Om Unit's Cosmic Bridge label returns with 'Dark Matter', its first compilation since 2017's 'Cosmology Selections', offering a fresh snapshot of the exciting possibilities and experiments happening at the intersection of hip-hop, jungle and bass music; a hybrid sound the label has pioneered since its first release eight years ago.
Across 14 tracks, 'Dark Matter' showcases Cosmic Bridge's growing global roster of artists: Moresounds, Danny Scrilla, Proc Fiskal, Margari's Kid, Oliver Yorke, J:Kenzo, TMSV, vromm, alongside new faces Samba and Rude Operator, and perennial favorites Es.tereo, Synkro and Djrum, the latter two in collaboration with label head Om Unit.
Dark Matter is a finely crafted statement of intent from Cosmic Bridge and Om Unit, shunning easy self-congratulation for a dive into the musical potentials and connections of a sound that is now an established part of the global bass music vocabulary.
On the back of their debut release, Subtle Recordings is at it once again bringing some heavy weight from the shores of New Zealand with bad man Ebb taking the reins. As always, exquisitely imprinted ‘no holds barred’ by the masterful Optimal Media in a full art sleeve, 180 grams, vinyl only, no-repress recording. Standing strong as another pillar of foundation to the future sound of bass music.
Ebb draws on a wide variety of influences - from early roots in punk and experimental metal to Techno, Dubstep and Jungle. His productions sculpt dark, menacing atmospheres, powerful sub work, fluid, impactful drums and otherworldly sonics, taking the dancefloor on a journey to the unexplored areas set between established genres. Ebb’s arsenal, which includes vinyl releases on Le Chatroom and Fox and Hound Recordings and digitals from Averted Vision and District Sound, shows increasing evidence of a burgeoning music career pushing the more experimental side of electronic music. These efforts to explore new ideas and sounds have earnt him regular support from influential Djs such as Pinch, Loefah, Walton, Sicaria Sound, Madam X, Orson.. Ebb continues his creative envisions with Subtle Recordings latest release with the two precisionly crafted tracks, Surface Tension and Bokkei.
Following on from “Present Versions Of The Past” (QPR 001) is the long awaited second release from the Quantum Projects vaults titled “The Concept EP” (QPR 002) in which 3 of the tracks are Jack Smooth-inspired productions and a very special 4th track with a Mental Cube (FSOL) style concept.
Worldwide Epidemic – The Concept EP delivering that classic synthesized Jungle Techno/Techno sound.
Mastered and cut by Beau Thomas at Ten Eight Seven Ltd.
Ever since their debut 7” landed on our doorstep unannounced, we have been captivated by the powerfully understated movements of the duo known as Undefined. Sahara (keys/bass/programming) and Ohkuma (drums) have deep roots in the Japanese dub and reggae scenes (Heavymanners, Soul Dimension) and operate their own experimental dub label, Newdubhall. Recent collaborations with Kazufumi Kodama (of dub elders Mute Beat), dBridge, and Kabuki are nudging the group further into a spotlight that they richly deserve.
Named for the 3-feel of its colossal groove, “Three” is a locked groove of pure downtempo dubwise, techno in its repetition, hip hop in its tempo and swagger, motorik in its muscularity, meditative in its clarity. Featuring the unmistakable voice of ZamFam Rider Shafique, showcased in a moment of profound introspection and vulnerability, “Three" banishes all thoughts of flash-in-the-pan “big tunes” for an incredibly deep and immersive dive.
“Three Dub,” a version in the classic sense, strips out the vocal entirely to focus on the rockstone riddim, crafted of one of the most captivatingly beautiful bass tones we’ve ever heard, combined with wicked drum turnarounds, lightning hi-hat work, and extremely subtle & sophisticated dubbing technique. A masterclass in dubwise essentialism and profound attention to detail, stripped down to the foundation yet incredibly lush and alive.
Strictly limited to 600 copies for the world. No digital, no repress. Design & screen print by Polygon Press. Mastered by Sam Precise.
Adam’s first release on Holding Hands was a special one for the label. It really felt like the first time that we had a release that was properly doing the rounds. All the big dogs and cats were playing the living shit out of it and dance floors around the world were slamming’ and a jammin’ to the sound of Holding Hands.
Since then Adam has gone from strength to strength with more dynamite releases on Wex and Seven Hills, as himself and also in the duo Space Cadets with Lisene. I knew that his return to the label where it all began had to be even bigger than the first outing and boy did he bring not just the biscuits but the whole bloody tin along for the ride.
