they join together in the studio, "Worlds Apart" certainly delivers on those high expectations.

Just when you thought every holy grail must have been unearthed by now, here come Basic Unit with their deep cover late 90s masterpiece Timeline, the dankest darkcore-electronica-tech step album you've likely never heard.

Ben England and Rick Dallaway formed Basic Unit and debuted on Moving Shadow in 1997. They also moved on Nocturnal, a cult label that reached beyond D&B to platform some more experimental sounds. It was a short-lived label with some ominous footnotes — 'Several people involved with Nocturnal have vanished or are dead' reads the label's Discogs description. But in 1998 Nocturnal put out Timeline, a CD-only album from Basic Unit that cut a sharp, scathing figure against most D&B of the era. England and Dallaway embraced the album format as a chance to go deep, inhaling their inspiration from early days Autechre as much as Source Direct and boiling down the results to a steely, minimalist framework.

The likes of 'Resolution' are desolate, stark workouts that feel fractured and raw enough to align with early grime, complete with the strings, but the rhythms move in mysterious formations designed to confound like the most bloody minded electronica artists of the late 90s. Blown out bass and scattered flurries of machine gun breaks, squashed tundra drones that sound like they were pulled from 10th generation VHS b-movies and bit-crushed animal grunts fit for a Mega Drive beat 'em up. The sonics are redolent of the times, but Basic Unit chisel them mercilessly into their spartan vision, deploying brain-frying beat science with a stern restraint.

It's the kind of record that gives so much while holding so much back — a deadly tease that has flown under the radar for too long. This is the sort of shock reissue material that gets us gassed at Sneaker, and we're proud to be giving it a re-boost and a first ever outing on wax, all the better to shock you out.

* V Recordings and Tim Reaper's Future Retro London have joined forces to unleash "One Stop Mr Driver," a track that channels the raw energy of '90s jungle. This release features both the original mix by the legendary Krust and a fresh remix by Tim Reaper, bridging the genre's roots with its modern resurgence.

* Kirk Thompson, professionally known as Krust, is a seminal figure in drum and bass. Emerging from Bristol's vibrant music scene, Krust co-founded the influential Full Cycle Records alongside Roni Size, DJ Die, and Suv. His innovative approach has produced classics like "Warhead" and "Soul in Motion," tracks that have left an indelible mark on the genre.

* London-based DJ and producer Tim Reaper has been pivotal in the revival of jungle music. Through his label, Future Retro London, Tim has showcased a plethora of talent from the modern jungle scene, earning accolades such as DJ Mag's Best of British Breakthrough Label award in 2021.
* "One Stop Mr Driver" was a coveted dubplate from the '90s, never officially released but highly sought after by enthusiasts. Recognizing its timeless appeal, Tim Reaper has crafted a remix that preserves the original's amen break-driven intensity while infusing it with razor-sharp modern production.

* Bryan Gee, the visionary behind V Recordings, has long admired Tim Reaper's contributions to the scene. This collaboration marks a rare partnership in V Recordings' three-decade history. The fusion of Krust's pioneering sound with Tim Reaper's modern touch honors its roots while embracing the future of drum and bass and jungle music.

* "One Stop Mr Driver" will be available digitally and as a limited edition 12" vinyl release.

Straight outta Hoxton, Law & Auder were part of that incredible East London jungle scene. Martin (also of Utomica) and Phil made some absolute classics in their time and are often in ‘The rarest jungle records’ lists that float around online, put together by magazines or websites. But they are both incredibly down to earth and humble.

These two tracks were written in 1995 but never released, sitting on a DAT in Phil’s studio ever since. This is the third release by Law & Auder on Vinyl Fanatiks and we are super proud as ever to be working with them once more. And I think this is possibly the strongest release we have done so far by the band.

Pressed by the mighty Phil ‘The Vinylman’ East on 180g heavyweight vinyl. This release is a bespoke product as no one record is the same. Designed to look like the planet Earth and part of a 4 vinyl Cosmik series.

