Beats News

Repress!

Artificial Intelligence was born in 2005 with the AI Series events in Madrid as a deep and sincere tribute to the pioneers of the early Bleep, Braindance and Idm sound. Thanks to labels such as Warp, Planet Mu, Skam Records, Rephlex… and artists such as Richard D. James, Autechre, Jega, Boards of Canada…

Almost 20 years later we are back as a label with this first volume of 14 tracks by 14 different artists with the usual suspects along with some new faces where we want to express our love and respect for this sound.

Kniteforce Crew artist and council member Paul Bradley shows off this lighter counterpart to his epic Swamped EP! This killer slice of old skool rave has proper piano vibes, a summer feel and loops to die for. Heavy beats and uplifting vocals are the name of the game, and the game is being played at an expert level!

Release one of a 5 plate series from Blame.

Release one carries a killer V.I.P of Sith that featured in blames recent and very rare DJ appearance at a VNR event in Germany. Lost Science on the flip was produced in 1998 and appeared in Blames Logical Progression Sets from those days.

The series will build with each release culminating with a collectors box to house the series.

Finland's own Otto Taimela, a pro-skateboarder-turned-producer-pianist, makes his Cold Blow debut with "Sunflower Seeds”, merging jungle breaks with Boards-of-Canadaesque nostalgia with mesmerizing results. Led by the streaming hit "Sunflower," the EP feels like a hazy, late spring morning sun filled with childlike energy, abandoning the roots of its inspirations in favor of his native landscapes.

Limited to just 175 copies, this release is bound to be in high demand. Don’t miss out on the vinyl-only B3 track; grab your copy while you can!

Looking at Otto's discography, he could be described as one of the most versatile and prolific contemporary artists in Finland. His debut vinyl, "Kimmeltie," launched in 2020 under the famous avant-garde label Ultraääni Records. Word spread globally, and records sold out quickly, making Kimmeltie a rare collectible among experimental music lovers. Since then, Otto's cassettes and vinyl records have been distributed, sold and played all around the globe.

From listening to pirate radio recordings, putting on illegal parties and working for one of the UK’s original rave promoters, Greg Hepworth, aka Settle Down, has always had roots in the foundations of UK dance music.

Settle Down’s 30 year journey began when the sounds of Fantazia drifted into his childhood bedroom at the age of 10. After wearing out cassettes of pirate radio recordings and immersing himself in a growing culture, what followed was putting on illegal raves across the South Coast and packing tapes for Dreamscape, before crossing over to Creator and releasing for Metalheadz and Reinforced as 'Ulterior Motive' and reinventing himself as 'Settle Down'.

From fan to facilitator to maker. Voyage is a documentation of Settle Down's 30 year journey through UK breakbeat culture. Presented as a recording of a 90’s rave cassette mix, it chronicles the journey through house, breakbeat, hardcore and jungle and the influences that make up these genres, a love letter to the past and an ode to the vibe.

Voyage will be released on a limited edition mixtape cassette, 12” vinyl and digitally mixed and unmixed single tracks alongside some limited edition merchandise.

Bourassa is back and serving us a scorching new summer hit. This time, label boss Smolny doesn't hold back, unleashing a powerful holiday anthem titled "Need Love." If you're truly in dire need of some love, this track is definitely for you!

It starts off slowly and nostalgically, seasoned with a distinct amen break. The growing tension sends shivers down your spine, while a beautiful trance chord intertwines with a long pad in the background. Adding to the flavor is a twisted female vocal that seductively flirts with your senses. It all culminates in a euphoric experience, gradually building up to release the accumulated energy. Finally, everything explodes as a strong and expressive bass line hits you like a ton of bricks.

The following track "Running" takes a more tranquil approach, transporting us to a dreamy realm. Broken drums keep propelling us forward, never allowing us to pause. The melodic chord gracefully emerges, creating a chill atmosphere and setting the mood. After the breakdown, grooving bongos complete the picture.

The B-side features two fantastic remixes of the title track, "Need Love." The first one is a fierce breakbeat roller from Denham Audio. With its powerful bass and mesmerizing droplets cascading in the background, it creates a distinct hypnotic atmosphere. The change in bassline to the typical speed garage sound delivers an even more potent punch at the end.

The second remix is crafted by SLG, who flawlessly captures the sound of the '97s, creating a track in the progressive trance style from that era. A brilliantly composed bass line constantly propels the track forward, building tension alongside the melodic line. A real dance floor killer!

Repress

Irie Rasta Vibez!

green vinyl

The fledgling Detach label continues to show it means business with a new 12" in a lovely screen-printed sleeve. Romanian artist Dyl is the one in charge and has been serving up consistently excellent and innovative sounds now for serval years. All of these cuts mix up great sound design with languid rhythms - the first is eerie, with watery droplets and glassy tinkles hanging in the air, while 'Glasshouse 2' has a percolating rhythm down low. 'Glasshouse 3' gets a little more dynamic with a shimmering low end and freaky abstract life forms and 'Glasshouse 4' layers in more intense and ever-shifting synth lines while the closer sounds like it's roaming through a deserted factory long after it shut down.