Al Wootton comes with 4 more UK Soundsystem bangers one on his own TRULE label. on the A side Body Healthy layers dubbed out breakbeats over a heavy 4x4 garage dub while Graver is a clipped and rustling swung out warehouse techno 2 step shuffler. On the B side Bad Sound is a heavy breakbeat rave steppers dub and Prophecy is all garage techno dread.
The 6th vinyl release on BTG sees a newcomer to the label and a relative newcomer to the scene taking the reins. In his short time on the electronic radar J-Shadow has already had releases on Nous Disques, Car Crash Set, PRIME, The Collection Artaud, eatmybeat, Dissident Sound and Dream Eater.
BTG006 sees a full showcase of his sonic array driven by rough bass, ghostly pads, acute percussion and influences from the entire electronic spectrum. Embers is a grimey monster that drives with purpose and energy from the very top, J-Shadows signature sounds instantly invade your ears as the track builds into a weapon capable of destroying any dance floor. The release then swoops down to a grizzly techno-esque stomper, with a slower build than title track “ Embers, The Awakening serves to show off this producers more subtle techniques that allow for an almost 7 minute journey into the belly of a Berlin beast. As if that wasn’t enough the final original on this EP “No Gravity”pays homage to the higher tempo sounds that BTG have been trail-blazing for some time now, a 160BPM pile-driver with murky bass, knifelike breaks and a wonky build that will keep the listener on their toes.
BTG006’s B-Side sticks to the remixing ethos of the label with two legends taking the helm. B1 is a Danny Scrilla flip of the title track Embers which needs no explanation, pure energy from the top and then Etch fly kicks The Awakening into a 123bpm air pumping foot stomping techno track designed to sub bass to destroy tower blocks.
Presenting a fully legit, remastered and repackaged reissue of this essential various artists collection from 1989 on 2 x 12".
London's Warriors Dance label was a unique operation and a pioneering London label during the late 80's acid house phenomena. Home to an assortment of DJs, MCs and soundmen, they went on to make their own original and indelible mark on the rave scene from the infamous 'Addis Ababa' studio on Harrow Road on the North-West side of the city. A former reggae and soul studio that was instrumental to the output of influential artists like Soul II Soul and more, a steady diet of reggae, bass, hip-hop, house and techno kept their edgy, and diehard UK sound and style right at the cutting edge of the dance music underground across the globe with the top DJs and producers of the day celebrating the label. The studio, helmed by label owner Tony ‘Addis’, acted as an incubator for artists whose names would go down in the history books.
A slew of local talent and a network of DJ's, producers, artists and associates formed around the WD camp and helped forge the instantly recognisable sound and aesthetics of the label and it's mission statement. Among these were No Smoke, The Housemaids, Watt Noize, James Harris and many more. 'Tuffest Of The Tuff' acted as a solid intro and expansion on these artists sounds alongside some other crew members. Featuring new material, special versions of known tracks, remixes and more, 'Tuffest...' is a super heavyweight collection that further solidifies the Warriors as a formidable force in the London underground. This is an updated and expanded 2019 version of the compilation that boasts some unreleased DAT tape outtakes and cuts that have never seen the light of day - until now! This compilation is crammed full of the breakbeats, deep as the centre of the earth basslines, left-field influenced acid cuts and dubwise new-wave esque dance sounds we've come to expect and love from the WD camp. Truly a label that was on a creative roll at the time, blazing trails and staying true '89 style. Respect!
An essential purchase, spread across 2 pieces of wax for your ultimate playback enjoyment. Featuring original label artwork and picture sleeves tweaked by Atelier Superplus.
a1. No Smoke - Africa
a2. Addis Posse - Let The Warriors Dance
b1. Housemaids - Je T' Aime
b2. James Harris - Jealous Guy
c1. James Harris - The Tuffest Of The Tuffest
c2. No Smoke - Koro Koro Black Is Black (Break Mix)
At WNCL HQ, we’ve been hanging tough with new kid on the block, STAVROGIN (Stray Landings, 3BS, Last Drop) who has blown our mind this time
He provides 3 fresh original tracks in follow up to his recent debut appearance on We Are Family Vol 4. Remix duty is taken care of by fellow Cassette Librarian and breakbeat scientist, LMAJOR who comes through with the right stuff...