One small leap for man kind…

When you hear the name Need For Mirrors, you know you’re about to listen to something solid. Few DJs have created such successful and varied careers as Need For Mirrors’ Joe Moses, both behind the decks and behind the desk! Joe’s pioneering attitude earned him the reputation as one of DNB's leading DJs. Having created one of London’s most influential club nights Soul In Motion with Bailey, the two expanded further to create the Soul In Motion Records and agency as well as his own label Zoltar.

‘An Increase In Entropy’ is the third and final triumphant piece in the trilogy of the 90’s Jungle / Drum and Bass flavoured releases from ASC for Samurai Music.

Making a return to his Chronicle alias for the first time since 2001, Tim Cant brings his unique blend of laid back atmospherics to the Spatial family for the first time with Time and Space on Curvature. Sit back, relax, or dance Chronicle has you covered for either with this welcome return to the scene.

A1 Geosynchronous
Getting straight to business with an intro of thick Hot Pants breaks, Geosynchronous sees Chronicle bring his unique take on atmospherics to Curvature in welcome style. An early breakdown with synths and subtle melodies is followed by a dreamy layer of two step amens and 808 basslines, completing a collage of beats as the increasingly memorable melodies slowly weave their story throughout the track.

A2 Life On Earth
A dream like, reflective affair is up next with Life On Earth Chronicle returning to the late 90s vibe of the moniker with a plethora of classic FX, vocal samples and long constant synthwork cascading above. Utilising a simple but effective core melody, danceable two step breaks and layers of detail that would fit in any retrospective set from the Progression Sessions era to the modern renaissance, this is one to savour.

B1 Future Fragments
A real treat for fans of synthy, sci fi tinged atmospheric goodness from eras gone by as Chronicle transports you to 99 Shepherds Bush Empire you had to be there now you can be with a track that encapsulates the era perfectly. Drizzling the mix with frequent echoing effects and washes of spacey synths and pads over an earworm melody not to mention the crisp rolling breaks this is a versatile and enduring track youll keep going
back to.

B2 Nostradamus
Closing out the EP, we have Nostradamus which opens lightly with hi hats and airy padwork before finely edited old school breakwork injects energy to the mix.
The breaks build with additional elements creating a very danceable and rhythmic loop, punctuated by a catchy melody. One sample proclaims The Future Is Power - if its in the hands of producers like Chronicle, effortlessly channeling the past with a modern twist, we know
we are in good hands.

Words by Chris Hayes Spatial Red Mist

The second installment in the SEMPLATE series arrives with force, presenting "Clones" — four-track EP by British duo Evasion & Conman. Run of 200 copies on transparent red / black splatter vinyl. Across the record, Evasion & Conman navigate the spaces between drum and bass, jungle, and breaks, crafting a sound that is both raw and futuristic.

The journey begins with A1 “Closure”, a heavy workout at 165 bpm, driven by pounding drums and a sparse, stripped-back propulsion. On A2 “Nashi” at 147 bpm, unveil perhaps the most lush cut on the EP — a rolling jungle track rich with textured breaks and atmospheric washes. Flipping to the B-side, B1 “Acid Reflux” sits at 140 bpm, swirling with eerie synths and snarling bass that push into darker territory. Finally, B2 “Clones” fires off at 170 bpm, delivering a vision of futuristic broken drum and bass: fractured rhythms, stark bass hits, and cybernetic touches.

2025 Repress

Kim Anh follows up her highly acclaimed After Dark EP with an eclectic remix package.
Kim Anh’s Can U Not Talk Records launched at the beginning of 2022 with the ‘After Dark EP’, its strong statement of intent receiving high accolades across the world and gaining the support of artists such as
Jennifer Cardini, Josh Caffe, Terr & many more. She now recruits a star-studded cast built around her Panorama Bar Family to remix the EP, showcasing community and connection whilst preserving queer
underground music.
Massimiliano Pagliara kicks things off by drenching the title track in acid, its resonant squelches gliding across the original’s infectious bassline. Alinka’s remix of ‘Recovering’ from the original release features next before Kim Anh remixes her own ‘House of Virgo’, incorporating a catchy organ bass to accompany her soulful, emotive vocals. Spotlight party founder Chris Cruse also provides a version of the track, turning it into a driving & hypnotic acid work-out, warming things up before Chrissy’s D&B flip of ‘Giving’ closes out the release with ripping bass and rolling breaks.

