As life and the world as we once knew it enters a new wave, Phuture Shock Musik continues apace with their first solo release of the year entitled ‘Dub Rockas’ EP, by none other than deep house maestro, Trinidadian Deep.
Widely known for his deeply spiritual and afro-leaning sound, the Brooklyn, NYC-based producer and DJ has remained a dominant force within the deep house sphere for over twenty years, and during this time has released work on a string of reputable labels, including Neroli, Deepblak, Shelter and Ron Trent’s Future Vision imprint, to name but a few.
Now surfacing on Bristol’s Phuture Shock for his latest 12”, Trini combines signature themes of Yoruba mythology, soundsystem culture and his native Caribbean roots, with hints of dub, soca and afro styles across three spellbinding house jams that form the ‘Dub Rockas’ EP. As you can expect from Trinidadian Deep, this is the highest order in hypnotic, tribal rhythms and lush, ocean-deep sonics that will touch the innermost depths of your mind, body and soul.
The A-side opens up with the mystical aura of ‘Dub Rockas’; a deep, percussion-laden roller, centred around a sturdy b-line made to rock up the dance, and as the title suggests is peppered with dub flourishes via heady dub chords, wailing dub sirens and soundclash vocal samples; whilst glistening organ solos of a tropical vibe slither gracefully between cantering soca-style beats that drives the riddim along to militant effect. Named after a low-key backstreet in North West London, ‘Euston Street’ follows next in a similar soundbwoy fashion as the A1 though with a brighter tone, where dense layers of afro percussion and jostling, semi-bruk rhythms prance in unity with a melange of Caribbean-flavoured woodwind licks, atmospheric pads and dubbed out synths; altogether topped off by a nimble display of gospel-tinged organ work that sears thru the track like wildfire.
Eight slices of balls-to-the-walls Baltimore Breaks receiving their first vinyl re-issue.
A1: Kotton The Cutie - I Just Wanna A2: Mz Thang - Bang That Pussy A3: Mz Thang - Shake Ya Dick A4: Ms Mocha - Not The Boss B1: Mz Thang - Clit Control B2: Menage A Trois - Funky 69 B3: Kotton The Cutie - Baby Fathers B4: Lady Shaunda - Stuck
To follow the success of Breaka’s ‘The Startup’ - the inaugural Off Beat release which earned support from the likes of Addison Groove, Sherelle, Minor Science and Sicaria Sound to name but a few - label boss Rhyval (one-third of Off Beat), steps up to deliver three cuts of fun, percussive, bass-laden heat for OBR002.
Reminiscent of early Ramadanman records on Hessle Audio and Swamp 81, ‘Down Alarm’ rings out with gliding bass, 808 snares and vocal chops.
‘Hassle’ is a held-back stepper with various bass mutations and a system shattering mid-range whale call.
Closing out yet another extremely promising release for the Manchester-based label is ‘Footcell’. Drawing on a Grime framework, a series of bit-crushed blips dance around the choppy, shortly-sustained synth licks, like fireflies illuminating.
Interstate brings a 2 step. Keita Sano dives deep. Dubbyman has the dubs.
3 distinct remixes of the incredible “Mile High” from German / French producers Mystigrix and Reo Seis and Chicago legend Paris Brightledge on vocals plus an original. Take care of yourselves and stay safe!
a1. Mystigrix & Reo Seis ft Paris Brightledge - Mile High (Interstate Remix)
a2. Mystigrix & Reo Seis ft Paris Brightledge - Mile High (Keita Sano Remix)
b1. Mystigrix & Reo Seis ft Paris Brightledge - Mile High (Dubbyman Downtempo Mix)
b2. Mystigrix & Reo Seis ft Paris Brightledge - You Don’t Know
Low End Activist on an industrial dancehall tip featuring Vybz Kartel approved vocalist Sikka Rymes including alternate updates from Low Jack and Loraine James.
a1. Low End Activist - Invite Chaos (Kill Dem) ft Sikka Rymes
a2. Low End Activist - Invite Chaos (Instrumental)
b1. Low End Activist - Invite Chaos (Low Jack remix)
b2. Low End Activist - Invite Chaos (Loraine James remix)
Bakongo comes proper with two stripped back drum workouts for TRULE’s 10” series. UK Funky pioneer Roska has been making great percussion tracks under his Bakongo alias for some time now. On Thirteen/Level Cowbell he continues this with two rugged, skeletal drum tracks with minimal bass and the faintest trace of texture in there that absolutely demand to be moved to.
Leeds-based producer Krotone, takes the listener on a journey through the past, present and future of underground dance music, as he pays homage to his home city with Stranger, a 5-track EP that traverses the outer limits of UK club music.
