The Unearthed Sounds crew members have compiled their weekly picks containing collectively, in no particular order, our favourite tracks/releases of the week.
Here are the selections individually from the crew:
The return of our VA series is marked with the new chapter ‘Freaky Friends Volume 1’ featuring the likes of P.Leone, Nasty King Kurl, Sentient State, Ole Mic Odd, Dj Swagger, and Main Phase.
The Berlin-based label has been going strong since its founder - Australian DJ and producer Dj Whipr Snipr - launched it in 2016, with recent genre-spanning releases traversing acid, house, breaks, and electro from artists such as DJ Bowlcut, Low Tape, Soela, Subjoi, Interplanetary Criminal, J.Albert, DJ Safeword, Anthony Fade, and many more. Nerang now invites six quality artists for its most ambitious release yet to inaugurate the imprint’s ‘Freaky Friends’ series. E-Missions founder and Rekids regular P.Leone leads the way with a thudding breaks number called ‘Parting Currents’. A rumbling bassline is later joined by lush pads and a hammering piano melody destined to rocket listeners into new heights. Following appearances on 777 Recordings and Low Income Squad, Nasty King Kurl is next with a raw sounding ‘Lawless’ - a syncopated cut that blends acid and electro with Memphis rap and R&B.
In fine form off the back of releasing on Hilltown Disco and 99cts RCRDS, Nerang veteran Ole Mic Odd brings a sweaty Ghetto House stomper named ‘Hydro Anthem’ complete with a gritty acid bassline and Pointdexter-esque chopped vocals, making way for Sentient State’s ‘4 Tha Freaks’ which exhibits the New York-based artist’s softer side as he layers lush pads on top of a stripped back electro rhythm for pure euphoria.
With releases on Natural Sciences, Who’s Susan and E-Beamz, Germany-based producer Dj Swagger ups the energy, clocking in with the compilation’s fastest track in a bouncing Chicago House inspired cut entitled ‘The Phone Talky’. Tying it all together, Warehouse Raves and ec2a artist Main Phase’s ‘Get Higher’ is a punchy UK garage track complete with thudding 909 kicks, purring bass, fluttering vocals and rave stabs.
One of the UK’s most respected electronic artists, Al Wootton (formerly known as Deadboy) presents his first album under the Al Wootton name, Witness.
Since emerging in 2009, Wootton has been behind some of the biggest dance records of the last decade, releasing on labels like Numbers, Local Action and Aus Music. In 2019, he re-located from London to the seaside town of Ramsgate (following a period spent in Montreal) and re-branded under his birth name, building a home studio and honing a style of dance music that draws heavily from his long-term loves of garage and dub.
Wootton has enjoyed a rich run of form since going back to basics: he’s released five 12”s in two years through his Trule label, copies of which now swiftly sell out as standard, and has also expanded the label to house releases by Melbourne producer Pugilist and old foil Julio Bashmore. On Witness, he channels this focus and momentum into an 8-track album that explores techno, garage, jungle and more, all tied together by the dub-inspired effects and atmosphere that has characterised his Al Wootton records to date.
The tracks that became Witness flowed out within a couple of weeks during a period of real creative ease that I cannot remember having before or since”, explains Wootton.
I have struggled and failed to make ‘dance’ albums many times over the years. I’ve tried to avoid making something thats just a collection of club tracks or noodley electronic self indulgence. What I realised is that the only albums I really love and repeat listen to are drum and bass albums. Albums like Photek’s Modus Operandi, Goldie’s Timeless and Roni Size’s New Forms perfectly capture that raw club energy and yet are intricate and textured enough that they still sound fresh to this day and still bear repeat listens.
I allowed tracks to develop and mutate as I introduced new sounds and textures with a much greater sense of freedom than when I am focusing on making tracks work solely in a club context, but I don’t feel like that dampened the energy of any of the tracks. The creation of Witness was for me one of those rare times when the practical and technical conditions are just right and creativity flows from some unknown source beyond yourself and all you have to do is get out of your own way.
Following previous releases on Shall Not Fade and KOMPAKT, Soela will release her debut on Australia-via-Berlin imprint Nerang Recordings with the ‘Downfall’ EP.
The EP showcases the studio and creative mastery of the Russia-born and Berlin-based artist, who has years of experience as a pianist and vocalist under her belt.
