quête:ruff

VIBE ALERT! Times are Ruff teams up with the Italian 'Il Garage'-crew to bring an atmospheric split EP for your body & soul. Vital Sales Points: ' The vinyl debut of the mysterious crew from the Italian Sicilian island: Il Garage. ' Member of the Il Garage crew is Nu-Type who previous released on DVS1's - Mistress Recordings ' 15th release of the well-known underground label Times are Ruff, extends its reach into the digital realm as well.

Ruff Cherry comes back after probably too long on Midgar, with Forest Of Thorns Ep. The record has been in the making since more than a year, but will finally hit the stores in a month. After the well received Ritual Ep (September 2015) the Cork based producer delivers once again messages on behalf of some obscure alien civilizations.

Executive Slacks began in the hot, humid summer of 1980 Philadelphia by Matt Marello, John Young and Albert Ganss, three bored, broke, anxious art students. Starting out with performance art in subways, they soon took their angst-ridden act to galleries and night clubs. The band found their moniker in a run-down bookstore after seeing an ad for men

Ruff Daft returns, and after a various artist EP for number 7, number 8 on the label goes back to the founder, with three new tracks from Cottam'Washed Out' kicks things off, at the cross roads between Mood Hut & Basic Channel where dub techno sensibilities meet dreamy chords for a delectable deep house track. 'Horns' harks back to Cottam's earliest releases, with an afro-ish horn loop teased out over four minutes until the full loop and bass kick in to devastating effect.A Ruff Draft' sees Cottam look back towards his techno roots, with a killer kick drum and raw acid lending an abrasive edge to a well rounded EP of varied styles.

!!! repressed !!!

As the liner notes in this special Anniversary Edition of DUB SIDE OF THE MOON begin: This is the reggae record that changed it all. Some day music histortians may look back and divide a time in reggae before Dub Side and after. Celebrate a decade plus of this timeless and ingenious musical experiment with this release, which includes two new bonus tracks (including a new version of 'Breathe' that features Rebelution's Eric Rachmany along with Metric Man, Ruff Scott and Sluggy Ranks), new artwork, and a 12 page booklet that tells the history of the project and catches fans up on what the people involved have been up to in the years since.

repressed !

RFBCOLOURS 002 bring L'Atelier on board. This pair from Amsterdam bring you a 4 track EP with a digi only bonus. It starts off with Again, which hits that great sample hard and gets the party started on a disco vibe with a house twist. Then theres XTC which carries on where the A1 left off. On the flip we see a serious piano workout on top of a a grooving drum arragement. To finish off the vinyl package we see Times Are Ruff take the remix on a deeper tip with some seriously crunchy basslines and rolling groove. Then if that wasnt enough theres a digital bonus that will warm up any willing club room.

Feedback:

Telonius (Gomma)
'thanks nice one'

Laurin Fedora (Sleazy McQueen (Morris Audio / Paper Recordings))
'I'm looking forward to this vinyl. Nice return to late 90s filter disco!'

kostas tassopoulos (Ekkohaus (2020 vision, morris audio, cargo edition, liebe detail))
'Solid house record, loving it, thanks....'

Harri (Sub Club)
'liking afew of these'

Gameboyz (Clouded Vision / Relish)
'we dont usually play this kind of house music, but this is very nice! will try! thanks!'

Sebastian Wilck (Sebastian Wilck, Watergate)
'times are ruff remix is strong! support'

Jonny Cade (2020 Vision / Leftroom)
'great house ep'

Tensnake
'wow, that's quite a killer, downloading thanks!'

Lauhaus Lanting (Polder / Intacto)
'nice ep guys, also diging the times are ruff mix. thanx!'

Julien Barthe (Plaisir de France, Pro-Zak Trax)
'yeah remmeber 2000'years'

Julien Sandre (Morris Audio)
'nice music'

Doc Martin (none)
'XTC for Me!!!!'

Tom Findlay (Groove Armada)
'great EP, a little bit of everything and in all the right places....'

Andrew Claristidge (Acid Washed (Records makers))
'good stuff...'

Mihai Popoviciu (Highgrade, Fear Of Flying, Hudd Traxx)
'again is cool for me!'

Dorian Paic (Raum Musik)
'xtc times are ruff remix is the one for me ! cheers Dorian.'

Hector Couto (Tribal Sessions)
'full support for this release! good music!!!'

