Beats News

2022 Repress

One of the most distinct talents of recent times returns to Critical with his first EP release since the acclaimed 'All Talk'. Once more Hyroglifics presents a typically eclectic showcase ranging from the heads down D&B of 'South London's Finest' to the electro-infested 'Cheyhboi' making for one of the most dope EP's of the year so far.

We are very proud to present to you this amazing debut album from a master of the breaks and bass: SPKTRM. Limited edition vinyl release.

Some words from the scene:

GRIDLOK - 'He broke all the rules and made a timeless masterpiece that I will listen to forever.'

PARADOX - 'Great album. Tracks with real depth and variety. Worth the wait.'

THE UPBEATS - 'In today's global EDM RMS digital arms race, SPKTRM's new album 'Android Dreams' stands out. It's extremely refreshing to hear someone with a different stance, taking the music back to its organic roots, and shifting the focus back to feel and vibe. We would recommend taking the time to get immersed in this LP!'

JOHN ROLODEX - 'Reminds me of the 'Platinum Breaks' days. Classic!'

GREMLINZ - 'Android Dreams is a deep, moody excursion that is a fitting soundtrack for these times.. Unlike the majority of banal mediocrity that seems to be flooding the market, SPKTRM digs deeper and comes with a masterpiece that equally pays homage to the sounds that made drum & bass legendary while showing us a glimpse of the future..'

SINISTARR - 'SPKTRM's LP is one of the truest, darkest and deepest forms of futuristic sounds that I've heard in drum & bass thus far.. Definitely his finest piece of work at the moment.'

FRISKE - 'Deep, intellectual, picture painting, dramatic, soulful. A class production from beginning to end.'







G D1 | Type III

Dom returns to the label with the euphoric amen smasher that has been smashing up raves - Cold Summer. A regular feature in his sets and eagerly awaited by the label fans. The flip is an entirely different affair with the haunting and heavy Full Moon with its eerie atmospherics and crushing breaks.

A1. WISER THAN BEFORE
This track new Jungle sound with a new rock synth keeping with the Jungle breaks with a nice kick to boot. Vocals by Black Slate.

A2. PEACE & LOVE
This track captures the reggae vibez with a one drop with Jungle breaks n rock synths. This choon is so appropriate for the times we're in. Vocals by Echo

AA1. WHO ARE WE
This track capturing the reggae vibez with a one drop n rock synths... A proppa festival choon. Vocals by Steven Marley

AA2. POWER
This formidable track captures the essence of reggae with rock synths n vocals by Matthew Bento.

Producer: NASTYRCK

* Seba has established a reputation as one of the finest purveyors of quality Drum & Bass over a distinguished career stretching back more than 25 years. From his early tracks on LTJ Bukem’s ground-breaking label Good Looking Records to his more recent work across Metalheadz,Commercial Suicide,Soul:r,Hospital and his own Secret Operations, Seba’s music retains a timeless appeal, bringing together beats and bass in classic yet inimitable style. Ethereal atmospheres, crisp breaks and sublime bass rhythms are hallmarks of a sound Seba has made his own.
* Oni showcases Seba’s versatility as an artist and shows why as one of Drum & Bass’s truly unique producers,Seba is as relevant and important today as ever, continually inspiring producers and fans alike.

Vol. 10 of Meeting Of The Minds is here, with 4 collaborations with some producers whose music I've enjoyed.

"Experiments In Motion" is by me & Parallel, one of the first people I ever collaborated with, back in 2011, with a tune called "Vega", which was released on a German label named Alphacut. We made a lot of other music together at the time, like "Innerspace" on Blu Mar Ten Music, "Your Life" on Green Bay Wavs (Green Bay Wax's digi label), but this is the first collaboration that we've made together in a long time, so I'm quite happy we were able to make it happen again after a break of many years.

Next tune is "Symbolism", which I made with Ben Kei, who runs a record label called Dalston Chillies (that also does some quality hot sauce) that I released on in 2020 with 2 collabs that I'd done with Dwarde & Comfort Zone. He's actually one of the first people I met in in person from music, at the first ever club night I went to in 2011, Jungle Syndicate's 1st Birthday at the Rhythm Factory. We've known each other for quite a long time but never actually worked on any music together so it only made sense to get on the case with collaborating.

