Beats News

French up-and-coming producer, E-Unity, has released a successful first 12' at the end of 2017, being played by the likes of Pearson Sound, Objekt, Avalon Emerson and A Made Up Sound. He's coming back with a four-tracker on Oxyd's Intramuros, keeping his hybrid vision in focus. He mixes various UK influences from breakbeat to leftfield techno and house.

Lil Jabba is a creator, possessing immense skills and artistry clearly demonstrated in both his visual and audio work. His profession in the latter has been acclaimed since his early releases, where he successfully delved into the realms of juke and footwork, producing tunes that took the genres to a new level. Since then, the producer has gone on to develop a sound distinct to himself, touching on ways in which he can blend his vast sound palette as seen in his recent projects released via Local Action.

For his first release on GETME!, Lil Jabba provides a five track mini LP that keeps us on our toes, unaware of what to expect next. It takes its listeners into positively weird places, combining aspects from dub, jungle and UK garage to produce sounds unrecognisable to any genre, yet well-fitting. Additionally, he presents us with tracks that are mentally stimulating in their dynamic and intense breaks, also offering songs which exhibit ambiguous dimensions.

Benjamin Kilchhofer is not new to the world of recorded music, yet he doesn't seem to fit into a particular scene or group. As an outsider he is, however, fully immersed and melded into his own universe. He mentally escapes to a parallel world and weaves an alternate reality. Kilchhofer avoids the spotlight; isn't really visible in today's culture of ever changing content and social media. This is where Marionette steps in, to attempt to shed as much light as possible on this unique artist.The Book Room is Kilchhofer's musical diary. His library of emotions. It is an imaginary place shaped by exotic cultures, an escape from modern society, a collage of real and imagined experiences. Influences abstracted from a wide number of musical approaches: the story-telling nature of folklore music, conflicting rhythms of tribal drums, melodies and pads reminiscent of classical minimalism and microtonal experimental music, the freeform approach of early electronic music and krautrock, and, buried deep within the tracks, some hints of dance and club music.Drawing principally from minimalism, ambient, and krautrock, Swiss producer Benjamin Kilchhofer's latest is a deeply immersive timbral and tactile experience.' Philip Sherburne, Pitchfork

Etch present tshe inaugural release on new label 'Altered Roads'. The label is set to focus purely on Etch productions. Initially stemming from a series of mixes Etch recorded titled 'Altered States' which focussed on selections of influential tracks that may not be immediately obvious in his productions and a direct audio visual link to the psychedelic imagery in the work of filmmaker's such as Ken Russell, Gaspar Noe & Stanley Kubrick. This lead to a switch in approach to production and return to the naivety of an 'anything goes' mindset. ALTRD001 features 4 tracks ranging from the psychedelic weightless ambient soundscape of 'When The Soul Departs The Body',hazy vintage kung-fu film sampling 'Lore Of Samurai', the crushingly powerful break laden homage to the defunct BLOC Festival 'Flamingo Grove', and ending on futuristic warp-driven hip hop 'Defunkt Logic'. The scope of these 4 tracks, disregard for the confines of dancefloor function sets the tone for what is to come on this label. All releases will see both digi and 12' vinyl release with incredible artwork from graphic designer Dario Bea. Coinciding with the first release will be a limited edition Cassette featuring an 80min hybrid live/dj mix of entirely unreleased Etch productions and live versions made just for this project featuring artwork from designer Melancholy.

Tape / Cassette * The Hyperlucid Gaze hides in waking dreams where the foundations of perception are laid. This corrupted society has fed the eye with tantalizing, soulless imagery and the mind has absorbed it all, seeping into the corroding, disheartened body.

* If the eyes would instead turn skywards, to gaze upon the cascade of lights, those sparks of memories where the spirit resides, then a freshly drawn reminiscence of previously perceived dimensions would be revealed.

* Francesco G. Gagliardi aka ~raw is a Milan-based creative coder and sound explorer. The tracks in this suite were recorded with a self-built cello-like spring instrument. Subsists A Presence of Midnight sample an unreleased track from Left Side of Lower Jaw.

