The next release on Hi Tek Sounds sees the inimitable JEB1 bring his distinctive sound to the label.
The A side, ‘Guyana’, is a mournful, melancholy affair full of lush melodies and choral arrangements, accentuated only by a pared down percussive rhythm track and growling bass line. The title connects the contemporary sound of inner city London back to JEB1’s ancestral heritage.
East Man steps up for the remix on the B side, stripping the track back even further, reducing it to a bouncing tin pan percussion and driving rhythms, and alternating between a warm low sub bass and a gritty growling bass lead to cut straight to the dance floor.
You will struggle to find an artist who has contributed to the culture as much as East London pioneer, Footsie. His position in the music hall of fame is firmly cemented with his foundations paving the way for thousands after him.
Footsie's debut solo album, No Favours via his imprint Studio 55 is a schooling in the movement Footsie has remained at the helm of by artfully melding Grime, Dubstep and Reggae cohesively under one roof. Reaffirming him as the king curator, No Favours will undoubtedly become an instantaneous collectors item.
When it came to enlisting collaborators he didn’t struggle to pull together an A-List of artists including; CASISDEAD, JME, D Double E, Durrty Goodz, Frisco, Jammer, Prez T and P Money to name a few. On production credits, there was no holding back with Mystry, Kwes Darko, Chase & Status, Skream, Sukh Knight, Samo & Kiko and God Brothers all working alongside him on No Favours.
a1. Footsie - Spread Love
a2. Footsie - Restless Jack ft CASISDEAD
a3. Footsie - Pepper Stew ft JME
a4. Footsie - No Favours
b1. Footsie - Finesse
b2. FWD Skit
b3. Footsie - Pattern & Program
c1. Footsie - My Own Wave ft D Double E & Pepper Rose
c2. Footsie - Music Money ft D Double E & Jammer
c3. Footsie - Hills Of Zion ft Durrty Goodz & Frisco
After the recent collaboration with Walton for the last release, this release sees the return of the ‘Stop Flapping Your Gums’ instrumentals, with the second volume in the series.
The A side, ‘Jaws’, is a sharp and steely hard stepper with a deep brooding bass line that evokes an ominous feeling. The skeletal framework of drums prop up the sub bass, lurching inexorably forward towards an unknown terror. Produced around the same time as the album on Planet Mu you will have heard it in East Man sets on Balamii, Just Jam or Rinse FM, usually accompanied by Killa P on the mic, laying his patois infused lyrics over the top of this dread riddim.
The B side is another track that those of you familiar with East Man sets will definitely know. ‘Border Clash’ is an up tempo onslaught of distorted kick drums and sub bass coupled with clattering, wood-block percussive stabs that lend an almost primal urgency to the beat. This one is ready to mash up any dance floor… Just turn the lights out and the subs up!
Much anticipated & supported Grime Trap hybrid finally sees the light of day after support on BBC 1xtra. Accompanied with a haunting remix by JLSXND7RS. This one has been heard in all the dances for the past year. Support from J:Kenzo, Sicaria Sound, Opium Hum (Boiler Room) and many more.
Hi Tek Sounds is the new label from East Man (AKA Basic Rhythm) set up after his debut album for Planet Mu ‘Red, White & Zero’.
The second release on Hi Tek Sounds is a collaborative effort from East Man & Walton.
The A side, Horse Mouth, is a dread affair. Bursting into life with a staccato drum pattern and an ominous synth drone that slowly builds up before breaking down into a calm before the storm that utilises the now infamous vocal sample of Leroy “Horsemouth” Wallace, before dropping back in with militant staccato drums and a deep booming sub stab. This one guarantees damage on the dance floor!
The B side, Gunshot, starts with soft, summery chimes and a minimal kick drum and clap pattern, peppered with vocal samples taken from an old recording of a pirate radio show, before dropping into a spacious but heavyweight drum pattern and deep rolling sub bass. Definitely one for the heads!
