Beats News

The next Time Is Now white label sees two UKG powers join forces. The first of these will be no stranger to loyal followers of the series: Bristol native and Animated Audio boss Daffy makes his eagerly awaited return, one year after his label debut which established his prowess in producing UKG with a distinctly forward-facing essence. His collaborator PJ Bridger needs little more introduction. A nominee for the 2021 DJ Mag Best Of British Awards, categorised alongside Autechre, LCY and Calibre, the Berlin-based producer has been making some serious waves over the last couple of years, with his self-released refixes being nothing less than a staple in UKG sets across the country.

Way Back When EP gets off to a strong start. An assertive razor-sharp two-step rhythm drives 'We Come Dere' and 'Dutty', the former teasing elements of breaks whilst the latter leans closer towards grime. On the flipside, 'Way Back When' is an ode to the old school with ragga vocals and skippy 2-step drums that cruise along blissed-out ambience. TIN mainstay Bakey's flip introduces a mean warped bassline for an extra sprinkling of ruffage whilst Tola Peckham resident Ollie Rant takes an all together different approach, adding in a 4x4 pulse and a piano melody that capers gleefully over the top.

Almost a year separates us from the release of Tour-Maubourg’s resounding first album Paradis Artificiels. The former “promising producer of French house” (Trax Magazine, 2017) had confirmed all the promises placed in him, even becoming “the flagship” of this scene, and being named album of the month in Tsugi and DJ Mag ES , or artist to follow by Libération. To celebrate this 1st anniversary, Pierre d’Estienne d’Orves invites 4 artists from his influences on a remix EP of this first long format: the producer, also Belgian, Flabaire, the sound explorer Molécule, the British duo Wayward as well as as the poet-designer-musician-performer Joseph Schiano Di Lombo. A sweet melting pot of genres between syncopated deep house, electronic musical experience, UKG and ambient. “I wanted to bring together people with whom I share the same breeding ground of influences” explains Tour-Maubourg, who also signs a remix.

Earth Trax’s ‘Afloat' EP follows his third LP for Bristol based Shall Not Fade. Earth Trax aka Bartosz touches on Trance, Techno and Deep spacey Electro. B's knack for building tension is infectious, here you see his production skills on full display each track has so much clarity you can feel the space it’s Broody and Beautiful and always delivered with a unique touch of class.

The Plastik People label has been going along nicely for its first few releases, with label head Marc Cotterell stepping up and coming correct last time out. Now he calls upon various artists with Dave Charlesworth taking care of the a-side of Nice Ripe Cuts. He offers two super slick garage cuts that cannot fail to make their mark on the club and it's no different on the flipside except D Lux & Y No combine first for '25 Miles' and then S R offers the irresistible 'Pressure.' An essential 12" for anyone looking to bring some fresh garage flavours.

Will Hofbauer & Sangre Voss team up for ‘Steppe EP’ this June on Control Freak Recordings, featuring a remix from Discwoman’s Ciel.

London-based Will Hofbauer and Sangre Voss, who’s individual work has seen them appear on labels such as Rhythm Section and Will’s own Third Place imprint, team up for the first time on Control Freak Recordings for the wonky ‘Steppe EP’, picking up early support from Ben UFO, Bradley Zero, and more.

Leading the release, ‘Pumice’ tumbles through rolling low end, crunchy percussion and an eerie breakdown for a high energy start to the A-side. ‘Flundra (Flundra Mix)’ follows with bubbling pads and speaker-rattling subs around a kick-less drop, leading into a shimmering breakdown.

On the flip, ‘June-O’ sees the duo craft a low tempo slugger, peppered with tablas, bells and eagle samples around warped, loopy synthesis. Ciel’s remix of ‘June-O’ takes the B2 spot, adding stuttering percussion, vocal chops, and additional wildlife samples to the mixture to round out the release.

