Big fans of the Diffrent label here at Robot Bodypop. The label bosses seem
to have a clear view of what they want to put out and whilst it may
be indulgent, the quality is always there. In their own words; “We believe theres a lot of soul-less D&B music
out there due to labels having to put out music that “HAS” to sell.
Ultimately we’re about making music fun, trying new things
& putting out music that we truly love!’ – Hunchbak
& Dexta The title track ‘Cutting
Edge’ opens the release off with its steppy breaks
and chopped vocal stabs. It doesn’t build so much as hit you in the
face from the off. ‘Lost’ opens with
some haunting synth’s and draws you in before the crisp break
drives through the cold vibes Diffrent is known for before it peaks into a breakdown that
runs with piano licks and twisted electronica. Followed by personal
favourite ‘Game Changer’ it builds
slowly before the lyrics force a key change and the bass wraps
around the vocals interspersed with killer soundbites. Badness ‘Serrated’ works on the low end right
the way through. Its a deep track. One for the heads. A strong release and out to
pick up now at Juno Records and all decent online
retailers.
Regal Records returns maintaining the ethos of promoting fresh dance music from up and coming producers. This cut, the ninth release so far, sees South London’s Dub Motion at the controls with ‘Lucifer’ and ‘Red Stripe’. Two serious tunes which have already been gaining appreciation on the dancefloor and both tracks featured on the recent S.P.Y. Hospital podcast. Theres plenty of support in the scene too from the likes of Logistics, Cyantific, London Elektricity, Nu:Tone & Random Concept. Each track leans towards the darker side of D&B but each showing that Dub Motionhas a great deal to offer the scene.
Available to pick up on 12th November from Juno Download
C.I.A offshoot DeepKut presents the next instalment of the Kuts Deep series Vol 3. 2 x CIA veterans are drafted in for this release. A side sees Beta 2, who has been away from the game, returning on top form with the vocal number ‘Love Finds Me’ featuring the vocal talents of Pete Josef.
The flip sees fellow Dubliner Zero T dropping some serious filth with the track ‘Red Hand’ This 12 is not to be missed. The latter track being a deep rolling vocal number that makes you stand up and take count. Salute!
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.
Estate Recordings goes from strength to strength showing that the recent Umbro bursary was well deserved. The new single, their 7th release, drops on the 20th August and it’s a killer.
On the A side it’s the first release from super-producer and selector Chimpo and ridiculously good vocalist Fox. They go by the name of The Eyes and it’s a fantastic mix of talents with each artist going back to the roots of music with the vibes on this plate. Both tracks found their way onto the playloist of this weeks Robot Bodypop radio show.
‘Harder’ is a reggae anthem with a hook, which should have people singing throughout the summer. On the flip you have ‘Come Again’ which switches up the vibes with a dancehall riddim this time featuring Strategy found recently rocking speakers worldwide with ‘Marka’
Talented video work from Joe Gavin once again. Really excited to see whats next from both Estate Recordings and The Eyes.
I first met DRS skateboarding in Manchester. Albert Square was a plaza for wheeled talent and Del used to drop by with Matt Harfield. This was back in the 90’s and I still remember being shocked that this friendly and humble guy was also the voice of LTJ Bukems Progression Sessions alongside Conrad. Fast forward a decade and more and DRS has firmly rooted himself within Manchester’s history. Del is a musician, producer, MC & illustrator and his new long player ‘I don’t usually like MC’s but…’ is about to drop and from a punters point of view it’s one of the most anticipated releases of the year. As well as his hard work with Broke ‘N’ English and the Estate Recordings camp, DRS has managed to put together an album which both himself and his peers are incredibly proud of. The debut single ‘Count To Ten’ ft. Enei is making serious waves most notably since Kasra featured it on his Fabric Live release.
A testament to the albums quality is it’s release on Marcus Intalex’s Soul:R label. ‘Count To Ten’ with ‘Holding On’ featuring Jehst, Lenzman and Riya on the flip is out to buy on 23rd July at any retailer worth its salt.
DRS talks about the forthcoming single: A. Count to Ten
“This is the second of a trilogy of tunes me Alex (Enei) and Kasra have put
together. Its a play on the count to ten technique used to hold down a bad
temper, which not a lot of people know I do have. I manage to tame it most of the
time but people who are close to me have seen its very ugly face! This tunes
about how I feel before I lose control!! I am not glamourising this in anyway, but
a heavyweight tune came out of telling the tale. Its the part of my character I’m
most ashamed of. If my music is anything its honest.”
AA. Holding On
“This is the first of the two Lenzman collabs. Another sumer roller, driven by a
hip hop piano. It reminded of some old UK hip hop sample, thats what gave me
the idea to get my mate Jehst on this riddim (making his dnb debut). I put my
verse down first, an insight into the actual logistic of life on the road and the
bullshit that comes with it. Jehst followed suit. and desecrated the tune. While
he was recording his verse I came up with the hook. I put it down and we sent it
to Lenzman. He suggested getting Riya to sing along with my hook! oof! that was
the icing on the cake. Bleak,but at the same time feel good. some how??
Bag the single and prepare for the LP and in the meantime you can roll through Del’s influences via the Youtube playlist below. Hardly surprising that its full of warm harmonies and pinnacle tracks.
Clearly a man who understands his music and is right on the cutting edge of whats new, DRS is making himself a ridiculously hard act to follow. Inspirational and aspiring are two words that spring to mind. People have tried to tell me that Manchester is stuck in the past & trying to hold onto the music that made the City famous. It’s people like DRS that give us ammunition in countering those ridiculous arguments.
Big fans of the Diffrent label here at
Robot Bodypop 