Gianluca Pandullo (I-Robots)
'LAtelier - XTC (Times Are Ruff Remix) ! I-Robots approved!'

This is already our seventh Deep Love compilation and we dare to say our most complete yet in sound and flow. The ten pieces on this sampler blend in perfectly with that laid back 'late' summer mood. We are very pleased to welcome yet again some new acts to Dirt Crew with the likes of 'Jaxx Madicine', 'Ouer', 'Times are Ruff' and 'S3A'. We cross many borders not only in genres but also country wise. From the heavy Disco sampled jam by French producer 'S3A' to the Jazz and Funk laden epos of the Italian 3 piece 'Jaxx Madicine' over to the Dutch deep house boys 'Times Are Ruff' who are well known from their, same named, label and finally to the Berlin duo 'Ouer' who also run an own label and released with our good friends at 'Heist Recordings', delivering an ecstatic electronic floating tune here.

This is all completed by some excellence from long time Dirt Crew artists. '25 Places' have been with us for many years now and their two Ep's have gotten so much love from the deeper deep house community. Here they drop an epic almost IDM techno like tune that closes this great album in the best possible way. Our Icelandic stall wart 'Felix Leifur' drops a heavy hitter named 'Buster'. After his recent 'Bobby Donny' Ep earlier this year we are thrilled to have him back on Dirt Crew! 'Harry Wolfman' and 'Ponty Mython' need no introduction really, they are adding Electro/ Disco/ Electronica fuelled cuts that form a great middle part to this mix of tunes. Harry going in very smooth and relaxed, something else than his usual House workout which we really loved to present to you. 'Ponty Mython' drops an irresistible 'good times' indie acid track in his unique 'free' style.

Last, we must of course not forget 'Dan Only' and key wizzard 'Lorenz Rhode'! With another beautifully smooth cut 'Dan Only' follows up on his latest debut Ep with us. Again a smart cross over in Techno and House with a distinct relaxed groove and atmosphere to it. Lorenz is back 'On Top' here after his super successful first offering to the Deep Love series last year and his 'And I Said' EP which stormed many charts. In the middle of touring and working with Detroit Swindle on their 'High Life' album we are super happy that he found the time to make another gem with that raw n funky live feel to it... We couldn't have started this compilation off with a better joint than 'Marakuja'.

Enough words for now ... just put these vinyl on your decks or stream/play it on the go and don't forget to drop them at a sweaty club night. Deep Love is here to stay!

3x12"

Mark Archer aka DJ Nex returns to Music Mondays for a limited edition, bespoke, shrink wrapped, collector's item, triple pack vinyl album of his legendry DJ Nex EP's.

Originally released in 1992 and 1993 The Nex EP and Poundstretcher EP have become incredibly sort after on vinyl. However, The Poundstretcher EP was always cut to low with 4 tracks aside. We are now taking both EP's and remastering them to 3 loud pieces of vinyl.

The sleeve will be a specially designed piece of art just for this project, while the label on the 3 records will represent the original releases, keeping that authentic DJ Nex vibe!!!

We are extremely happy to welcome Malouane to our roster for this third release. The atmosphere of Malouane is unique: raw, melodic and full of details with charm. "Long Way for the Homies" will recall artists like MCDE or Rick Wade, quite in the same vein: Jazzy, soul and house. The second, "Keep Yo Mama Clean" very catchy too: drums, beautiful basses and small samples interact with each other. These elements work perfectly, because Malouane has a real sense of musical arrangement, a real mastery of sampling. "This is supposed to be an Outro" is the last track of the original tracks: it is a little slower than the others but a great wealth: a real charm and a true personality emerges from this piece. The multitude of details and, again, the mastery of the sample make it a piece as much club as listening. Cody Currie has proposed his own vision. The young English producer made a great remix by putting his style and Clement's together. Finally, Times are ruff also offers their reinterpretation of Keep yo Mama Clean: softer and quite faithful to the atmosphere of this EP, with a small taste of Chaos in the CBD, the Dutch have done a remarkable job.

