Since the inception of Cyberfunk one artist in particular has really taken on the core values and ethos of the label and has been working extensively with us.
After his debut release on Cyberfunk "Cold Steppin" gained heavy rotation on the dnb circuit from some of the scenes heavyweights. We gave Bournemouth based duo Ulterior Motive a chance to remix "Cold Steppin" and released it as part of our first ever Remix EP - Remixed Vol1. This dominated the charts for several weeks in a row.
Other than the aforementioned, the West London based producer has kept mostly quite bar one release - "Gorilla" which was part of the first in a series of various artist LP's from us: VA:LP-001
This EP has been in the works for quite some time, with some parts taking in excess of 3 years! (Yes we know but he's worth the wait we promise) this is a project we have been working on closely with Freddie and although he has kept us waiting we are happy to be releasing such a diverse and unique EP from an equally diverse and unique beard, sorry... - artist! Excuse me. (You'll see what I mean...)
We feel this is the truest and purest representation of Simple Technique as an artist. With a strong mix of tempos and styles all of which have been filtered through his unique outlook on music and rave culture. From bass house to Drum and bass to hiphop and trap influences with beautiful soundscapes in-between. This EP has flavours from all over and the raw signature sound that our fans have come to expect from a Simple Technique set.
Keeping the momentum going following the recent release of Phentix's Pitch Black EP, Cyberfunk turn to a true European heavyweight of the techstep world. Current Value has worked solidly underground with nearly 20 years of production experience under his belt and an album catalogue that stretches into double figures. Having recently made waves with his EP and album on Critical, he brings his corrosive sound to the Cyberfunk stable. Covering 4 tracks and a digital exclusive, Current Value links with label boss Xtrah for opening cut Falsify. A monolithic, gargantuan beast, Falsify shape shifts effortlessly via it's pummeling breaks and buzzcut top line. Espace sees Current Value draw your ears one way with its infectious bounce without you knowing it's an ever growing assault on your aural synapses. Title track Airshift keeps it rolling with tight drum programming and a thundering, gut punching bassline to hold it all in place while Matchfit closes the show with an unrelenting neuro slant, embodying all that is great about tech drum & bass in 2016.
Getting a producer with the calibre of Current Value on board as part of the Cyberfunk family shows the ambition Xtrah and his increasingly impressive label have and will continue to keep you guessing with what's coming next. Cyberfunk are definitely closing out the year with a bang.
Reverberating out of the darkness but still lurking behind the shadows, the Pitch Black EP is the debut solo release from talented Austrian producer Phentix. He's no stranger to the Cyberfunk family, having made quite the impression with his previous outing on the label, Hoax, he returns with an arsenal of fresh to unleash via Xtrah's ever growing imprint – now onto its third release. Opening with the title track, Pitch Black moves with an unrelenting twisting bassline fully reminiscent of bygone era Virus. Clean sounding yet with tons of grit, Pitch Black is a merely the opening salvo of fire to come on this EP. Vicious sees Phentix team up with Italian producer Disprove. Adopting a less is more mentality, Vicious is stripped back breakbeat heaviness; the crisp drums do the talking on sparse but funky bass stabs. With one collaboration already under their belts, Signal returns the favour on the minimal yet rolling Informer. Shuffling along at a frenetic pace, Informer rattles along as fast as it's busy hi-hats will let it while atmospheric pads and bass interplay making for moody, cinematic cut. Afterlife is a lesson in unbridled simplicity in terms of sound but no less deadly for it – it's drum and bass in it rawest form with no frills and a structure DJ's will love. Cyberfunk is steadily building an impressive catalogue of material and releases like Phentix's Pitch Black EP show that the label and it's small but close knit bunch of acts are definitely heading in the right direction.
As new label launches go, none have been quite as impressive as Cyberfunk has achieved since opening for business early in 2015. With their debut EP release 'Existence' gathering plaudits and support from the likes of Chase & Status, Friction and Calyx & Teebee, to name a few; plus a string of successful launch parties across the UK and Europe, Xtrah's imprint is back with four more fresh cuts of tech edged D&B.
Label boss Xtrah comes correct with not one but two serious collaborations with Austria's favourite export, Mefjus (Critical Music). Lead cut and title track Matriarch draws you in from the get go – tribal atmospherics mix with headzy, future funk effects in the intro lead menacingly into crunchy mids and chest crushing subs which lead the way over a thumping drum progression. The duo's second collab 'Fever' ramps up the energy with percussive edits and precise bass hits, bookended by 80's sci-fi movie chords and subtle but effective pad work, definitely a mood setter from start to finish and a club record as well as a producers record.
Always looking to showcase burgeoning talent from the vast and expansive pool of drum & bass producers, Xtrah gets two fresh faces on board to round off the EP. Incognito's bass heavy stepper 'Foundations' pulsates with continuous low end weight and overdriven mids, while newcomer Phentix strips everything right back with Hoax; a no frills techy roller that keeps it simple but is layered with untold amounts of funk to get your neck moving, this is one for the dancefloor!
Started out of nothing but a deep love for drum & bass music and a chance to push sounds he truly believes in, Cyberfunk, the brand new label from west London producer Xtrah, is intent on delivering the freshest, crispest, and purest 170 bpm music to the masses. Having gained the worlds attention with his raw yet crystal clear production talent, Xtrah is now adding label ownership to his name and delivers the first fruits of his labours.
Opening things up for Cyberfunk is The Existence EP; it pulls no punches straight out of the gate. With his music gaining the attention of labels as diverse as Ram Records, Metalheadz and Critical Music, the production is precise and razor sharp, all the while retaining that tech edge Xtrah has become known for. Operator starts things off and surrounds you with growling deep, sub low bass. There’s a definite old school vibe in its simplicity. We Exist is a lesson in tight, rolling percussion work - drum edits and drop outs sit perfectly amongst more trademark Xtrah bass stabs.
Keen to use the label as a platform from fresh and undiscovered talent alongside established names, up-and-coming duo Simple Technique take the reins on Cold Steppin. Equal parts brooding and dark, the track shows a mature level sound design whilst retaining an uncompromising rawness from the newcomers discovered by Xtrah and who will be a big part of the Cyberfunk family. Simple Technique are definitely a name to keep your eyes and ears on in the future. Closing proceedings is Forte; a deadly collaboration between Xtrah and Symmetry Recordings boss man, Break. Filled with punchy 2-step breaks and gut wrenching, speaker shaking low end, you get the best of two producers at the top of their game here and is a perfect way to tie up and incredible debut release.
With a single of the month rating in Mixmag, an 8/10 scoring from DJ Mag, Radio 1 support from Friction, plus club support from a number of DJ’s across the scene, the Existence EP is just the beginning of what plans to be a productive year for Xtrah and Cyberfunk.
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