Dark Sky

Frames EP
Pictures
The Dark Sky trio return from their killer debut 12" for Black Acre with the inaugural release for the Pictures imprint.  Over four tracks they are able to explore the different facets of their multifarious sound. The EP opens with Reflex, a dark funky beast. Opening amidst a riddle of ominous atmospheres it drops into a driving pulse accented by the flourish of the soca snares. It breaks back down to its core before exploding with snapping snares, a burrowing bassline and a laser-like hook. Night Light is a grime-meets-Funky monster, contrasting delicate melodic lines with a rib-shaking square wave bassline before Drowned City takes things down a notch with a beautifully melancholic and ethereal 2-step number.  Fly rounds off the EP in manic style with frenetic synths swirling around the mix over the swing and bounce of the beat. A brilliant and versatile EP from one of the hottest production outfits around.

 

Frames E.P Sampler - Forthcoming on Pictures Music 12th July 2010 by Dark Sky

 

 

Falty DL

Phreqaflex / Because You / My Friends Will Always Say...
Planet Mu
The consistently prolific Drew Lustman returns to Planet Mu for the first of two singles due in quick succession for the label, with three soulful and spacious garage cuts. Title track Phreqaflex doesn't play about, heading straight for the floor with its tight shuffling groove, glassy synth stabs and unstable bassline. Constantly rearranging itself over the cut and thrust of the 2-step rhythm, it is guaranteed to keep your body moving and your head buzzing. Because You delves into slightly darker territory, revolving around the recurring vocal motifs which fade in and out of the atmospheric haze, pulled along by the insistence of the percussive shuffle. My Friends Will Always Say... closes the EP on a more soulful tip, lifted by the drifting hooks, smooth pads and rich vocals. However, the bouncing bassline and sharp drums keep it firmly in dancefloor territory. Another victorious outing for Lustman.

 

 

 

Hyetal

Phoenix / Like Silver
Orca Recordings
With Orca001 flying out of the shops and getting caned across the board, the label makes a quick return for part two, this time handing over the reigns to young Bristol beatmaker Hyetal. The A-side sees the long-awaited release of Phoenix, which has had tongues wagging for a while now. Dripping with soul, Phoenix is expansive, spacious and bursting with colour. Driven by the yearning subs and galloping kicks, Hyetal masterfully crafts an uplifting melodic symphony. Pinned down by the cavernous snares and metallic rush of the hi-hats, the synths explode in an epic shower of life, providing an immense euphoric rush. Like Silver is not quite so explosive as the A-side, but nonetheless draws you in. Opening in similarly epic style, the synths immediately rise around you before giving way to the loose shuffle of the percussion and glitchy hook. This is an artist and label destined for big things.

 

Hyetal - Phoenix - 002 by william orca

 

 

Rossi B & Luca

Crystal Lady / Saturn
Double Science
Only three releases deep and the Double Science label's stock is rapidly rising. Focusing on future garage permutations, releases from Geiom, ID & Skinnz and Kalbata have all been spot on. This, the fourth release for the label, comes courtesy of garage and grime veterans Rossi B & Luca. Equal parts robust and ephemeral, the tough swing of the drums on Crystal Lady is juxtaposed against the flighty vocals and pads. Dropping into a bouncing jungle bassline it hits home, playing its lurching bounce against the rush of the percussion to brilliant effect. Saturn takes a more aggressive approach, with alien synth lines riding off the lurching subs and propulsive percussion. The skittering hi-hats dictate the track's speed against the half-step snares, letting the simple hook and tough bass do the work. Double Science is on the money once again.

 

Rossi B & Luca - Crystal Lady (Double Science 004) by rossibandluca

 

 

Naive Machine

Cement Mix / Jump Luigi
Hit And Hope
The new Brighton based Hit and Hope label is christened by these two outstanding tracks from London-via-Brighton producer Naive Machine. Cement Mix is centered around the flitting 8-bit melody which gives the track a jolt and bump, backed by the alien swell of the synths. The understated drums slide under the weight of the melody, broken up by lovely organic drum fills which add a human element. Jump Luigi opens in a haze of electrical static and staccato bleeps before dropping into a sloping beat energized by the inflating synths. The bass bounces underneath the computer-funk of the melody, which comes on like a mutant guitar solo. A very promising start to a label, which you would do well to keep your eye on.

