Fresh out of the Slime camp Ukrainian 2-step producer Ext comes correct with this new 2 track EP. ‘Sleepwalking’ has a euphoric garage vibe, with rainwater trickling over filtered down beats and some beautifully treated vocal snippets. The second track is on an abberant liquid drum and bass tip and the groove is kept with dark bass conveying what we percieve to be a chopped up soul sample.
Another great addition to the Slime catalog. Available November 19th
Next up on the Slime Recordings assembly line comes another multi-faceted release, this time from heterogenous London button master Retrospekt.
‘Rolling’ starts with an arpeggiated bassline swiftly breaking off into a delicious electro synth lead, backed by opulent eastern vocal samples and unfaltering 4 by 4 percussion. ‘Rebuilding Dreams’ begins in a mellow jazz climate until jagged electro vibes kick in, dripped with soaking wet FX-heavy vocals. Keeping with the EP’s electro theme Resketch does a faithfully funky remix of ‘Rolling’ before Livewire ups the tempo with a slick liquid Drum & Bass version.
Out on Slime Recordings November 5th 2012
In their third release for None60, production mates Dan Blishen & Andy Hobbs (Silent Dust to you lot) continue in triumphant form. The one thing you can be sure to expect is that they will surpass any expectations.
Immediately ‘Love Sundered’ throws you off. An alarm sound is swiftly smothered by lustrous synths and an unexpected yet well placed 808 snare. Soon we are whisked off into space by climbing pads and a dainty reverberating vocal sample.
On the flip, ‘Tell Me’ is just as beautifully laid out, beginning with a church-like drone that palpitates under a heartfelt vocal. Arpeggiated melodies dance along the higher frequencies to give the track a heavenly atmosphere.
In the eyes of the Robot these cats can do no wrong. Bag it on release from all good digital stores, 8th October 2012.
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.
Our favorite paragons of deep, dark and minimal drum and bass are back with a fresh batch of releases for their resident label None60 this September.
The first of these, catalogued NSY004, is a two track voyage through an epic galaxy of futuristic hip hop and breakbeat. ‘Martyrs’ is breath-snatchingly deep with spaced out samples that bounce off into the ether as the track gradually builds and develops to an epic conclusion. The flip – ‘Population Me’ – is a warm and twisting future hip hop head nodder which features the rythmic poetry of US lyricist Selfsays.
Thankfully Silent Dust are not the types to employ generic production tricks to pull you in – Their compositions have a tempered style and graceful execution that will have your head moving before you even know it yourself. No jarring drops or maximised-to-the-limit repetitive drum programming here, thankyou. Subtlety is key. They skilfully tease your ears until you are ready for the climax, which never fails to satisfy. And there is more to come; Keep your eyes on Robot Bodypop for further releases!
Robot Bodypop 