Archive for the ‘Vinyl Retention’ Category

Vinyl Retention: Darkhouse Family

Wednesday, February 19th, 2014

Every Wednesday, Sardi lets us know what’s tickling his eardrums in the world of electronic music…

According to the press release, the new Brockwild EP from Darkhouse Family is described as ‘Dungeon beats, dark arts hip hop and future screwface featuring a guest collaboration with ARP 101 and a heartfelt homage to a dearly departed soul.’

I’d say that’s a pretty apt description of the four-track release on the Earnest Endeavours imprint. Brockwild is a journey through bunted beats, Ragga samples and hoovers, ‘Arphouse’ feat. Arp 101 (AKA Alix Perez) is an eerie, boogie times number, ‘Elephant Large’ is the quirky yet neck breaking track and ‘Press Continue’ (One For Challis) rounds out the EP being the more melodic and spacey jam of the four.

Exciting stuff. Due out March 10th.

If you like what you hear, be sure to tune in to RTRFM’s Full Frequency between 3pm & 5pm, as Sardi and Dart explore the latest beats and bass from around the globe.

Vinyl Retention: “Shadow Boxing” (Om Unit Remix)

Wednesday, February 12th, 2014

Every Wednesday, Sardi lets us know what’s tickling his eardrums in the world of electronic music…

There’s been a fair few genre defining tracks throughout Drum & Bass’ 20 years of existence, but ask any Junglist what their top five tunes of the genre would be and without a doubt ‘Shadow Boxing’ by Nasty Habits (AKA Doc Scott) would feature in their list.

A seminal track released in 1996, it’s been brought up to date with a brand new remix by Om Unit. Up to date might be an odd choice of words, as it’s essentially the same as the original, maintaining the sinister reece bass and samurai SFX, but opting for a half beat Drumstep vibe.

It’s a pretty cool remix staying faithful to the spirit of the original… perhaps a little too faithful.

If you like what you hear, be sure to tune in to RTRFM’s Full Frequency between 3pm & 5pm, as Sardi and Dart explore the latest beats and bass from around the globe.

Vinyl Retention: Ed:it

Wednesday, February 5th, 2014

Every Wednesday, Sardi lets us know what’s tickling his eardrums in the world of electronic music…

Kicking off 2014 with a bang, the Shogun LTD imprint drops an absolute monster in the form of Nottingham based producer Ed:it’s Sound Killer.

Having chalked up releases on Commercial Suicide & Critical, this newcomer to the scene shows immense potential and his double A side for the Shogun imprint shows why label boss Friction was quick to snap these two numbers up.

With a murky and dubbed out intro, ‘Sound Killer’ crawls its way to an almighty drop riddled with heart-pounding bass hits and minimalistic drum breaks. Maintaining a similar vibe, the flip ‘I Would’ strips things back even further leaving us with a relentless roller.

Big release due out in mid February.

If you like what you hear, be sure to tune in to RTRFM’s Full Frequency between 3pm & 5pm, as Sardi and Dart explore the latest beats and bass from around the globe.

Vinyl Retention: Presk

Wednesday, January 29th, 2014

Every Wednesday, Sardi lets us know what’s tickling his eardrums in the world of electronic music…

Direct from Amsterdam via London & Berlin, the latest release by Presk is bound to satisfy your appetite for head noddin’ dance floor goodness.

The Saluki EP on the Ten Thousand Yen imprint comprises four brilliant, yet distinctly different tracks from the Dutch producer, showcasing his production flare within the Techno genre.

The title track is easily the standout with an extremely catchy and bouncy synth bass line guaranteed to make you move. The rest of the EP is rounded out by more traditional Techno stylings in the form of ‘MOD1’ and ‘Rais’ and the UK Garage influenced shuffle of ‘Vigor’.

All in all, a great EP.

If you like what you hear, be sure to tune in to RTRFM’s Full Frequency between 3pm & 5pm, as Sardi and Dart explore the latest beats and bass from around the globe.

Vinyl Retention: “Underground Sonics”

Wednesday, January 22nd, 2014

Every Wednesday, Sardi lets us know what’s tickling his eardrums in the world of electronic music…

2014 marks the 12th year of Critical Music’s existence as one of the leading labels within the D&B community. To celebrate and launch the year with a bang, they’ve released another spectacular compilation full of exclusive, never released cuts, hand picked by label boss Kasra.

Just shy of 20 tracks, Underground Sonics features an amazing selection of tunes from a plethora of the scene’s leading artists including The Upbeats, Noisia, Enei, Dub Phizix, Ivy Lab,Phace and so many more.

It does an amazing job of representing modern day Drum & Bass in all its different guises, from the melodic textures of Ivy Lab’s ‘Baby Grey’ all the way through to the technoid rumblings of Phace’s ‘The Setup’.

It’s hard to pick a favorite, but if I had to, it would be the minimal sounds of ‘The Clock Ticks’ by Dub Phizix, which does a splendid job of introducing you to the album.

If you like what you hear, be sure to tune in to RTRFM’s Full Frequency between 3pm & 5pm, as Sardi and Dart explore the latest beats and bass from around the globe.