Will Hofbauer & Sangre Voss ‘Steppe EP’ drops on Control Freak Recordings on 18th June.

Punchy, UK inspired House EP

Hugo Massien is a synthesizer engineer at Novation with high profile singles on XL Recordings and a stellar 2021 album "Metamorphosis" which caught the ear of Claude VonStroke. He is a fixture in the sets of Roman Flugel, TEED, and Ben UFO to name a few. We are more than thrilled to welcome him to the Dirtybird white label series with “Fast Forward”.

Hugo delivers four vinyl gems from melodic break of "Fast Foward" to the dream state mood of “Dynamic Symmetry”, the lo-fi bass of “Quantum Mechanics”, and sublime “Astral State”.

Shall Not Fade continues a tradition of marking its anniversary with star-studded compilations; for its sixth year, expect no less. Fans of the Bristol-based purveyor of feel-good dance music will recognise the names; members of the Shall Not Fade family from across all of its sublabels and series come together for a stellar 24 track project, presented in a triple vinyl boxset.

Including tracks from long-time affiliates like Harrison BDP, Subjoi, Black Loops and Felipe Gordon, as well as new faces to the label like Cinthie, Kessler & Barry Can't Swim. The compilation brings out the genre-spanning, globe-trotting ethos at the core of Shall Not Fade.

The three disc vinyl package shines a light on the various sounds and styles of Shall Not Fade. Disc one is dedicated to the main Shall Not Fade label, whilst disc two focuses on bass driven sublabel Time Is Now with its focus on the delicate and dirty sound palettes of UKG and jungle, featuring label regulars Bakey and Ell Murphy. Disc three merges the sound of sub-label Lost Palms, as well as Shall Not Fade's "classic cuts" and "killer cuts" series, featuring a label debut from Parisian producer Tour Maubourg, ahead of his full EP out early next year.

With nothing but exclusive unreleased tracks from a phenomenal range of artists, the Six Years compilations shows off what makes Shall Not Fade tick and celebrates the label's ability to constantly explore new trends.

White Vinyl

Select cuts from the N64 classic composed by Justin Scharona edited for the dancefloor by Alec Falconer.

On the brink of releasing his eighth album, Example is beginning a new chapter. Having spent well over a decade in the game, the UK mainstay has crafted a career drenched in accolades: Platinum albums, chart-topping singles, headline festivals slots, and a lengthy stint releasing inescapable anthems that bridge the gap between electronic, rap and pop. Still, Example isn't ready to hang up his boots just yet; rather, he's preparing for the most important release of his career.

Dance music royalty Shadow Child serves up 4 future jungle anthems for Bristol label Time Is Now.

For our 6th release, we welcome Belgium based artist Enrico Dragoni alongside Dub Sensation.

4-tracks featuring shuffling drums, basslines and warped sounds - the sound of UKG how it should be.

One of Manchester's most promising yung producers follows a striking debut EP for Visionist's Lost Codes with two sweeter, pop-wise instrumentals for Saturate!Records. Orbiting a sound somewhere between Zomby, Jamie xx, Fantastic Mr Fox and Visionist, his 'Cycles' EP stands him out from the crowd thanks to eloquent melodic arrangements and a unique groove poised on the cusp of UK house and garage-pop. A-side, 'Solar' synchs minor key bell harmonies with the craftiest, staggered drums, and B-side 'Lunar' clocks glassy keys reminding of the hook from 'Xe2' with deftly textured, glancing percussion for that same sorta feminine pressure that Zomby does so well.

Hackney native Eliza Rose has learned everything she knows from her local soundscape. Growing up on the 2-step and 4x4 rhythms of UK Garage (citing the sounds of Lovestation’s Teardrops and B-15’s Girls Like Us as her first true garage experience) and spending her spare time listening to artists such as Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald and other jazz and soul associated artists has provided the platform for one of London’s leading lights to truly shine - whether it be through house, garage, mo-town, soul or funk - seamlessly blending eras and sounds together through retro-modern vocals and productions on her own Rosebud Recordings.