Ladies & gentlemen,

We hereby bring forth a series of purified strains and upgraded weapons from a pulparallel world.

It all started with a circular piece of bronze 10” vinyl which, 3 years later, deserved to be recornditioned. Therefore, we’ve revisited said piece with the intention to bring levels of euphoria to yet another level. Cut and pressed on 12” vinyl for longer grooves and optimal DJ performability.

In other words, when PULPCORN001 is a star, PURECORN001 is a black hole.

Own at your own risk.

Constant Sound is one of the many labels Burnski aka Instinct is heading up right now and they are all as good as each other. This one focuses on house and tech sounds and welcomes Adam Pitts to the fam with three standouts. 'Gadget Crew' opens up and has a big, high-energy groove with plenty of oversized drum sounds and a retro melody paired with an intriguing soulful vocal. It has a dark garage tinge and is perfect for late-night action. 'Just This Once' is tough and physical, with warped and naughty bass and thwacking great hits irresistible to all. Last all comes a Skins Junglist Crew remix which is exactly that - a fine one for the jungle heads.

Originally issued on Science/Virgin in September 1997, Modus Operandi established Rupert Parkes as an unmistakable force within the realm of drum and bass and downtempo - Modus Operandi is presented here with scrupulous attention to the detail of its original UK first pressing and is available on three 140gm LPs.

Whether replacing a much-loved original, or adding to a collection afresh, this is a superior way to enjoy such enduring and influential music.

Born in Suffolk, Parkes, learnt saxophone as a child, but by the early 90s, he like many others, got into electronic music, and by the middle of the decade was making inventive, skeletal, drum and bass. Photek was first heard on his own label, with releases such as Seven Samurai and U.F.O, which brought him to the attention of Goldie, who released his calling card Natural Born Killa EP on his Metalheadz imprint. Photek's slower take on what was then known as 'jungle', produced a half- step breakbeat, adding a glacial, mellowness to the relentless beats.

By the time of his signing to Virgin, Photek was truly making waves, and Modus Operandi was trailed by The Hidden Camera mini album, which reached the UK Top 40, as did the single Ni Ten Ichi Ryu. Modus Operandi was a critical and commercial success, reaching the Top 40 and establishing him as a go- to producer and remixer. The space around his beats and his ample yet judicious range of effects can be heard on tunes such as The Hidden Camera and the jazz
influenced title track.

Photek has not released a new album in over a decade. He now is an established film and television composer in Hollywood. However, his work is fondly remembered and still sounds as fresh as a drum and bass daisy.

Type steps up to the plate next, with the 'Deeper Still EP' - his first solo release on Rupture.

Setting the dance alight with his Jupiter debut last year with the long awaited 'Hummer', he comes correct with a full EP in 2024. This time led by another heavily demanded Rupture dub - the mighty 'SK85'.

Part two of the DJ Phantasy Unreleased series. These tracks were discovered over the past few years on the DAT’s that Phantasy has had in storage since the early 90’s. These two tracks were recorded in 1993 at Jack Smooth’s studio and were engineered by Alex Reece.

Dark, moody and melodic – the trademark sound of DJ Phantasy around this time, drawing from the endless raves that he was playing in 1993. But in 1993 the scene and the sound was constantly advancing and tracks were sounding dated within a month or two, so they were not released back then. But now they sound fresh and futuristic and we at Vinyl Fanatiks are so lucky to be able to work alongside Liquid Wax to be able to share them for the first time.

Released in a high quality gloss Liquid Wax housebag and white inner sleeve.

Originally released in 1993 on DJ Phantasy’s Liquid Wax label, it has now been repressed in conjunction with Vinyl Fanatiks on coloured vinyl.

One of DJ Phantasy’s many aliases alongside his pal Robert Chimiel. The lead tune is a total rave anthem – hands to the lazers business! The flipside has a such a sweet chugging bassline that takes you on a trip!

As always with anything on Liquid Wax, these tracks are big club releases as Phantasy was testing them out at all the raves in the early 90’s. But Phantasy always has a trick up his sleeve that makes his music sound incredibly original and still fresh to this day, 31 years later!

LIMITED PRESSING

AKO are proud to present Equinox on the AKO10.


Equinox is one of our favourite producer/DJ and there's something special when he goes on a mellow, atmospheric tip.
2 beautiful tracks that will take you on a journey, and we hope you enjoy.

The first release of 2023 on SHERELLE and NAINA’s Hooversound imprint comes from London based DJ, producer and AV artist, Drumskull.

