Beats News

* Following on from the success of our 'Liftin Spirit Reloaded' vinyl series, we are pleased to announce our next project in collaboration with Ram Records. 'Ram Reloaded' will be a series of limited 12" vinyl from Ram's early years, re-mastered from the original DATs and presented onto our usual, high quality, heavy weight vinyl.

* In 1993 Andy C & Ant Miles invited the Elevation crew to the Ram studio. Elevation was a huge rave of the early 1990’s, predominantly at the Roller Express London where Andy C was already DJ’ing for owners Funky and Mike-E. Interestingly, the fifth release on Ram was the one and only time Andy & Ant produced a four-to-the-floor rhythm together. The DAT master had been missing for all these years until it was recently uncovered in the LS archives. Inspired by the legendary ‘Top Buzz’, this Hardcore/Jungle Techno EP has been in huge demand for Ram collectors since its release. A fitting tribute to be remastered and available on vinyl once again for the 30th Anniversary of Ram Records. This will be the final vinyl release from Liftin Spirit in the ‘Ram Reloaded’ series.

Live Release

Following a sell out 12" in 2020, Arcane returns to Rua Sound with a monster double-A.

This outing is on the Irish label's stellar jungle series, Foxy Jangle, which has previously featured luminaries such as Sully, Tim Reaper, and FFF.

On this double-A release, Arcane marks out his space in the jungle landscape: hard precise drum programming backed with swooping basslines, with bright melodic leads throughout.

Featured as a Staff Pick in November issue of DJ MAG

Curse of the Pharaohs due to premiere on DJ Mag on 1 December

Straight after his reworking of Skitty's 'Hornsman' on FDX008, X Nation returns with his first full EP for the label. Three cuts of present day jungle, simultaneously classic in style but also avant-garde in approach. Perfect for the FDX Black imprint!

Infinite Waters - A long dubbed out intro of cold horn riffs leads up to a unique weighty amen drop that will have people slapping walls and bawling for rewinds like it was 19949 Digit Roots - Taking influence from 80s digital dub, this exploration of dancehall vibes and jungle breakbeats takes many twists and turns mangling audio soundboy style Kiss Me Neck - A vocal intro that should bring waves of nostalgia to any seasoned junglist soon gives way to some showcase X Nation breakbeat edits and sublime sub bass

For Hooversound’s ninth release, SHERELLE and NAINA welcome San Francisco-based DJ and producer Chrissy to the family for the label’s debut album release. Coming out on the 27th October, ‘Physical Release’ blends elements of ravey techno, house, and jungle that have run through his previous work. The final result is an exploration of what our scene’s physical spaces mean and how they feed into themes of politics, family, connection and joy.

Speaking about the album Chrissy says,
​​"These songs were inspired by our scene's physical spaces: the warehouses, clubs, record stores, late night cafes, lofts, and friends' living rooms that let us connect to each other, experience the joy and wonder of dance music culture, and find our family.

I've seen these spaces gradually decimated by cops, property developers, cynical corporate brand partners, irresponsible promoters, and a global pandemic. The end result is a dance music culture that feels more online and disconnected, culminating in over a year without any physically shared spaces.
Encouragingly, I've seen many in our community finally acknowledge a painful reality: our scene has failed to live up to its utopian ideals, and to protect, value, and uplift all of our peers. No matter how fondly we remember our first raves, the culture was and is broken, and it's our job to fix it.

So while this album may feel like a paean to a bygone era, it is more a reflection of optimism about the future: a hope that we can rebuild our scene and our communal physical spaces with better priorities and better values, so that everybody can experience the euphoria, joy, transcendence, and physical release of the dancefloor."

The album opens with a quote from artist, author, and transgender activist Edie Fake, who also designed the artwork for ‘Physical Release’. A fellow Chicago-to-California transplant, Edie’s previous work has dealt largely with physical spaces, including historical queer nightlife spaces.

SPLASH RECORDINGS DROP 4 UNRELEASED GEMS ON A BEAUTIFUL PICTURE DISC!

The recent popularity of the Undercover Agent compilation released via Suburban Base proved that there is incredible demand from jungle connoisseurs in the ground-breaking music from the Juice Records & Splash Recordings labels.

To celebrate this heritage, a special limited edition picture disc has been pressed to showcase 4 tracks that represent the labels historic discography, including some in demand unreleased exclusives.

Back in 1994 Splash Recordings released its debut single Barracuda b/w Rougher Pt 3. The A side of this picture disc see’s these 2 pioneering tracks remixed and remastered.

Rougher gets a 2022 update from X Nation, who adeptly keeps the spirit of the original which bringing a fresh twist on this classic cut. Track 2 see’s the high value Barracuda getting a full phat remaster from the original studio DAT recording.

