Beats News

Lush and atmospheric tapestries are the hallmark signatures of Aural Imbalance's compositions. Easily spotted and loved by his knowledgeable fans. Dreaming In Future Tense, remembers all the euphoria, optimism, and exploration of the nineties D&B movement and carries it forward to the now in six soothing rollers. The perfect balance of embracing the past, living in the present, and eyeing the future.

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0860 is a project by Charlie Fieber aka Fracture inspired by London Pirate Radio. The project includes an album, radio station and interview series that explores the history and legacy of Pirate Radio and its importance in the development of UK underground music.

0860 is presented via an 8-track, DJ-friendly 2 x 12" Vinyl Album, 19-track mixtape cassette and the radio station 0860.fm, which is broadcasting now. There is also a Pirate Radio Art Print from UTILE and T-Shirts. Broadcasting now on 0860.fm is an additional 90-min 'Signal Test' ambient album by Fracture.

Over the coming weeks, 0860.fm will broadcast interviews with Bryan Gee, Eastman, DJ Flight, Scratcha, Dextrous, Uncle Dugs, Mantra, Missing, Eddie Peake, Om Unit & Laurent Fintoni, Naina & Sherelle, Stamina MC and more. It will also broadcast lost recordings of original 90s & 00s London pirate station broadcasts from the likes of Kool, Rinse, Pulse and more.k about it.

Track two is ‘Where Are U’ and encourages us to ask ourselves that question through the exploration of full speed Breakbeat Electro. If we know where we are, we can begin to look into where we are going. Probably the dance floor.

Track three is ‘it's NP-Complicated’ which sets out an uncomplicated blend of bubbling bass and simple sympathetic drums, providing us with a network to feel more empowered and to build a sense of community.

Track four is ‘Donut Time’ - Well done for finishing the course! You can congratulate yourself with a donut full of squelchy acid jam, glazed with frosted pads and hi hat sprinkles.

“Together we can help ourselves be alone together.” - Nikki Nair

Of Paradise are known for their eclectic output that is impossible to pigeonhole. This three piece compilation is testament to that idea, featuring quality tracks from across the spectrum of club focussed music.

Over the last 3 years, original 90’s D&B imprint Odysee has been steadily building its profile, both through its ‘Remix/Remaster’ series as well as a growing number of new releases. Label Partner Andy Odysee continues to develop his own unique sound with this third solo E.P. All three tracks work together as a triptych, whilst simultaneously maintaining their own unique identity.

Ruthless (In Purpose): Insidious (In Design) immediately establishes an ominous mood of brooding menace with its creeping bass stabs. As the drums enter, the track builds towards a drop of deep subs and driving breakbeat fury, punctuated by the ripped synth basses and curling drum edits that are fast becoming characteristic of Andy’s productions. There are subtle nods to the later Hokusai releases such as Sculptures Hide and even Black Domina; with eerie chiff-flute phrases, and those signature Mirage-style film-noire and dark avant-garde Jazz sounds nestling amongst the tapestry of beats and basslines.

As a contrast, Provocateur has a sweeter, almost sexier feel. A dreamy oscillating pad soon gives way to razor-sharp curling Jazz breaks and deep subs. The vocals border on the ‘saucy’ with their tantalising suggestions of ‘who thinks the technique is to make love to me’ and ‘the sexiest thing about me is my a**!’ There is a subtle darkness nonetheless to this track, with its plethora of dark film-noire samples. Although the framework of breaks & bass is strident enough for the dance floor, it is also the kind of track that is loaded with all those little production details that will reveal something fresh with each hearing.

The third track Status Anxiety is a frenetic, tense piece of music. Underpinned by a relentless bass synth stab that slips and slides throughout the track, the drum patterns are more elaborate, cutting between several different breaks, with abrupt stops to expose dark string sweeps, hammered Rhodes strikes and shimmering china cymbals. Again there is a subtle reference to the Hokusai releases, but with a fresh twist on that darker Jazz-infused style of Breakbeat D&B.

DJ Support
Source Direct, Law & Ben Repertoire, Mister Shifter, Basic Rhythm, Voodoo & Sensenet

Friske turns in two thugged out weapons for UVB-76’s delinquent sister label DROOGS. Normally his releases showcase his mastery of the light and dark duality of Drum & Bass with a sensei’s precision, but for DROOGS he reminds everyone that to be adept in the Yin, you need to be an accomplished champion of the Yang.

The 303 acid rhythm of “Eyes Open” slithers through the smokey underworld, a measured and methodical killer that squeezes the listener tighter and tighter in its grasp.

“Violator” goes full Rufige with broken side steps and gooned up stabs setting up speaker knocking thuds and miscreant B Boy atmosphere.