Drumskull is the moniker of Joel Harrison, started during lockdown in 2020. His debut album, ‘Interlocked’ garnered support from the likes of Addison Groove, Ahadadream, Doc Scott as well as receiving radio support from Tom Ravenscroft on BBC Radio 6 and Avalon Emerson on her BBC Radio 1 Residency.

In joining the Hooversound family, he again showcases his style of meshing jungle, footwork with deep house and breaks across two tracks. 'Muscle Memory’ also features two huge remixes from Nottingham’s Lone and LMajor - both making debuts on the label.

The EP wraps up a busy year for Hooversound who also put out releases by RAVETRX, Prayer, Thugwidow and Bruised Skies as well as remixes from Response and Denham Audio. Since launching in 2020, Hooversound has become a go to label that pushes the bass continuum, being championed globally by Resident Advisor, Crack Magazine, FACT, Groove, Mixmag and more.

Repress!

We have been long time fans of ETCH and he covers a multitude of styles as usual on this 180g Ltd Edition orange splatter vinyl. Utilising his influences to the maximum, each track on the EP is perfectly executed by the Sussex based producer.

Raito, known for his work in the tech house genre and recordings on Deadmau5' Mau5trap, showcases his love for the UK bass scene with his latest EP, "Black Tracksuit." This collection of tracks draws on influences across the hardcore continuum, delivering a unique and genre-defying sound.

"Black Tracksuit" is a hard-edged mix of grime, jungle and UK garage with a UK influence that sets the tone for the EP. The A-side also features "Foresight," a psychedelic jungle track that constantly evolves, keeping listeners on their toes.

The B-side opens with "Junk Dog," a roughneck hardcore tune that harkens back to the sound of 1992. Rounding out the EP is a remix of "Junk Dog" by London-based producer Basic Rhythm. This straight up drum and bass track strips down the original and transforms it into a bass-heavy drum and bass stepper straight out of 1999.

Tuff Cut Records New Release

Putting a pigeon amongst the cats we are back with that good shit. An out of step, incidental artifact of peaceful sophistry: YS - Brutal Flower (2 x “12 LP). A no airs and graces piece of cool future-proof ambience. A modern ballad for brave young clubbers, local pubbers, slipstream warriors, and emotional doggers.

The distinctive aesthetic hallmarks of YS are all here: slabs of urban flavor from emotional interior; raw data straight from the interface. ‘Untethered’ and ‘Down’ are chopped-up cuts of searching R’n’B - jaded jams of lustful erasure. On the flipside, blunted desire lingers in ‘Fading Memory’. Both hopeful and mourning: this is the lay of the land in Brutal Flowers sharing that rare strain of underground synesthesia best located in dark undercurrents of early Mo Wax.

The orchestral ambience of ‘Autumn OST’ is a potent stupor of end credit cinematics. Coming up for air. It feels young in an ancient sort of way: pure as first snow. And from here in the album unfolds with the patience, tranquility and the expansive poise of a work that is for now and always. Pulsating gently to assured ending with ‘Be Together’ - a flickering skyline, swarming with warm memories. In between there’s flashes of heartbreak reminiscent of Beltran's Ten Days of Blue and Blunt’s Stone Island (‘Look Up’ feels like a sort of spiritual successor to ‘Wake up’), that being said, when push comes to shove it only it ever flirts with its own reality.

An aesthetic reflection of a creative process that is delicate and restless. Created in the edges, where long distances, fast cities and global melancholia are wrought large. Burning the midnight oil Berlin-Singapore style: from real to reel. A sentimental exercise of modern faith by old friends. With a nudge and a wink, Brutal Flowers is a (de)coded map of memories wavering with familiar intrigue. Patient listeners and the already initiated will be rewarded on re-visits - as playful & profound as you please, as deep as the heart.

The scathe that cuts is clean and deep. There are no sleight of hands to be found in this opus, only hearts are worn on the sleeve here.

Hail the sonic mayhem as we commemorate two decades of groundbreaking beats! Bong-Ra's iconic masterpiece, 'Bikini Bandits Kill! Kill! Kill!,' is set to make its vinyl debut on Rotterdam's Redrum Recordz. This record is a genre breaking fusion of breakcore, jungle and experimental electronic sounds that define Bong-Ra's visionary work. Safe to say; a classic! With guest appearances of The Dirty Dred (Skindred / Dub War), Mike Redman (Deformer) and Lolita Storm. In homage to the album's relentless energy and fiery spirit, the 20th-anniversary edition comes in striking red double vinyl. Order now to ensure you don't miss out on this limited release.

REPRESSED !

Calibre & Marcus Intalex team up with Fox for Signature Recordings number 20. Manchester born, Jamaican bred, Fox is a stalwart of the Mancunian music scene. Known as much for his Yardie inflected Mancunian accented Mcing as his sweet melodic singing. It is fair to say both tracks Run Away & Somethin Heavy are massive.