5th installment on the hand-stamped imprint and giving a warm welcome to the sound system warrior who goes by the name of Tetrad, with releases on the mighty ZamZam Records. Also welcoming back to the label is man like Headland collaborating with Tetrad on the B side.

Dream Eater Records returns with another six track Allstars EP for our second release. Featuring some of the most exciting up and coming producers of the time as well as a very special track from Slew Dem Crew legend JT The Goon

A1: JT The Goon really needs no introduction. The Slew Dem original delivers classic grime flutes and strings on his track 'Blizzard'.

A2: Rising star and Bristol native Sir Hiss presents the much sought after 'Casablanca'.

A3: We were lucky enough to get another long lost dubplate from the Dungeon Sound Producer Dr. Hugo. This one is seriously weighty.

B1: Polonis delivers that classic grime feel with the N Riddim.

B2: JFO is another rising star with serious talent, he always delivers heavy hitting bass and immaculate production, which is showcased with 'Tell Dem'.

B3: Finally, Filthy Gears, a well renowned grime producer presents 'Filthy Sax' for his vinyl debut! 140 pressure with a trap feel.

Four 140 BPM bass bangers from the grime wonder boy Boylan (who also has some history in drum and bass, releasing for the likes of the legendary Bad Company) and the grime godfather DJ Slimzee, co-founder of Rinse FM, member of the legendary Pay As U Go Cartel and owner of Slimzos Recordings, Slimzee is a key figure of first generation grime who shot to international underground fame at the turn of the millennium, alongside partners in grime Wiley and Dizzee Rascal.

Boylan and Slimzee make an outstanding production duo and this debut EP is a testament to that, these beats leave a trail of destruction anywhere that they are played around the world, while crossing 140 boundaries and delivering unique bass music with weighty attitude.

Local Action and NTS Radio's Finn launches his new label, 2 B REAL, with a 12" of fast-paced, no-nonsense club tracks.
Finn first appeared in 2014 with 'Keep Calling' - an instant classic and one of the year's best-received releases, played relentlessly by Kode9, DJ Q, Murlo, Eclair Fifi, Scratcha DVA and more.
Since then he's developed a cult following as a DJ, with a palette of regional US club styles, classic house and techno, grime & freestyle electro beyond his years - broadcast through his monthly NTS show and his regular B2B podcasts, where he goes track for track with a DJ he admires (such as UNiiQU3, Teki Latex and Conor Thomas).
2 BE REAL is Finn's new home for dance tracks high in thrills and low on bullshit. On 2BR001, he draws on classic Ghettotech for the melodic keys and urgent 909s of 'Late At Night' (with a more UK-indebted darkside mix on the flip), and teams up with resident Swing Ting MC Fox for 'Lightwork', a vocal cut inspired by Detroit's own legacy of hip house and 'chant' records.

Go! Finger returns to the vinyl grooves again! And this time showing a more dramatic and darkest side. Holland's underground legends Das Ding and DJ Overdose, join forces, for the first time, to deliver "AM/PM". A puzzling split release composed of two pairs of gloomy, sinister and hard to classify gems of the finest west coast electro. Absolutely remarkable. A delightful and state of the art chiaoscuro of today's freshest dark electronics.

Etch present sthe inaugural release on new label 'Altered Roads'. The label is set to focus purely on Etch productions. Initially stemming from a series of mixes Etch recorded titled 'Altered States' which focussed on selections of influential tracks that may not be immediately obvious in his productions and a direct audio visual link to the psychedelic imagery in the work of filmmaker's such as Ken Russell, Gaspar Noe & Stanley Kubrick. This lead to a switch in approach to production and return to the naivety of an 'anything goes' mindset. ALTRD001 features 4 tracks ranging from the psychedelic weightlessambient soundscape of 'When The Soul Departs The Body',hazy vintage kung-fu film sampling 'Lore Of Samurai',the crushingly powerful break laden homage to the defunct BLOC Festival 'Flamingo Grove', and ending on futuristic warp-driven hip hop 'Defunkt Logic'. The scope of these 4 tracks, disregard for the confines of dancefloor function sets the tone for what is to come on this label. All releases will see both digi and 12' vinyl release with incredible artwork from graphic designer Dario Bea. Coinciding with the first release will be a limited edition Cassette featuring an 80min hybrid live/dj mix of entirely unreleased Etch productions and live versions made just for this project featuring artwork from designer Melancholy.

