While 2020 has been a pretty bleak year, the Utopia Music family has come back and this time it’s a really meaningful release for the crew. The 25th instalment to their back catalogue features collaborations between the late Andy Skopes alongside Madcap. Here are a few words from the people responsible for making it happen:
Elliot (Madcap): “Recording with Andy was always a pleasure. We had worked on a few tracks in the past & my first vinyl release back in the early 2000’s was a collaboration with him. We’ve developed a great friendship over the years & talked about getting back in the studio. ‘Tap The Bottle’ included in this EP was the first one we completed out of about 8 tracks. All recorded, finished & signed before his deeply sad passing. This 12” is one of the most emotional projects I’ve been involved in & of course I miss Andy a great deal. I’m pleased to finally have a release on Utopia & want to express my appreciation to Mako for believing in the music & letting us do our thing. Peace x”
Stephen (Mako): “This release means a lot to me in many ways. Elliot and Andy were originally penned to have the first release on Utopia so to get a 12" with them after 11 years is a dream for me. The music stays true to what both of them have held so dear for so long, this 90's vibe of 808 sub bass, breaks and sick samples. Andy is missed every day and I see releasing their music as a celebration of his life rather than a mourning of his death. I must send shout outs to Madcap for being an absolute badman, I have huge respect for you brother x”
Each track of the three picked for this release has all the soul, organic beats and vibes people have come to love Utopia for.
Having survived the dreaded year 2020, we enter 2021 with a new hope and a brand new release as we welcome Hydro & War back to the fold. Our 26th offering is their Utopia comeback after almost 2 years since the release of the critically acclaimed 'Lateral Thinking' LP.
As usual this is a really well-rounded release. The A side ‘Detroit’ sees them joined by their long-time friend and collaborator, Mateba, for a deep, more musical excursion. The flip side is an unapologetic heavier, darker vibe to destroy the dancefloor!
Mako: "Well the guys are deadly by themselves and together they're unstoppable. I love everything, always, and sometimes I'm lucky to release some of it. From subtle aesthetics to bass pressure and the balance of wood and energy - love it."
Our next venture into the world of Utopia comes with new momentum gained from Elliot Garvey aka Quartz, who has delivered the incredible “Thorns” EP.
Rolling with the punches from his immense Resident Advisor podcast and the successful releases on Metalheadz, Samurai and Rupture, we’re proud to put his next body of work out into the world. This brilliant four-tracker has it all: deep soundscapes, crunchy breakbeats, hypnotic grooves, haunting samples and an intense dose of powerful sub bass weight. Support from: Break, DLR, Djinn, Doc Scott, Double O, Flight, Goldie, Hydro, Loxy, Mantra, Noisia and many more.
Mako: "Quartz is one of those rare producers who can make any genre of music incredibly well. He chose drum and bass and I am thankful he did. I don't hear much I like these days but every tune he sends me I rate in one way or another. These 4 tunes are special though and I’m very lucky to call him a peer, a brother and a Utopia artist."