René Pawlowitz presents himself in many different forms; whether it’s as Head High, EQD, Wax, WK7, The Traveller or more recently as Hoover - he consistently, and without any fuss or hype - produces some of the most effective, quality techno you can find on the planet. The Shed alias is usually reserved for his best work.
With this in mind, it really is a special event to announce this amazing new EP from Shed on Tectonic, showcasing 3 distinctive and highly effective techno cuts.
‘Try’ takes a broken-beat techno rhythm for it’s spine - reminiscent a little of the 2008/9 dubstep/techno crossover period. Tension is set with dissonant elements pulsing around swooping subs until we are saved by the heroic pads that ease in, building ever upwards to a lush finale. Close your eyes and be transported back to the rave.
‘Box’ is a darker, more percussive affair - claustrophobic and industrial. 130bpm 4/4 distorted kicks set the stage as frantic drum machine hats and claps crash about heavily reverb’ed ghostly samples.
Lastly we come to ‘Sweep’, a hypnotic bleepy roller with a bass heavy presence. As the riff loops up and over, drums build and a dissonant synth part creeps in. The not-quite 4/4 kick drives you ever forward with a gentle stumble as rattling hi hats flair about over head. Great finish to a great EP.
Over the past year or so I have watched as the releases on Holding Hands got more and more intense. Don’t get me wrong, I love it. Intense and straight to the face was always the plan for the label. At the same time I do have slightly more varied taste and I had been getting sent a decent amount of incredible music that didn’t quite fit on the original outlet. My first love when it comes to electronic music is dark, eyes down, bass heavy and so it seemed like now was the perfect time to create a label with a slightly deeper angle to accommodate this sort of thing.
Yosh was one of those people who had sent me some serious fire. I had been chatting to him here and there on Instagram over the last year but I hadn’t heard any of his music. Finally, on a whim I asked him to send me some and boy am I glad he did! I completely fell in love with his vibe and it seemed to perfectly encapsulate the sound that I wanted to push on Holding Hands Submerged. Don’t for a second think that this is some lounge listening ambient business. These are club weapons firing on all cylinders. It’s just that the cylinders make you keep your eyes down and your stank face on at all times.
On top of being a sick producer, it turns out Yosh is also a total legend. I’m so happy that I get to release some of his music and that I’ve got to know such a lovely guy.
OK enough of my blather. Go and listen to the damn things yourself and decide if you like them, rather than trying to work it out from reading a bloody press release you weirdos.
All four tracks are produced and sculpted for the club. They want big sound systems and dark rooms.
Close your eyes, hold hands and experience transcendental space flight...
Gallegos is one of my all time favourite producers. Absolutely no question. He has a completely unique sound that to me sounds like it comes partly from his incredible sample digging as well as his one of a kind drum sampling. It’s hard to say for sure what it is but all I know is that I can hear one of this tracks from a mile out. There is an incredible balance of weird shit mixed with super catchy motifs and big time grooves. I wish every day was a Gallegos day!
OK enough of my blather. Go and listen to the damn things yourself and decide if you like them, rather than trying to work it out from reading a bloody press release you weirdos.
All four tracks are produced and sculpted for the club. They want big sound systems and dark rooms.
Close your eyes, hold hands and experience transcendental space flight...
786 Recordings presents the next release of their 786X series. Rising Artist Saanen join the family with a new sharped 12”. Includes a deadly remix of Rukkus from DPRTNDRP & 3WA.
For their next venture, Infernal Sounds welcome debut signing Nova to the fold as he plates up some of his best cuts for the 'Bonafide' EP. The title track yields a wonked out, low-end sideways stepper - a homage to the new-school sounds but laced with a sprinkle of the old-school; while the second track to feature on the A side, 'Single Fuse' is a much more groove laced medley of sounds and playful percussionary elements. 'Fivers' opens the B side business with the most eyes down low-end flex, stripping things back with a minimalist yet hypnotic beat. The final track to feature, 'Intricacy', is a collaborative piece with the legendary Foamplate - someone who is unmatched when it comes to producing tunes of this BPM and vibe, and it's a match made in heaven, layering a forward thinking mid-range over the top of a bone-shuddering bassline.
This EP is something truly special, topped off with the intricate and acute sleeve design by Leftanderson, it's a must own for any soundsystem lover and vinyl enthusiasts.
The release has already received heavy support from the likes of Truth, Sicaria Sound, Headland, Neffa T and many more.
Following an acclaimed EP from Brussels duo The Untouchables, DNO Records stays in Belgium for the next instalment of its global bass odyssey, but offers up a wholly different kind of trip originating from Charleroi.
Leading the way are Clearlight & Owl. The pair typically operate together as Glÿph — producing glitchy, modern techstep — but the use of their independent aliases is an early indicator to expect the minimalist experimentalism found in their solo work.
