Garage | 2Step | UK Funky | Bassline 240 Items

Bell Curve's new EP Obelisk for Berlin's Sspb provides a daring evolution of her soundworld, channeling the bristling intensity of her previous work into a more expansive headspace. Alongside six mesmerising new tracks from Bell Curve, the EP features a remix from Hessle Audio rising star Toumba. Obelisk compiles Bell Curve's most compelling and enthralling work to date. Reveling in dazzling repetition and delicate sonic nuance, it is a cathartic and defiant statement in an industry that increasingly demands hollow immediacy and caters to short attention spans - an homage to struggles and affirmation of strength and self-belief, while equally offering euphoric escape for those willing to spend time inside its mystic whorl. Club sonics are here plucked from their original contexts and expanded outwards - icy rave stabs on "Staircase" ascending into the heavens or the astral breaks and springy bass of "Hope It Gets Better". Subtle shifts in tone and texture guide the listener through the trip, reverb tails slowly extending into lysergic drift or rippling grain and feedback rising from pulsing bass tones. Jordanian producer Toumba amps up the tempo on his remix of "Staircase" while maintaining the original's emotional core, bolstering the track's dextrous rhythms with distinctive Levantine timbres. Obelisk captures a constant push and pull between emotional states - from anxiety and melancholy to joy and euphoria, working through turmoil to find transcendence. Tracks like "Dance Skeleton Dance" particularly invoke this duality, drawing catharsis from darker sonics, reconfiguring bass pressure and anxious percussion into a humid dancehall stepper. "Without U" contains emotional struggle as part of the very circumstances of its making - written while working through heartbreak, its delicate repetitions and searching tone reflecting the process of reconnecting with oneself. Title track "Obelisk" forms the emotional core of the EP, coalescing from weightless vapors into dramatic synthesizer motifs, evoking euphoric memories of complete immersion on the dancefloor and our ability to find ecstatic experience even in the contemporary hellscape.

Oblrec003 is a must-have for any UKG or breaks enthusiast with contributions from across the globe. On the A-Side, Columbia's Espresso Bandini (aka Nicolas Duque) delivers "The Network" - guaranteed to devastate many dance floors with a deep bassline, infectious groove, and memorable melodies. He's joined by Brussels-based Enrico Dragoni, who serves up a very clean cut of UKG with "Dangeeeer". The track features subtle hints of obscurity and a unique approach to UKG, which no doubt secures him as someone to watch out for. But that's not all! Flipping to the B-Side gives us a sought-after repress of Double Identity's "You Requested It", released on Voltage Music in 2002. A timeless piece, taking you on a journey from front to back. The master that is Harry Wills jumps on the remix of the track, evolving it into a peak-time bomb and perfectly rounding out the VA with his magic touch.

Cruisin' Records presents an exciting compilation containing six full-length extended versions of summer-ish Italo-Disco tracks, selected from its vast catalog to commemorate in advance its 40th anniversary (1983-2023). "Takes Over" is compiled by Nello Jay, remastered by Dom Scuteri and produced by Best Record. Some epic Cruisin' hits right here of which most are released in 1985. Up beat tracks that havent had the same amount of shine as some of the well known hits. These tracks might be unexplored, but exactly for this reason considered more engaging and intriguing whetting the appetite of followers and lovers of true and genuine Italo-Disco. The compilation could only begin and end with one of the most representative artists of Cruisin': Max-Him, whose most loved creatures are the sensational "Japanese Girl", where the sublime melody and the vocal skills of Massimo Vaccari stand out, and "Lady Fantasy" in the amazing remix version. The sound is powerful and the rhythm is always supported by the choral and structured "For Your Sweet Information" by the fantastic P.J. Marcus, stage name of the singer-saxophonist James Thompson. Then, we have the pleasant surprise that comes out of Ennio Manuel's magic top hat: Roxana, sublime interpreter of a danceable piece "In Your Eyes", whose melodic text... Je t'aime mon amour, I love you , Ich hab dich gern... were very popular in gay clubs all over Europe. "Heigh Ho" is a simple and catchy theme with a great arrangement. The piece sung by Fabian Nesti has such power that even today you never get tired of listening and dancing. Another exceptional piece of pure electricity is "I Need Your Love" where the male and female voices of the Midnight Passion marry perfectly in this masterpiece of great energy. 6 rare and obscure tracks for all Italo aficionados.