Cosmic Bridge welcomes yet another new talent to the roster: UK producer Jordan Parsons aka Crypticz, who for the past few years has been distilling influences from drum & bass, dubstep, and footwork into a deeply personal sound. Following EPs and singles for Different Music, Inflect Audio, and Doc Scott's own 31 Records, Crypticz delivers a personal, emotive release for Cosmic Bridge. Forever was put together over the past year by Om Unit and Crypticz — with the label boss inviting Parsons to take more risks and guiding him into the fog.' As a result the EP offers a distilled, more refined take on the dub aesthetic that has powered the young producer's music to date.

The title track gets right to the point with layers of delayed bleeps and clicks creating a dense rhythmic bed. Crypticz then finds the space in the layers inserts a simple 2-step drum pattern as well as a driving, guttural bass line, and strings to complete the sonic picture. Breathe, close your eyes, and just let go. 'Shapes of You' was inspired by a collection of '80s synthesizer sounds Om Unit shared with Crypticz and which drove the creation of a track with distinct yet complimentary melodic and rhythmic parts. The slow, droning synthesizers envelope the listener while the gently rolling rhythm stands somewhere to the side. The overall mood is inviting and meditative, full of space for the listener to nestle in and find their own shape.

'The Crawler' is the EP's most direct dancefloor track yet still sidesteps the obvious, an eyes-down roller in the finest Cosmic Bridge tradition. Flutes, percussion, and synthesizer elements expand slowly to achieve a subtle sense of progression despite the track's seeming sense of stasis. The EP closes with 'Spirit On (For Z)', written as a dedication to a loved one, a spacious and stretched out ambient workout with sparse percussion, droning bass, and softly layered pads that still manages to give a sense of rolling out despite the lack of obvious rhythms. The digital version of the EP includes an alternate version of 'Spirit On', which further stretches the ambient warmth of the track.

By taking a dive further into the abyss of dub and ambient, Crypticz has emerged with a four-track EP that perfectly balances the itching tension of technoid rhythms with the relaxed ease of dub echoes. Forever echoes some of the early work by label boss of Om Unit while maintaining a forward look. It's a fitting addition to Cosmic Bridge's growing catalogue of outernational dubwise, bass heavy music.

We know you've been waiting for this one since last summer! Caspa's debut on Youngsta's ridiculously on-point Sentry has been one of the most requested releases in a very long time. Hot on the heels of releases by dBridge, Nomine and Akcept, the Sub Soldier comes in hard with two absolute burn-ups...

'Gutter Riddim' is a stately spacious construction where every weighty element is carefully considered and plays a key role in the momentum. Tightly sprung tension buzzes through it with high voltage as Caspa lays down some of his darkest designs to date. 'Hot Head' hurls us even deeper into the shadows. A true teaser piece, the first bass line is a staccato stab that gives you just enough time to settle into the groove before the real big-balls bass line comes hurtling out of nowhere.

Rewind every single time, this has been causing uncut mayhem for the few DJs lucky to have it early enough. Timelessly gully and a perfect way to kick the doors of 2018 in. As those who were at Sentry's first anniversary at Fire earlier this month will corroborate: London's heart rate is pounding away at 140 again, some of the most crucial bass music is coming out of the city and Sentry, Youngsta and Caspa are slap bang in the heart of it. The wait is over... Enjoy.

New Berlin basedBuilding from his release on Pinch's Cold Recordings last year and past releases for R&S's sister label Apollo as Kasket, Cocktail Party Effect shows us there is plenty of exploration to go with an label Fox and Hound Recordings' first release brings experimentation into the leftfield from relative newcomer Cocktail Party Effect. idiosyncratictwo step adventure of an E.P. A familiar UK bass feel with an explicit character of its own.

Truth & Youngsta to release new album under the Shadow People' moniker.