French producer Moresounds makes a welcome return to Cosmic Bridge five years after his debut. The Paris-based dub scientist was one of the first artist Om Unit picked for the label and the co-sign helped launch his career, which has since included contributions to Astrophonica, Doc Scott's 31 Records, and remixes for Machinedrum as well as a growing touring schedule that saw him take his unique live show to Asia and America in 2016. Mutation Experts catches Moresounds in a more experimental vibe with four cuts that play with the rhythmic potentials of jungle in a different style. Ting N Tings sets the mood with rolling breaks in a sea of soothing pads, subtle loops, vocal samples, and recurring sound effects anchored by deep bass to create a subtle, implied tension. Mutation Experts makes use of a catchy melody to take the listener along and once again the mood is one of subtle changes and blissful exploration, a junglist daydream. Ruff Times is the darker of the tracks on offer, a creeping roller wrapped around a two-note melody and drenched in dub, a hypnotic descent down a rabbit hole. The EP closes with Positive Yourself a mellow, downtempo production that plays with African motifs and samples for a gentle return to reality. Mutation Experts offers a perfect example of how Moresounds combines the rhythmic appeal of jungle with the transformative potential of dub, sidestepping obvious signifiers to play with possibilities. Mutation Experts invites you to take a different trip with Moresounds as your guide

here are the part 1 of vinyl release of i'm starting to feel ok vol.7.
exclusive new songs from our favorite producers.
enjoy!

The debut release on new label Constant State comes from UK duo Al Gobi.
The pair (Ian Blevins & Phil Moody) had a steamroller of a year in 2013 with releases on Disco Bloodbath, Rothmans, Culprit LA and Audio Parallax. 2014 looks set to continue this trend with Al Gobi material signed to Messalina, Keep It Zen and Flight Recorder, amongst others. When they manage to get time together in the studio their output continues to shine.
While the original mix of a Cup of Tea is dark and unsettled - beautifully balanced bass notes and piano cutting through heavy, storm-pregnant air, Cottam's remix is the distillation of a second wind. His tribal, twisted, acidic treatment of this 3am concrete bunker anthem never overwhelms the piano refrain, instead giving it a new life, like the ghost of a party suddenly bequeathed fresh purpose as tired legs find boundless energy.
Meanwhile, Pueblo Grande brings something different to the party. Something harder, more insistent... Submerged snares and synths like razor wire combine with a raw bassline that stomps eloquently from 1994 to present day without missing a beat - and possibly inventing a few on its way - to create something wonderfully unique and very, very special.

Black Boxx EP#3#3

Bahamadia’s 1996 debut album Kollage is rightly regarded as one of the greatest rap albums of the 1990s. For the first time ever, Be With present the definitive double LP version of this eternal hip-hop classic, including the legendary "Path To Rhythm" which never appeared on the original LP or on vinyl, anywhere. An indelible VIBE from start-to-finish, Kollage presents Bahamadia's swirling rhymes delivered with an irresistibly butter flow and razor-sharp assuredness over a steady slew of smoothed-out, jazzed-up, blunted beats. Achingly cool and effortlessly funky throughout, it's an absolute must for true 90s hip-hop fanatics.

The entire Kollage project was recorded at D&D Studios and the ties to Gang Starr are keenly felt, with DJ Premier producing five tracks in addition to the killer songs Guru had already produced with her. Working with the cream of the mid-90s East Coast sound, Kollage is, accordingly, a record that demonstrates a varied musical taste with disparate influences, as Bahamadia has previously stated: “The title Kollage was a reflection of my state of mind. I first got interested in music from playing my parents’ and grandparents’ records, as well what I heard on the radio. I wanted Kollage to reflect that diversity both lyrically and sonically."

With intelligent, poetic lyricism and a laconic verbal style bursting with both warm texture and deceptive energy, Bahamadia’s flow was as inspired by Aretha and Nancy Wilson as it was Q-Tip, Schoolly D and Lady B. Swaggering out the gate, "WordPlay" finds Bahamadia confidently showcasing her considerable old-school battle-rhyme skills over a Guru beat that utilises an infectiously bouncy bassline with splashes of sultry jazz horns and a Jeru vocal snatch for the hook. Up next, the quietly shimmering and ruggedly beautiful "Spontaneity" is one of the most alluring on the record, Da Beatminerz crafting a brilliantly soulful and jazzy soundscape for Bahamadia's effortless vocals to float across. It's followed by "Rugged Ruff", where the rapper carefully constructs a swift off-beat flow over Premier's raw jazzy fire.

