Claiming a highly original sound that boasts strong roots in dubstep’s rich history, Causa’s musical output delivers a fresh perspective on sound system music that holds true to tradition yet strives for innovation; a recipe that with undoubtedly help dictate the unwritten narrative of the genre’s future. With productions having already graced global dubstep labels such as Surfase Records, Circle Vision, FatKidOnFire, Artikal Music and Infernal Sounds, this German badman continues to prove himself as a force to be reckoned with amongst the underground circuit. On top of his impressively nuanced and steady growing catalogue, Causa’s productions have also received play support from prominent scene heavy hitters, with multiple tracks featured on J:Kenzo’s Rinse FM guest mixes as well as on Vivek’s Rinse FM mix and Mesck’s Chestcast mix.
Causa makes a bold introduction to Sleeper’s highly prolific Crucial Recordings label with his new, three-track EP entitled Juce (CRUCIAL013); the latest addition to the imprint’s standard-setting and ever-expanding vision for pushing multifaceted bass music. Laden with laid back, minimalist vibes and understated swag dictated by massive bassweight pressure and infectious percussive patterns, Causa’s release delivers the earthy meditation of dubstep’s powerful roots while keeping the energy dark, moody and forward-facing. Each of Juce’s three tracks: “Minerals,” “Struggle” and “Juce” work together beautifully to orchestrate the creeping and commanding story of Causa’s Crucial EP; a story that sheds light onto the darker shades of dubstep production while simultaneously celebrating the significance of the genre’s foundation.
Founded in 2015 by dubstep forefather Sleeper, Crucial Recordings has continued to develop and strengthen its undeniable grip on the dubstep world with each release; never failing to act as an unyielding beacon within the scene for unearthing fresh, standard-setting talent. Leaping from strength to strength, this highly prolific imprint constantly delivers multifaceted and boundary shattering bass music through ingenious and unprecedented ways.
The latest addition to the label’s ever-expanding vision for multifaceted bass music comes from Rotterdam-based Hebbe, who has truly emerged from the shadows recently through releases on Subway Recordings, Artikal Music, DUPLOC and Version Collective. Regarded as the most promising up-and-comer in the Dutch dubstep scene, Hebbe sports an obscure, sound driven flow that aims to inject diversity and progress into today’s musical output. Keeping within a similar spirit, Hebbe’s CRUCIAL016 boasts two far reaching tracks, “Mad Hatter” and “Galata” that convey trailblazing bassweight through two very different formats. While “Mad Hatter” cuts through to the core with simplicity and impact, “Galata” equally enchants with smokey darkness and trenchlike depth, building upon Crucial Recordings’ irreplaceable position within the dubstep circuit.
J:Kenzo is a certified don of contemporary sound system music, whether dubwise or otherwise, 140 to 160 and beyond. Kenzo is a highly respected label head (Artikal Music UK & Lion Charge Records), heavyweight producer, master disc jockey and host of one of the most passionately-followed radio shows in all of dubstep on Rinse.fm. Needless to say we are thrilled to build with him once again. Absolute control over sound design, timing, tension and dynamics mark all of Kenzo’s productions, and the pair he delivered for his second ZamZam are no exception. Where his first release was a more meditative affair, “Kingston Hot” and “Concrete Jungle” both revel in a harder, darker vibe.
"Kingston Hot” enters rocking a sleigh bell riddim and builds quickly into a stormer that has been pummeling crowds worldwide on dubplate with support from the likes of J.Sparrow, Mala, and Headland to name just a few. At once spacey, sultry, heady, and menacing it’s both eyes-down and hands-in-the-air material, all bass weight and reverb space, with every flick of the wrist in the mix another reason to recognize that the man’s stature in the world of bass music is well-earned.
Concrete Jungle’s thinned intro kick, spare hand drums, and paranoid minimalist melody set the stage for a hard 140 stepper composed of a sidewinding, distorted bassline, smeared snares and panned percussion that drives deep into primal sound system territory. Frequent sparring partner in the live arena Sun of Selah makes a guest appearance on the mic with a single dread declamation that perfectly captures the tone of the tune, a gritty vibe that feels like swaggering through a near-future urban wasteland on the way to a dance that may not be much safer than the streets.
Born Marian Himburg, Causa has been on the rise for several years now, with a tight and impressive discography on labels including Crucial Recordings, Infernal Sounds, and J:Kenzo’s Artikal Music UK. Known for carefully focused cuts that marry dub sensibilities with dubstep weight, his debut for ZamZam is exactly what you’d hope: heavy 140 wares for deep dances.