The relative calm before the storm, eponymous opener ‘Alert, Red Clouds’ is a primer of sorts. It’s militantly steady in its march forward, but with each synthetic groan and mechanical squark there comes a warning — a knowing smirk at the madness that lays ahead. As the descent continues, the edges begin to blur. ‘Lobe’ nervously picks up the pace, smothering woozy halftime d&b with the fuzzy twang of dissonant, other-worldly instruments and a sunken dub gloom, before facing its noisy oblivion like a deer trapped in the headlights of an oncoming train. The journey gets even more bizarre on ‘Bronskee Dubskee’. A globular beat that lollops along like its legs are the wrong size, it’s all fun and games until that wonky energy wears off and things take a sinister turn, edging towards the finish with a menacing chug. Finally, comes ‘Bottom Of The Deep’ — the ghost of a garage belter, with all the usual clink and sparkle washed away to reveal a kick drum that swings like a heavyweight champion and the haunted wails of the abyss.
Pick up a copy of Clearlight & Owl’s ‘Red Clouds’ EP on digital and 12” vinyl from the 31st of March 2021 and see just how deep the rabbit hole goes... Rhythms of postmodern realism at the very bottom of the DNO.
a1. Clearlight & Owl - Alert, Red Clouds
a2. Clearlight & Owl - Lobe
b1. Clearlight & Owl - Bronskee Dubskee
Digital Bonus: Clearlight & Owl - Bottom Of The Deep
Deviation Classics celebrates the legacy of the legendary London club night and record label created by Benji B and Judah in 2007. Famously "one of London's most aurally audacious nights”, Benji B’s Deviation is a name synonymous with music and at the forefront of London’s culture scene and within music internationally.
The collector’s box will include four 12” vinyl including 20 carefully selected tracks, many of which have previously been unavailable on vinyl or hard to find and all capturing those key moments from the past 13 years. The compilation will also be accompanied by an exclusive mix curated by founder Benji B marking the end of this chapter for Deviation, the mix will be available to purchase on CD and streamed or downloaded on Bandcamp and all major digital platforms.
Spanning all genres of music, the compilation comprises tracks from Moodymann, James Blake, Joy Orbison and Flying Lotus and many more from across Deviation’s impressive roster of guests. Though several of the tracks went on to become hits, all of them became part of Deviation’s regular playlist and are now considered to be part of the Deviation DNA - a club night that has its own sound, its own hits and its own classics. The tracks highlight how the best club residencies can hone and shape their own identity, where reactions from the dance floor can influence which tracks make it into the resident sets to become future classics, and how a single tune can conjure the nostalgia of an era, venue, place and time.
Including regular staples from Benji B’s resident sets, the DJ comments: “This album showcases the tunes that got the biggest reactions month after month, drawn from my sets at Deviation over the years. They would not only be my choice, but also the choice of the Deviation regulars. Not all of these were necessarily big tunes outside of the club night – some would go on to be, but some could be 12-inch B-sides, album cuts or unreleased dubplates that went off when dropped for the very first time, and then became our own classics: all certified Deviation anthems in their own way”
A1. Alice Smith - Love Endeavor (Maurice Fulton remix)
A2. Rick Wilhite - Ruby Nights (Gilb'r Solo Flight remix)
B1. The Detroit Experiment - Think Twice
B2. Zomby - Tarantula
C1. Langenberg - Times (Manuel Tur's Ground Glass Reflex)
C2. Carl Craig - Sandstorms (C2 2011 Version)
D1. Lil Silva - Seasons
D2. DJ Spen presents DJ Technic - Gabryelle (D-Malice Re-Fix)
D3. Kingdom - Stalker Ha
E1. Mala - Lean Forward
E2. Martyn - Vancouver
F1. Joy Orbison - Hyph Mngo
F2. Pearson Sound - Stifle
G1. Baron Zen - Burn Rubber (Dâm-Funk remix)
G2. Wajeed - Tron
G3. Flying Lotus - Melt!
G4. 00Genesis - No Shoes Trampoline
G5. Dorian Concept - The Fucking Formula
H1. Azymuth - Morning (Manha)
H2. K. Frimpong & His Cubano Fiestas - Kyenkyen Bi Adi M'awu
We’ve had a quieter start to 2021 than previous years, but that doesn’t mean we’ve not been busy. In fact, our next physical release marks the first in a run of 9 or more we’ve got booked and ready for the rest of the year... To kick off the first FKOFv release of 2021, we welcome an artist back to the roster we first worked with as FKOF Records in 2013. It’s been great watching Subreachers develop his sound and material over the last ~10yrs, and it’s wicked to have him on a record – with some incredible tunes as well! FKOFv005 also welcomes Congi to the label for the first time, with a sumptuous remix that we know you’ll love as much as we do...
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