With smooth spacey synth vibes overseen by former Geto Boys producer N.O. Joe, "I Confess" is, without question, a fly love song and soothing (p)-funk groove. "UKNOWHOWWEDU" is an airy, chilled tribute to her hometown. Produced by Ski Beatz & DJ Redhanded, it rides a gloriously mellow break. It's a true Philly anthem, shouting out a who’s who of the entire city’s scene. Early banger "Total Wreck" follows, presenting a murky Guru instrumental elevated by jazzy horns. Bahamadia invokes the title's suggestion, firing her brilliant bars more aggressively than we’re accustomed to. More Beatminerz-brilliance comes in the way of "Innovation", an opportunity for the MC to invoke Freestyle Fellowship in her forward-thinking and literary verses. "Da Jawn" features hometown buddies The Roots, with Black Thought gliding into a back-and-forth with Bahamadia over ?uestlove’s warm, snapping percussion. With the strut club banger "True Honey Buns (Dat Freak Sh*t)", DJ Premier provides some laidback vibrant boom bap for Bahamadia to share a wild, cautionary tale about a night out with her girl, Kia.

Fan favourite "3 Tha Hard Way" is a hypnotically sinister cut, with Bahamadia, K-Swift and Mecca Star taking star turns to coast over DJ Premier’s raw beat whilst the tender "Biggest Part Of Me" is a heartfelt stunner dedicated to her son. Incredibly, only the European and Japanese CD versions of Kollage was released with the brilliantly breezy “Path To Rhythm”, featuring Ursula Rucker. Whilst ostensibly a "bonus track", it's anything but, to our ears. Very much in sonic conversation with KRS-One's stretched-out sleeper classic "Higher Level", it's absolutely essential so we had to include it, appearing on wax for the first time here, exclusively. Quite a coup.

Somewhat predictably, whilst Kollage was released to significant critical acclaim, it suffered from disappointing sales. In the intervening years - and for far too long - it was a criminally underrated record, an increasingly hidden gem. We hope this double LP reissue - which looks and sounds amazing - will go some way to correct this. This 2024 Be With double LP re-issue has been mastered for vinyl by Simon Francis, cut by Cicely Balston and pressed at Record Industry. It's too bold and beautiful to remain overlooked and underserved.

2026 Repress

Finally repressed. Excitement reverberates through the underground music scene as the legendary DJ Sneak gears up for his latest sonic exploration, the "Galactic Funk EP," set to drop on the iconic Phonogramme Records. This four-track masterpiece showcases Sneak's unparalleled ability to blend classic house vibes with cutting-edge techno elements, delivering a dancefloor experience like no other.This EP comes in a distinctive yellow vinyl, a bold choice that mirrors the vibrant energy encapsulated within the tracks.

Carrier’s debut album features eight elegantly rude arrangements that dance in negative space between Photek’s frictional syncopations, Rhythm & Sound’s dubwise minimalism, and Torsten Pröfrock’s fractured dynamics, bolstered on two tracks by contributions from Voice Actor and Memotone, summoning a noirish, jazzier frisson to his signature metrics and temporalities.

Since hard-snagging our ears and feet in 2023 with 12”s for FELT and his own eponymous label, Guy Brewer’s Carrier has become the go-to project for anyone who had almost given up on chasing these sorts of ultra-subtle but vitally distinctive new permutations in dance music. For the past two years, his unpredictable variations within a style have kept us all tip-toed and seat-edged with organisations of a finely chiselled percussive palette and smouldering ambient noise that distils the salient aspects and spirits of D&B, dub techno, electro-acoustic music, and trip hop with unique traction. In effect, he’s enacted a clear leap of imagination from previous work issued as part of Commix and solo as Shifted that only continues to reveal hallucinatory psychoacoustics on this first album detail.

»Rhythm Immortal« sees Brewer tilt the project into slower, resoundingly more atmospheric realms, better to luxuriate in the instinctive guile and integer-stepping style ’n’ pattern of his incredible sound. At the album’s poles, a vocal cameo by cult gynoid Voice Actor follows from Gavsborg’s on a preceding 7” single to ideally model his sound’s mutability and compatibility with trip hop forms, and Memotone helps seal the deal with a hovering glow lent to »Offshore«, whilst Carrier jostles the reins throughout with masterful control of his thing, crisply purposed to the album canvas. In that context, it’s perfectly adaptable to bodies both supine or in motion, ushering a hypnagogic sway with »A Point Most Crucial«, and hingeing around the slightest interplay of 16th-note hi-hat ruffles and recoiling reverbs on »Outer Shell«, or blissfully stepping on knife-edge 2-step on »Wave After Wave«.

