The two characters behind this project may be more familiar than you first realise, especially if you caught the mix they did for us two whole years ago (listen here).
Consolidating their collaborative work under the unassuming guise of Alan Johnson, the duo are about to release their debut 12" on Blank Mind Records. Both cuts occupy an unsurprisingly dark sonic territory and tread the line between dance floor and experimentation perfectly. A-side 'Goron Sound' is the one for us, an eyes-down affair that sounds like the ghost of UK funky.
[BLNK004] will be available soon. Don't forget to follow PYC Sessions & Anti-Long to keep up to date with all things Manchester.
He might be relatively unknown here but in his native land, NYC's Tony Quattro has been steadily gaining momentum. With his style heavily influenced by garage and the bass music scene here and in the States he blends a multitude of styles together when it comes to creating music.
Doubt - Tony Quattro[Bad Taste Records]
His Out On The Floor EP came out last week on Sheffield's own Bad Taste Records and features many different styles and also enlists the remix duties of a few artists making his 8-track debut a real journey through electronic music. Highlights for us include 'Doubt' and the Squarehead remix of 'Out On The Floor' but the EP as a whole is a strong showcase for a great young producer.
If you like what you hear there is plenty more in the pipeline including a few collabs and remixes in the near future plus you can also download a couple of his bootlegs for free here.
For those of you who live Stateside you can catch Tony Quattro in person in NYC tonight at No Fun and on the 16 August at LPR.
Tempted (F+ck Tonto Edit) - Mickey Pearce[f'coming Ten Thousand Yen]
The military shuffle of 'Tempted' might already sound familiar, there's little bassline to speak of but the kick drum itself takes care of that. Pearce's rigid drum programming is accompanied by the sounds of a tribal whistle, vaguely reminiscent of Breach's 'Fatherless', and an eery piano sample throughout the breakdown. Whilst 'Softly Softly' takes the tempo down to 115, it ploughs through with equal ferocity, acting as the A-side's groovier younger brother.
Softly Softly - Mickey Pearce[forthcoming Ten Thousand Yen]
[TTY008] is available to pre-order on vinyl now, with digital copies to be released Monday 11th June. Fingers crossed for another Mickey release before the end of the year!
As a pre-cursor to his upcoming album, Galaxy Garden, Matt Cutler - who is more commonly known as Lone - and the always influential R&S Records are treating us to a sample of things to come with a brand new 12".
Crystal Caverns 1991 is another fine release from Lone and in keeping with his style manages to produce something fresh that is unmistakably his. The title track is a high energy, synth-laden affair with plenty of funk to light up any dancefloor with its mash of Funky and early 90's Rave vibes. The flipside is 'Vulcan Mill Acid' which is as advertised - a funky, acid laden affair accompanied by some more energetic percussion.
If this release is anything to go by, the whole album should be another great Lone release and worthy of gracing the vaults of R&S. Crystal Caverns 1991 is out on wax on the 2nd of April followed by the digital release a week later and the album in May.
Ever wonder what happened to the darker, harder roots of UK Funky?
Wonder no more. Sheffield's own Beneath (aka Ben Walker) is taking the genre back and developing that sound into 2012, giving you tracks that sound like Digital Mystikz and Objekt smashed together. Focusing more on rhythm, this more beat-driven style really does distinguish itself from the more mainstream, House-based club tunes which have become so popular.
After delivering a really deep and interesting mix for Blackdown (which you can grab here) followed by a cracking debut 12" last month on his own label, No Symbols, he has really started to get some attention - including getting rinsed by guys like Pinch and Mosca.
Beneath - NOSY002 EP[forthcoming on No Symbols]
The next installment will be out late March / early April so you have plenty of time to get to know Beneath's work. You can also grab his track "Name Droppin", which was given a way at the end of last year via WifeyLDN.
Peverelist's highly regarded Punch Drunk label has released the details of its next release and it's a pretty rawkus affair. Having championed artists such as Andy Mac and Zhou in 2011, Tom Ford brings another up and coming producer to our attention in the form of Tessela.
Channel - Tessela[forthcoming Punch Drunk]
Both tracks jump out your speakers with an onslaught of heavy percussion and well-rounded sub bass. 'Channel' is the quicker of the two, and is built around different mutations of the same hook. 'D Jane', a little slower at 130bpm, is the one that cries out for a reload though. It's housey enough for you to feel the groove but still extremely intricate. Two absolutely heavyweight cuts.
D Jane - Tessela[forthcoming Punch Drunk]
Whilst we're on a Bristol tip, it is well worth checking out this RA film about the city, part of the Real Scenes series.
DRUNK027 will be released on 20th February 2012 on 12" vinyl and digital from Juno.