Spanning five tracks, Downfall EP sees Soela team up with Berlin-based DJ and producer Module One, and Nerang head honcho Whipr Snipr. The release also features a remix from Ukrainian artist, Saturated Color.
The title track is deep house at its finest, showcasing otherworldly atmospheres, serene chords and Soela’s blissful piano, which has been a staple throughout her productions. Up next, ‘Cabinet’ featuring Module One features echoing, magical synths and thumping percussion working in perfect harmony.
On the flip side, ‘Golden Hour’ is the quintessential afterhours track that would be at home at daytime raves and summer festivals alike.
The Saturated Colour remix gives the title track a darker twist, adding an acid house synthline that’s in perfect synch with the track’s dreamy atmospheres and enchanting beats.
Wrapping things up, ‘Hide From Love’ sees Soela team up with Whipr Snipr to deliver a piano meets acid house tune that beckons us to get down on the dancefloor and dance with our eyes closed.
Infernal Sounds welcome the return of the illusive Irish producer Darkimh, plating up the scorching 'Tell Me Nothin' EP' as the follow up to his #IFS009 release which hit shelves in 2018. The title track features Manchester MC T-Man (one part of Levelz), a collaboration in the works for some time, providing the ultimate weight deliverance to the dance floor, igniting rigorous energy as soon as the tune drops. Darkimh backs this stand out piece with two different flips - a more trapped out track in 'Gin Swing' and the surreal and spacious number, 'Boneclick'. All tracks are perfect for different vibes and different situations, whether it's at home on your own, out at a house party or ready to lay siege on the dance floor. The release features a full sleeve artwork piece - designed and photographed by Gabrial Deacon.
Having received major support from the likes of Commodo, Sicaria Sound, N-Type and Truth, amongst many other top drawer DJ's, this is a must-own piece of black crack - pressed on 180g vinyl.
a1. Darkimh & T-Man - Tell Me Nothin'
a2. Darkimh- Gin Swing
b1. Darkimh - Boneclicks
Boylan, Logos, Slimzee & U.S.F - Orders / The Mould
Impressing the next set of colossal armaments onto wax, 'Order / The Mould' introduces a multitude of esteemed producers from London's musical melting pot to the high-grade Sentry artist roster. Fusing the sounds of bass music heavyweight Boylan and the enigmatic Logos, Slimzee the Grime visionary and co-founder of Rinse FM as well as the trio of veteran producers USF top off this epic collaboration. Following up on the latest anthem with Killa P and Long Range on the microphone and the label boss Youngsta himself on the controls, the 14th vinyl release of the esteemed UK imprint once again demonstrates its eminent value.
An exemplary no-holds-barred sound system eclipse, 'Order' kicks off with granular foley and restrained percussive ambience, invoking the impending militant pressure excursions with haunting precision. As the mammoth bassline unloads onto your listeners with unbridled might and the full force of the law, the ensuing staccato pressure artillery leaves no headroom behind - dance floor levitation at its finest. Witnessing the B-Side, 'The Mould' incorporates meticulous breaks alongside the scattered percussion and thunderous bassline foundation, not for the faint of heart. Two murderous sound system cuts, primed and ready for the dance.
After a weighty 2019, Tyrone returns to Guidance Music for another two barnstormers.
The Newcastle based producer has been steadily cutting his own niche for big and bold dancefloor funk for the last couple of years, with last year’s ‘Severance EP’ gaining him plays and attention from a wide cross section of the scene. He now returns to the label to drop two new trademark tracks in the shape of ‘The Disciple’ and ‘OG’s’.
‘The Disciple’ is classic Tyrone. Setting the scene with deep yet mysterious atmospherics, it’s soon paired with a bold filter opening bassline, producing a big characterful roller. The track develops and crosses a broad range of territory, yet always manages to maintain its sense of both power and meaning.
‘OG’s’ takes a slightly different approach, entering with tight 90’s drums, but heavy 2020 bass. A deeper and gnarling roller layered with unusual sci-fi fx, the track keeps levelling up as it flows further on, making it an excellent DJ tool.
Both Tyrone and Guidance continue to grow and develop their own individual sound, avidly pursuing their artistic journeys and personas and constantly pushing and forming where the music is heading in the future.
a1. Tyrone - The Disciple
b1. Tyrone - OG's
Tommy Holohan - Dance Trax Vol.29 [10" Transparent Blue Vinyl]
