As if July wasn't another relentless month of high quality DnB releases, August does not mess around with more amazing music from drum & bass's best and brightest. Here are our picks for Essential DNB Releases for this month.

Calyx & TeeBee - Elevate This Sound / Hurting - RAM Records
Back after a few years of hiatus, the legendary producers duo of Calyx & TeeBee have delivered what some are saying is the single of the year. Signed exclusively to the mighty RAM Records imprint, the dynamic duo drop 2 monster cuts on the masses with a-side 'Elevate This Sound' hitting #1 on nearly every major dnb chart across the board. With the infectious vocals looming over the tune, and production value that is pretty unmatched, this tune hits in all the right spots and truly an epic piece of work. The flipside 'Hurting' goes back to the TeeBee & Calyx of old, with a smashing, heavyweight banger of a tune set to destroy any dancefloor. A must have for any DnB fans crate or playlist, big release!!

 

 

 

Various Artists - The Flavours EP Vol. 3 - Real Playaz
The creative minds behind the Real Playaz imprint really nailed it with this various artist compilation entitled 'The Flavours ' EP, with a drum & bass flavour for any and all dnb fans. Featuring some of the genres' original trend setters to new and upcoming talent, Playaz delivered a top notch EP with tunes like DJ Hype's classic anthem 'Peace Love & Unity' getting the remix flex from the mighty Basher, to Sub Zero's heart pounding and rolling 'Digital Blues', the hits just keep on coming from this EP. Other notable tracks would have to be Jaydan's 'Back Here', which comes out swinging with a growling bassline and heavyweight sound and feel, also really feeling the classic jungle rhythms of 'Hunt Her Down' courtesy of Rewind. Overall an awesome EP with something for everyone, top notch stuff!

 

 

 

DJ Chap - Inna Streets EP - Liquid V Recordings
With so much talent coming out of Brazil over the past few years, the next generation of Brazilian producers has truly arrived, and DJ Chap is right in that mix. Dropping his debut EP on Liquid V, 'Inna Streets' EP is a wonderful mix of sounds and vibes, with top level production courtesy of this young and very talented producer. From the title tune 'Inna Streets' Chap wastes no time showing off his abilities to make beautiful, soulful, liquid drum & bass that can stand up with anyone. This guy is no one trick pony though, as he flips the script on the EP with tracks like 'Fear', going deep, dark, and deadly to add some welcomed diversity. Lookout for a slick remix from DRamatic & dbAudio on the EP as well, really good stuff here from DJ Chap and Liquid V!

 

 

 

Dub Phizix & Skeptical - Run It Like The President ft. T Man / Half Man
From the mighty duo that brought us the iconic 'Marka', Dub Phizix & Skeptical are back again bringing the deep and dark halftime vibes with their brand new single on Samurai Music! The a-side entitled 'Run It Like The President' features T Man on vocal duties, all we can say it watch out for the break on this one! Huge, smacking bass, snapping snares and some serious heavyweight pressure from this nasty bit! The flipside 'Half Man' drops in deep & dark as well, with a glitchy undertone and crunchy bassline. Nice, well rounded single here from Dub Phizix, Skeptical and Samurai Music, high recommended!

 

 

 

Octane & DLR - Method to the Madness LP Sampler - Dispatch
On the verge of their mega LP on Dispatch Recordings, Octane & DLR tease us with a two track sampler off of the forthcoming 'Method to the Madness' LP featuring some big tunes and heavy hitting collaborations. The a-side is a monster of a tune, featuring the mighty Break on the collaboration, a dancefloor killer for sure. The flipside to the sampler is a VIP mix of Octane & DLR's 'Rest Mist', this time teaming up w/ Subterra and Gusto. If this is a peak as what's to come from the full album, we're in for a big treat once it's fully released, be on the lookout!

 

 

 

Various Artists - The Rubik Collection Vol.1 - Rubik Records
After ten years in the game, Rubik Records and its sister label Rubik Digital are celebrating their 10 year anniversary with a wonderfully representative compilation featuring many of the artists that have contributed to getting Rubik this far. Featuring now household names that include Technicolour & Komatic, Rene Lavice, Random Movement, Heavy1, Command Strange and Phil Tangent to name a few, it is a lovely collection of deep, soulful D&B, with a splash of the darker side of Rubik, shows what the label has been about for the past ten years. A massive body of work here from the US based imprint, and a good showing as to what is still yet to come from these guys, highly recommended!

 

 

 

Random Movement - Drawn By Intrigue EP - Intrigue Music
Soulful, uplifting, melodic drum & bass at it's absolute finest here courtesy of Random Movement! He has a brand new EP on Intrigue Music called 'Drawn By Intrigue' and it's a four-track EP of rolling drum & bass bliss. Known for his fast paced, rolling basslines, RM shies away from his typical sound and really goes deep on some of the tunes on the EP. Kicking off w/ the title track 'Drawn By Intrigue', which slows the tempo down a bit and delivers a feel good, jazzy stepper thats fits perfect for the late summer playlists, to mega cuts like 'Thought Lust', giving you the signature RM sound with a slight twist, and some cheeky Toni Braxton samples to help round the tune out. Great EP here from a producer who knows no boundaries, high quality stuff!

 

 

 

Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs - Household Goods (Enei remix) - Nice Age
Now this isn't exactly a by the book DnB release by any means, but there is a remix hidden amongst the tech house and deep house stuff that warrants a mention on this list. TEED has been know to work with major drum & bass producers with remixes under their belt from the likes of Calibre, and they are back with a wonderfully refreshing and somewhat unexpected remix from the Russian badman Enei! 'Household Goods (Enei remix), came flying out of leftfield as this typically heavy sounded producer shows his lighter side with this amazing remix, featuring top notch production work and a vibe that Enei just absolutely nailed. Don't sleep on this remix, it's a winner!

 

 

 

Blu Mar Ten - Love is The Devil Remixes pt. 3 - Blu Mar Ten
Rounding out a phenomenal remix series, BMT put the finishing touches on the 'Love is the Devil' trilogy, which featured remixes from names like dBridge, Marcus Intalex and Joe Syntax  to name a few this final chapter holds it's own amongst a list of giants. The a-side 'Blind Soul' ft. Stray, gets the reworking from Spearhead Records lead man BCee, it's a deep and soulful take on the original and brings nothing but vibes. Backed with 'Damage' with a growling and rumbling remix from Sunchase. Proper way to round out the series, give it a good listen.

 

 

Words: Jon Methodus

Related Links:

• Ben Soundscape Guest Mix
• Rubik Records Changes
• New Remixes From Intrigue Music
• The Insiders Free Track
• Essential DNB Releases Mar 2012 Part 1

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