The album conveys a deeply personal pulse and spiritual devotion to that kind of all-tension-no-release mode typical of so much music we love – from Kode9’s earliest re-factoring of Prince to Photek’s »Ni-Ten-Ichi-Ryu«, from T++/Dynamo and Traktor’s asymmetric dynamics to Burial’s shockout debut – refactored with a rare conviction in its unspoken powers to activate the eyes-shut imagination.

Die hochgeschätzten Euro-Metal-Pioniere Oz wurden ursprünglich 1977 in der kleinen finnischen Stadt Nakilla gegründet. Die Band bestand aus Mark Ruffneck (bürgerlicher Name Pekka Mark) am Schlagzeug, Sänger Ape De Martini (Eero Hämäläinen), Bassist Tauno Vajavaara sowie Kario Elo an der Gitarre.

Fünf Jahre nach ihrer Gründung legten Oz ihr Debütalbum vor. Mit Krachern wie “Saturday Night”, “Capricorn Man” oder dem schlüpfrigen “Second-Hand Lady” avancierten Oz schnell zur HM-Band Nummer eins in Skandinavien.

In der Folge zog man nach Stockholm um, wo 1983 der gefeierte Zweitling »Fire In The Brain« entstand. Die Platte enthielt höchst energetische Heavy-Metal-Hymnen wie “Fortune”, “Megalomaniac” oder “Gambler”. Der kanadische Journalist Martin Popoff verteilte in seinem »Collector’s Guide To Heavy Metal« 9 von 10 Punkten und schrieb: »Fire In The Brain« ist eine düstere, fast depressiv wirkende Platte, die den Hörer wie ein Güterzug trifft. Es ist ein sehr europäisch klingendes Werk – vom apokalyptisch anmutenden ‘Searchlights’ über das zähflüssige ‘Black Candles’ bis hin zum gewaltigen Titelsong werden absolut keine Gefangenen genommen.“

High Roller Records, silver vinyl, ltd 450, 425gsm heavy cardboard cover with 5mm spine, lyric sheet, 12 page booklet, poster

Dave Wallace is one third of Aquasky, as well as a founding member of Mad Dog and Fugitive. He also released his own EP’s on Moving Shadow and R&S in the 90’s and more recently an EP on TeeBee’s Subtitles label as well as a return to the rave with various Fugitive tracks and remixes on Vinyl Fanatiks over the past few years.

But one track has always alluded a release, there was always something that prevented it from being released. Originally written in 1995, it wasn’t until 1996 that he sent it to LTJ Bukem who went nuts for it, advising Dave to speed it up from its original 156bpm so he could play it. Upon doing so, it was also sent to Fabio and the pair of them played it on Kiss, Radio 1 and various gigs and festivals across the world. Dave was just in discussions to release it when Dillinja made a Bladerunner track using the same samples. In light of that and how the hierarchy worked in the 90’s drum and bass scene, Dave decided to pull the release and the track went back into the DAT draw… for 26 years!

This track has been requested by many to be pressed since Vinyl Fanatiks started as it had such a huge fanbase, so many people loved the track after hearing it either back in the day or on copies of mixes uploaded in recent years to the internet. An extremely desired track! But there was never a B-side to it… until Dave stepped into his Fugitive guise and brought the track up to date with one of the baddest basslines we have released on the label.

Join us as we take you on a ride from the smooth to the ruff!


Its all an expression!

2026 Repress

FFF returns to 3AM Eternal with a 4 track ep. Side a features 2 soundclash infused rare groove amen tunes that are atmospheric, melancholic but still guaranteed ruff!
The B side is less smooth. 100% riot beats! Mentasm mayhem!! Rotterdam based Newk's remix goes even deeper into jungle tekno territory.

Another brutal release on Neophyte records is here!

Glasgow reggae collective Mungo’s HiFi celebrate 25 years of pulsating music with a follow-up to game-changing second studio album Soundsystem Champions. Released in 2008, the original Sound System Champions became an instant 21st century classic - thanks to its industrial strength basslines, blazing horns and lineup of scorching microphone talent. To commemorate a quarter century of rocking dances and building rhythms, Mungo’s have created Soundsystem Champions 2. They’ve lovingly assembled some of their biggest dubplates, previously only heard in a soundsystem situation, now available to the world. Fans of the first Sound System Champions will hear musical echoes in the new version. Irrepressible Junglist General Levy rides the Belly Ska riddim that kicked off the 2008 edition, with the militant Gideon Boot. Italy’s Marina P returns to the new record on the expansive Searching, as does Kenny Knots, closing the track list with heartfelt roots anthem Rise and Gravitate. For Soundsystem Champions 2, Mungo’s have invited many more voices from their epic journey. Bristol’s Eva Lazarus revisits Althea and Donna’s immortal Uptown Top Ranking. Reading’s Solo Banton turns his lyrical versatility to hip hop banger Bubble N Wine. The beautiful grainy tones of Ireland’s Cian Finn reimagine the Wailers’ Rainbow Country. With this historic sequel album, Mungo’s look back while going forward, the exclusive becomes the inclusive, and the Sound System comes to you!