Mickey Moonlight - Love Pattern (Isolee Remix) Ed Davenport - New Yorkshire (Club Dub) Space Dimension Controller - Transatlantic Landing Bay Auntie Flo - Oh My Days Reggie Dokes - Walk In Deepness Moodymanc - Sugar Hill Maya Jane Coles - Beat Faster Poxymusic - Warpaint feat. Gina Mitchell (Claude von Stroke Remix) Martyn - For Lost Relatives Kerri Chandler - Something Wrong Big Bird - Flav Scuba - Feel It Hackman - Made Up My Mind Kassem Mosse - Enoha A Made Up Sound - Wire Super Flu - Ueber (Skeet Remix) Jon Convex - Falling Again Roska - Feeline VIP Diamond K & Al Ripken Jr - Hands In The Air (Bok Bok Remix) Fis-T - Night Hunter Blawan - Kaz Shy One - Comfortable (T Williams Remix) Samo Sound Boy - Taking It All Bok Bok - Look (Dub) Objekt - Unglued S-X - Wooo Riddim Kingdom - Fogs Loefah - System The Bug - Skeng (Autechre Remix) Peverelist - Dance 'Til The Police Come Jay Weed - Prism Kahn - Tehran Mella Dee - Only Got 8 Bar Left Mate (Grievous Angel Remix) JME - Juju Riddim Dark Sky - Neon Blawan - Shader Instra:mental - When I Dip Joy Orbison - So Derobe
Yet another installment of our Electric Sound Stage radio show, this time including the guestmix that Thefft dropped for us a few weeks ago. He is now signed to Swamp 81 so 2012 promises very big things! Check out the original feature here.
xxxy - This Much
Filtercutter - 1UP (Ramadanman Refix)
Breakage - Rain
Pinch - 136 Trek
Ramadanman - Glut
Benga - Skank
Joe - Claptrap
Addison Groove - Fuk Tha 101
Nguzunguzu - Mirage (Girl Unit Remix)
Koreless - Up Down Up Down
Ikonika - Heston
Synkro - Girl
Pearson Sound - Stifle
Paleman - Fake To Go
goldFFinch - Burned Bit
French Fries & Chaos In The CBD - With You
Boddika - Syn Chron
Deborah Cox - It's Over (Dubbel Dutch Remix)
Roska - Blame The Speakers
Architechs & Nana - Body Groove
Zed Bias - Do It feat. Dynamite MC
Breach - Fatherless VIP
*Thefft Guestmix*
Thefft - On The Rag
Damu - Go Solar
Archie Pelago - Avocado Roller
Thefft - BRYC
Cromie - Cohort
These Ghosts - Twentytwo
Blawan - Vibe Decorium
Thefft - Simple Questions
Justin Martin & Ardalan - Mr. Spock
Mosca - Orange Jack
Martyn - Ghost People
Zed Bias - Basic Needs
Presk - Devour
Damu - Ether
Distal - Coke Bottle
Cromie & JRapp - How I Know
Lucid - Lovely In Love (Richelle Remix)
Visionist - W.M.I.D
Mickey Pearce - Don't Ask Don't Get
Bok Bok - Silo Pass
JJ Louis & Jade Lion - Ruff, Tuff And Ready (Feat. Banton)
Pangaea - Hex
After a very special series of events at The Commonplace last year, featuring the likes of Cluekid and Synkro, Dilation have relocated to the Beaver Works just on the outskirts of town.
Strictly not for profit and the brainchild of a close group of friends, trust us when we say the vibe at these nights is something really unique. This time around, we're all too excited about the UKG legend Sunship coming to town! Check out all the details, including how to catch a free bus to the venue, on the event page.
North London is getting treated to the sounds of one of the most talented producers to emerge this year on Friday. Ossie blew us away with 'Tarantula' and didn't fail to impress with his more recent Hyperdub EP. The guys from Exhibition have lined up support from the wonderful Casino Times as well as Synamtix from the The Daily Street.
Equally exciting...is that you will be one of the first people able to grab one of our brand new t-shirts, designed in collaboration with Yoghurt Warrior. They're looking extremely fresh - more details to come very soon!
Founded by Loefah in 2009, Swamp 81 has become one of the most forward thinking and popular labels in the UK. With a policy of vinyl-only releases (with the exception of Kryptic Minds' One Of Us album), the limited nature of their releases have only fueled the interest in everything they put out.
During 2010 after fairly standard dubstep releases by Skream, The Bug and Kryptic Minds the label took a very unexpected turn into the more experimental side of the genre. What followed was three great releases from Addison Groove, Ramadanman and Pinch - all of which opened the eyes of many and really paved the way for the label to grow into a boundary pushing force. In particular Addison Groove's 'Footcrab' brought real attention to the label, with it's electro and juke influenced 808's and vocal samples.
