The Unearthed Sounds crew members have compiled their weekly picks containing collectively, in no particular order, our favourite tracks/releases of the week.
Here's the selections individually from the crew: Lee: NQ014 Max: WRXX8 Mat: MUSTMAKE003 Albert:KROTONE003 Morgan: SUBB010 Dean: SAB012 Georgia: FM005 Jon: VERSION015 Rob: TYR008 Chris: LORE008
Eusebeia’s ‘Equal Rights + Justice EP’ summons the ancient and esoteric, delivering a cosmic rocket ride fuelled by an assault of rhythm & bass pressure.
2019 saw Jack Stevens (one half of iconic duo SpectraSoul) set up his new moniker, establish his new label; Must Make Music, and release two four-track EP’s on that label as well as making time for a cameo on d.Bridge’s renowned Exit Records with the six-track ‘Your Moves’ EP.
To kick off 2020, Workforce returns to his own Must Make Music imprint to present the third and final volume of the Late Night Soundtrack series. In true Workforce style, the four tracks traverse the 170bpm template; showcasing both his versatility and the breadth of influences that inform his work: from the sultry blues of ‘Cheap Love’ which features the ever-impressive and ever-evolving vocal talents of DRS to the stripped-back simplicity of ‘Your Loss’ through to the ethereal yet simplistic motifs of ‘In The Throes.’
Late Night Soundtrack Vol.3 confidently shows all sides of Workforce's repertoire. Music that is functional sits right next to music that is led by emotion.
When listening to the complete Late Night Soundtrack series it's clear to see that Workforce has achieved what he wanted to; he has set out his stall in terms of his aesthetic, intention and vision. There will be more to look forward to from Stevens' burgeoning new alias in 2020.
The ageing process has you firmly in its ever increasing grasp if you never feel the urge to deliver the goods even harder. London-based DJ, producer and engineer Jason Cambridge aka A Sides just celebrated his 50th birthday, and it’s fair to state that he’s far from being tired to add essential musical footprints to an already impressive discography of epic proportions.
Hot off the heels of an extended SUNANDBASS tour through Australia and New Zealand earlier this year - together with Patife, Delicat and Stamina MC - A Sides now makes a glorious return to the festival’s very own label with a four-track EP that sees him in deadly form. Aptly titled “Fours EP“, this particular release isn’t only working as a showcase of A Sides’ undisputed prowess in the studio and his versatile musical nature, but as an urgent reminder why you fell in love with this music - and the annual SUNANDBASS festival on Sardinia that sees its 17th edition this year - in the first place: massive basslines, delicate melodies, skilled programming and a hi-def production form an entity with blustering impact. Add MC Fats’ unique, soothing vocal style to this list, and you know you’re in for a musical treat you simply can’t get enough of.
“Being drafted in to do this project was something special for me, as I hold my SUNANDBASS memories close to my heart. When I created this EP I wanted to use these festival experiences as forms of inspiration, which enabled me to experiment in different sub genres of drum & bass. “Arctic“ is very deep, emotional and rather special as I also feature MC Fats on vocals. “Follower“ is more of a reggae influence roller, “Need“ is liquid funk inspired by house music, and “Conscious Dub“ leans heavily on my dub/reggae influences“.
“Fours EP“ is serving up a stunning investigation of state of the art drum and bass and beyond, which comfortably sits between the angular and the alluring. Floor-filling guaranteed.
Cult favourite Submorphics delivers his long awaited debut album “Kodak Dreams” on Amsterdam imprint The North Quarter. 15 year veteran producer Greg Axelrad has been one of America's premiere exports when it comes to Soulful Drum & Bass. His unmistakable 'smoked-out' take on the genre has made him a fan favourite for years. After his The North Quarter debut “Detroit Haze” early 2018, he now returns with his most ambitious project yet: “Kodak Dreams”. Written during a time of great personal highs and lows, his debut album is easily his most personal body of work. The Michigan native drew inspiration from his transatlantic journey and childhood memories to paint this musical memoir.
'Inspired by the treasure-trove of nostalgia I brought with me from Detroit, I plugged away at my own brand of D&B, hip-hop and neo-soul music in my new studio in the city of The Hague.' Submorphics explains. 'Cherished childhood photos reminded me of my roots: funky breakbeats and lush soul samples that I blasted out of my cheap boombox long before I knew what a sampler was. These old photos ended up deeply inspiring the album sessions, and even started permeating my dreams as I slept each night.”
A multi-genre piece that features vocals from frequent collaborators Big Brooklyn Red, SelfSays, T.R.A.C. and Christina Tamayo, brings together Soulful Drum & Bass and LA / Detroit flavoured Beats with an easy elegance. The album offers a glimpse into Submorphics' past, present and future and is brought together by snippet-sized, Polaroid-inspired narration, his personal Kodak Dreams.
a1. Submorphics - Flash Meters [Intro]
a2. Submorphics - Luminosity
a3. Submorphics - Roseville Funk / Musique Nostalgique [Interlude]
a4. Submorphics - Memories Of You
b1. Submorphics - 12 & Woodward
b2. Submorphics - Daydreaming ft Big Brooklyn Red
b3. Submorphics - The Prize ft T.R.A.C. / Golden Roots [Interlude]
b4. Submorphics - Faded Images
c1. Submorphics - Ithaca Blues
c2. Submorphics - Morning Alarms ft SelfSays / Waverly Place [Interlude]
c3. Submorphics - Find A Reason ft Christina Tamayo
d1. Submorphics - Feel So Blue / Deep Sleeper [Interlude]
d2. Submorphics - Return To The Source
d3. Submorphics - Hot Ish ft SelfSays (Dabrye Remix) [Bonus Track]
The enigmatic DJ Swagger is back on TYR, this time with five garage inspired rollers. From Bristol to Berlin, these tracks cover a lot of ground. Each copy will come with a signed sticker from the man himself.
Straight Up Breakbeat rounds up the first full year of operation with a special compilation YEAR ZERO. Featuring the best in modern jungle and forward-looking drum & bass the album features brand new tracks by FANU, OUT OF FUEL, INFADER & DDOG together with 2019 label highlights by RESOUND, AEON FOUR, ESC, HMR and more. The album is preceded by a vinyl EP and a set of digital singles.
Fresh Fruits from Christian Kroupa accompanied by a remix from Fruit Merchant associate Manuel Fischer. This record marks the fifth instalment from Hidden Spheres Fruit Merchant Label and the first for 2020.
Christian would like to thank his mum and Dad for their love and support.
a1. Christian Kroupa - A Little Flower
a2. Christian Kroupa - Bouquet Of Flowers
b1. Christian Kroupa - Blind To Beauty
b2. Christian Kroupa - Blind To Beauty (Manuel Fischer Remix)