Hyped new signing to DJ Madd’s Roots& Future label is Itoa, who comes alive with his debut full EP on the label having being previously recruited to remix some of Madd’s own material.
The result is a fresh approach within the Dancehall/Dubstep framework with a bit of footwork inspiration thrown in the mix. Certainly an artist to keep a keen eye on.
a1. Itoa - Paygk
a2. Itoa - Blabbermouth
b1. Itoa - Run Rings
b2. Itoa - Haunt U
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Released 21st July 2017
Brand new Silkie on his very own Anti Social label, Support from N-Type (Rinse FM), L-Wiz (Alloutdubstep), DJ Hatcha, Cimms (Tempa), DJ Scratcha & DJ Quest.
As Shadows Pass as the name suggests, reflects on a sound that has been around for years yet not prevalent in the present era. Shadows move and alter over time but their essence remains the same; as it is with the direction of ASP and the philosophy of the music it represents.
As Shadows Pass was implemented by Aural Imbalance & his team with one purpose. Release forward thinking, deeper D&B with an ear on the future - while keeping another on the heady sounds of days gone by.
The emphasis of ASP is to give our core Producers from the deeper sound of D&B a platform on which they can express themselves, without the fear of having to compromise on the depth & intellect of their Art.
As Shadows Pass believe this hand-picked selection of Artists have what it takes to bring the vision of the label to fruition. With that said we can now proudly present the NineTeaseEP by Aural Imbalance.
Nine Tease nods back to the days of 90’s Atmospheric D&B. Heavy rolling beats that have you shaking with delight at their infectious quality. The main riff has an uplifting summer vibe with a kiss of sunshine. Full on flashback retro feels with a modern twist - spacey pads & detailed fx that ebb and flow throughout, managing to capture those golden age moments yet still feeling fresh and relevant.
Spiral Divide - Pure spaced out bliss, yet with bags of energy in all the right places. The flow comes straight from your favourite sci-fi world where gadgets and machines are king. Warm lush pads fill the palate, supported by a cast of delicate synths & FX that drift into the psyche with hypnotic effect. The beats are crisp modern rolling little beasts, shuffling a merry dance along those pathways of the mind, all bottomed off with that soul shifting analogue bass.
Alpha Protocol Continuing into the depths, this moody, broody little number has a colder yet more immediate presence. The soundscape has an almost clinical feeling that grabs you by the balls then drags you in an otherworldly direction. Rolling, filtered snares & shuffles are connected to crisp hats - solid kicks have a controlled frenzy about them. An oscillating bass evolves through the track, rising and falling through filtrated cycles creating whirlwind acoustics.
For all those who are already fans of the AI sound then this is a complete no brainer exercise - Splash the Cash to get his work on wax. For those new to his sound, this is a perfect introduction. Don’t Sleep.
Dread Recordings have remained on the forefront since they began releasing music in the early 90s. Since then, both drum & bass and the imprint have moved from strength to strength, with Dread staying true to the sound which remains a pinnacle of the genre’s roots. And alongside head honcho, Ray Keith, the British legend that played a pivotal part in the early jungle scene, their A&R skill has remained the same since their first signing. Their subsequent LP ‘Ray Keith Presents: Margaman’ is a testament to this, rolling out a definitive part of the Dread Recording’s roster to bring this 2 track 12" sampler to the thirteen track album which once again puts their commitment to drum & bass on a podium.
For over two decades, Dread Recordings have time and time again maintained their seminal output with every release. Managing to present a crossover of old school and more modern day techniques, they’ve given fresh life to the jungle riddims which made drum & bass so prominent during its inception. And for this subsequent release, label head honcho Ray Keith steps up to the plate, bringing with his a deliciously rolling selection of bass heavy proportions. With a massive back catalogue and an even more impressive roster, the figurehead’s addition goes on to expand the credibility heralded by both the artists and imprint. Dread Recordings continue to impress, with a history documented through their stellar releases.
Nothing less than a jungle tear-out, the Penny mix of ‘Feel Some’ cuts open Ray Keith’s production standard and opens its raw centre. ‘Feel Some’ is an example of what Ray Keith does best, striving to hit harder each time with sprawling, smashing drums and guttural bass sounds. Taking precedent are those all-important breaks, still standing as the most prominent feature from start to finish. Penny gives it an extra layer, drawing for a heavier flow and firing shot after sonic shot. Neither artist grabs for the brakes.
‘Do You Wanna Cook’ proves that both Dread Recordings and Ray Keith don’t adhere to any trend, instead they spearhead a subgenre which has run its own show for some time now. Rugged subs and rattling percussion help fill out the mix, whilst tinny kicks help to underpin its composition. Biting reese slips through between layers, giving a brooding, intimidating hook which stalks its bassline. Then comes ‘Zion Dred’, slightly more subdued in its rollout but still surging with every succession of pads. It begins to grow in its intensity, not presenting a full-frontal attack like its predecessors but still powerful with every relay. ‘Virus’ finishes the release, with a clanking set of breaks and punchy drums skittering amongst its clicking hi-hats and swathes of static bass. The track is a lesson through the roots of both Dread Recordings and its stalwart Ray Keith. It’s a gradual build, but one which highlights the ingenuity behind both artist and label.
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