dRamatic & dbAudio – Far Away [MARS006]

Posted on October 23, 2012 by Killian

We’ve been pushing the Mars sound on the Robot Bodypop show and blog for some time now and it’s when gems like this are presented before you that you realise a label has come into it’s own. dRamatic & dbAudio are both present for plate 006 and the title track ‘Days Running Out’ evokes memories of a late 90’s/ early 2000 vibe DnB track but kept upfront with some smooth production and use of vocals. It’s a beautiful track and the drop break firmly puts me back 10 years. It’s like a session with a badman psychologist who makes you regress to when your soul was controlled by the dancefloor. Very welcome anyway.
On the flip, personal favourites Total Science come with a remix of ‘Far Away’. On the build it creeps in like an old friend, the vocals make you wistfully ignore the the fact that the drums control this one. A beautiful track with a ridiculous key change some way through that brings the whole track up. Amazing work.

Out on the 29th October and available at all good retailers.

MARS Recordings

Robot Bodypop 13.10.12

Posted on October 13, 2012 by Killian

artwork from “Hello, I’m Robot!” by Stanislav Zigunenko (Russian Kids’ Book, 1989)

Flying solo once again with the new format it’s myself Killian selecting from a mixed bag this week. Deep vibes throughout and even taking a small HipHop excursion with Snakehips, Gummy Soul & Fresh as I’ve recently discovered Bandcamp is an absolute goldmine for concept albums from indie producers.
There some deep dub in there, most notably a free track from Djinn, thats a wicked remix of a Numan track so check for that. Some roots vibes in there too from Egoless and Matta checks in with a remix of French producers Niveau Zero & Tambour Battant. Dark and moody vibes from Kode 9 vs Badwai and to fend of the dark theres glorious tracks from our best kept secret, Londy as well as rising talen Es.Tereo. New D&B vibes from Breaks Symmetry label make this show as varied as it’s ever been. Get keen and listen in.

Things She Say – Londy
Den Of Drumz – Kode 9 vs Badwai
Secrets (Djinn RMX) – Numan
Before Dub – Egoless
Big What (Matta RMX) – Niveau Zero & Tambour Battant
Red Sound – Yosi Horikawa & Dorian Concept
Talinn – Kusto
Who We Are – Break
Third Act – Prolix
Pardon Me – Snakehips
Heart – Fresh
4 Better Or 4 Worse – Gummy Soul
Purple Sky – Es.Tereo

IMLTD 1208 – ‘Purple Sky’ EP

Posted on October 13, 2012 by Killian

French imprint IM:Ltd showcases some of their talent with the new Purple Rain EP reflecting on sounds from a wide open spectrum of deep and forward thinking drum and bass.
Berlin best kept secret Es.Tereo opens up with the soulful ‘Purple Sky’, a textured blend of synths and crisp drums. Gunston’s ‘Transition’ follows with a dark vibe coupled with creeping vocals. Ukrainian lone wolf Hibea steps it up with the menacingly minimal ‘Ellipse’ before its all wrapped up by Nuage taking the vibe up and away soaring through sonic space with ‘Above Time’. Incredible work from this label and theres a couple of bonus tracks in there too. ‘Lonely’ from hot prospect Gerwin and ‘In This Life’ from Belgian producer Atmospherix. Easily in my top 5 EPs for the year so far.

Symmetry presents ‘The Other Side’ LP

Posted on October 13, 2012 by Killian

Symmetry Recordings drops a brand new LP with cuts from various artists, the CD featuring no less than 12 individual tracks. Drum and bass in abundance here with excellent work from label boss Break joined by Eastcolors, Ulterior Motive & Code 3, Octane & DLR, Prolix, Silent Witness, Need For Mirrors, Fields,Hydro, Mako, Villem and Mikal. An impressive roster and it makes for a fantastic long player. From the deep roller ‘Power Down’ to the more vocal ‘Who We Are’ and also the subtle in ‘Watch Out’, this LP really shows off Symmetry for who they are; A committed label excited by pushing the sounds of solid Drum & Bass.

Symmetry Recordings

Not For Sale: Red Bull Music Academy Madrid

Posted on October 13, 2012 by Killian

This compilation actually now dates back to 2011 but the music far exceeds the time is was concepted. And the 2012 compilation isn’t available yet anyway so bag this.
The annual international music event hosted by Red Bull where up and coming producers, singers, arrangers, DJs and musicians get an opportunity to learn from top industry professionals has been throwing up surprise results year after year.
Incredibly, the compilations are put together and the event in Madrid last years see’s no less than 35 tracks included for free download. In any format I might add for the audiophiles amongst us.
Without going into too much detail theres a rich blend of deep electronica but theres still the core instrument playing musicians there in the fold making this an incredibly varied selection.
Absolutely pushed for standout tracks I might be inclined to say Yosi Horikawa & Dorian Concept with the glorious track ‘Red Sound’ & Jorge Caiado & Mathew Jonson with the deep house vibe on ‘Ecovillage’ are the tracks that led me to seek out the full compilation. Get involved.

Boka Records – Niveau Zero & Tambour Battant

Posted on October 12, 2012 by Killian

Boka Records one again making sure they are on the very cusp of whats new with their release ‘Big What’ which features Parisian Niveau Zero on production alongside his fellow countrymen, duo Tambour Battant.
The title track builds with some funked out filter action while some deep vocals guide you in before breaking down into a monster of a tune. Heavy production here from this trio. Perfect dancefloor smasher whilst also being a riddim that makes your head bounce when it comes through your home speakers or headphones.
The flip sees duo Matta on remix duties and they take all the original vibes and break them up into a smooth deep roller. Amazing work from these two once again.

Shouts to Boka for this release. Killing it.