Shadow People is a new project fresh from the studios of award-winning New Zealand production duo Truth ( Best Electronic Artist' - 2017 New Zealand Music Awards, Best Album' & Best EP' - 2017 Dubstep Awards) and world renowned DJ Youngsta. Over 3 years in the making, the self-titled Shadow People' is a meticulously produced, bass-heavy peek into a post-apocalyptic landscape populated by people living in the shadows.

Shadow People features collaborations with producers Taso (Teklife) and Cimm, as well as vocal features from Animai, Spikey Tee, Ace Boogie, Lelijveld, Rosa Ward and Melanie Antonides. Sonically setting itself apart from other Truth productions, such as their 2017 album Wilderness of Mirrors', this release sheds layers to expose a more stripped back offering. Shadow People' also represents the first full-length LP to be released on Deep, Dark & Dangerous, the label which won Label of the Year' at the 2017 Dubstep Awards.


Shadow People Bio:

From the catastrophic aftermath of an alchemical experiment executed far from the reaches of hazy light in downtown Los Angeles, Shadow People emerged from the smoking ruins like cockroaches during nuclear winter. Testing sonic limitations in this new world, their transmissions began to create hope within an unstable reality, providing sanctuary for all who listened. Now, like their decaying surroundings, the Shadow People channel the dramatic, minimal and morose into lucid creation. No longer subjugated by the shackles of classification that plagued their world, they embrace mutation and forging paths untrodden.

12 whitelabel, limited to 250 hand stamped and numbered copies

The 2nd drop on Through My Speakers comes straight from NGHT DRPS' dubby chambers. Showcasing his musical roots and influences, it blends earthy grooves and heavy drums with his signature deep and trippy vibes. From killing it on FACTMAGs 'Against the Clock' producer series - collecting almost half a million plays and making it into the all-time top ten of 'Against the Clock' - to remixing Moderat's 2016 'Eating Hooks", we are very happy to announce NGHT DRPS' debut EP on Through My Speakers. Vital Sales Points: - already played by dBrigde, Plastician, Toddla T, Sarah Farina, Kabuki, Scratcha DVA, Zed Bias, Moderat and more - Releases on tba - airplay on Rinse FM, NTS, BBC Radio 1 & 6,

New 2 Track 12" release from Lamont for Swamp 81 sublabel, 81. Mastered at TenEightSeven

Inspired by a fluid mix of global club sounds including UK funky, kuduro, techno and rap, Nervous Horzion co-head TSVI is to kick off 2018 with the release of new EP, 'Rambo'.

Comprised of six tracks, including collaborations with DJ JM and fellow Nervous Horizon boss, Wallwork, as well as a bonus remix from Luru, 'Rambo' details how TSVI's sound continues to evolve, taking on bold new shapes in the process.

A natural extension of 2016 EP, 'Sacred Drums', here he scopes out fresh influences that can be felt right the way through the tracklist. From the blaring kuduro flavours on opener 'Pull Up' to outright UK funky club jam, 'Funky T' and sparse, frenetic drum workout 'Roller', TSVI meshes together a network of powerful, drum-centred tracks.

Features from DJ JM and Wallwork bring new focus to his work too, with 'Jaguar' — a cranking, off-piste drum exercise hit by bursts of sharp, metallic synth melodies and zapping bass stabs — spotlighting inventive sound design and brilliantly abstract thinking.

A bold marker for a producer already at the top of his game, 'Rambo' forms the perfect 2018 lift-off point for one of the UK's most exciting young club labels.

New Zealand's most prolific J-tek enthusiast Dan Silk aka Worldwide Epidemic returns to the Myor camp, this time for a solo release on the Diamond Life sublabel.

On 'Aroha' he finds himself exploring territory slightly removed from his usual 4x4 Jungle Techno habitat. Extended pads, techy synth stabs, sugar coated diva vocals and spot of Amen choppage courtesy of label boss Coco Bryce make for a top notch 7 minute atmospheric D&B junglist excursion.