grey marbled vinyl

Right in the heart of our sacred season, we are dropping a gem from the one and only BCee. A veteran of the scene and introduced to us by fellow legend Utah Jazz, BCee has become an integral part of SUNANDBASS over the last decade. From his joyful interviews in 2022, to our joint nights with Spearhead Records in London, BCee embodies the true meaning of SUNANDBASS and therefore will play the closing set this year!


His new EP "Shelter" is the culmination of BCee's long standing relationship to SUNANDBASS. BCee captures the Sardinian smells, the warm sun on your skin, the distant echoes of music dancing over the San Teodoro coastline, transforming it into this four track EP that instantly makes us feel at home.

Gully Life Records proudly presents its inaugural release: Wet Dreams / Padded Room by BC9000, an emerging Drum & Bass producer from Washington, DC.

Despite the genre’s underground presence in the U.S., BC9000 delivers a sharp blend of old-school ethos and nu-school flair. His journey began as a teen listener, evolving into a dedicated DJ and producer with an ear for soulful grit and percussive edge.

Repress!

Echo Brown, a fresh talent from Raleigh (NC), will be dropping his confident “Struggles EP” on February 12th, his debut on The North Quarter. Having previously showcased his signature lo-f chords on “Show You” and his classy flip of Submorphics' “Daydreaming”, Echo Brown now presents a beautifully-rounded 6-track piece showing of his full range as a producer.

Heavy dubs on the way by producer trio Champion Sound from moscow. Dubcore Volume 22 is a diverse selection of different paced jungle tunes. Champion Sound released before on Through These Eyes Records, Defrostatica, Dub & Roll Records, Uncultured, Frozen Plates and Influential and now dropping four track on the dubcore series.

This is the very limited marbled vinyl version of the repressed Lords of The Null Lines EP.

Here we have the beautifully remastered Foul Play and Foul Play ft Randall remixes of Lords Of The Null Lines. There is little to say about these definitive classics that has not already been said. You know ‘em, you love ‘em, they are essentials. However, the Danny Styles remixes are perhaps deserving of some explanation. There were created in the early 90s, and were cut, but quickly stopped by Moving Shadow as they were not really official remixes. A few test presses got out, and the result has been these remixes reaching a near mystical status in the passing decades, and the vinyl changing hands on discogs for absurd prices.
So it was with great pleasure that Hyper-On Experience and myself managed to broker a deal with Moving Shadow and Danny Styles to bring these amazing remixes to a legal and official release! It took over 25 years, but they can finally be bought...

Basel-based producer Tim Shatnyy made a welcome return to his home label, Resonance, with a massive and satisfyingly complex body of work. The media ecosystem of Beyond Dualism combines a game, an Instagram bot, generative radio, and a full-length album at the forefront of the high-concept universe. The rhizomatic blend of web development, sound engineering, and conceptual framework does not diminish the joyous energy of Tim Shatnyy's sonic adventures. Beyond Dualism's digi-charms coalesce into a dynamic tension of minimalist electronic music, funky glitch, club-ready heaviness, and a boundless, idiosyncratic approach of disorientating arrangements.
Beyond Dualism is the result of Shatnyy's deep, ongoing process of inner listening, constant change, and spiritual inquiry. It is a perfectly closed cycle of artistic creation, featuring hyper-realistic sound design and visionary manipulation on meta-levels of composition. Beyond Dualism offers the listener a continuous experience, revealing a nearly tactile and visual experience of a sound. Going beyond dualism is a journey. The way the artist has transformed his perception going through this path is reflected in the album's development and its structures.

Aural Imbalance has enjoyed a colourful and celebrated journey through music over the years, taking in ambient soundscapes, deep house and of course, a pioneering role in atmospheric drum & bass. With Spatial, he has unearthed a pure, varied musical prowess seldom seen, with the ability to control both the lighter aspects of the mix as well as expert breakbeat craft. Infinity Spectrum showcases the breadth of talent Aural Imbalance possesses in one incredible package, not to be missed.