With the subsequent, planet-sized addition in its musical orbit, Sentry welcomes another critically acclaimed bass music veteran to its coveted artist roster. SP:MC, a multi-faceted producer and vocalist, who cemented his status as a highly talented producer with outstanding releases through Tempa and System among others. Apart from his long-standing residency for the legendary Fabric night club, he's a regular on the microphone for some of the world's most distinguished Drum & Bass and Dubstep events, living and breathing sound system culture. For the eleventh release of Youngsta's imprint, SP:MC takes us all back into a golden age, captivating the charm of old school sonics with riveting minimalism and skank-inducing swing, and extending the iconic flavours of 2-Step, Garage and Breaks into the 21st century - clocking in at 135 BPM.
Conveying hazy and tape-ridden notions, 'Vintage' sets us off on a groove-inducing flow with tempered chord, lush echoes, and intimate vocal fragments. Murderous break-beat rhythms are laid out with unequivocal finesse as the UK-based prodigy delivers heritage sounds in contemporary attire. Classic foley samples interweaved with modern sound design - engineered for the heads. 'Slugfest' commands a more aggressive tone, introducing itself with slick, hallowed percussion and haunting ambiance. With the doomsday bassline promptly kicking in, a super-charged groove armada unfolds - heavyweight business. Hypnotic drums hook into your motor cortex as every last cell of your body intermingles with the vibrant low-frequency surges, blasting from the sound system. Scrupulously switching up the push-and-pull dynamics throughout the arrangement, every sound component working at full capacity and in a supremely refined style. Bass music connoisseurs all over, rejoice! These breaks are for you.
Exit Records expands on dBridge' sophomore album A Love I Can't Explain with two new interpretations by The Fear Ratio (James Ruskin & Mark Broom) and Kahn. In keeping with the label's ethos the artists were left alone to deliver remixes without any stylistic requests and as a result we have two tracks that are personal & uncompromising.
dBridge has been a firm supporter of both Kahn and TFR so it's very fitting that Exit Records releases TFR's debut remix and Kahn's rework, which repurposes what you thought you knew about him as an artist. The ALICE remixes are another leap forward for Exit Records.
a1. dBridge - Nachtlus (The Fear Ratio Remix)
b1. dBridge - They Loved ft. They Live & Poison Arrow (Kahn Remix)
Maceo Plex, releases the eagerly awaiting Extended Garage Mix of the certified floor filler “When the Lights Are Out”. The synths drip over, fast paced drums and an emotive vocal. This is the sound of a master at work and is another landmark release for both artist and label.
Rudimentary debuts for Itoa and Crypticz as they combine to producer a solid 4 track dub, techno, footwork, ghetto inspired drum n bass 12”.
Alex Godoy (Itoa) and Jordan Parsons (Crypticz) couldn’t help but cross paths as both their musical influences encapsulate the continuous blur between Dubstep, Drum n Bass and footwork with Dub being the keystone to their musical arch.
Crypticz was sucked into the vortex of the uniquely punch sounds that Itoa had put out and was itching to find out more. At the same time he was pushing the foundations of his on sound, which has Dub.
Jordan (Crypticz) found himself wanting after toying with a few ideas which fell into line with a more dancehall sensibility. He felt the ideas he had, needed something else. He was struggling to put his finger on exactly what was missing, then... enter Itoa’s ‘French Cola and “Peng” releases.
Bingo! Jordans finger was now pointed at Alex’s (Itoa) irresistibly joyous drum patterns, and thought... “This guy”, with the happy egg face as a facebook profile, is the man to unlock this business. The pair hooked up and from there worked on the 31 Recordings “MTD” release for Doc Scott.
After their work together on that beast of a record they wanted to get back to it! Email tennis and facebook chats occurred for some time all the while passing bits and pieces back and fourth. Each time asking questions and encouraging the process for one another.
Street Drinker was the starting point with Alex leaving it open and sparse for Jordan to roll in with percussion. Dub techniques were leaned on to add a techno, dubstep feel to Valis.
An instructional dance video was the inspirational magic dust added to the already grounded baseline and obnoxious claps in “How it’s Done”.
Jordan admits watching too much Adventure Time was the catalyst for the humour concept of this piece. So... ’come ons', 'shake it' and '1,2,3,4' were sampled from various work out videos and the arrangement tidied up from there.
Manatata wraps the release up with a dubby roller with erupts with texture and intricate drum patterns and driving kick.
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