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Orange Marbled 10"

Tim Reaper debuts on UTTU with his contribution to the labels “Cosmik Connection series” 4 sublime jungle / breakfast sci fi inspired puts for heads world-wide.

Transversales Disques presents KSHATRYA, (The Eye Of The Bird), never released before
recording by french avant-garde electronic composer Igor Wakhevitch, who composed a bunch of
major experimental albums in the 70's such as Logos, Docteur Faust, Hathor, Les Fous d'Or,
Nagual and Let's Start.
During this 10 years period, Wakhevitch was close to Jean-Michel Jarre, the Pink Floyd, the Soft
Machine, and legendary choreographer Maurice Bejart having with him many conversations around
dance and music, human body and soul, spiritual path, collective life, new society, human evolution.
As a composer Igor Wakhevitch collaborated with Salvador Dali, Carolyn Carlson, and Terry Riley to
name a few. He's considered as one of the first French composer using synthesizers like Synthi
AKS, ARP2600 or Moog modular systems.
After spending almost 30 years in India, Igor Wakhevitch dug in his archives this unreleased work
recorded in 1999 on his 'Mysterious Island 88' system. Esotheric, sacred and cosmic, KSHATRYA,
(The Eye Of The Bird) is the logical follow up of Igor's early works and a monumental piece of
electronic music. A must!

UNRELEASED MID 90’S TRACKS FROM PULSE

The 'Sepia Grooves' release pays tribute to the influence of jazz, funk and soul music on DnB / Jungle and to the players (most particularly the drummers) who have inspired so much of what we do today.

The 3 tunes included on the release feature some of the biggest breaks in Drum & Bass, namely the Amen, the Apache and the Funky Drummer and there are photo's of each of the people responsible for the original rhythms on the sleeve and on the vinyl labels.

Okay, so some of us that are close to the music know who's responsible for the foundational beats, but it still feels like people such as Gregory Coleman, Clyde Stubblefield, King Errisson and others haven't really gotten the respect and kudos they deserve to this day. This is our little way of saying thank you to these great people and of raising awareness about their contribution to the music we love so much.

I got a message on social media one day saying someone had some tracks for me. I get messages like this all the time. I always listen to the tracks, eventually.

When it came to listening to these I was blown away. Who was this? Why are they being offered to me for Time Tunnel? It turns out Andrey, knows Ant To Be who recommended me and my label as a potential outlet for his music.

There is a great story behind the artist and this particular alias he uses. But for now, I want to talk about the music.

As I previously mentioned, I was blown away. Undoubtedly the most beautiful music I will have the pleasure in releasing so far on Time Tunnel. Layers of pads and ambience, fantastic musically. Drum programming is top notch. The production is bang on. I could type on & on about these tracks but I wont be able to do them justice. You need to hear them.

Deep, rolling sound system steppers made to rattle your chest plate.

Following the release of ‘The Rainmaker EP’ back in 2020 John Rolodex continued to hunker down in the studio, recognising that there was much more to come. Fast forward a couple of years and we’re delighted to welcome John back for a full vinyl EP, one that showcases his love of different styles in a deeply personal manner.

The ‘Formless EP’ consists of 4 tracks headed up by ‘Depth Of Field’ which draws from many influences and is an example of John’s ongoing study into drawing a groove out over time. With the title track up next the EP becomes suddenly very experimental and boundlessly creative, a piece of music that Goldie didn’t hesitate to jump on. The origins of ‘Tentacle’ go back to 2010, only recently revisited with John’s expanded skill set, whilst ‘Serve No Kings’ brings the renowned Jungle Drummer into the fold for a unique percussive work out.

Paradox needs no introduction and we are thrilled to once again have one of our old friends on board. Two tracks on 140g black vinyl of pure breakbeat craft. As Dev said to us when presenting the 12 - "Some things are meant to be full circle...

blue marbled vinyl

Blissful atmospherics wash behind heavy amens on Spacewalk, tightly constructed old school style breaks thump along with subtle effects create a vibe that will take you to a world beyond ours.

A distinctive crisp unorthodox beat pattern opens Oceans and sets the tone for this beautiful composition of smooth pads and earthy bass-lines, a dreamy treat which builds the vibe as the track progresses.

Messages from Space opens with a mellow, eerie intro that washes in before the Spectrum breaks - heavy on the ride cymbals - take centre stage in this lunar-inspired composition.

Energetic rapid-fire break work punctuates Quiet Storm with drum funk vibes that sound immense at this BPM - playfully filtered, surrounded by delicate atmospherics and an understated vocal sample - a treat for the breaks fans.

