DRUM & BASSREVIEWS 2DB
Bassface Technique 6.0
Screechy oscillating synths, with a cheesy- ish ‘hands-in-the-air’ Euro-pop anthemic melody. In the right club, in the right set at the right time, it could, however, be enjoyable.
Fred V & Grafix
Googles Hospital
8.5
Beginning with a modest- yet-quirky bleeping intro, ‘Googles’ develops gentle waves of warmth which sheathe the increasing bleeps. Then out of the blue emerges a somewhat surprisingly grimey bassline. Deep and unapologetic, it submerges the rest of the track in its murky waters. The elongated bass creates high energy, and when the high-pitched bleeps trickle back through at the breakdown, they lift the duration of the track. ‘Googles’ is designed for the dancefloor — brisk, bright and boisterous, and thoroughly entertaining.
Alix Perez
Feelings Of Regret Shogun Audio 8.5
Since 2009 and the release of ‘1984’, liquid heads have been salivating at the mere thought of a second Perez album, and the wait is finally over, as it’s on its way very soon. To whet our appetites a little, Alix is giving away this little amuse bouche from the album. As we’ve come to expect, the track is pure class: soulful vocals adorn layers of graceful melodic notes over slightly melancholy tones.
Break
So True VIP Symmetry 8.5
Last year’s lethal release of ‘So True’ was unavoidable. The stunning track resonated deep through countless sets of the scene’s finest DJs, and now Break has celebrated the track’s success by reworking it into his own VIP. The track is painted a few shades darker, allowing it to delicately destroy the dance,
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but preserving its soulful vibes, with that distinct vocal and speckles of jazz piano. This track is a credit to its predecessor.
DC Breaks
Shaman Ram 7.5
The exclusively-signed Ram duo have been silently studio-bound since their speaker-scorching ‘Firez EP’ last summer, and ‘Shaman’ is the first of their militant material to be released in 2013. As the name suggests, ‘Shaman’ is destined for the dancefloor, to tap into some kind of tantric, tribal trance. Almost hypnotizing, the belligerent bass is balanced by each hefty kick, and horns litter the track, reminding us exactly where this tune is headed.
Evesdrop feat Soulyric
Our Reflections Loop 8.0
With the exception of new- sounding glitches and the harmonious layering of the vocal, ‘Our Reflections’ could have been made 10 years ago, and all the better it sounds for it. In a time where, within our beloved genre, it’s the norm to be experimental, it’s refreshing to hear an artist working with the sound boundaries the forefathers carved. Crisp Amen breaks and warm tumbling basslines wrap themselves around soft vocals and classic samples.
Fourward feat Youthstar
Aftermath AudioPorn 7.0
This track feels like a rework of ‘Deadnaught’, but it pulls
it off with some sense of originality. The Austrian quartet cleverly use space to create a supersonic landscape, to great avail. Teetering on the edge of the sub-genre box marked neuro-funk, this track could also easily drop into the box marked minimal-tech; with both sounds storming the dance of present, it’s no wonder that ‘Aftermath’ has been on the tips of the tongues of the top DJs.
Friction & Skream feat Scrufizzer, P Money & Riko Dan Kingpin (Calyx & Teebee
Remix) Shogun Audio 7.5
Two Radio 1 DJs collaborating is already enough to generate more hype than a preschool kid with ADHD filled with a concoction of Space Rocks and Coke — add a triple shot of ice- cool MCs and you’re laughing. The Calyx & Teebee remix brings a drum & bass flavour to the dubstep-based track: big, heavy bass dominates this surefire hit.
Natural Born Killers Rock The Funky Beat (Radical
Project Remix) Hotwerk 6.0
15 years after the first release of ‘Rock The Funky Beat’, the track is back to batter your speakers with three new box-fresh remixes. Dub sirens and a basic beat create a classic intro before the booming, heavyweight bass kicks in and vibrates through the track’s entirety. The break is filled with more sirens, supersonic, future-sounding SFX and a predictable muffled vocal. This track will blow your speakers before your mind.
GERRA & STONEGERRA & STONE
01. DBR UK & MTWN ‘Shrapnel’ Dispatch LTD Dub “Absolutely love the first drop on this one, great collab from some superb
up-and-coming producers.”
02. GERRA & STONE ‘Back Hand’ Dispatch LTD Dub “Something brand-new from us on our first outing on Dispatch LTD, built for
the dancefloor.”
03. AXON ‘STTR’ Invisible Dub “Very unique tune from an extremely exciting producer, watch out for this guy
turning d&b on its head!”
04. DLR & PROLIX ‘Originate’ Trendkill Dub “Absolute tear-out with a catchy vocal hook and sleazy sax thrown in, playing
this every set.”
05. SEBRE & CERN ‘Pinch Me’ Dispatch Dub “Can’t get enough of this techno-infused gem of a tune from two of my
favourite artists.”
06. ST. FILES & RESPONSE ‘Nail Bomb’ Ingredients “Some serious solid production on this deep roller, firm fave at the moment.”
07. GERRA & STONE ‘Crimson’ Proximity Dub “Taken from our forthcoming EP on Proximity, a deep house vocal leads into
crunchy breaks and rolling subs.”
08. SURVIVAL & SILENT WITNESS ‘System Fault’ Dispatch “Taken from their new LP, rolling tech drum & bass at its very best.”
09. GERRA & STONE ‘Test Chamber (Kolectiv Remix)’ Proximity
Dub “Rolling tech drum & bass.”
10. OVERLOOK ‘Three Shards’ Narratives “An excellent, deep cut from fellow south coast resident Overlook, out now on
the sublime Narratives imprint.” Bladerunner
Late Night Caller Program 8.0
Program seem to be following a very simple formula; only release the very height in quality music. ‘Late Night Caller’ has been blazed within the set of Andy C for months — the vocals could have been plucked from any good ‘90s dance track, and, with clear-cut, precise beats, it’s a
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text-book club banger. Seek.
Axon feat Arkaik
Alchemy Proximity 7.0
Moody and malevolent, thumping bass and reversed kicks are minimally pieced together, bringing some substance to the saying ‘less is more’.
Mefjus
Signalz Critical 8.0
This dark techy roller slips seamlessly into the remit of Kasra’s catalog, which is why it’s no surprise he’s exclusively signed Mefjus to Critical. Fast-paced, it’s paying homage to the tribal theme that’s dominating the dance at the moment.
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