Dubstep Vinyl 435 Items

For the second instalment of Subaltern’s 2020 program, we welcome one of the scene’s best-kept secrets – Imajika. The three hard-hitting tracks take listeners on a sonic journey through tribal rhythms, punchy drums and immaculate sound design. Calling upon ancient forces, Imajika makes a powerful statement with the Stagger EP.

A slowed down tribute to the dichotomy of mellow/heavy in mid 90's Jungle/Drum n' Bass, "The Shining Wall" begins with eery pads and a forlorn siren call, gently driven along by a subtle amen groove. Midway through, things turn more aggressive with distorted break switchups and a smattering of mentasm for good measure, before coming full circle and leaving you with a warm but somewhat uncertain end. B - Sgt. Risk - Weaponized Soul The flip is a more ominous affair, inspired by the short transition period ca. '96, just before techstep became a defined term. "Weaponized Soul" sets the mood with foreboding pads, until it drops into a relentless barrage of industrial beats and a cavernous sub. In the midway breakdown everything drops away, clearing the stage for a monstrous, swarmlike synthriff. Both of these tracks where never meant to be "conceptual tributes", but just ended up that way. A is fairly new, while B is the umpteenth version of a ten year old tune. Big up the Dolphin Man for convincing us to put them out together.

"Unbroken Dreams of Light" V/A Blueberry Records 2020 Side A;Who is Glen Faba? Hint: I could tell you but then I'd have to undo it. Arable sounds like philip glass if he took some K. Ruby Rod, a track which made the rounds in my live set for 3 years. I'd open with it in front of bands and everyone would take about 7 steps backward from the stage. '5' Todd Osborn sent me a zip of music after my hard drive crashed and I lost everything. I got the complete Blue Note recordings and a collab with Luke Vibert. Here it is. Side B;UC is deadly with the 12" versions. Track comes with cool techno sound effects as well. Horsepower Productions deliver a super rare hardcore artifact from their archives! Side C; Cousin Cockroach on Blueberry!!! You already know. Spurge - a total delight to know and watch out for more from this young beat scientist. Tune is called Deadass. Xglare - Jessee kills it, check her Morph EP on Blueberry - the balance between light and darkness in her sounds astound. Dasychira is slowly turning into a preying mantis and this is what that sounds like. Pretty much exactly. Bénédicte has been busy crafting away at their debut EP for Blueberry, I can't wait for you all to hear it. Softillusion is a dreamy warm blanket. Side D; µ-Ziq on BBR, another dream. We are coming full circle here for this IDM fanboy's wildest dreams. Brrd - I had to straight up jack this 2 minute section from a beat mix that Stewart sent me a few years ago. You can master from an MP3 folks! Focus Group 2. Meet my piano. Her name is Olympia, and my friend Margot named her. The Other Functions - my friends no wave alias is better then yours. Tenant - the rent is still to damn high. Peak acid programming here.

The prolific Dubstep pioneer Youngsta returns to self-run imprint Sentry Records, this time delivering the wax treatment with a murderous collaboration featuring the dons Killa P and Long Range. Title track ’Progress’ starts off innocently, before slowly dragging you into a field of melody that quickly turns into a warzone: Infectious stabs resemble heavy arms, which do serious damage thanks to the genius square- and sawtooth bass lines as its core.

Infernal Sounds welcome the return of the illusive Irish producer Darkimh, plating up the scorching 'Tell Me Nothin' EP' as the follow up to his #IFS009 release which hit shelves in 2018. The title track features Manchester MC T-Man (one part of Levelz), a collaboration in the works for some time, providing the ultimate weight deliverance to the dance floor, igniting rigorous energy as soon as the tune drops. Darkimh backs this stand out piece with two different flips - a more trapped out track in 'Gin Swing' and the surreal and spacious number, 'Boneclick'. All tracks are perfect for different vibes and different situations, whether it's at home on your own, out at a house party or ready to lay siege on the dance floor. The release features a full sleeve artwork piece - designed and photographed by Gabrial Deacon.

