Loaded with big names as well as up and coming artists, July delivers yet another great start to the release schedule. Here's part one of our top picks for the month, dig in!

LSB - Overthinking EP - Spearhead
Drum & bass at its very finest form here, LSB delivers a top class EP entitled 'Overthinking' on the mighty Spearhead Records. With a fresh and forward thinking vibe, LSB really showcases his diversity on the EP with every tune, with tunes like he title track 'Overthinking' which features Sian Sanderson on vocals and is a slice of rolling d&b bliss, to deep and deadly rumble of 'This City', showing us LSB's dark side and delivers a massive tune as well! The rest of the EP is no slouch either,  featuring a big collaboration w/ Stamina MC in 'Far Away From Here', and not to be outdone, a huge remix of 'All My Love' courtesy of the dynamic duo of Technicolour & Komatic. Big big release right here, highly recommended.

 

 

Various - Vibration 20 LP - Vibration Records
Showcasing all sides of drum & bass in this mega compilation, the folks at Vibration Records celebrate their 20th release in a big way! Dropping a 15 track LP, the album features something for everyone with a great vibe and diverse tracklist, and big names on the tracklist as well. Featuring some of d&b's best and brightest like Random Movement, Calculon, Jaybee, ATP and Flaco to name a few, I really enjoyed the LP as a whole, it flowed really well overall. Make sure to check out the whole album, there is truly something for everyone, great stuff!

 

 

Critycal Dub - Times Ticking / Smooth Dub - Prestige Music
Coming back strong in 2012, Prestige Music continues to put out quality music from top notch talent, and this release is no exception. With a well balanced vibe the a-side 'Times Ticking' has some big atmospheric sounds and samples, loving the washed out vocals and crisp snares which compliment each other perfectly. B-side 'Smooth Dub' is just that, smooth soundscapes but hits you with a dark undertone that's unexpected, but welcomed!

 

 

Seba - In The Sun / Make My Way Home - Offshore Recordings
The mighty Seba is back with another strong release, this time on the Offshore Recordings imprint. Just in time for summer, Seba delivers the goods with 'In The Sun', featuring crisp drum work, rumbling baselines, and euphoric synths for an overall great tune. The flipside entitled ' Make My Way Home' brings that signature Seba sound we all know and love, rollings beats and vocals, with supreme drum work and top quality vibes, well rounded release here!

 

 

Mikal - Dimension / Foundation - Force Recordings
Massive single from one of this years front runners in drum & bass, Mikal delivers a wicked single on the legendary Force Recordings imprint! 'Dimension' b/w 'Foundation' is a wonderfully diverse single, with different vibes on each side, The a-side 'Dimension' is a futuristic, upfront d&b roller with intelligent soundscape, really solid tune! The flipside features more of Mikal's signature sound in a stepper of a tune with 'Foundation', really loving the tech vibes and old school fell to this release!

 

 

RoyGreen, Protone & Pennygiles - Shadow Chasers / Entity - Smptm
Top quality release here from the up and coming RoyGreen & Protone, this time teaming up with another d&b rising star Pennygiles, with a three track single loaded with vibes! Really liking the diversity of the release with flavours for everyone, my personal favourite here is 'Shadow Chasers', which delivers a proper upfront, rolling sound that carries the entire tune, great for the mix! Flipside 'Entity' is no slouch either, going a bit more deep and dark, yet capturing some airy elements. If that's not enough, Spmtm offers up a digital bonus exclusive, with a half time growler from RG & P in 'Gobi' to help round out this killer release, highly recommended!

 

 

Serum - Deadly Venom / Prototype - Dread Recordings
Following the tread in July of big singles, Dread Recordings comes to the plate with a beast of a release, featuring the badman known as Serum! Deep, dark and deadly jungle vibes get dished out on both cuts, with the a-side 'Deadly Venom' laying the down the heavyweight sound, smashing amens, and a growling bassline sure to tear up and dancefloor. Don't let the flipside fool you, it's a winner as well, 'Prototype' comes out swinging with a rolling, more techy feel, that tears the house down on the drop, two great tunes here!

 

 

Various - LiquidNation EP Vol.1 - Kos.Mos.Musis
Lovely little four track EP here from the Russian imprint Kos.Mos.Music, featuring a well balanced track list and great vibes overall. Really enjoyed the flow of the EP as a whole, with tracks like 'The Harmonist' by Te Reine, which is a nice deep and mellow tune that carries a lovely vibe al the way through. Also really digging Intelligent Manner's 'Everytime' and Russian d&b don Electrosoul System's 'Midnight Showers', both on the liquid side of the spectrum but done incredibly well. Real nice EP here for the Summer season, check it!

 

 

Audio - Fall Back ft. Stapleton / Rust ft. Inside Info - Renegade Hardware
Back again with that heavyweight sound, Renegade Hardware delivers a brutal single here featuring the one like Audio! Teaming up with Stapleton and Inside Info, this release is a must have for anyone looking to tear down the dancefloor. A-side 'Fall Back' hits real hard, featuring Stapleton on MC duties and just busts up at the breakdown, fierce tune! Going super fast and heavy for the flipside, 'Rust' is a collaboration with Inside Info and hits you right in the sweet spot, love the breakdown on this tune as well, solid release.

 

 

Joe Syntax - Modus Bass Fun EP - Med School
Top quality EP here from the ever future thinking Med School Music imprint, going back at it with one of their staple names in Joe Syntax. 'Modus Bass Fun' is the latest offering from the Med School camp and is truly diverse and different from what you're used to hearing in drum & bass currently. From the fun and bouncing 'Macro Man' to the storming sounds of 'Red Zone', there is something for everyone in here. Well balanced stuff here from Joe Syntax and Med School, top quality!

 

Related Links:

• Warm Communications Launches New Label
• Kmag Seba Remix Competition
• Essential DNB Releases Apr 2012 Part 1
• Essential DNB Releases Apr 2012 Part 1
• Kmag Seba Remix Competition Final Call

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