The multifarious Actraiser returns with the second instalment in his Footwork Jungle mix series. Commencing with a frenetic 160 dancefloor focus, artists such as Fishstix, Chrissy Murderbot and Om Unit grace the playlist as it encroaches further and further into Drum and Bass territory. Taal Mala, Mark Kloud and Plug facilitate a mighty conclusion. Pure quality precisely as we have come to expect. Free to download.
Fresh off the plate from the brilliant Slime Recordings, this debut from Sydney producer Akin comes as a mixed bag of Garage, Drum & Bass and Dubstep. With a melancholic vibe supported by a firm groove, the air tight production immediately made our ears prick.
In we go. ‘Jaded’ commences with unearthly chords giving way to springing 2-step beats backed by a stirring vocal. Garage will never die with producers like Akin keeping it alive. The high benchmark is adhered to on the mournful liquid Drum and Bass track ‘Longing’, with tight drums and melancholy piano phrases. Ending on the deep Dubstep vibes of ‘You Don’t Know’ we are treated to a stunning example of the production we can expect from future releases. One of the most impressive debuts we’ve heard this year. Pre-order from Juno ahead of the release on 22nd October.
Back with the future funk, REKchampa comes through with another blunted 2step/Hip Hop cross-pollenation. In keeping with the sound that first got our attention with ‘Pocket The Rest’, here we see enhanced production and a consolidation of his distinctive style.
‘Bartender’s Theme’ opens with restless percussion and bar-room atmospheres underscored by deep chords and a sub-oceanic bass line. Bringing it down a notch on the second track, Brea steps in to lend sampled vocals and harmonies to the beautiful instrumentation on ‘Collapsin’.
‘Flit-Flax’ has a skippy beat and a persistent organ melody which rides over shimmering pads as Timbaland-style vocal incursions dip in and out. ‘The Comeback’ has an eski feel to it, with a glacial drum track breaking into pitched down vocals merged with vibrant chord play. The last track ‘Loft’ sees us out with a gloriously detailed 2step beat and trademark pitched percussive vocals.
He’s done it again folks. Self-released at $4 (or more) and worth every penny. A must for any collection. Go and bag that.
18 year old Ruud Whiting has been a promising up and coming production talent in the Manchester bass scene for some time. We have always known he had it in him, but it has taken until now for his talents to be realised in this, his first ever EP.
Entitled ‘Burgerz & Chipz’, it is intended as a loose homage to the Manchester takeaway establishments which form the staple diets of many a discombobulated club-goer in the scramble for a meat and bread based treat. Gourmet it may not be, but at 4am it might as well be Gordon-fucking-Ramsey.
Staying true to the musicality which has helped set him apart from other producers, this EP contains 11 tracks of bass drenched melody, with influences ranging from blues, rock, dubstep, and hip hop molded to fit his in-your-face yet warm and smooth signature sound. The resultant groove is a funky party vibe, superbly listenable and highly recommended. Pick it up for free right here on mediafire.
About a month ago we featured a huge sounding Usher remix from London based Producer/DJ Distinction. He also recently smashed the main room of the legendary Fabric club at the Dub Police night there at the end of August. It was that set that inspired the first instalment in a new series of mixes.
/mikst#1/ is what DJing is all about, or should be. We are treated to a wealth of bass exploring early Dubstep stylings, Hip Hop, Grime and Trap beats perfectly melded together in an interesting and varied set, featuring a wide selection of artists from all corners such as Baauer, XXYYXX, Girl Unit, TNGHT, Redlight, Darq E Freaker, Matty G, and Diplo on the playlist.
There’s more to come from Distinction in the near future too:
Having started to experiment outside the confines of any particular genre, Distinction’s recent releases have sided more towards the influence of R&B music on his production, having released his massive ‘Swim Good’ and ‘Climax’ Refix’s, which have received support online from sites like Hypetrak, StupidDOPE and SB.TV amongst others. The tracks have caused quite a stir online & are set to appear on his highly anticipated RVST mixtape, which is to be released in the near future.
Here’s the full /Mixst#1/ mix for free stream and download including full tracklist. Go grab it.
01. Distinction ::: Mɪkst Keep Witching Intro
02. XXYYXX ::: Witching Hour
03. S-X ::: Wooo
04. Major Lazer ::: Original Don [Flosstradamus Remix]
05. The Bug Feat. Flowdan ::: Jah War [Loefah Remix]
06. Redlight ::: MDMA
07. Childish Gambino Feat. Schoolboy Q & Ab Soul ::: Unnecessary
08. Distinction & Sonar Cousin ::: Infinite
09. Usher ::: Climax [Distinction Refix]
10. UZ ::: Trap Shit v7
11. Matty G ::: My 808
12. Joker & Rustie ::: Tempered
13. Girl Unit ::: Wut
14. Sinjin Hawke ::: Crystal Dust
15. Darq E Freaker Feat. Danny Brown ::: Blueberry
16. RL Grime ::: Trap On Acid
17. Taiki & Nulight ::: Im Comin
18. Baauer ::: Harlem Shake
19. TNGHT ::: Goooo
20. Kruegar ::: Neva Knew [Baauer Remix]
21. Sleigh Bells ::: Demons [Diplo Remix]
22. Piff Gang ::: MHC
23. UZ ::: Trap Shit v9
24. Baauer ::: My Nose
25. Flosstradamus ::: Rollup
26. Diplo ::: Express Yourself [Gent & Jawns Remix]
27. TNGHT ::: Higher Ground
28. Carling Ruse ::: Find U [Ruddyp Remix]
29. Frank Ocean ::: Swim Good [Distinction Refix]
Belgian residents Bunzer0 and long time Robot Bodypop favourite Janner collaborate on this new 3 track EP on Whistla‘s future garage label L2S due for release later this week.
The vibe is deep, heavy and steppy. Pitch bent basslines and funky 2step breaks feature throughout. Whilst highly suited to the dancefloor, there is still more than enough subtlety and precise soundscaping to satisfy the contemplative heads who like to stand back taking it all in. A worthy addition to the formidable L2S roster. Preview the full release here and grab it when it drops from any of the following outlets:
Robot Bodypop 