X-Altera is someone who people may or may not know has a lot of history in this music, better known in the past as SK-1, involved in some of the earliest new jungle I had heard, most of it coming from a label called Rewind Records that he ran with Soundmurderer. I discovered Soundmurderer through his Wired For Sound mix and when I found out more about him, I learned about all the music the two of them had been making in the early 2000s like "Call Da Police", "Badman", "Soundclash" and many more. But I had no idea about his newer jungle alias until I stumbled upon his "New Harbinger" EP on Sneaker Social Club & then his self titled LP on Ghostly International, bringing a different take on modern jungle to what I was hearing from other people. I had him on the list of people I must work with Meeting Of The Minds for a long time & am glad to finally be able to tick him off the list.

Last tune on the release is "Step Back", which I made with Sheba Q & No Nation. I've been keeping tabs on both of them for a long while now, from when I first met Sheba Q in person after she came down to a Brighton Loves Jungle event that me & the rest of the Green Bay Wax crew played at a few years ago and when I met No Nation at a Distant Planet event. No Nation had started this tune with some vocals that Sheba Q had sung and I was keen to get involved with finishing it.

A1 - Continuum

Teaming up once again the original Spatial production duo open their latest EP serving up a thumping onslaught of amen goodness with Continuum, a track which takes the classic Demon's Theme break and carves it to bits unreservedly with a myriad of chops, cuts & edits. We are treated to some delicious filter work later in the track over a shimmering backdrop of synthwork, glazed with a bunch of micro melodies, bleeps and FX.

A2 - Depth Perception

Meticulously constructed vintage breakbeats immediately set a brisk tone with Depth Perception before a blissful early interlude reminds us to sit back and take a breath, before our breaks return - blanketed with an introspective layer of serene synths & keys which somehow combine perfectly, resulting in a tonal mosaic only ASC & Aural Imbalance can conjure up with their combined skillset.

AA1 - Distant Orbit

Nest up an unsettling, melancholic intro tenuously launches classic atmospheric breaks delivered with that crisp, old school brand new punch we have come to love from the distinctive style of drum n bass Spatial is showcasingand developing with each release. Powered with a lively bassline, it's easy to lose yourself in this piece as the track lives up to its title and sends the listener far beyond the confines of their speaker.

AA2 - Cold Front

An intriguing, inquisitive energy opens Cold Front with an assortment of breakbeats woven together exquisitely in a collage format, DJ-friendly yet mellow at once . The dialed-back airy backdrops showcase a glorious intricacy to the breaks, so detailed with umatched clarity - they almost possess an ASMR-like quality, offering new discoveries to the ear each time on repeated listens.

Daniel Avery returns to fabric Originals with his second EP of 2024 following on from the ‘Wonderland / Running’ EP back in March, Avery’s only officially releases for this year.

“Broken euphoria. The other side of Room 1 that will crush your skull and fill your soul in equal measure. Being blinded by the most beautiful light you’ve ever seen.”

Daniel Avery plays fabric, 15th November – ALL NIGHT – Divided Love Party

Vinyl lands 6th December

Stunning two tracker with an unreleased 90s gem from Good Looking Records Maestro PFM (You have got to hear this one!!) Equilibrium VIP is PFM at his majestic best with shimmering, stellar sounds with a drop to mash up the dance floor and send you sailing through the cosmos.

The flip is a brand new track from PFM and Greekboy. Icarus is a MONSTER track showcasing the talents of this amazing duo with with a dark and atmospheric amen journey that would be a peaktime highlight in most sets across the drum and bass spectrum

The package is rounded out by some serious artwork from Nick Purser (Good Looking Records 90s Art Director) Nick always delivers but in our opinion he has surpassed himself on this one.

INTEGRAL RECORDS—SEVENTEEN YEARS OF FORWARD THINKING D&B

London, August 2024 ––Integral Records, a leading independent record label synonymous with forward
thinking Drum & Bass music is announcing ‘Seventeen’ ––a new Various Artists LP in celebration of 17 years.

Fast approaching their second decade in the business of DNB, Integral Records has left an indelible mark on the underground scene, consistently delivering quality releases that continually push the boundaries of drum and bass music.

Since its inception in 2007, the label has been at the forefront of innovation within the underground scene globally, and is renowned for continually discovering, nurturing and developing exceptional talent; breaking a number of new artists through its 17-year journey.