The flip side see’s two previously unreleased versions of SPLASH005, one of the labels most sought-after singles, with these versions finally seeing the light of day. This unreleased version of Liquidizer has been hidden in archives for 27 years now. Originally recorded for DAZ & DJ’s who supported the label to test on acetate dub plates back in the day.

The Identity (DAZ VIP Version), again was created strictly for the artist to play in his sets so has also never seen an official release until now.

The artwork for this picture disc is styled around the labels original artwork, created to look like an expanded oversized version of one of the centre labels pressed onto vinyl. A great addition to any junglists record collection, will look stunning framed on your wall or spinning on your 1210’s!!

Newly formed London-based jungle collective 4am Kru have been making big waves in the UK's flourishing jungle scene in 2021. Showcasing their immersive brand of hardcore-tinged 1993 flavoured jungle, the Good Time EP marks their vinyl debut with 4 timely cuts from their 2021 digital back catalogue on Embrace The Real Records.

Repress in legendary Soul:r Sleeve for 2022

From the fertile ground that gave us X-Kalay comes a new initiative. Christened Another Place, the inaugural release, courtesy of London’s Ocean Stirs, sets the label’s stall out with a glorious volley of lush breakbeat ballistics. Same faces, new signal, different intent.

Complete with a quote from Dune author Frank Herbert, 'Luminescent' sets fathoms-deep bass frequencies against widescreen pads and heart-rending melodic flourishes. Then, not to be outdone, key jungle revivalist Tim Reaper assumes remix duties on the A2. Beefed up with rough-cut percussion and propulsive flex, the Future Retro founder brings a hefty dose of jungle acceleration.

‘Pressure’ does exactly what it says on the tin: serious low-end dynamics laced with euphoric melancholy. ‘Stitch’, on the other hand, melds everything there is to love about its predecessors. The exquisitely calibrated introspection recalling echoes of Goldie's seminal 1995 masterpiece, ‘Timeless’.

LIMITED EDITION picture disc from the iconic Juice Recordings!

Oh Gosh… Don’t leave it too long to get your hands on this eye-catching picture disc as stock is extremely limited!

A supplementary addition to the recent Juice / Splash compilation, this collector’s item piece is the ideal companion piece for all vinyl completists. Don’t miss you chance to own the full audio collection on vinyl.

Undercover Agent has raided his original studio recordings to find exclusive cuts for this beautiful slice of wax. Cut to heavy weight vinyl, features 4 tracks from the incredible Juice Records back catalogue, all remastered for optimal listener experience.

Opening with a brand new 2022 remix, B-Key reworks of one of the labels biggest releases Oh Gosh! Which has gained widespread support throughout summer 2022 events. While being brand new, retains the original jungle flavours from back in the day.

Under his M.T.S alias, Undercover Agent has included the in-demand original version of Assembly Line from 1995. A massive bassline finished with stripped back drum work and heavily dubbed out samples remastered for this picture disc make for a sure fire winner.

On the B-side we’re presented with a never before released 96 Dub Mix of ‘Dream’ sourced from original studio DAT recordings.

Finally, the wobbly bass tones of the high value Undercover Agents own remix of Hypnosis rounds out this beautifully curated collectors item.

Record of the Week - Groove Mag 20.10.23

Pev swiftly follows up the Pulse EP with another four tracks of sprightly club gear that continue to shape out his current areas of exploration in the studio. As ever, there are no fixed concepts or approaches - just an instinct for energising, inventive tracks taking in a range of tempos and rhythms.

The first half of Pulse Modulation EP is marked out by linear rhythms which showcase the most techno aspects of Pev’s sound. ‘Pulse V’ is charged with the kind of alien synth lines which could only come from his studio, but also draw a line to the hi-tech soul of foundational Detroit techno. ‘Pulse VI’ has a starker, bleep-led sound pitched towards tougher dancefloors.

’Pulse VII’ strips things back in comparison, leaning in on a blanket of bass and keeping the drums sparse and to the point - a study in soundsystem pressure. Widening the spectrum of the record, ‘Pulse VIII’ sees Pev make a rare push up into 160+ territory - something normally reserved for his DJ sets. Swerving obvious break edits, his take on jungle is lean and crisp, delivering a fresh slant on the sound while maintaining the sharp focus of his current output.

Livity Sound is a label set up by Peverelist in 2011 as a vehicle for a raw and exploratory strain of UK techno, rooted in the heritage of UK dance music and sound system culture. It has since become one of the UK's foremost protagonists for cutting edge underground electronic music.

Limited hand stamped copies..

Limited copies..