“Space Dub” is an orbiting station of decaying delays and insistent bleeps that resolve into an absolutely massive riddim that causes pure murderation on the floor. Machine sounds and lasers spar over dread, lurching bass, while thick snares cut through the reverb haze to reveal the cold, starry cosmos beyond.
“Concrete Dub” works with a similarly industrial sound palette in the service of a minimalist, skanking steppers that drives hard into the heart of sound system. Disembodied voices, growling-deep horn stabs, a single piercing flute note, and a myriad of other sonic signifiers emerge and retreat, as if being pulled under by the unrelenting force of the primordial sub & kick attack. You’ve been warned!
It’s no exaggeration to say that J:Kenzo is one of the leading lights of underground bass music today. As a producer for labels as diverse, venerable, and crucial as Tempa, Metalheadz, and Exit Records he makes much of the music defining the moment from drum & bass to steppers. He also shapes our listening and dancing through the careful curation of his own Artikal Music UK and Lion Charge imprints, to say nothing of his monthly Rinse FM show and non-stop global touring. Needless to say we were extremely pleased when he approached us with two tunes tailor-made for ZamZam.
“Without" is a 140 workout, at once minimalist, muscular, meditative and sinister. A deep skanking pad and synthetic percussion set the stage for the leaden kick and steady hi hat pulse calling all dancers. Rockers’ drum fill and test tone sprinkle dubwise flavor as the haunting melodics waft through, as hypnotic as smoke trails in a cloudy studio. “Without” is perfectly crafted in every respect.
The flip side “Within” is another expertly honed journey into deep 140 waters, heavy on the atmospherics that recall wide open vistas and treacherous seas. Synth and bass work as one, surfacing and diving to both anchor and propel a massive riddim both heady and totally physical. The hi hat is again steady with punctuating snares & claps, huge chasms of space open up leaving the listener stunned at the depths within.
Since his work on Tempa J:Kenzo has been quietly building up a large quantity of quality dubplates that have been circulating on the underground. There are no bigger dubplates on the scene than the two presented here on ARTKL025. Proper Dubstep on offer here from the Artikal label boss. Wide ranging support from the likes of N-Type, VIVEK, Compa, Youngsta and many more. A producer at the top of his game right now.
Artikal Music UK is pleased to share the LP from label owner J:KENZO "TAYGETA CODE", a collection of deep and heavy arrangements built for all speakers and sound-systems.
Varying in style and speed from dubstep, grime and bass from 130bpm, 140bpm & 170bpm; the album features appearances from grime MC Flowdan on the VIP of 'Like A Hawk', legend jungle MC Navigator on club banger 'Narky (Body Dem)', as well as New Zealand singer-songwriter Lelijveld who adds her subtle dreamy vocals to 'Broken Dreams'.
Support from Mala, Toddla T, Om Unit, Youngsta & N-Type.
SABAB returns in quick succession to Artikal with his brand new EP 'Fittest Of The Fittest'
Covering the full aspects of Dubstep... from the Deep, to the Dubwise, to the Heavy and inspired by the Dub legends of generations past this is a landmark release for the Dublin native as he showcases his supreme productions talents.
This killer 4 track EP has been supported by many of top DJ's in the Dubstep / 140 scene including Mala, Youngsta, V.I.V.E.K, J:Kenzo, and DJ Distance.
Absolutely huge EP from Thelem on J:Kenzo's Artikal Music UK label, tracks featuring T-Man and Gremlinz contained within. A 2x12" package of heavyweight proportions.
Let's go back to the beginning of 2018 when three dubstep enthusiasts from the States started their collective alias Ternion Sound. It was a no-brainer for record label DUPLOC to immediately sign the trio for their fist ever official EP, considering the label is always up for supporting and giving opportunities to new talent. Driven by their genuine passion for the genre, Ternion Sound quickly followed up DUPLOC021 with other iconic releases on a few of the leading dubstep imprints which are Chestplate and Artikal Music UK. Fast forward to January 2019, they return to DUPLOC to release four of their hottest dubstep cuts.
J:Kenzo returns to Artikal Music with his new single featuring the vocal talents of legendary grime artist Flowdan.
A raw hybrid grime / dubstep crossover with straight fire delivery from Flowdan which has had support from Sir Spyro (BBC 1Xtra), Caspa, Slimzee & DJ N-Type.