There couldn’t be a more fitting artist to celebrate Lobster Theremin’s milestone 100th release with, having been a part of the Lobster family for some time now through a long-standing friendship and record shop & label responsibilities, and alongside emerging label affiliate M4A4 the pair deliver 4 killer cuts of 2-step, house-garage and jungle fitting of the moment.

“With Shades of Red I wanted to combine my love of Jazz style vocals alongside my love for UK garage in a way that still felt authentic for both sounds”, she says. “I'm very interested in revamping and presenting the ‘old skool’ for a new audience while hoping that the people who do have respect for these more retro sounds will also appreciate the tracks. For example the lyrics ‘such an uneasy evil' ect in Nyt lyf is a nod to the track of the same name which is one of my favourite Jazz standards.”

‘All Night Long’ is a bass-driven bouncer; romantic lyricism, skippy beats and punchy production makes for an easy-listening groove that could just as easily go off in the club, while ‘Delectable’ sees Eliza marry lounge-jazz vocalisation with M4A4’s joyous blend of UK and US garage - inspired, uplifting and joyous.

‘Temptation’ is a celebration of the Hackney melting pot; meandering through blues, soul, jazz, house and garage in a contemporary blend of old and new, before a late-night rush in the rave is inspired by the 160 breakbeats and lairy basslines of ‘Troublemaker’s jungle riddim.

100 releases. A massive thank you to everyone who has supported us since the beginning and the friends we’ve made along the way - here’s to 100 more!

Alec & Harry go head-to-head with the help of Enchanted Rhythms and 2step Bec on the third instalment of Sock It To Me. Rowdy dancefloor fodder for when you just want your life back.

UK Garage Classic!

Welcoming Arfa to the Time Is Now family with his debut EP: a tight 5-tracker which sees the emerging producer come into his powers with a fiercely forward-facing take on dark garage, featuring a raucous remix from London's Bakey.

Real Badman EP starts as it means to go on. 'Run It Back' is driven by a fractured syncopated rhythm and a heavy warped bassline which lends it its tune, fusing together the stylistic elements of dark garage and speed garage to offer a fresh take on both genres. Clattering rimshots and a womping bassline compliment 'For The Mandem's luscious pads before being carried onto 'Ain't Ready' which adds a tight two-step rhythm and the chopped-up vocals of an old skool garage MC. Finally, 'Real Badman' sees the EP at its most playful. Staccato piano chords infuse it with an uplifting melody before Time Is Now family member Bakey steps in to deliver his take: a half-time rendition which strips back the higher ends to make way for a focus on the subs. A real stomper.

Carrying on a new white label series of killer garage cuts, Bristol's Time Is Now have hand-picked British duo Cortese for their next installment. Expect playful, niche-inspired garage sounds with a unique touch of modernism.

The EP opens with "Abbey Park"; a glistening neo speed-garage track with delicate synth chords dancing over the cavernous slow attack bassline. It purrs into the squelchy bassline style "Where You At", that compliments upbeat piano stabs with autotuned vocals.

"Floaty" uses an iconic Aaliyah vocal chops, dancing around a chunky El-B inspired snare. This one has a melancholic breakdown which is perfect for a dancefloor breather, before the growling bassline is reintroduced to devastating effect. A collaboration with Brighton-based DJ Movement, "Things That Make You Go 'Hmm'" is pure bassline garage energy let loose in a furore of bass patches in a moodier track that still doesn't take itself too seriously. Closing out, "Figure 1" brings a searing synth melody which complements another rolling bassline. The understated drums make excellent use of a syncopated kick pattern whilst diva vocals chime along in the background.

Denham Audio makes his long awaited debut onto Club Glow with the Thirty Eight Snub EP. 4 ruff cut breakbeat jungle tracks feature the legendary Grime MC Trim on the title track.