Yellow Vinyl

Zodiac Childs present their debut album “Atoms To Atoms” on Zodiac Wax across three pieces of vinyl in a full and vivid expression of the pair’s passion for classic breaks and the UK’s hardcore legacy. Zodiac Childs have been cultish in their release schedule previously - releasing sell out vinyl on their label Zodiac Wax which aims to work within the standards of rave culture’s key fixtures - records that are made to be played loud in the dance.

‘This album is a proper snapshot into the mind of Zodiac Childs & the foundation of what’s to come. It’s all about a genuine vibe, a feeling, a love for playing with energy & emotion. A rich tapestry of sound, not being confined to a specific genre & a constant obsession with analogue synths & hardware reverbs’ - Zodiac Childs

Released on triple vinyl, cut by Simon Davey at The Exchange with a precision-perfect tri-fold sleeve designed by Ben Rix - the release has been executed in the most sonically and dynamic process as possible in a highly elegant package. In addition to presenting 8 new original tracks, 4 of ZC’s best received previously released works that have been remastered for the album - Goblin, Circuits, O to the M and Basic Process.

The album is designed to move the listener through the moods and feelings of a full night of rave experience - with an atmospheric opener in Submersion setting the tone. Circuits follows - a pure anthem for the convoys of cars, filled with weekend warriors riding their first chemical waves. The release moves through the emotions and sounds that ZC are about - building off their hardcore style breaks and moving between touching melodies, wiggling 303 lines, guttural low end frequencies and spacious hardware reverbs are a constant theme in ZC’s work.

Atoms to Atoms is designed to take you through to the iconic spaces and movements of a transcendent party experience - from the inner city warehouses that set the scene for Breach all the way to the energy of abandoned northern English factories and mills, rusted and empty like on Northern Fury. It’s a timely reminder of the sheer heights of joy and ecstasy that UK dance music culture was designed for produced and presented in an expert package.

‘Museum / Flow State’ is a collaboration between British nouveau junglist Tim Reaper and Antipodean producer Kloke; this union within the thrilling new generation of jungle artists culminates in a set of disparate yet compelling spheres of sound. These productions are a side consequence of back-and-forth sessions between the two for the acclaimed Meeting Of The Minds series housed on Tim Reaper's label, Future Retro London. The artists were spurred on by the myths and legends of 1990s London’s most celebrated epicentres from across the DnB continuum.

“Flow State” takes inspiration from Speed, Fabio and LTJ Bukem’s seminal club night in London’s West End, where the mid-’90s jungle blueprint iterated into soulful, jazzy liquid. As its name suggests, “Flow State” is beautifully rolling and detail oriented, layered and warmly spacious, as it generously serves desires that are both cerebral and bodily.

“Museum” is pure kinetic energy, from its suspenseful looped intro through its jagged edges. The track takes its cues from the iconoclastic Sunday night Metalheadz residency in London’s Hoxton, where the leading edge of drum & bass was carved out under the guidance of Goldie and Grooverider in close, sweaty proximity. “Museum” shapeshifts swiftly through soft-hard dynamics, pairing explosive drum programming and intricate sound design with seductive melodic breaks that hit you in the core, transporting the listener into the pitch of its deep junglist heritage.

green marbled vinyl

Aural Imbalance manages to fuze his trademark smooth, dreamy atmospheric backdrops with weighty amen breaks creating an exceptional dance-floor-friendly rhythm for Particle Force to kick off the EP in style.

Hi-hats and pads lead in the elegant, crisp break work of Cosmic Voices driving the track along at a firm yet gentle pace with plinky strings and tones, this composition is a treat for the ears.

Hypnosis is an apt title for the next track - we open with muffled beats before a beautifully simple ear worm melody enters and stays with you long after the drums and synths have played their part.

An incredible blanket of ambient atmosphere punctuates Cassiopeia's Dream, whisping and swishing continually throughout with delicate breakbeats and valerian levels of calm.

Words by Chris Hayes (Red Mist/Spatial)

B FROM E on BSP Bispebjerg.
Main Phase on Remix duty.
This one is for the ravers.

AKO Arcade welcomes The King of the Jungle aka Dextrous with an unreleased track from 1995. This has been on DUB for nearly 27 years and we’re glad we can give it an official release. This is classic Dextrous production.
On the flip, we have a remix by Stretch & Enjoy keeping all original elements and taking it to a new level which hits a lot harder.
We hope you enjoy this release and thank you for your support.

After the incredible Start we continue with the most well known vocal samples from the Rave & Happy Hardcore Area repackaged and remixed for 2022 but still in the authentic Old Skool Breakbeat style.

Done by 4 very well known Artists….