Ruf Dug flies to Duca with 4 edits showcasing his Ruf Kutz have never been far from the mind.

Rhythm Section, International Feel, Pinchy & Friends, Wolf Music, Music For Dreams and Klasse Wrecks all released the Dug, it’s super honouary to board.

Manchester to Guadalope to Ibiza, his reputation as a DJ, producer and toker is example to all. Here we go. Dug dives in, drum machines ready, mutated across scenes. Street Soul, si! Industriale, buono! Beatdown, no problemo !

Ruffy’s Big Decision is UK Disco meets back alley Boogie, love pains galore over driving funk bass. You Are The One !

Ruffy’s TV Channel is metalica. Heavy beats, unrelenting. Funk to 11. Sherwood. Ciao. Pursuit of trivia. Television, The Drug Of The Nations !

Ruffy Electric Bill. Now we move. Cowbell chiunque? New York ‘81. Smoke stacks. Cars bouncing Downtown. Nobody gets to meet the Duke. Set. It. Off !

Stepping up for Punctuality number 8 is the dynamic duo of Ciel and Matthis Ruffing. Needing little introduction, both artists are prolific producers and collaborators across tempos and genres. Toronto-based Ciel has released music on labels like NAFF, Peach Discs, and !K7, while Berliner Matthis Ruffing’s work can be found on International Chrome, Infinite Drift, and Strictly Strictly, to name just a few.

Bonding over a shared love for the techno stylings of Claude Young and early 2000s tech/prog house from labels like Future Groove and Slide, the duo’s collaboration began with a spontaneous jam in Ruffing’s Berlin studio during the summer of 2022. With an organic studio chemistry, the pair continued to jam over the following years. Hot Squid is the result of these studio experiments: five tracks of sleek, muscular, contemporary tech house that fluidly distill the creative visions of both artists—slick, shimmering grooves, heavily weighted for the dancefloor.

The title track, Hot Squid, weaves dubbed-out waves of FX and low-end sonics around metallic, staccato drum bursts, sci-fi pads, stuttered vocals, and syncopated snares that flit and flicker around a rolling bassline reminiscent of golden-era UK tech house from the late ’90s. Roza Terenzi’s remix flips the original into a modern, low-stepping tek roller—a mind-bending re-fix that puts more focus on the snaking vocal groove and a sparser percussion arrangement, filled out with lustrous textures and razor-precise sound design.

On Little Voice, glossy synths and spiraling atmospherics cascade around a mesmeric vocal line, while tightly wound, minimal drum loops give way to a swaggering bassline that barely relents throughout the track. The result is a satisfyingly boshy, groove-driven roller, fit for the dancefloor at any time of day.
Late Summer maintains the EP’s high-grade production standard in the form of a dreamy, electro-leaning tech house number, resplendent with deep, pummeling kick drums, woozy low-end, and organic sonics. Its plucked melody and introspective pads nod to halcyon-era IDM and the Detroit techno that inspired the duo in creating Hot Squid.

The release culminates in Bong Bong—a meditative dancefloor tool suffused with ASMR-like nature documentary samples that lend the track a psychedelic intimacy. Careening percussion lines and swooning chord stabs anchor the rhythm, while the title’s “Bong Bong” mantra hums beneath the surface, carried along by barely perceptible sub fills and ultra-processed percussion. A cohesive, unique, and enduring take on seminal tech house and Detroit techno from Ciel and Matthis Ruffing.

Shall Not Fade welcomes Pugilist for SNF140 "Maternal".

If you don't already know (and love!) Pugilist's prolific output, you need to get to know! The Naarm/Melbourne based DJ, producer and Rinse resident has released on Martyn's 3024, Melbourne's killer Modern Hypnosis, Silent Era's Of Paradise, Samurai, Rupture, ZamZam, J:Kenzo's Artikal, Sub Basics' Temple of Sound, Whities/AD93, Al Wooton's Trule, Banoffee Pies, Best Intentions and now his own buy on sight Ruff Kutz imprint.

