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:
Six years on from “Wild”, O.B.F. finally return with their new album, “Signz”. During this time the crew hasn’t been idle. whether putting out 12” after 12”, touring or holding their legendary sound system sessions. The rhythm has been relentless, as the hardest working dub sound system in all France have been at the top of their game. Producing in their studio, organising their own nights, burning up dance floors, setting the internet ablaze: all part of a day’s work for this crew from the French outskirts of Geneva. Looking over the past six years, no one can deny their status as a major player in the worldwide dub scene.
Released in 2014, “Wild” was O.B.F.’s first foray into the album format. It brought together music built for the soundsystem, rugged, high-impact tracks that perfectly fitted the public image of O.B.F. during that era. This new album is a different story, a personal journey that takes in the dancehall, Rico's studio, and everywhere in between.
“Signz” was born two years ago, not with music, but with a concept and a name. The idea was to create an album without paying heed to time, allowing space for creativity and letting chance encounters shape the music. A project that would evolve over its lifetime, without being rushed. Letting the signs reveal themselves over time, and taking advantage of opportunities as they presented themselves, whether on tour, during recording sessions or when travelling. This approach, a relationship with the present moment and the feeling more simply known as the “vibe”, defines the album. But beyond that, it’s been the driving philosophy behind O.B.F. since they started making music.
A quick glance at the LP sleeve reveals a staggering list of collaborations, combinations that are as formidable as they are unprecedented. Jamaican, French, Spanish, English... vocalists and MCs from the four corners of the globe take turns in showing off their unique styles. Some are regular contributors to O.B.F. productions, whilst others are new collaborators, but all have deep, historical links to the crew. It’s here that O.B.F. unveils the full breadth and depth of their influences for the first time on record. Already known for their expertise as rubadub and heavyweight dub producers, here they show their talent working with roots, grime and even pop. It’s a testament to the free creative approach exercised by the crew during the recordings that no matter what style they’re working with, the result is always delivered with flair and finesse. It also speaks to O.B.F.’s desire to rip off, once and for all, the “European dub” label which so many have stuck to them. Here, O.B.F. stands for versatility, openness and daring.
O.B.F.’s identity and style has been built across the globe: from the heights of Alps to the burning sun of Jamaica, between headline performances at Spanish festivals and sets in the barrios of Latin America or the dancehalls of London. Their music is unlike any other. But for the doubters among you, a single listen to “Signz” will provide indisputable proof of that truth.
O.B.F – Intro ft Nazamba
a1. O.B.F – Ina This Ya Time ft Charlie P, Irah & Killa P
a2. O.B.F – Bun The Evil ft Jah Mason
a3. O.B.F – I’m An African ft Tippa Irie
a4. O.B.F – Party Ram ft Sr Wilson
O.B.F – Interlude 1 ft Nazamba
b1. O.B.F – Rebel Daawtaz ft Aza Lineage
b2. O.B.F – Bubble ft Charlie P
b3. O.B.F – Your Love ft Shanti D
b4. O.B.F – Asian Night
O.B.F – Interlude 2 ft Nazamba
b5. O.B.F – Musica ft Belén Natalí & Sr Wilson
c1. O.B.F – Driva (No GPS Mix) ft Biga *Ranx & Sr Wilson
c2. O.B.F – Water ft Pupa Jim
O.B.F – Interlude 3 ft Nazamba
c3. O.B.F – Born Ina Fire ft Joseph Lalibela
c4. O.B.F – Wagwan ft Charlie P & Killa P
d1. O.B.F – UNDER PRESSURE (Barricades Mix) ft Biga*Ranx
Childsplay presents tasty treats 4 the kids vol. 2. bringing the sweet taste u crave back 2 the rave with 4 of the juiciest hits on the internet. a flavourful assortment of creamy breaks, bubbly breakneck jungle, and bubblegum ghettotek from the childsplay all-stars’, taking from the past 2 take u 2 the future. taste the NEW HARDCORE SOUND!
After a successful dive into the wonderful world of vinyl back in August last year, Locus Sound is back. As always, they come bearing gifts in the form of some of the freshest up and coming dubstep and only rightly giving it the vinyl treatment. Hailing from the dungeons of the Zelda universe, Lord Jabu heads up Locus Sounds' return to the foray with the El Molino EP. A selection of three heavyweight tracks, full of all kinds of dubstep flavours.
a1. Lord Jabu - El Molino
b1. Lord Jabu - Swarm
b2. Lord Jabu - Buccaneer
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.
With Quarter To Quarter, Amsterdam-based record label The North Quarter delivers its first compilation album: a manifesto and its most ambitious project to date.
The 14 track project features prominent vocalists IAMDDB and Azekel, Bass Music legends Total Science and Break and all the core artists that have made Lenzman’s boutique label the breath of fresh air it is today.
The North Quarter is a collective of artists from around the globe, brought together through a shared love for the authentic. The imprint has become a household name in just a short space of time through ambitious and highly detailed artist projects. With Quarter to Quarter, a compilation of cutting edge Drum & Bass music, the label further solidifies its reputation and unique vision.
Never doing things the fast and easy way, the album was put together and nurtured by A&R and founder Lenzman over the course of 18 months.
Lenzman explains: “Way back when I first got into music, I wanted to share that magic with others. Today that same urge still endures within me. With this album I've tried to bring together a group of artists with whom I have shared values, who have never been brought together in this way, and create a timeless statement of intent.
a1. Azekel - Don't Wake The Babies (Lenzman Remix)
a2. Atlantic Connection feat. Steo - Night & Day
b1. Tokyo Prose - Rescue
b2. Satl - Just Thinkin'
c1. Submorphics feat. Pola & Bryson - Albion Road
c2. LSB - Destine
d1. Lenzman feat. IAMDDB - In My Mind (Break Remix)
Lifting the veil for Dub Sector's 6th instalment in their vinyl series, the St Louis- based Dubstep hub welcomes none other than ENiGMA Dubz to the heavyweight discography with an unruly three-track armament. Residing in Birmingham, the newest addition to the Dub Sector roster perfected his craft with more than a decade of experience and releases on esteemed labels, such as Duploc, Hatched and Dubstar as well as Dank 'N' Dirty Dubz. For Dub Sector’s next outing, the imprint’s second vinyl release of 2020, ENiGMA Dubz pulls out the big guns once again. Loaded with musical artillery, the 'Greedy Gutz' EP provides ample fuel to test the Hi-Fi, sound systems and your neighbours alike. Heavily leaning into a super-charged juxtaposition of futuristic and vintage elements, 'Steppas' rules with an iron fist, commanding militant drums and weapons-grade basslines. Riddled with intricate fills and classic melodies, dub sirens and anthemic vocal samples - sure to induce head-nodding and dancing alike. Bursting head-on into the title track, 'Greedy Gutz' stirs up anticipation as the haunting atmosphere fuses with the matching, gargantuan instrumentation - unloading subterranean wobbles in the process. Murderous distortion exerts the sonic equivalent of fire alongside volleys of unrestrained pressure bursts, forged with pristine craftsmanship. Setting the final discharge in motion, 'Descending' unearths a hypnotic staccato lead melody, arising from the evanescent ambience. The off- kilter groove in full swing, heavy-duty sub excursions unfold in the subsequent arrangement, culminating in full-frontal sound-boy carnage.