Words by Chris Hayes (Spatial / Red Mist)

Two peak set destroyers from VNR label bosses DJ Flash and Chippie

Each track sets out to showcase a different element of Quartz's now distinctive sound, from the crunchy mid-range of ‘Blacklist’ to the ingenious edits of 'Beat Down Babylon', not forgetting the astutely effective use of vocals on 'Moving With Time', provided by fellow Welsh talent Vanity Jay.

In many places, this release follows on from where 2021's 'Coercion EP' left off; another impressive result from an immensely proficient producer who has now built himself into a fundamental part of Metalheadz's future.

Treasure from the depths: five high pressure records in one pack from Holding Hands' Submerged series.

HHSUB001 - Yosh - The Hype EP

HHSUB002 - James Bangura - For The People EP

HHSUB003 - Mariiin - Stuck In Town EP

HHSUB004 - Ocean Stirs - Minesweeper EP

HHSUB005 - Fred Quest - Who You Would Have Been EP

clear yellow vinyl

semi-clear red marbled vinyl

A good old fashioned amen banger opens up Quantum State, as Howling Winds takes it back to that classic break sliced and chopped expertly as you'd expect from ASC, with a solemn, almost mournful melodic backdrop.

A tense, moody vibe awaits you with Nectar, ominous pad work and Hot Pants breaks craft an uncomfortable, brooding atmosphere you won't forget.

Flashback lives up to its name with classic jungle break work and effects, taking you right back to the 90's with a purposeful yet sombre oceanic backdrop. Towards the back end of the track the mood shifts skyward somewhat as if reaching its goal. Delightful.

Minimal breaks punctuate Hindsight with spaced-out kicks and jittery cymbals, smooth pads and that classic deep 808 bass wind and weave through a relaxing sonic landscape.

Words by Chris Hayes (Red Mist/Spatial)

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Dom (and his Roland s760 sampler) was once described by seminal magazine NME as the “Ridley Scott” of drum and bass. His epic early records helped form the blueprint of the scene today.

Originally releasing on No-U-Turn in 1994 and credited as one of architects of “Tech-step”. Dom was signed by the legendary Moving Shadow label in 1996 where he released 3 solo albums and a plethora of singles becoming their most prolific and influential artist in the history of the label.

Well known for his early alliances with school friends “Optical” and “Matrix”, Dom started his own label DRP (Dom & Roland Productions) in 2006 to collaborate with like-minded artists. Now 15 years in with an enviable roster from “Noisia” to “Amon Tobin” it is now the main home of Dom’s work.

Both of these tracks play to Dom’s epic nature and have been highly requested since they were teased late last year on socials. Fur Coats Knickers and Gold harks back to the 70’s era, with a funktastic intro leading into some heavyweight slap subs. Drive me Crazy again has a 70’s Style intro before a barrage of tearing live drums and warping bass is unleashed.

A four-track melodic jungle release from Black Barrel might not be what you expected, but he continues to impress and demonstrate his versatility again. His sound has continued to evolve and explore new musical grounds across his many releases for Dispatch. Just as you think you can identify his trademark elements, he switches things up in new and exciting ways.

This selection of tracks instinctively found their home on Dispatch Dubplate; a collection of mid-90s inspired tunes with an Omni Trio / Essence of Aura vibe, pure jungle deepness and added Black Barrel flair. Built with layers of classic era sounds each track reveals a new side to his production across four deep cuts.

True to the nature of the Dispatch Dubplate range, these tracks have already been circulating on dub for some time and have been getting a lot of love. Goldie is a huge fan of Black Barrel's melodic jungle takes and tried to bag these 4 for Metalheadz at a later stage after road-testing them out at clubs and festivals.



c B1 Orgasm Vinyl Exclusive



c B1 Orgasm Vinyl Exclusive

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2023 Repress

Hot off the heels of their 2021 vinyl debut, London jungle collective 4am Kru return with their second vinyl offering 'High Time EP'. The title track High Time takes centre stage here, already a sing-a-long classic after destroying dancefloors and algorithms following it's digital release in 2021. The EP also inlcudes amen heavy hitter King Konger and grime roller 4AMK3, concluding with the soothing sounds of Your Only feat. Phoebe White. All favourites from 4am Kru's growing digital back catalogue on Embrace The Real Records.

White Vinyl

Closing out the series with two heavyweight stalwarts, The Planets come to an end at Neptune. The first track sees Coco Bryce return to pay homage on ‘Mantra’ as crisp breaks float above glowing pads and vocal cuts. Forest Drive West also returns, journeying to the outer edges with ‘Neptune’. Tightly chopped hits and snapping snares are laid over bleak but blissful tones and Rupture completes its cycle from the Sun.

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More limited edition roughneck jungle riddims, smacking up reggae anthems of yesterday!