'Maternal' is four blissey dubwise house blurring cuts. Embracing, medicinal, lush & corrective. Vibrations for heads and feet.

'Title track 'Maternal' is deep grooving infectious and honeyed house. Hypnotic, pulsating with head-meltingly warm padwork. 'Bona Fide' sees Pugilist team up with UK duo Mystic State. Drums sidestep with jazz swing while graceful piano and an ensemble of pads are topped with an introspective vocal sample dialing for your subconscious. The B1 'Anomaly' is a stepper - FWD charging drums backed with sub low pulses all brought together by trumpet echoes and woozy melodics. Finally comes 'Marigold', a soulful jungle excursion > early hours business, caressed nostalgic percussion, brushed rhythms, fleeting guitar licks and undulating vibes.

Julius Rennert returns with a warm, soulful House release that channels the timeless spirit of Jack while bringing his own modern sensitivity to the floor. Blending smooth and deep-driven grooves with a partly unmistakable French House touch, the EP radiates a comforting glow - lush chords, shimmering samples, and subtly swinging drums that wrap the listener in a sense of effortless uplift.

Despite arriving in the colder months, this record feels like a beam of mid-summer light: nostalgic yet forward-thinking, deep yet wonderfully accessible. Its refined production and heartfelt energy make it equally suited for intimate late-night sets, cozy living-room listening sessions, and dancefloors craving a touch of emotion.

Warm, groovy, and irresistibly soulful - Julius Rennert's new release is set to brighten the season and warm hearts long after the last note fades.

For the 10th 3AM Eternal release FFF returns with his signature amen ambush.
Designed to win every soundclash! Switching between ruff and smooth.
Hardcore breaks, Rare groove vibes, clash samples and ending the ep with full on riotbeats.
Mastered as always by Hue Jah Fink at Binary Feedback.

Here, breathing fresh life into Ruffneck ft. Yavahn’s seminal heater - ˙Everybody Be Somebody˙ - are the mighty Classmatic; re-moulding the mid-nineties classic, into an organically-garbed, rolling-House titan.

With Yavahn’s inimitable, sultry tones, sliding across a bed of sub-aquatic bass, rotund kicks, hissing hats and revolving toms - it’s a track, tailor-made for the terraces of Ibiza, beaches of the Adriatic and beyond.

This holiday season, global hip-hop icon Ice Cube makes a powerful return with Man Up — a brand-new album from a cultural trailblazer whose influence spans music, film, and activism. With over 10 million albums sold and six Platinum plaques, Cube’s legacy is undisputed, from his revolutionary work with N.W.A. to timeless solo anthems like “It Was a Good Day.” Now, sharper and more unapologetic than ever, he’s back to deliver a project that fuses his raw lyrical power with a message rooted in resilience and authenticity.
To mark the release, Man Up will be available exclusively as an ultra-limited vinyl drop this holiday season. Each record features a one-of-a-kind hand-crafted cover — a unique blend of artisanal design and proprietary technology (created without A.I.) — alongside city- and country-specific sleeves that pay homage to Cube’s global impact in places like LA, Tokyo, London, and France. The campaign will be amplified through a global social media rollout, city-focused influencer activations, and Ice Cube’s upcoming North American tour. Major press coverage and podcast appearances will further elevate the conversation, making Man Up not just an album, but a collector’s piece and cultural moment fans won’t want to miss.

This holiday season, global hip-hop icon Ice Cube makes a powerful return with Man Up — a brand-new album from a cultural trailblazer whose influence spans music, film, and activism. With over 10 million albums sold and six Platinum plaques, Cube’s legacy is undisputed, from his revolutionary work with N.W.A. to timeless solo anthems like “It Was a Good Day.” Now, sharper and more unapologetic than ever, he’s back to deliver a project that fuses his raw lyrical power with a message rooted in resilience and authenticity.
To mark the release, Man Up will be available exclusively as an ultra-limited vinyl drop this holiday season. Each record features a one-of-a-kind hand-crafted cover — a unique blend of artisanal design and proprietary technology (created without A.I.) — alongside city- and country-specific sleeves that pay homage to Cube’s global impact in places like LA, Tokyo, London, and France. The campaign will be amplified through a global social media rollout, city-focused influencer activations, and Ice Cube’s upcoming North American tour. Major press coverage and podcast appearances will further elevate the conversation, making Man Up not just an album, but a collector’s piece and cultural moment fans won’t want to miss.