This year has brought about the most popular releases on Swamp81 to date, with contributions from Boddika (one half of Instra:mental), Addison Groove, FaltyDL, Funkbias (aka Zed Bias & Funk Butcher) and one artist who shall remain unnamed. In particular, the mysterious 'Sicko Cell' excelled in making it into every playlist, DJ set, radio show and iPod anywhere. Then where do you go from here you might ask?
Music Deep Inside - Zed Bias[forthcoming Swamp81]
Next from Swamp81 is a four-track EP from Zed Bias which will include the great tracks 'Music Deep Inside', 'Stubborn Phase', 'Reminisce About the Phuture' and 'Basic Needs'. This will be followed closely in November by a 12" from Mickey Pearce, the artist formerly known as Shortstuff. The record will include 'Don't Ask, Don't Get' b/w 'I Am' should drop before the end of the year.
I Am - Mickey Pearce[forthcoming Swamp81]
Other forthcoming projects include the second part of FaltyDL's Mean Streets, the collaboration of Boddika and Joy Orbison on "Swims" and some new material from Blawan including "Hollow It Out". The release timetable for these is, as always with this label, uncertain but be sure to keep your ear to the ground.
Swims - Boddika & Joy O[forthcoming Swamp81]
A few of the releases from this label have been repressed and are available via Juno Records. You can also hear new releases on Loefah's show on RinseFM.
Since the release of the Arma EP last year it is fair to say French Fries has taken the UK Bass scene by storm. With appearances on RinseFM and the Boiler Room already under his belt and with the Clek Clek Boom label finding its feet, this is yet another Leeds debut that you shouldn't miss!
Joompa - TOYC[MIMM]
Support comes from the up and coming TOYC who has more than enough tunes to get the dance moving. The boys from Greyscale Sessions and MC Descry complete a lineup that can't be sniffed at for only £6.
Rustie has been producing quality beats since 2007 and it is hard to believe that the London based producer is only just releasing his first LP. The album is being released by the prestigious Warp Records who have already released his single 'Ulta Thizz' earlier in September. Warp seems to be a fitting label for Rustie as his futuristic and experimental sound sits perfectly alongside label peers such as Hudson Mohawke and Flying Lotus.
Rustie will release the Glass Swords LP in early October and the hype surrounding this long awaited album suggests that it is going to be a huge. Apart from Hudson Mohawke’s Satin Panthers EP release earlier this year it is hard to remember something sounding so fresh and different. It takes guts to experiment so extremely, with a mixture of 80’s pop and contemporary rap templates fusing into a synergy of electronic genius. Rustie is producing an underground renaissance of progressive electronic music that is grasping the music world by storm.
There will be thirteen tracks on this album with each song giving its own razor-edged intensity that fluctuates throughout. The tracks create an energetic vibe of unorthodox glitches and micro samples that at times cross a fine line between being overcomplicated and frantic. However Rustie somehow manages to balance the hectic array of beats and warps them into an aesthetic cohesion.
The two most prolific tracks in the album have to be 'All Night' and 'Ultra Thizz' which both perfectly depict Rustie’s experimental direction in full effect. The first taste of the album 'All Night' gives a crisp and fun vibe that uses hip hop instrumentals fused with 80’s electro beats. Then we have 'Ultra Thizz' which is more of a futuristic journey of stadium style synths and chopped vocals. It seems that Rustie has broken from the mould and produced something that is not meant to fit into any category or set pattern. Trying to label this album into a genre would be pointless as it is a combination of various influences and this is one of the reasons why it gives off such a refreshing sensation.
Nathan Micay aka Bwana is a 20 year old producer previously based in Toronto, who has recently moved over to Leeds to try and make an impact on the U.K scene. He stated that he can't wait to move over with everything back in Canada being 'just Skrillex, Skrillex, Skrillex!'. This exciting new producer released his first free EP earlier this year on the Infinite Machine label, featured three tracks that each show the diverse and developed skill the young producer has. However the track that propelled Nathan into the public eye was 'Baby, Let Me Finish' - a soothing, bass infused track that uses R&B vocals from Ciara and soft synth chords to slowly seduce and entice the listener. Listening you can't help but hear the influence from other producers such as Koreless and Deadboy, using hypnotic vocals to slowly build and develop the song.
Infinite Machine's quality has been second to none recently with the label releasing work from upcoming producers ∆dmin and 123 Mrk earlier this month and the addition of Bwana to the team has only implemented the strength that they are generating.