Due for release on August 2nd this single is a pre-cursor to J:Kenzo’s sophomore album which is dropping October 2019.
a1. J:Kenzo - Like A Hawk ft. Flowdan
b1. J:Kenzo - Like A Hawk ft. Flowdan (Kenzo's Darkside VIP)
Belgium’s most praised dubstep label DUPLOC has been consistently releasing two-track singles since 2015. The imprint curated by platform duploc.com now announces the launch of a new 12" vinyl release series. Catalogued as DUPLOCv001, the first EP features no one less than label resident Hebbe. The Dutch up-and-comer was introduced to DUPLOC in the beginning of 2018 with DUPLOC020, as he was signed to Crucial Recordings and Artikal Music UK short after. Now he returns to the label for the first volume of the new DUPPLATES series.
“Watch Out” is one of Hebbe’s most anticipated tracks as a chest-oppressive weighty sub bass rolls through a distorted landscape of cinematic samples and sinister melodies which are constantly progressing. Of course resident ENiGMA Dubz has to be involved in this first instalment as he delivers an incredibly stunning remix, hitting you with pure bassweight and powerful synths. On the flip side, compatriot Melle and the like-minded Mr.K enthusiastically accompany Hebbe to unleash both the bouncing “Wayside” as well as the murky “Lemon Twist”, two highly overdue cuts. The “DUPPLATES Vol. 1” is an essential in your record collection and marks a first much promising episode for the next to come on DUPLOC's prestigious series.
Back with a vengeance, Cimm returns to the imprint with a highly anticipated succession to his Sentry debut from last year, stamped on a irresistible 2 x 12" vinyl release. Infernal halftime beats and top-notch Dubstep shells, firmly entrenched at the frontier of sound system music and its invaluable heritage. The London-based producer and DJ rose to swift and significant acclaim in the last few years with releases on institutions like Tempa, J:Kenzo's Artikal and Wheel & Deal as well as notable residencies at Rinse FM and the renowned Fabric night club, among other recent achievements. Now coming to a turntable near you, Cimm delivers four bespoke cuts, primed for the dance and your enjoyment, battle-tested by the scene's foremost tastemakers.
Diving into unidentified transmissions, 'Unknown Caller!!' sets the pace with eerie reverberations and filtered resonance. Amid the faint hiss of machinery, larger-than-life drums set up shop alongside subterranean pressure emissions. Hefty breaks, hold tight! Retro synth melodies keep us on track within the monstrous switch-ups and unquestionably meticulous arrangement, sure to shut down any dance in style. Cutting no corners with the B-Side, Cimm teams up with veteran vocalist Rider Shafique for a dystopian sub-bass onslaught, swaggering militant chants and the apocalyptic ambience to go with it. Steaming low-frequency oscillations bubble and hurl their weight, stripped of all restraints, coveted in freezing harmonies and ethereal atmosphere. Vibrating in a more uplifting spirit, the dedication to the Jamaican roots of sound system culture unfolds in the Londoner's signature style - dubbed out soundscapes ahead. 'Tosh Dub' keeps it a laid back, with vintage instrumentation, scattered skanks and swirling organ chimes. Taking an ultimate trip through unremitted grit and off-kilter grooves, 'I Am Jack Travis' lures us in with rainy undertones and hypnotic foley sampling. Promptly revealing its true nature with plenty of pressure and scrupulous syncopation, a ghostly heavyweight ensues and closes the deal.
We are extremely happy to welcome yet another talented crew from Italy in the Moonshine family. D-Operation Drop is a project born in 2010 thanks to the encounter of 5 university students wich found themselves sharing the same house and more importantly, love for music (In 2013 Zeemo joins the Crew, modifying the formation from 5 to 6 elements).
After a couple of early collaborations, almost casual, Uniradio Cesena gives to D-Operation Drop the chance to lay the foundations of an underground music program on air twice a week. Thanks to this experience the group officially finds its frame and looks forward to its new goals such as producing, dj'ing and vj'ing. To date D-Operation Drop, after almost seven years of experience, has received support from Artists like J:Kenzo, Distance, N-Type, Icicle, Radikal Guru & many others. Releasing music with notable labels such as Lion Charge, Artikal Music UK, Subaltern and now Moonshine Recordings.
Ghori from D-Operation Drop is a driving soundsystem roller with a low swung beat crushed through 80’s sci-fi algorithms and burnt onto analog tape. On the flip is Natty coil, one of the crew’s most requested tracks, a masterful mix of organic bass and robotic shuffled hi hats from these mix scientists.
D-Operation Drop are a crew from Italy who gravitated around their love of bass, releasing music on labels such as Artikal, Lion Charge, Zam Zam and Moonshine, gaining support from the likes of J:Kenzo, N Type, Bukez Finezt, and Dj Madd.
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