'Enterprise' offers everything one might have come to expect from Mr. Silk: his signature offbeat break programming layered with a 4x4 kick drum, instantly recognizable synth melodies and a healthy dose of pads. Hardcore in its most gentle form.

Repress!

Cassius Select returns to Accidental Jnr with another 12' to follow on from last years '90 / HERD' EP. He once again straddles the genres somewhere between techno, bassline and hardcore. ESSENCE is a huge rave cut of broken snare beats and shuffled kicks alongside Select's trademark idiosyncratic vocal snippets. The B-side offers up SHAOLIN SOCCER a post-dubstep wobble at a house tempo followed by HYPE HOUR another piece of broken suedo rave hardcore.

The EP is something of a gift to his brothers for their musical influence on him as the Australian based producer explains in his own words:

Much of my musical upbringing is related to my family, I owe my early influences to my two older brothers. skimming off their mix CDs, sculpting out what 'cool' meant. the eldest is a drummer and in retrospect, i think a lot of the Cassius project is maybe an attempt to impress him again. shaolin soccer is in reference to the 90s blockbuster of the same name, where we derived a lot of our own interpersonal humour. i keep going back to that world we built between the 3 of us. in the simplest way this is a gift to the both of them.'

American musician Aaron Spectre turns up the volume with four tracks of jungle punk rock intensity, continuing his mission of uniting cultures at their roots. Here we have four tunes of guitar, relentless amens, deep bass, and soulful soundclash vocals, ready to rumble your space of choice. Also on the menu is a collaboration with fellow ragga junglist FeyDer, rounding out a brilliant EP which inspires and shakes foundations.

Picking up the gauntlet from DEXTLTD001 by Bodyjack & Special Request the 2nd Release on the DEXT LIMITED series comes from one of DEXT's staple artists Otik , backed with a blistering jungle remix from Dead Man's Chest Essential stuff for all Bass Heads !

Limited pressing. Custom outer sleeve.
Following the aftershock of Crucial Recordings mighty first compilation release, Crucial EP Vol 1 (CRUCIAL014), the progressive dubstep label fails to spare any mercy by swiftly unveiling yet another resounding collection, Samba's Malignant Remixes (CRUCIAL015). Just over a year after Samba's boundary shattering debut release with Crucial, Malignant EP (CRUCIAL009), the label revisits his forward-facing EP with a fresh perspective on its title track, receiving remix treatment from the likes of scene heavyweights Bukez Finezt and label head Sleeper accompanied by a re-release of the original and a VIP version of Malignant's b-side track, Un.'

Welding releases from Encrypted Audio, Division Recordings and System Music while dipping his creative hand into side projects with fellow scene trailblazers Content, Sepia, Chokez, Rygby and Koma, Samba carries with him a highly inventive, genre molding sound of his own, a sound that aligns perfectly with the trailblazing, bass heavy mission of the Crucial Recordings imprint. It's no wonder the prolific label took a double take at his Malignant EP one year after its release. Keeping intact the original's low end rupturing, head bobbing, hip-hop swagger, both Bukez Finezt and Sleeper deployed their own unique sonic looking glasses to rebuild their respective Malignant' remixes. While Bukez's treatment boasts heavy lurking staying power, Sleeper issues a heavy dose of percussive prowess for his high octane version of the track, both equally infectious, mouth watering and expertly executed renditions. The entire release comes to a climax with its final track, Samba's Un (VIP)' which flips the original's contagious melody on its heads with added creep factor and maximum sub bass pressure.

Dark, dread-infused and ready to test even the toughest of sound
systems, here Compa delivers three twisted, distorted and deadly
electronic experiments.

Removing all but the most crucial elements, Compa combines crushing sub-bass with skeletal percussion and chilling atmospheres to show yet again through his signature sound how less is always more.

Compa has received DJ support from the likes of Mala, Toddla T, Chase & Status, Mary-Anne Hobbs, Youngsta, MistaJam, David Rodigan, Shades (Alix Perez and Eprom) Hatcha, Om Unit and Plastician among others.