Circle Vision proudly presents the anticipated debut album of Copenhagen producer and label head RDG aka. Ruben Nielsen. "Planetary Sound Fiction" marks the Danish label's 10th release with a subbed-out panoramic trip deep into the current state and future of bass music, with sound allies Killa P, Rider Shafique, K Man, Ill Chill, Monti and Yaa Aisin all complementing the hands and ears of the accomplished Danish producer throughout the album.

For the first release of the new decade we are honoured to introduce LA-based Oxóssi who has conjured a captivatingly sinister sonic palette for his debut EP on the label.

DPRTNDRP make their debut on Infernal Sounds as they dish up their 'What Ya Mean' EP - supplying an adapt range of sounds and styles throughout this 4-tracker, which also features a collaboration with DE-TÜ.

Artikal Music UK is pleased to announce the return of LSN with their second release for the label.

Vinyl is close to NM. Tiny wear.

The Fargo EP continues along the forward thinking tangent of the label,
expertly blending elements of bass, techno and rolling percussion. Early
support from Hodge, Loefah and Walton, KZN004 provides 6 club ready,
certified weapons fit for the dance.

2020 repress

Brewing another supremely heavy release on the horizon, Moonshine Recordings is stealing the spotlight once again. Proudly presenting Violinbwoy's first solo album, unadulterated sound system pressure at its finest. Slavic chants and drum rhythms meet the unrivaled power of Violinbwoy's eccentric take on modern bass music 'Fyetisov' kicks off the stellar 3x12" release with a high-powered Stepper emission. Setting the tone with a rumbling bassline and supremely energetic lead instrumentation, full force sound system music down to its core. Shining in a different light, 'Moonspell' reveals its melancholic nature gradually intensifying through otherworldly percussion and anthemic vocal sample placements. Stripped down to its bare bones,'Dubplate' unleashes its detuned, percussive shackles for a massive onslaught of four-to-the-floor, while keeping true to Jamaica's music roots. Warbling tape echo spheres and excellence in emotive expression Violinbwoy's collaboration with singer Marina P turns out to be an anthem by itself enthralling, whoever gets caught into the midst of this hymn of a track. Not backing down one step from the established level of quality, 'Sound System' featuring Junior Dread excels once more in a crystal-clear demonstration of modern roots music mandatory repeat listening. Rejoicing in simplicity, 'Rig Alert' holds true to what the name suggests - cinematic bass meditation, fluidly scaling with the size of its speaker counterpart. Moving on to Dan s vocal skills in 'Wanted': Rastafarian wisdom chanting along a skanking rhythm and orchestral atmosphere. Ethereal bells being submerged in moving air and scattered white noise, 'Run & Hide' demonstrates a more experimental side within the LP exhibiting Downtempo/Ambient inclinations in a magnificent combination with Dub characteristics, only increasing in energy to the call of the dub siren. Ready for more, the title track 'dod' captures us within the expressive, introductory playing of the violin, deserting it for echoes and sub oscillations alike. Calling upon the prowess of Rider Shafique, his harmonic toasting is being escorted by a forward-minded halftime groove in 'Find The Way'. Topping the LP off with Sis' excellence in telling a story through song on a hypnotic instrumental. The nature of last tunes is often powerful, serving to concede with an explosion, appropriate of the session as is the case with 'Surfacing' closing off the monumental EP with visceral lead movements, setting the tone alongside driving drums and one more murderous bassline, sure of receiving countless rewinds in the near future. Encompassing a plethora of current Roots- Dub- and Steppa- influenced styles, Moonshine's next LP installment is sure to be received for what it is: a definitive, quality expedition of what's firing up dance floors around the globe.