A1 - Aurealis
Opening the album with a wonderfully serene track, Aural Imbalance delicately rolls out his trademark smooth ambience with building cymbals and an energetic break merging perfectly in the mix - along with a great, pounding undertone of bass. Riddled with old-school sensibilities, Aurealis layers the building blocks until the track opens up further through a superbly lush breakdown, blooming like a flower in the summer sun before the breaks return.

A2 - Glistening Stars
Washing strings and the chitter-chatter of playful effects introduce Glistening Stars, before familiar, crisp old school breaks steal the limelight. A happy earworm melody soon reveals itself, and the breaks are gradually filtered back in following an other amazing breakdown before the melody takes on new life. Packed with detail and soul, this track will repeat on you long after you've moved on.

B1 - Alpha
Curious, apprehensive tones punctuate a fascinating intro, with a deep old school bassline creeping out first to greet us, before the hi-hat laden break loses its inhibitions and roams free.
Crafting a deliciously textured atmosphere, Aural Imbalance continues to showcase the breadth of his production techniques in his Spatial form, flecking the track with sumptuous melodies to create yet another gem.

B2 - Stargazers
This piece opens with a special blend of quiet, epic serenity, evoking hope and wonder as amen cymbal work and a stabbing snare-heavy break pattern rise and fall in the surrounding symphony. The quietly musical bassline plays a key role in the aural world-building here, complementing the breaks it harmonises with superbly. Aural Imbalance allows the composition to breathe and flourish for a superbly executed final act. Delightful.

C1 - Slow Motion
Introduced with quietly filtered breaks, Slow Motion dials back the pace with a break pattern which relaxes the snare while still maintaining a playful energy as the kicks and bass bumble along below. A uniquely atmospheric yet eccentric melody takes shape with dreamy pads filling the backdrop, and calming scatterings of echoing effects colliding and combining to generate a blissful collage of sound.

C2 - Apparition
Switching up the vibe we have Apparition, which boldly utilises long, tranquil yet purposeful pad work before an immense break pattern riddled with stark snares and a jumpy bassline which rides the smothered kickdrums so well, they appear to be fused as one. The breaks on this are truly special and will move the discerning dancefloor for sure, Aural Imbalance continuing to reveal a never-ending depth to his sound.

D1 - Artificial Satellite
Introduced with smooth synths and DJ-friendly hi hats, Artificial Satellite sees Aural Imbalance laying down a fresh showcase of old-school breakbeats, laced with that inimitable Spatial flavour. A swirling low-key sci-fi vibe punctuates the breakdown before the beats re-emerge. A deep, brooding bassline pulses beneath throughout, while the perfectly executed breaks enjoy their final flourish.

D2 - Unknown Forces
Finally, up steps Unknown Forces for a blistering finale to the LP. Aural Imbalance is at his amen-editing best here with a truly superb showcase of analogue break patterns to nourish the ears and set pulses racing on the dancefloor. Deep bass elevates the gentle intro before thumping kicks begin an epic workout, chopped to perfection with synths and strings flying gracefully above. We couldn't have a Spatial LP without an amen banger could we? What a way to end

Words by Chris Hayes (Spatial/Red Mist)

From the kill or be killed gang land streets of Wickford, all the way to the swanky coke infested PRSPCT Rotterdam offices..
Hellfish stoops to a depraved level with this ruthless stab in the back to some of the biggest hardcore wankers around.
Grab a copy before the legal wankers get the release pulled.

"After Outer Edges we were trying to find a new direction for Noisia. This resulted in an extensive journey that took us through a lot of new ideas and music.

Although we eventually decided to stop, we are proud of the things we made along the way, and these tunes were always meant to be part of a larger whole. So before we finally close the book on Noisia, we wanted to share them with you, on one last album. Previously released or newly finished, they all represent directions we enjoyed exploring.

In the end, we didn't manage to figure things out. But we did get closer." - Nik, Thijs, Martijn (Noisia)