"When Octo Octa sent us the demos for her first full-length record since 2013, we were floored by how many tracks were single worthy. But, there was one that stood out as something entirely on its own, a song that in many ways sounded like nothing Maya had ever released. Since the beginning, we always knew we wanted to do something special with "Adrift," the 8+ minute space-age synth-dub techno tune. When we asked Maya about doing a 12" with remixes we were blindsided to learn she has NEVER had any of her music remixed before. With some remixers in mind, she asked two of her favorites and they said yes. So, here we are to present HNY-016 Octo Octa - Adrift, remixed by Avalon Emerson and Dorisburg."

Etherwood proudly unveils his outstanding third studio album 'In Stillness'. Forged deep in the Nordic wilderness, this 15 track LP sees an exceptional producer return at the very top of his game.
By finding solace in Finnish solitude Etherwood has undoubtedly created his finest body of work. Featuring singles 'Fire Lit Sky' and 'Bear's Breeches', the album is a pensive and raw tale filled with honest lyrics and moving music. Providing some of the most awe-inspiring and poignant drum & bass that Med School has released to date.

Title track 'In Stillness' sets the tone, walking a blissful line of Etherwood's own vocal stylings and angelic melodies. 'Climbing' is a further homage to his forte as both a songwriter and producer where atmospheric amens twinned with soaring pads bring an elegance that few other can master.

'Lay Your Armour Down' is a stunning sensation of vocal chops and distinguished breakbeat as well as 'Frozen Grass', that brings a wave of warmth with gentle keys and soothing songwriting.

The tranquil and mysterious Finnish wilderness coupled with total isolation fuelled his inspiration. It was through this detachment that he was truly free to pursue his art in the purest form. As is portrayed through the words of Etherwood's favourite scholar Arthur Schopenhauer.

'A man can be himself only so long as he is alone, and if he does not love solitude, he will not love freedom, for it is only when he is alone that he is really free.'

Direct from the heads and hearts manning La Cheetah club, the well-established Glaswegian cellar-dwellers kick the doors open to 'Outer Zone' with an EP from Copenhagen adoptee and Apeiron Crew stalwart, Solid Blake. Perfectly suited to the sonic sensibilities of Scotland's 'cultural capital' (and far, far beyond), the 4 track grey-matter-rattler delves through a darker, leftfield electro vim, with serious remix duties from dancefloor deity Dj Stingray.

Primed to shake the foundations of any venue, be it basement or above.

'Subclubsciously' takes you on a trip through She's Drunk's subconscious mind which pushes him to elevate production accidents into obsessive club gimmicks and delusional rhythms. Coming back from a Europe Tour with 'Zebra Katz' he finished his debut EP for Through My Speakers where he is opening up to new musical horizons, letting melodies and emotions flow into his produc-tions. Particularly noteworthy is the collaboration with the highly talented South African artist Sho Madjozi on 'Amadoda", where she's spitting fire in Tsonga. - already played by Sarah Farina, Neana (Night Slugs), Addison Groove, Skinny Macho (Boiler Room), Strip Steve - airplay on Radar Radio, NTS Radio

Following the release of Synkro AKA Joe McBride collection of his formative early works earlier this year, Apollo Recordings is proud to present a brand new EP that draws on the rich heritage of library music. Despite having come up during the dubstep era McBride's music has always resisted easy classification - 'Hand In Hand' sees him shift his musical focus in a yet more cinematic direction. McBride explains : "The record was inspired and influenced by my love of electronic 80's UK library records like the Chappell AV series, Bruton, Soundstage & De Wolfe Music library. There's a lot of synth work that carries on from my album using my trusted Juno-6 / SH101 / JX8P combo with the addition of drum samples via an old akai S2800 I purchased recently. Most sounds I've made from scratch on hardware based on sounds used in the library records I mentioned above along with a few cheeky samples." Synkro's signature expansive atmospherics are still very much present, but now they have been burnished by soaring synth pads and pulsing drum tracks that call to mind the haunted melancholy of John Carpenter or contemporary such as Legowelt or Andy Stott. Rhythmically 'Hand In Hand' sees McBride moving somewhat away from his usual off kilter programming inspired by 2-step and garage, embracing the steady pulse of 4:4 which turns out to be an effortless fit.