Full Dose is back! Once again exporting their distinctive brand of mutated dub directly from Glasgow's Southside. The label's 13th release is the work of a new name: Brollachan - "a shapeless darkness that craves bodily form". As the name would suggest, the music itself evokes a certain eeriness. Brollachan fuses this with the metallic textures and airy rhythms commonly heard on Full Dose records. Tracks like "Hall" could well be written by a smoked-out mythical being, with deep subs and spring reverb-laden tones throughout. Quality stuff. This juxtaposition of influences continues throughout the release. "Graze" has a particular aquatic feel. Sonar-esque synths punch through the haze and sustained synth sounds keeps the track in midwest territory. Despite the obvious variety on show here, Brollachan of course keeps fans of the Full Dose sound on-side. "Mad Dawg" is a grimey take on this. General Midi style sounds appear throughout the intro. This is complimented by intricate drum programming and a growling bassline, to give us a track straight from the 22nd century. 13 releases in and the tight-knit crew behind Full Dose continue to promote a sound that is both unique and reliable - Brollachan is no exception!

The Scottish techno veteran with some forward-thinking & energetic pumping house/bass tracks!

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Ronan lands on nascent X-Kalay sub-label Another Place with renewed focus and a new EP. Musing on personal crossroads, ‘Leaves of Life’ is a highly evocative contemplation on the tides of life. It’s the culmination of a personal arc having sat with the material for six years, further refining the lush, introspective sound that’s characterised his output to date. The outcome feels similarly unhurried; a pristine, genre-spanning exploration rendered with meticulous attention to detail. Soul-bearing stuff interspersed with words of reassurance through quietly spoken vocals. The opener strives for utopia. Carried away on a warm current, ‘Song of Surrender’ initiates with a gorgeous unfurling of life-affirming trance that begs repeat immersion. Comparatively direct, ‘Cure for Toxicity’ comes on a breaks-driven flex before a fleeting switch-up into 2-step territory. Supple groove and jazz modalities fuel airily introspective D&B as we shift focus to title track ‘Leaves of Life’. Then, finally, Ronan closes things out with a ritual purification of sorts. Deploying more breaks but bordering on new age, ‘Sacral Dub’ exudes a soothing, massaging quality with dubby tendencies in full effect.

A name that keeps bubbling up from the current UK industrial techno scene, Conrad Pack . . . .he's packing some fire on this one. No messing about. TIP!

First self release by Berlin based Chinese producer IVU.
Inspired by the concept of inner alchemy from Taoism, the name "Circulation of Light" comes from the book "The Secret of the Golden Flower" which was first introduced by Richard Wilhem and Carl Jung to Western countries.

Excursions down footwork, acid, breaks and grooves are what Jeez Marquis brings to Cape St. Francis for their third release.

The common denominator between these tracks? F-u-n.

Limited to 300 copies.

Millia, real name Akeem Asani, was born and raised in the Midwest and is now based in the Windy City. With his dancefloor-ready solo project seeing releases on Sweat Equity, Knightwerk, and a string of self-released singles online, Millia has received support from NTS regulars Re:ni & Laksa, Bradley Zero, and Otologic, as well as club and festival plays from Nick León, Tammo Hesselink, Gramrcy, LCY, and Shanti Celeste. For his latest offering, Millia readies two rich organic and dub-influenced tracks for Roy Mills’ Local Knowledge imprint. ‘acab Break’ combines psychedelic samples with tripped out breaks, deep subs, and dense, spacey atmospheres. On the flip, ‘Trip Dub’ delves further into dubwise territory, delivering a tense percussive affair of cavernous soundscapes and weighty drums that stretch effortlessly across the B-side. Elsewhere, with Kindtree and Concave Reflection, Akeem is part of the downtempo super-group Purelink, who enjoyed acclaim with their ‘Bliss / Swivel’ 12” and followed with their debut EP on UwU Dustbath and a performance at New York festival Sustain/Release. Akeem picked up Resident Advisor’s ‘Mix Of The Day’ for his Motion Ward mix in 2022, and has featured DJ mixes with Animalia, Knekelhuis, Warning and c-.

Next up is Josh Brent - revered throughout the globe for releases on his own Schatrax label, Josh has been releasing records since 1994 and has built a back catalogue of exceptional consistency. Stepping aside from his habitual sound Josh turns in 'Then Again', a 4-track collection of tumbling Breaks and Garage shuffles that have been tried and tested on Fabric's system.

Cntrl presents his latest EP, "nrg BRKZ," a captivating exploration of the UK garage sound fused with minimalistic broken beats.

Opening the EP is "GT DWN," an track that features a athmospheric choir. It sets a grandiose tone, instantly captivating listeners with its powerful energy and rhythmic drive.

Moving to "8cl NRG," Cntrl infuses the track with breaky energy, masterfully blending broken beats and mesmerizing synth stabs. The result is an infectious and irresistible groove that will have listeners moving to its compelling rhythm.