Vinyl Retention: Débruit and Alsarah

Wednesday, November 27th, 2013

Every Wednesday, Sardi lets us know what’s tickling his eardrums in the world of electronic music…

France meets Sudan as prolific beatmaker and producer extraordinaire Débruit teams up with vocalist Alsarah to bring us an amazing new album Aljawal.

The eleven track release is an amalgamation of Débruit’s chunky and funky, analogue bass driven beat production, fused with the ethereal and poetic vocals of Alsarah.

Haunting and evocative, yet full of fun, it’s a very strange and bold collaboration of two quite diverse sounds, yet somehow, it works. It’s reminiscent in parts to local hero Diger Rockwell’s excursion into worldly beats.

Exciting stuff and hopefully a pairing that will continue to work together.

If you like what you hear, be sure to tune in to RTRFM’s Full Frequency between 3pm & 5pm, as Sardi and Dart explore the latest beats and bass from around the globe.

Vinyl Retention: Way of the Warrior

Wednesday, October 23rd, 2013

Every Wednesday, Sardi lets us know what’s tickling his eardrums in the world of electronic music…

With DJ Friction at the helm, it’s no wonder that the mighty Shogun Audio label keeps going from strength to strength. Last year saw them celebrate their 50th release with a compilation album Way Of The Warrior showcasing the talents of the their ever-expanding roster.

Due out mid-November, the second installment of the Way Of The Warrior series sees familiar label mates Icicle, Rockwell, SpectraSoul and Technimatic deliver cutting edge beats alongside a slew of contributors including Optiv & BTK, Total Science & DLR. The result is a fresh, all encompassing collection of twisted tech infused numbers alongside deep & melodic grooves.

A large amount of compilations tend to have a few good tracks and a bunch of fillers. This is NOT one of those albums.

If you like what you hear, be sure to tune in to RTRFM’s Full Frequency between 3pm & 5pm, as Sardi and Dart explore the latest beats & bass from around the globe.

Vinyl Retention: Makoto

Wednesday, October 9th, 2013

Every Wednesday, Sardi lets us know what’s tickling his eardrums in the world of electronic music…

Japanese D&B legend Makoto has been branching out more and more over the past few years, flexing his production prowess over a multitude of genres. His latest EP on Apollo Recordings sees him tread down the Garage path with five tracks of harmonious soul.

The Primitive EP is anything but, showing a sense flair and maturity in the production. Stripping things back and keeping it simple is the formula here and Makoto does it best letting his freeform Jazz prowess shine through.

My pick of the bunch is the beat-less sun drenched ‘Sapphire Eyes’. Beautiful summertime vibes.

If you like what you hear, be sure to tune in to RTRFM’s Full Frequency between 3pm & 5pm, as Sardi and Dart explore the latest beats & bass from around the globe.

Vinyl Retention: Gerwin & Nuage

Wednesday, October 2nd, 2013

Every Wednesday, Sardi lets us know what’s tickling his eardrums in the world of electronic music…

Gerwin & Nuage are relative newcomers to the world of Drum & Bass, but that hasn’t stopped the pair releasing a slew of killer cuts both independently and together on a plethora of fine labels. Their new release however lets some D&B stalwarts shine, as they hand over the reins (stems is probably a better word) for a double A side remix outing on IM:LTD.

Due out in mid October, the single features Zero T’s take on Gerwin & Nuage feat. 2Shy’s ‘Lying Portraits’ and Brazilian hero Bungle’s re-interpretation of Gerwin’s ‘Soul Truth’. Both standout remixes, but the Bungle rework is the true highlight. Keeping the vibe similar to the original, Bungle opts for a more rolling break layered with grimey bass and soothing vocals, all the while keeping the depth and soul with hints of Jazz. A perfect marriage of musicality and down right dirtiness.

Brilliant stuff!!

If you like what you hear, be sure to tune in to RTRFM’s Full Frequency between 3pm & 5pm, as Sardi and Dart explore the latest beats & bass from around the globe.

Vinyl Retention: B9

Wednesday, September 25th, 2013

Every Wednesday, Sardi lets us know what’s tickling his eardrums in the world of electronic music…

Late last year I was put onto a local producer by the name of B9. After getting in touch with him and hearing his debut album Textural Kandscapes I knew I had stumbled onto something special.

Venturing into 140BPM melodic dubstep, B9’s music is deep, layered and very musical. Forgoing squelchy midrange bass in favour of low rattling subs and spacey textures, B9 manages to inject something fresh and unique into his chosen genre.

Fast forward nine months and he’s back with a new self-titled LP set to be released later this month on the newly formed Chord Marauders imprint, which he has set up alongside three other producers, who also collaborate with him on his new release.

Twelve brand new tracks in a similar vein to his last album, although this time moving effortlessly through Techno, Garage & low slung beats. It’s another fantastic release from a brilliant young producer.

If you like what you hear, be sure to tune in to RTRFM’s Full Frequency between 3pm & 5pm, as Sardi and Dart explore the latest beats & bass from around the globe.