Burke is a producer & DJ from Ireland residing in the UK since 2015. He started working at Idle Hands record store in 2016. Tracks from Burke have been supported by the Bandulu Gang (Kahn, Neek, Boofy & Hi5Ghost), Compa, Trends, Spooky, J:Kenzo, Sicaria Sound and many more. The aforementioned tracks have also featured on radios such as BBC 1xtra, RTE, Rinse, Resonance FM, Pyro Radio, Reprezent, Mode FM and many more.
Neither Scratcha DVA, nor any of the tracks on this release, really need an introduction. Grime fans will instantly recognise these legendary tunes from radio, raves and mixtapes.
Shout out to my Barry’s ‘Da Mix’, Leon, Vonnett, James, Tilde, Jamie K, Edem, MR2, Fugee, 88.2 Crew, Leon at Music House, Loxy, Mike P, Logos, Parris, Mickey Pearce, Scratcha, all the silent listeners and all the bedroom ravers.
Run out groove etching “I’m oldskool like Stratford Rex, I’m oldskool like Temple”
Known for his dub excursions on labels such as Dub Stuy, Zam Zam Sounds and Moonshine Recordings, Bukkha steps out under his Preacha moniker once again for NICE UP! with a deep, dark and brooding grime and trap influenced track. What started out initially as a remix project for another artist soon turned into a track of its own when badman MC and poet Rider Shafique stepped up on vocals, going deep on the subject of what drives us in his own inimitable style.
Remixes come from US dubstep don DJ Madd who flips the pace a bit for his signature 160 style - heavy on the vibes, bass and bounce, while up and coming producer Casement twists it into a grime style banger incorporating elements of garage and jungle along the way. An acapella version is included as an exclusive to the vinyl.
Infernal Sounds brings forth the lucky number 13 with a bone-crunching EP from Bristol's finest, Chad Dubz. Having already enjoyed a successful run of releases during 2018, he steps up with a variety of tracks showcasing the hidden depths to his productions, bridging the gap between dubstep and grime, eloquently.
There's plenty of different flavours across all three tracks which have been providing damage to many clubs across the world over the past few months, and arrives to you on a heavy-weight 180g plate.
EARTHTRAX was formed in 2016, taking inspiration from many styles but with a shared focus on high quality bass driven music. Our musical productions can vary and span across many genres, including Dubstep, Reggae, Dancehall, Jungle, Techno, Electro and Ambient, but are unified by a common approach to production. We care a great deal about how we present our music and physical formats are integral. Externalising ideas and making song concepts manifest through art, both sonic and visual is imperative to us as a label. We aim to provide a platform that supports creative freedom and encourages artistic expression regardless of medium or form.
The ETX series focuses on sound-system oriented and vocal material. To kick off the series this first release consists of two tracks from two of the guys behind the label, Obeah & Prynox, longside Rider Shafique.
Track A 'Fix Up' is propelled by militant drums and thunderous baselines which support the sublime vocals Rider Shafique. Both the vocal and instrumental deliver a contemporary but authentic sound
Track B 'Influence' is undeniably of a UK sound with references to Grime and Dubstep, but holds on to strong Dub/Roots characteristics which are key to the ETX series.
After numerous live performances around Europe and the release of his “A Music for Sound Systems” full length in 2017, Infrasonics’ label boss Spatial rejoins Never Ready with two productions originally aired during his 2016 MUTEK live set and lovingly mutated into NVR003.
Low frequency perturbations fusing Spatial’s sound system culture references and trademark distortion, Netz Room’s broken techno in the key of grime defines our label’s intent to release forward bass explorations. Hut 6 follows with a ten minute warp drive across the known universe in search of a unifying field theory of techno. The B-Side sees J. Tijn’s first foray on Never Ready with a bruk & bass out genetic resequencing of Netz Room, while Munstac returns with a sub heavy 4/4 interpretation of the title track.
Never Ready Records' third release in our establishing tetralogy continues with cover artwork from Nerog, 180g coloured vinyl and a limited pressing of 300 units.
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.
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