Baby, Let Me Finish - Bwana
Bwana's soundcloud page has been a hive of activity over the past couple of months and it was only a matter of time before the young producer took the next step and thought about releasing a 12". Bwana will release his 12" on the Infinite Machine label, which will feature 'It Ain't Done Till It's Over' accompanied by 4 other remixes. This track again uses R&B samples alongside haunting overtones that give off a similar vibe to his previous works but at the same time is individually attractive. Only one remix has been confirmed by Sibian & Faun who give the track a glitched vibe that juggles the vocals and gives the track another dimension. The other remixes have not been confirmed yet but Bwana states it's a 'big lineup' and if the first remix is anything to go by, then it will be huge.
It Ain't Done Till It's Over - Bwana[forthcoming Infinite Machine]
It Ain't Done Till It's Over (Sibian & Faun Remix) - Bwana[forthcoming Infinite Machine]
Nathan has already announced that he will be releasing some new material soon and if the young producer keeps releasing such quality then he will be a household name by 2012.
As his own label goes from strength to strength, UK Funky kingpin Roska fires out two releases on the same day for Rinse.
Jackpot EP Preview - Roska[Rinse]
His Jackpot EP serves up six slices of bass weight and off-kilter drum patterns, just as we have come to expect. Our highlights have to be the wonderfully stripped down 'Blame The Speakers' and of course, the title track - it might sound rather similar to last year's 'Squark', but that can only be a good thing.
And as if that wasn't enough, the fifteenth edition of Rinse's seminal mix series also hits the shops today. Across twenty-five tracks, Roska showcases his own production talent alongside choice cuts from Redlight, Zinc and Funkystepz.
You can go and grab both releases over at Juno right now.
Sev Erickson, the Canadian producer known as HxdB (pronounced Hexi-decibel), has recently dropped a 19-track bass compilation through Gradient Audio featuring what he calls "fearless explorations of sub bass frequencies and futuristic soundscapes." The release includes the likes of DFRNT, Kid Smpl, Wachs Lyrical/Regent!, Mirror State, and Submerse, as well as HxdB himself, with the shared goal of "pushing the envelope of modern dance music, while captivating dance floors and imaginations alike."
Bass music fans will not want to miss this one. You can preview the teaser and track list below. Head on over to Gradient Audio's bandcamp site to preview full-length tracks and purchase a digital copy.
Future Of Bass Volume 1 Preview
1. Acre - Effected the Most 2. Hodge - Boy + Girl 3. Magnum - Schemes 4. HxdB - Mustard (Cure Rerub) 5. FBOM & Outlaw Producer - Compound VIP 6. Simon/off - Take Your Time 7. Cairo - They Met in Flushing 8. DFRNT - Tribal 9. Wachs Lyrical - Felt Smasher 10. Submerse & Resketch - Wafu Wafu 11. Sclist - V 12. Shureshotz - Redlight District 13. Mirror State - Bad Connections 14. Blind Prophet - Constants (Ft. Brea) 15. Artifact - Forgive Me 16. Cedaa - Hypnotiq (Juxta Remix) 17. Kid Smpl - Comfort 18. B1t Crunch3r vs Gravity - Malfunction (HxdB Remix) 19. Self Evident - Look in Your Eyes
As always, this might not be an introduction to some, but we feel strongly that if you haven't checked out this relatively new production duo from Canada, you should pay a little attention now.
After first discovering Grown Folk by their track 'Steady Moving' on Truancy Compilation One, which was not only the lead track of the LP but also the definite highlight, we've been meaning to give them a mention somehow or somewhere for a while. Now having just listened to their EP preview entitled 'City Wind EP', which was out in May on Templar Sound (also backed with Damu and Chaos In The CBD remixes), the urge to push some exposure was immediate. They only have roughly 200 followers on each of their Facebook, Soundcloud and Twitter accounts - what's going on?!
The productions a fresh unique sound, ignoring boundaries and always sticking to loveable, refreshing and enjoyable music, whether it be chilled or energetic. Big futures ahead for sure, especially if they keep up the flow of quality free music...
The big bad Mosca is about to strike again on a nice old-school tip with a track called 'Bax', forthcoming on Numbers. I can see this getting wheeled into 2012.
(Allow the MCs, but I was equally excited when I heard this for the first time!)
Jamie XX's long-awaited debut 12" on Numbers has finally arrived.
After a busy couple of weeks for the label with releases from Deadboy and Redhino, 'Far Nearer' & 'Beat For' are now available to purchase digitally and on vinyl from here.
Just in time for the summer months, Serani's 2008 dancehall tune 'No Games' gets the freshest of UK Funky reworks from London's Brackles. The manipulation of the acapella fits perfectly alongside flittering percussion and big synth work, but it's the vocal itself that makes this one sound really special. If you like this vibe, it would be well worth checking out his remix of Cassie's 'Me & You' in this post.
Catch Brackles from 3-5pm every Thursday on Rinse FM.