"ndrstnd" takes a more stripped-back and deep approach, showcasing Cntrl's versatility. It features a solid foundation of minimalistic beats, allowing haunting melodies and subtle harmonies to create an introspective and ethereal atmosphere.

Closing out the EP is "BRKZ," a homage to UK garage. Cntrl expertly layers broken beats, driving sub basslines, and spooky atmospheric synth work, paying tribute to the genre while infusing it with his unique touch.

Established Berlin based producer Carsten Aermes, aka PHON.O, delivers his latest EP ‘Afterglow’, bringing the Vorsprung Durch (to) Tectonic. Having dropped a number of acclaimed releases on Modeselektor’s dynamic imprint 50 Weapons over the last several years, PHON.O has also had a variety of singles and EPs for the likes of Kompact, BPitch, Shitkatapult and Detroit Underground, as well as remixes galore.

‘Mercurial’ kick starts the EP at 137bpm, melting the boundaries between techno, dubstep and footwork with effortless grace. The track sets a mood with an initial sense of ominous tension, before embarking on a strange, cosmic journey, narrated by polyrhythmic layers of percussive interplay. Kick drums bounce, snares crack, hats and the melody builds with mysterious intent.

Flip over then for the first of two further tales in dubwise beat science. First up is ‘U8 Phunk’, taking it’s name in part from a Berlin underground metro line, it represents a tougher, harder edge to the EP. Recalling echo’s of jungle music alongside techno sensibilities, ‘U8 Phunk’ follows on again at 137bpm with a series of hyperactive drum hits and twisting percussive manoeuvres, charged with a reese-like bassline and grimy bass stabs.

‘Bell Blender’ closes off the EP, further developing themes of broken breakbeats and grimy sci-fi atmospherics, this time at a tempo more accessible to techno dancefloors. Dubbed and spacious, smattered with crashing remnants of breakbeats and scorching synth sonics - it’s a fine way to round things off!

Ltd edition 300, vinyl only release.

The Duke of Juke returns with a smashing 10", his first release on dutch imprint ANUS Records. Here he shows his variety of musical knowledge fitting our philosophy - be odd, be future, be not too serious. Get to know!

Essential club pressure from Her Records, courtesy of label co-capo, MM (fka Miss Modular), including a dancehall flip of CYPHR’s Brace and arriving hard on the heels of Kid Antoine’s Bodypaint killer.

Uptown, with Why You All In MY Face, he essentially picks up where their last white label, Fraxinus’ flip of DJ Diamond’s B-More classic Hey You Knuckle Heads left us; warping a bouncing B-more chassis with eye-quivering FX, handbrake turns, and the kind of sustained subbass tremors that make your clem fandango.

Downtown, he performs dancehall voodoo on CYPHR’s Brace, screwing the ting to a slower tempo meshed with I-Octane & Bounty Killer’s vocal to Double Trouble for maximum danger.

Trust these are tried and tested for all DJ and dancer...

Kyle Hall back on Hyperdub for our 10th Anniversary? - Yes please. In fact this is more or less a long delayed EP from the vaults, recorded around the same time as his 2010 ‘Kaychunk’ EP … which just goes to show how ahead of the curve the young Detroit producer is. Starting with 'Girl U So Strong', the track riffs on a distorted arpeggiating bassline, seasick organ and a dubbed out voice, and a flicking metronomic note, starting slowly before shuffling drums give the track some rhythmic focus. Soon a warm melody builds over some happy arpeggios, and the whole track feels like a product of brilliant spontaneous energy. 'Take Me Away' works an 8 bit bassline, bleeps and throbs into an off beat shuffle over a pulsing bass drum, loose and happy, dosed with sunshine and space.

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London based multidisciplinary artist and Daytimers internal team member Zar (Arun) is returning once again in 2023, this time on The Tabula Rasa Record Company, to release his second EP: “Unfurl”.

It is the next expression of progression in sound for Zar, a movement further into, above and beyond the foundations laid down from his debut EP “Practice Makes Miracles” - which was listed on Bandcamps’ “Best Electronic Music of March 2023” and described by DJ Mag as “a striking solo debut that sets Zar out as an exciting prospect in the sphere of electronic composition.”

Sitting at that murky midpoint between UK Garage, Tech-House & Bass, the songs literally bloom outwardly, wrapping around the listener leaving trails of familiarity, and feature the tendrils of earworm worthy melodies that strike a balance between serene, uplifting, dense and thoughtful, all whilst resting upon deep thumping drums, clever vocal sampling and unconventional song structures. As a follow up to an already ambitious debut EP, Unfurl is an incredibly full-filling listen.

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