Released on a limited vinyl only run. So you better safe your Vinyl

Founded back in 1997, Trax Magazine is the pionneer of
Electonic Music and soon became the referent for this
movement. Please find the finest selection of three genres of
the Club Culture with artists and tracks that forged these styles
: House,Techno and Drum'n'Bass. From the beginning in the
basements in underground London to its actual rebirth,
rediscover the biggest Drum'n'bass and Jungle anthems. From
LTJ Bukem to BICEP or 4 Hero aka Tek 9, all the main
Drum'n'Bass acts on a double vinyl.

When France-born DJ and producer, Willis Anne isn't finessing his spellbinding live sets and performing them in his home country of Germany, he's curating club nights and releases for his own brand, LAN. A true hardware junky, from his productions you can expect complex polyrhythms, leftfield sound design and textural complexity. Whilst these off-kilter elements can all be found in Movement EP, it also features some more easily recognisable rhythms borrowed from styles like juke and breaks. Imagine a musical lovechild between Azu Tiwaline and Kush Jones. What more could you want?

Response & Pliskin lay down a blistering taster to their forthcoming debut LP 'We're All Disturbed', dropping Summer 2019 on Western Lore. Anarchic warehouse rave music for the 21st century.

Foundation X's white label 'Amenizer' project returns with volumes 4 & 5.

Both landing at the same time, each feature heavily requested Foundation X classics previously only available digitally but now available on wax!

Riffz gives no rest and hits back once again with this new Limited edition 12” vinyl only release. Recently this new skool Junglist has been relentlesly dropping jungle bombs and shows no sign of slowing down with this new 2 tracker.
Unreal (Mellow Mix) - is a smooth journey between melancholic melodies, spacious sounds and jazzy structures which inevitably turns into energetic dancefloor tunage for which he is known.
Unreal (Hard Mix) – as the title describes, is a ruffer, harder and darker approach to this tune, a combination of dark and atmospheric sounds in a rude boy jungle style. A deeper, emotional vibe is maintained while surgically precise, chopped breaks, typical of Riffz are displayed at their full capacity.

3 slices of DJ Trax stompers make up release number 12. Polar Opposite, Out of Love and Hands of Time combine all of Dave's love for splashes of drum funk, intricate beats, emotion, atmosphere and groove.

License Revoked EP, Cold Leader brings 4 fresh tunes that fit as well in a mid 90s unlicensed broadcast, as they do on todays contemporary Jungle dancefloor.

Support by : FFF, Jay Cunning, DJ Sofa, Moakz, Yorobi.

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

Stretch and enjoy a.k.a. The Last Ronin returns to AKO150 Arcade with two beautifully crafted jungle tracks.

Changeling VIP starts off with a rare groove rift with sound system samples that build up before the drop comes that will get you going on the dance floor.
Roll the dice is another track that rolls and keeps getting better as it goes along with pads, subs, brakes, and deep baseline with the iconic sample ‘roll a dice’ do you know what movie this is from?

“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

Repress

Darkman Hardcore E.P – Spandangle Selection Volume 21. Made at the same studio as the legendary Tango in Coventry, Darkman with the aid of friend got these together in the early 90s. I Got Your Pleasure didn’t survive the journey, so we kindly asked Vers-e-tyle to sample and remix it!

When you talk about the origins of jungle music, DJ Dextrous is most definitely cited as a name that helped define the genre. His tracks were always on heavy rotation on the mighty Kool FM and every Jungle/DnB radio station across the country. Dextrous VIP dubplate specials were weapons in the record bags of Micky Finn, DJ Ron, Kenny Ken and his old mate from school DJ Hype!

The 1994 Jungle anthem Charged was released on the ground-breaking Suburban Base Records imprint as part of a ‘King Of The Jungle’ Trilogy. Now updated for 2022 Charged gets a couple of fresh licks from two modern day jungle specialists, backed up with original and VIP exclusive versions, all packaged on a beautiful 12” vinyl picture disc.

First up are the mighty Serial Killaz who’ve taken the original track and applied their trademark, award winning sound which has seen them releasing on Congo Natty, Philly Blunt, Souped Up and their own self-titled Serial Killaz label.

Next up is AKAS who’s recent Old Skool New Skool track on DeVice spend almost 3 months in the Beatport Top 10!! AKAS keeps things jungle for his Charged remix but tweaks the elements and pushes the genre to have the maximum impact on any dancefloor across clubs or festivals.

On the flip is an original unreleased VIP dubplate version, sourced from the archives or Da Kings Of The Jungle studio DAT recordings, which DJ Dextrous was playing in his sets exclusively.
Finally we have the classic original mix of Charged which has been beautifully remastered from the original source recording to make this picture disc release sound as good as it possibly can.
This is an extremely limited pressing & will never be re-issued so we’d advise jungle aficionados, both new & old, to buy on sight!!