CELEBRATING 25 YEARS OF GARAGE HISTORY AND CHAMPIONING NEWCOMERS OF THE SCENE, ICONIC UKG LABEL LOCKED ON ENLIST RISING STAR BKLAVA TO REMIX ANTONIO’S 2-STEP CLASSIC, ‘HYPERFUNK’ DROPPING ALONGSIDE A PREVIOUSLY UNHEARD MIX FROM ELUSIVE, LEGENDARY 2-STEP PIONEER STEVE GURLEY (2STEP2HEAVEN)

Kincaid returns to Control Freak for a main label release with the Sugar EP - 4 sac- charine, club-ready weapons from a producer at the top of his game.

Drawing on an array of club sounds from trance to UK garage and the best in con- temporary leftfield techno, the EP marks our most rave-ready statement yet, with percussive drum tracks and soaring euphoric pads - carefully crafted for dark rooms and packed dancefloors.

On the A-Side, Air-ism and Sugar bubble with peak time energy - a pair of secret weapons which haven’t left our record bags for months now. B1 E is a pounding, energetic 4x4 pumper, whilst Sycamore closes things out with moody, shuffling drums and powerful low end pressure.

Pressed by Deepgrooves - Europe’s leading ecologically-friendly plant for sustain- able vinyl production, made using 100% green biomass energy.

2023 Restock

Supervision records is very happy to present its first various that gathers big talents for a wide range of breaky beats and groovy sounds. Garage vibe at its finest.

Gun fingers at the ready for yet another rude-boy offering from the Instinct label. This time out it is the boss man Instinct aka James Burnham aka Burnski aka a police tune maker who knows how to nail a groove. This latest super-cheeky 12" is a one-sided cut with proper throwback bass, farting sound effects reversed stabs and those bleeping siren-like synths that defined the first wave of UKG. Chuck in an atmospheric breakdown and a drop that will blow the roof off and you have another instant Instinct classic.

Sherrie B's super rare Nah Tek It gets the remix treatment from Interplanetary Criminal - flexing acid tinged basslines & 2-step FWD drums.

Alternatively banging and evasive, exhausted and unglued. Stepping along the rim of the silver screen. Diptera takes a near electro-acoustic approach to the DNA, texture and pressure of UK Garage with a debut release on Mana comprised of four tracks. Obsessively written over four years and teeming with material detail. The duo's musical collaboration operates like a relay. Initial tracks made by Activist DJ — short sharp affairs focused on swung drums and darkside — are passed on to Wesley to be broken apart, tinkered with, and slowly refigured into more anxious and impressionistic musical forms, etched with intricacies and mixed fidelity. The result is a distinctive and resourceful excavation of hardcore at its most agile. A fly on the wall may face some adversity, so if you imagine a human hand in basic swatting motion, maybe you will also couple the image with an evasive manoeuvre of some sort; usually there is a moment of hesitation where the human is unsure whether their aim was true. ''Did I catch it''

TwoStep2 aka DJ Relay and Jo Public have been known for their superlative but distinctly old skool sounds, but lead track on this three cut 12" is rather a subtle departure. The beat is a little more wonderfully wonky than you might expect and the bassline bigger and more adventurous, with pleasingly original results. 'Starlight' plays off its abrasive backspins with fluttering harps that are more Luke Vibert than Sticky or Noodles, true genius, and a bubbling beat to boot. 'Weapon of Choice' plunders ravier elements but again, it's no museum piece with its off kilter piano and slowed down, drowsy atmospherics. If you're looking for memorable tunes that stick out rather than fit in, make this your destination.

The legendary El-B returns to GD4YA with 4 bumping House & Garage tracks.

Perfect for the Summer & Club!