Consistently delivering high-quality music with crossover radio appeal and with a consistent release schedule maintaining quality over quantity and dedicated to keeping the vinyl community alive.

Founded by the visionary Artificial Intelligence back in 2007 and with Emma G at the helm over the past decade, the label has remained dedicated to its core values of musical integrity, cutting edge sound

With a back catalogue of who’s who in the soulful world of the spectrum; the archive includes the likes of
Calibre, DRS, Alix Perez and Lenzman; more recently, Dawn Wall, Mohican Sun, Satl and currently the new
wave of D&B’s rising stars––Thread, TZ and Tatora to name a few.

Seventeen – the LP will showcase 8 tracks carefully curated from the label's impressive camp
of talent, capturing the essence of the Integral Records sound––featuring legendary artists and rising stars alike. Track features will include (in alphabetical order) Artificial Intelligence, Lenzman, Phil Tangent, Redeyes, Satl, Steo, Tatora, Thread, and Zero T and more.

From soulful liquid future classics to heavier-hitting tech rollers and everything in between, this compilation encapsulates the diverse and ever-evolving nature of Drum & Bass that will always remain dear and will certainly never die.

Pete Rogers is half of D&B Duo Technimatic, releasing numerous albums on Shogun Audio and further singles on a range of other labels such as Good Looking Records, RAM, Hospital and their own label Technimatic Music, garnering acclaim from the likes of Resident Advisor, Mixmag, Thump, UKF and tastemaking DJs such as Annie Mac and Giles Peterson.

* Strictly limited-edition 12” vinyl in full colour sleeve
* Zero T, a pivotal figure in the drum & bass scene for over two decades, unveils his latest endeavour, the "Journey Begins EP", on V Recordings. His career launched with early releases around the turn of the century on legendary labels such as Bassbin and Reinforced Records, setting the stage for a prolific journey through the genre. Over the years, Zero T's discography has flourished with releases on major labels like Metalheadz, Shogun Audio, and The North Quarter, showcasing his broad musical range and steadfast dedication to the craft.
* 2022 marked the release of his innovative LP, "Kilburn", a collaboration with blind jazz pianist Andre Louis (Onj), exemplifying his skill in merging drum & bass with intricate musical elements. The "Journey Begins EP" continues this narrative, featuring collaborations with V Recordings' very own L-Side, the iconic MC GQ, and a reunion with Onj. This melding of talents underlines Zero T's unique position at the crossroads of classic and contemporary drum & bass sounds, with tracks that are energetic enough for any dance floor, alongside deeper moments that transcend the dance floor.
* This is not his first outing on V Recordings, having previously released solo tracks and collaborations on V and Liquid V. However, this new release marks his first solo EP on the label, celebrating Zero T's enduring impact, his musical influences, and continuous innovation within Drum & Bass.

RE GENESIS is the rebirth of a man, the second origin of the soul.
The reason why everything begins and everything ends.
The journey begins with "first impact" caused by the impact of Lilith's Black moon on the earth
and ends with "The saddest day" the saddest day in the life of a man,
the condition of life itself.

Repress!

Danny C and Mike Pears are legends within the Drum & Bass genre and touch down on DSCI4 with four rare and unreleased tracks from 1997. Preserved on DAT for the last 27 years, you can now get your hands on these gems pressed on limited edition transparent red vinyl.

1995 was a huge year for Ant Miles & Andy C with new tunes exploding from their studio in Hornchurch, Essex. Once again exploiting the Amen break to the fullest with bass pounding 909’s matching the transients to the rhythm exactly with the profound vocal ‘What goes around comes around’. This track once again featured the Ram style hard impact drop and roll out. For the flipside ‘Here and Now’, Ant Miles invited his regular session singer Maxine Barden over to perform original vocals over a more melodic ‘liquid’ style Drum and Bass track that was awash with haunting pads and strings.

repress!

The first-ever reissue of this in-demand 94 jungle scorcher from DJ Fokus.

Having broken out with two 12”s on Monroe Production’s Blueprint Records, DJ Fokus quickly followed up at the Monroe Studios, under the watchful eye of legendary engineer Pete Parsons (Voyager), with two self-funded 12”s on his Suicide imprint before putting pen to paper with Lucky Spin Recordings. Now regularly demanding three figure sums both releases have achieved cult status amongst jungliests both young and old.