 

Naive Machine - Cement Mix (clip, out July 19th) by HIT AND HOPE

 

 

LHF

Enter The Silence EP
Keysound
The mysterious LHF collective step up to Blackdown's Keysound imprint to let loose four tracks from their extensive vaults of music. The EP is opened by the uneasy swing of Steelz by Amen Ra and Double Helix.  The wavering synth lines and sharp pads set the tone for the track as the loose tribal percussive groove scatters itself across the lurch of the bass. Broken Glass jumps straight in with quickfire percussion and plundering subs.  Again, the unstable synths and taught pads serve to create an underlying tension as the elements coalesce into a chaotic climax. Deep Life by Double Helix juxtaposes the flighty synths and rich diva vocals against the tough kicks and reverberating snares, while Low Density Matter's Blue Steel provides an a deep, propulsive conclusion to the EP. An intriguing debut from an intriguing production outfit.

 

 

 

Ill Blu

Bellion / Dragon Pop
Hyperdub
UK funky duo Ill Blu step up for a highly-anticipated release on Kode 9's Hyperdub label, providing two streamlined cuts full of impact. Bellion creates a tight shuffle led by the galloping snares, which provides the foundation for the track, hypnotizing in its efficacy. The simple off-beat marimba melody wires itself through the track as blunted horns and deep subs drive the low end. Dragon Pop delves even deeper, forgoing any tangible melody for the intricate play off of the tribal percussion and penetrative bass pulse. Weaving together the harmonics of the shakers and rolling bongos, the track relieves itself of any excess weight, driving itself straight home.

 

Ill Blu - Bellion / Dragon Pop by Gimme5

 

 

SBTRKT & Sampha

Break Off / Evening Glow / Evening Glow Reprise
Ramp Recordings
The ever-innovative and forward thinking Ramp Recordings camp bring yet another quality 12" here from the enigmatic SBTRKT, delivering up two very different sides. Lead track Break Off is achingly fresh and primed for the dancefloor. Taking the cheeky bump and groove of classic UK garage with its swung beat and bouncing melodies, and lent the simply, catchy lyrics of Sampha, this track is pure fyah! On the flip SBTRKT comes with the completely different, but equally hypnotizing Evening Glow. Sampha's soulful vocals usher in soft, whirring arpeggios and cut up vocal samples, which drift along over a loose beat before fading out at yieldingly as they come in. Evening Glow Reprise rounds off the EP in an ethereal haze, floating across the speakers with dreamlike beauty.

 

SBTRKT + Sampha - Break Off by samphamusic

 

 

Propatingz

Stay Alive / Hustle Hard
Bad Acid
Propatingz steps up to the Bad Acid imprint with two ADD bass-heavy cuts that don't pull any punches. Stay Alive opens up ominously on a wave of sinister pads and creeping FX, rising to a bleak crescendo before giving way to the manically glitchy synths which fly through the track, only wired down by the punishing snares. The bass slides under the synths, morphing into all manner of mechanoid shapes, ensuring maximum impact. Hustle Hard on the flip is a tough hip hop jam, employing similar tropes to Stay Alive, but with a different overall effect. The bump of the beat gives the whole track a freer, looser feel to it while still maintaining the force given to it by the swathes of bass and the manic twitch given by the synths.

 

 

 

Kontext

No More Room In Hell / Daphnia Pulex / Sattva / Fear Of Laughing
Immerse
Bristol's Immerse label keeps it deep and forward-thinking with this four track EP from Russia's Kontext. The lengthy No More Room In Hell opens the EP, realigning the rhythms of 2-step with the sonics of techno, creating a hypnotizing shuffle. The ominous growl of the bass line swells with defiant restraint as the carefully layered and textured synth stabs, pads and fx swirl around the arrow-like trajectory of the percussion. Daphnia Pulex skips along on a skeletal, fidgety rhythm, while Sattva provides a more robust, jolting rhythm constantly on the verge of unwiring itself. Fear Of Laughing plays itself - and the EP - out on the wave of the bass, taking you deep underwater with the heavily reverbed synth line and flickering percussion. Brilliant stuff.

ime022 by immerserecords

• Falty DL
,
• Rossi B & Luca
,
• Kontext
,
• Dark Sky
,
• Hyetal
,
• Naive Machine
,
• LHF
,
• Ill Blu
,
• SBTRKT & Sampha
,
• Propatingz

Related Links:

• Hyetal Mix And Interview
• April 2010 Dubstep Reviews
• June 2010 Dubstep Reviews
• Hyetal To Release Broadcast LP
• Out Of Step Sample Sale

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