Following a debut appearance on the reverse label in 2020, Bristol-based artist Ido Plumes is back on Livity Sound with four tracks of experimental dance music for soundsystems. Plumes established his sound with pointillist drums and echo chamber atmospherics the first time around, and now he builds on that premise with a more dense and dramatic approach.
Plumes’ layered tracks follow non-linear narratives, switching lanes and exploring unusual, evocative landscapes while retaining a fundamental physicality. Longer form tracks like ‘Afloat’ cover a lot of ground across their run time, while the likes of ‘Been Here’ revel in audacious plot twists to create strikingly confident and original variations on the UK dance music tradition.
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.

One of Bristol’s foremost electronic labels toasts 10 years with a 19-strong family gathering of adventurous, contemporary club music.

Livity Sound has evolved considerably since 2011. Originally it was established as a vessel for new tracks from Peverelist, Kowton and Asusu – three Bristol-based artists who found common ground between their distinct styles in pursuit of a reduced, heavyweight strain of soundsystem techno. A run of hand-stamped 12”s and a three-way live show followed, while the Reverse sister label provided a conduit for emergent artists to enter the fray. Early breakthroughs from Hodge, Batu, Bruce and Simo Cell pointed to the broader horizons Livity was heading towards – an expanding community of like-minded artists creating dancefloor misfits that somehow fit together.

First appearing with a compilation of remixes in 2014, Tess Redburn’s iconic artwork heralded a fresh new impetus for the label, and the music seemed to become more colourful in kind. While the founding principles of space, bass and fractured rhythms have largely abounded up to the present day, there’s been a progressively broader palette of sound employed. Technoid melodic shimmers, earthen percussion and found sounds have become as prominent as sub frequencies and cavernous dub echoes, delivered by a vivid and varied ensemble of producers.

Molten Mirrors captures the dynamic energy of Livity Sound at 10, with 19 artists from the label’s roster coming together to present an honest document of where the label is at in the present moment. No over-arching concepts, no hackneyed themes – true to Livity’s open-ended mode since 2011, it’s as much a declaration of community as a cross-section of experimental dance music in 2021. Trying to pin down the sonic styles is something of a fools errand – from the older guard to recent signings, what binds together this international, inter-generational span of artists is their lack of convention.

A case in point: Azu Tiwaline’s submerged and subdued rhythmic incantations sit between Bakongo (aka Roska)’s raw and angular drum pressure and Al Wootton’s needlepoint, swinging dub tech variations. Nothing is totally placeable, and yet everything meets that ill-defined Livity Sound ethos, which stretches back to the earliest 12”s.

Club music continues to mutate and break new ground with each passing year, and as a faithful document of one microcosm within an ever-expanding music culture, Molten Mirrors reflects the multifaceted, technicolour energy of the here and now while celebrating the possibilities of an open, unpredictable future.

More absolutely stonking UK garage vibes from the ever prolific, ever adventurous Instinct label. Three big, high stepping monsters are the inevitable result as Main Phase makes a welcome return to the label, bringing his distinctive take on the UKG sound. 'Shell' is a slinky groove which benefits from snippets of an MC in full flow dropped here and there, 'Shining' continues the theme with another vocal contribution, this time more sung than spat. '2 Tall' completes the package with the most traditionally garage framework, a sturdy four-to-the-floor beat weighing in and getting involved early on.

After a string of impressive 12"s for the likes of Time Is Now, Hardline Sounds and Earful of Wax Holloway puts in a shift for Instinct. The 12" contains four tracks, with the ruthless UKG rampage of 'Overtone' a sure fire floorfiller, and the more delicate, flighty two step of 'The Sound' offering a different angle on this well worn sound. Those in search of something distinctly different and innovate may be find themselves heading in the direction of the bouncy bass pressure and bleepy special FX of 'Viper Funk'. 'In 2 The Jungle' rounds it all off with more low end sub air moving, and a seamless genre fusion of breaks, two step and UKG flavours.

Casual Ghetto Muzik from Istanbul, 212, Beyoglu.