Available for the first time since its initial 1994 pressing, this black wax reissue of the first Suicide release was mastered from the original DAT sourced from Pete's personal archive (which includes the name of the previously presumed untitled b-side) and the lacquer cut by Beau Thomas (Babylon Timewarp/Intense). Expect the second release Watch Out/Media soon...

Fundamental Frequencies is a back room record label (headed by Doug Shipton of archival label Finders Keepers Records), dedicated to unearthing lesser-spotted, sought-after and unreleased choice cuts of jungle, acid, ambient, techno, hardcore, breakbeat (and the galaxy of genres scattered in-between) that helped shape and in some cases bridge the scenes.

AUDIO VERSATILE RECORDINGS is an independent record label dedicated to producing and promoting high-quality electronic music. With a passion for discovering and supporting unique artists, Whether you're an artist looking for a label or a listener seeking fresh, cutting-edge tracks, Audio Versatile Recordings is your destination for diverse and dynamic electronic music.

After decades of near silence, the old skool scene was shocked and thrilled to hear about a new Acen release, and here it is on vinyl! An absolutely amazing slice of old skool that also looks to the future in a classic Acen style, this one is sure to fly! All three tracks on the EP are authentic and incredible and deserve pride of place in any collectors collection!

Club / DJ Support
Billy Bunter, the Fat Controller, Glowkid, Slipmatt, Dj Jedi, Dj Luna-C, Dj Brisk, Clayfighter, Jimni Cricket, Bustin, Sc@r, Doughboy, Saiyan, Dave Skywalker, Liquid, Hyper On Experience, Ant To Be, Ponder and many others

The idea for Synergy came after the first Future Retro London night in 2021, where the 4 of us all shared the same lineup for the first time ever, with me going b2b with Dwarde, Coco going b2b with Sully and then all 4 of us playing together for the last hour.

It was so much fun that I wanted to get a tune done for the label with the 4 of us all involved in the making of it, as well as separate remixes done by each of us. Nice one to Dwarde, Coco & Sully for their versions.

Orange Vinyl

Following the success of her 2020 EP ‘Kintsugi’ Charli Brix returns to Flexout with her debut album, The Art Of Change. Three years in the making and collaborations with the likes of DRS, Lenzman, Visages, Gardna, QZB, En:vy & EMZ this has been a project carefully crafted to showcase the full extent of Charli’s voice and song writing capabilities.

Repress serie from Jungle Cakes!

2023 repress

The biggest names in D&B sonic manipulation come together on one 12'. We highly recommend you buy a new needle to do these tracks justice. Future D&B at its best!

One of the most sought after represses there is, and its no surprise when you consider the sheer quality of the 4 tracks on this EP. All the tracks are classics, and all the music has been lovingly remastered from DAT to bring this perfect EP back to life in 2020.
Get in while you can...

Club / DJ Support
Billy Bunter, the Fat Controller, Glowkid, Slipmatt, Dj Jedi, Dj Luna-C, Dj Brisk, Clayfighter, Jimni Cricket, Bustin, Sc@r, Doughboy, Saiyan, Dave Skywalker, Ponder and many others

2024 Repress

Crate Classics release their 2nd vinyl, pressed by Music House Studios. Stars from the Jungle and Dancehall scenes crammed onto this 12. Undoubtedly one of the most exciting figures to arise within drum & bass over the past decade, Rouen Wilkins, also known as Voltage, has carved his way to becoming one of the most valued artists in the scene. He now takes on Rudeboy Sound by Crate Classics and JODIAN NATTY which was a huge hit at 2022's Notting Hill Carnival, with support from Shy FX, 1xtra, 6music, Radio 1, KOOL FM and more. This Rudeboy Sound Remix EP also includes Jungle pioneer 'Potential Bad Boy's' mix of the tune Babylon fro

Forest On Stasys takes the plunge here and launches a new label, Aura Sonora, which debuts with a hugely limited and high-quality new 12" from the boss. The imprint will be "a platform designed for sound experimentation" and the first missive backs that up with a great blend of drum & bass, half-time and techno. 'Magnetismo' is a prickly opener with slippery rhythms underpinned by bold bass. 'Domo' is a darker sound with menacing low ends and prickly percussive patterns while 'Sideral' is another late-night prowler with low sling sounds, eerie atmospheres and a real sense of futurism. A great start to life for Aura Sonora.