To celebrate the newly minted Modern Hypnosis VA series, why not whack in a vinyl only 7”? why not feature a rare minimal outing from Red Robin’s co- founding riddim merchant Naram? why not further seal the deal with a jam from featured, Bristolian scoop-music lord, Versa on the flip? Yea sounds good, lock it in. One for the collectors and selectors.
Part one of a four part series, bringing artists from different musical hubs on this planet, onto the one record. To make the connections far between, closer together. Bristol, Berlin & Christchurch - Part one. Inspiring Modern Hypnosis, these three Artists and their established musical endeavours have laid path to our own make up and ethos - chur.
Versa. Orson. Akcept.
The opening track Neurogenesis, is a snapshot of Versa’s smoother than smooth production accuracy and sub weight knowledge. The intent of this track is as exactly how it sounds, minimal dub techno at level Versa.
Orson cooks up his unique ‘post-dubstep’ signature sound in one of our favourite system shakers to date. Life Feed offers its service as a mid-tempo power growler - the askew beat quickly becomes the norm, reeking of late night club antics while remaining in control - as we said, system shaker.
Closing out the 3 tracker is Akcept’s new beat Exhaust, which even as a dub plate, has already danced it’s way to the top of NZ radio station RDU’s best tracks of 2020. It only takes 10 seconds of the intro to get the feeling of ‘oooooo this is gonna be a big one’...Big up Eyes Down Sound.
2012 saw New Zealand’s Epoch release works on his own label Egyptian Avenue with UK producer Wen. Since then, looking back through his impressive discography, revisiting solo 12s, compilation releases and his 2016 album ‘Badminded’ it’s a definite clear-cut thought to acknowledge Epoch has held artistry status to his craft.
His craft being, producing somewhat twisted, hip-hop and grime pervaded, sound system- driven, low end focused UK inspired club music. Here at Modern Hypnosis, we are honoured to feature two unique tracks with that vivid Epoch stamp.
After bursting on to the scene in 2017 with the dub techno stomper ‘Zulu Blues’ on Navy Cut records, Melbourne based producers Pugilist and Mystik collaborate once again, this time around with 3 tracks on Modern Hypnosis.
The A side ‘Sabu’; a unique blend of polyrhythmic Latin inspired percussion and chanting, complemented with a rolling bass line and dreamy synthesised chord progression; is a genre blending trip, sitting at 135bpm, capable of taking a set in many directions.
On the flip side, two sophistically crafted Dub-Step pieces. 'Misty in Roots’, taken from the vaults after hypnotising dances in Melbourne on dub plate for the last 3 years. Minimal, meditative, eyes down music.
'2 Steps Backwards’ (available vinyl only) is an energetic 140bpm piece. Nostalgic roots inspired 'Dub-step of old’ is infused with creative oscillating synthesis, musicality, and post modern dubbing techniques. A subtle bass line switch up on the second drop guarantees satisfaction.
Modern Hypnosis welcomes New Zealand’s ‘Akcept’ to the label. The Christchurch based producer has gone from strength to strength, his unique take on dubstep has had him labelled as one of the rising stars in the genre. Akcept continues to defy genre boundaries and push his sound, drawing inspiration from a wide range of musical influences such as, Hip-Hop, African rhythms and deep dub styles. After a string of releases at 140 bpm on some of the world’s leading dubstep labels (Amar, Artikal, Moonshine Recordings, Sentry), Akcept pushes the boundaries further still with two hypnotic rollers demonstrating his love for minimal dub techno and ambient styles.
A sort after dub, ‘Teachings’ is now getting the full heavyweight 12" treatment, a mesmerising dub odyssey, distant stabs create an emotive atmosphere as his signature heavy bass notes roll in, followed by a 'steppas like' riddim to lock you in the groove. Subtle dubbing, dynamic use of space, and the introduction of an alternate skank will have you in deep meditation before the drums come back in with more energy and an astute bass line.
On the flip ‘Going Around In Circles’. A thumping kick drum and groovy baseline accompanied by a classic 4/4 beat and a poignant vocal sample, blur the lines between house, techno and dub music.
Hailing from Wellington, Aotearoa, the land of the long white cloud, Scent is a newcomer to the scene but long time GC of Modern Hypnosis. His first sighting featured a track ‘Devils Dread’ on Indigo Movement’s 5-year digital compilation December 2017.
Heaving at 140 beats per minute, ‘Trax’ creates a certain energy similar to early jungle riddims. Chopped percussion, giant synth stabs, weighty driving kicks with underlining sub bass and the odd flute build the track to a halt before commencing it’s minimal technoesq break down.
‘Just a Dream’ a rooted scentimental dub which takes you deep into a place amongst your rem sleep with sparse whaling strings and swinging percs. Scent debut solo release. One to watch.
The next Modern Hypnosis sees the first official vinyl release from Another Channel. The young German producer Jonas Schachners (Another Channel) has been at the fore front of the new wave of ‘Dub Techno’ that has been lurking in the underground over the last few years. His dubbed out analog sound has left some accrediting his productions as ‘picking up where Rhythm & Sound left off’.
His debut 12” gives us two very unique tracks. The A side ‘Lord 35’ is an energetic synth driven tune which sitting at 135bpm, in a two-step style is made for the dance. The B side ‘Corruption’ sees an international connection with the original composition created in Germany by Another Channel, then the overdubbing of vocals supplied by Ethiopian vocalist Enushu Taye (The Black Jesus Experience) in her native Amharic, recorded and mixed by Mystik in his Melbourne studio. The warm analog stabs and punchy bassline accompanied with Enushu Taye’s haunting vocals makes for a beautiful piece of music.
‘The next release on Modern Hypnosis introduces Melbourne based producer Mystik with his debut solo 12”. Two psychedelic dub techno tracks that have made the jump from dub plate after smashing the dance in Melbourne’s vibrant sound system scene in 2017. 180g vinyl.’