Ikonika’s third album ‘Distractions’ builds on 2013’s ‘Aerotropolis’, and the title answers the question “Why has the album taken so long?” In the last few years she’s been building up a strong CV of remixes, from Chvurches to Dawn Richard, Austra and Junior Boys, as well as DJing and working on ‘Distractions’. ‘Distractions’ distils the character of Ikonika’s music productions across a wider set of styles than previous albums, and she subtly fuses and switches elements from contrasting genres, giving the whole set a uniqueness and consistency that puts it in its own lane. Furthermore what sits at the centre of ‘Distractions’ more than ever is her love of R&B and hip hop, in all its forms, which has opened the door to bring in a selection of guests in a way she’s not fully explored before. From the full throttle blend of grime and 80s synth soul ‘Noblest’ with Andrea Galaxy, to the reflective ‘Sacrifice’ with up and coming MC Jammz, a slowjam that merges dubstep with hip house drums. The final vocal track is the languid ‘Hazefield’ co-produced with Sweyn J and featuring Jessy Lanza on vocals. Its mix of mechanic clunk and minimalist, lulling funk could only happen in 2017. The LP artwork takes its inspiration from West London’s Golden Mile, a stretch of the Great West Road where the A4 meets the M4, and the road takes on the character of the arcade game Poll Position, with art deco factories and illuminated, hi-tech signage selling lifestyle products. It’s this kind of mix of futuristic and industrious with a touch of gentle glamour that the album exudes.

Next EP on White Peach comes from Neffa-T and makes your guts swing!

Another boundary stretching two track release by mystery Burial.

A killer eastern influenced Dubstep EP - Tip!

Infernal Sounds are back with their 6th release on the label, this time with the combined minds and talent of Japanese based artists, Karnage and the infamous Rider Shafique on vocals. The A side, ‘Realise’ providers a weighty influx, featuring the elemental voice of Rider, backed by a rugged roller in the form of ‘Bayside Shakedown’ on the B side.

Following the massive success of « Another night » Stepart is
back on Stand High Records with his debut LP. « Playground »
takes listeners on a deep bass journey and presents exclusive
tracks crafted with the Parisian producer’s subtle mixing
technique and attention to detail.
Recorded between 2014 and 2016 the LP is a tribute to the
golden era of dub influenced dubstep with ten instrumental
tracks as well as a vocal by Pupajim. Playing with styles, Stepart
elegantly breaks the rules and invites you to settle in his Lost
World Studio.

Manchester’s Walton returns to Tectonic following last year’s explorations in grime flavoured house/techno offshoots on the killer “Bulldoze EP”. This time Walton leads with a dance floor crushing anthem that cruises a cool line between grime and tribal dubstep. Featuring a looping Riko Dan sample, “Gunman” sets a stone cold tone from the offset, hi-hats setting up the groove before a grime flavoured melody cuts in preparing you for the drop. When the bass and drums come crashing in they bounce off each other to produce a disorientating tribal rhythm that will set the dance floor alight!

Sheffield DJ/Producer Louis 'Taiko' Robson has consistently agitated the boundaries of dubstep music, manipulating eclectic influences in to his productions with bold, original arrangements, intricate percussion, experimental instrumentation and unforgettable subs, and hes not held back with ALBION002.

Title track Splinted dons the A Side of the release and sets the standard high with its heavy sub, percussive melody, and string lead. Robson has taken inspiration from contemporary orchestral composers such as Terry Riley and Steve Reich initiating the creation of the drums and percussion, which add a rich analogue sound to the track, and with that an almighty atmosphere. Folk-like scratchy strings take the lead which is a theme set for the EP and highlights Taikos tenacity for sound design and disregard for convention. Each eclectic element of the track compliments the next resulting in a guttural, energetic dance floor cut, with dark undertones making the listener feel agitated or anxious. A pulse raiser strictly for sound system use.

Over on the flip side, starting with the outer, Taiko offers a much warmer vibe throughout Fractal, flexing another experimental set of instrumentation, this time round building rhythm with an accordion sample. An enormous rolling sub bass instantly becomes dominant after the short intro and meticulous percussion exaggerates the astounding impact from the drums. In the break expect a much murkier tone with a grimey string sample leading to the second drop. Robson achieves a certain level of feel-good whilst maintaining a dark and aggressive tone in his unmistakably raw track.

Nickel takes the inner side on the flip, following form to the prior with its accordion sample adding a distorted guitar drone for the melodic intro. The acoustic instrumentation couples up with irregular drum work solidifying the EPs ‘live aesthetic, whilst maintaining a dance floor orientation. Tonnes of energy meets masses of bass, Nickel is a recommended set opener and a great close to the EP.