South London producer Nima announces his debut album. A project five years in the making that pays homage to the formative dance floors of UK bass music. Drawing from the spirit of nights like FWD>> and DMZ in London, and many from Bristol, the record sits at the crossroads of hip hop, dubstep, grime and cinematic sound design.

Of Iranian heritage, Nima grew up on a steady diet of 90s Hip Hop and Grime before discovering 140 culture through pioneers like Skream and Benga. His sound developed further in Bristol during one of the city’s most vital periods for bass music, later refined at London’s Roundhouse studios. His productions blend filmic atmosphere with the physicality of sound system music, heavy hip-hop drum structures, rolling 140 basslines, and emotive grime-inspired melodies.

Across the album’s tracks, Nima explores the evolution of UK sound system culture through his own lens. From the weightless grime-inspired “Imperial Dreams” and cinematic, jungle-inflected “Big Up”, to the stripped-back melodic grime of “Ruff Sqwad” and the deep, meditative bass of “One People.”

Referencing everything from Plastician’s Beg to Differ to Mala’s Boiler Room set, Fugees skits, and samples from films like Imperial Dreams and Belly, the record is a reflection of the cultural layers that have shaped Nima’s musical identity.

Nima’s debut is a personal statement to the foundations of UK bass music. Cinematic, weighty, and built for the dance floor.

Best Intentions announces Inverse, a new 4-track EP from Melbourne-based producer and DJ; Pugilist, arriving 12 December on digital and limited white-label 12" vinyl. Marking his first release on the London imprint, Inverse sees Pugilist expanding further into the shadowy, percussive terrain he has become known for, merging future-focused techno, lo-fi industrial, and the energy of early hardcore breaks through his own atmospheric lens. The EP captures both the toughness of the dancefloor and the subtle experimentation that runs through his catalogue. A Scottish/Kiwi artist now based in Melbourne, Pugilist has built a reputation for stylistic range and rhythmic depth. His releases on Modern Hypnosis, Samurai Records, and 3024, along with the recent launch of his own imprint Ruff Kutz, demonstrate his ability to move across tempos and moods while maintaining a distinctive sonic identity. On the decks, he is celebrated for tightly curated sets, deep crates, and an array of unreleased dubs. Speaking on joining the Best Intentions roster and the inspiration behind the project, Pugilist shares: "Stoked to be joining the Best Intentions fam with 4 x retro rave rollas across the hardcore continuum, from minimalist Techno, to smoked out Electro, to krusty Hardcore and Breaks. This EP is a mix of styles which have informed my production style over the years. It is great to be putting out music with a shared vision for giving back for a greater cause. I have been a fan of the label since its inception so jumped at the chance to do a 12". I will be donating my share of profits to the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre - a wonderful Melbourne-based charity for asylum seekers here in Naarm. They do wonderful work." The EP's closing track, FKRY, a collaboration with POD, brings warped leads, stepping drum work, and old-school jungle tension into a modern, heavyweight techno frame.

Helsinki based newcomer DJ Sofa debuts on Up Ya Archives Records with the release of 'Lionheart’, the title track to their forthcoming EP, landing on the 12th November 2025.

Drawing inspiration from pioneering duo Digital & Spirit, ‘Lionheart’ channels a moody, mysterious energy. Driven by an organic-meets-machine dub sensibility, the track weaves hypnotic chants and meditative basslines into a soundscape that’s both harsh and mesmerizing. Letting the amen break breathe, ‘Lionheart’ captures an emotional intensity that runs throughout the wider EP.

Rooted in a love for 90s and early 2000s jungle, DJ Sofa’s production pays homage to the era’s raw sound and spirit whilst pushing it forward. Conceptually, the record explores bravery, self-determination, and finding strength in uncertainty. It’s a personal statement of resilience and creative growth from an artist carving out their own path.

Despite operating under this alias for only a few years, DJ Sofa has already made waves with standout releases on Future Retro, with a Tim Reaper collaboration titled ‘Helsinki to London Connection’ and N4, Straight Up Breakbeat, and Ruff n Tuff. Alongside other statement releases which are reminiscent of nineties jungle and their childhood love of The Prodigy, their performances at iconic nights such as Rupture London have cemented their rising status in the scene.