Bestsellers This Week

SHA 055
20 May 12

Acid Step - (4:35) 140 BPM

BNC - (4:37)

Need A Job - (5:02)

Together In The Dust - (5:30)

from $1.49

Played by: Icicle

Review: Hot on the heels of his immersive Rinse mix CD, London's finest Dutch ex-pat Icicle launches himself into the murky world of dubstep. Having already hinted at it on his album Under The Ice, this is his first full sub-low exploration; and each of the four tracks on offer are true, hypnotic treats. All to be filed under the more rhythmical, loopy, techno-inspired dubstep sub category; "BCN" struts with fancy footwork and deep chilling synths, "Acid Step" slithers with a slinky, stripped back formula that'll work well for warm ups and transitions, "Need A Job" takes dubstep by way of Detroit while "Together In Dust" finishes the set with a truly trippy signature.

LEON VYNEHALL

Mauve EP

Well Rounded

WRHP 005
18 May 12

Mauve - (6:14)

Homage - (7:42)

Picture Frame - (5:02)

from $1.49

Played by: James Vorres - Juno, Joseph Terruel, Gullfisk, Blacksmif, Tcts

Review: Leon Vynehall isn't a name most will be familiar with, but this debut EP on the ever-excellent Well Rounded Records' Housing Projects imprint is sure to change that. Although Vynehall is one of an increasing number of producers bringing the influence of bass music styles into the deep house formula, the Mauve EP stands apart from the rest of the crowd - the title track is anthemic stuff, mixing Detroit and Bristol house styles in just the right quantities with hands in the air piano, soulful vocals and quietly bubbling bass. "Picture Frame" is a much slower end of the night number which has echoes of classic Balearica, while "Homage" opens with subtle cut-up rave stabs, rippling percussion and moody spoken word intro, before erupting into life with devastating subs which catch you totally off guard. House? Bass? It doesn't matter - the only sure thing is that Vynehall is someone to keep an eye on.

BIOME

Deep Heads 5

Dubstep For Deep Heads

DEEPD 005
21 May 12

Havana - (5:11) 140 BPM

Biome - "No Soul" (feat Fox) - (4:46) 140 BPM

No Soul (Soulful edit) - (6:29) 140 BPM

from $1.49

Played by: Bam Bam Dealers

Review: Biome provides a slice of something different with this three-track release on Dubstep For Deep Heads. Kicking things off with the murky sounds of "Havana" this one builds from a stripped back, eerie intro into the main tune with its dragging beats, humming bassline and razor sharp SFX. Next is an even more extraordinary piece; "No Soul" featuring lyrics from Fox (who we have recently seen collaborate with Dub Phizix in his recent release on Critical) which blends thick, heavy atmospherics with a swaggering beat and warping mid range. The soulful edit, which completes the EP, draws out the lush, blissed out vocal of the original and brings it into the fore.

VARIOUS

Hard Ass Compilation

Enchufada

buy whole release (21 tracks) from ~~$31.29~~ $15.99

ENDG 029
21 May 12

Nic Sarno - "Mana Wasa" - (4:44) 136 BPM

Savage Skulls & French Fries - "Marawa" - (4:24) 130 BPM

Brenmar - "Waiting On" - (4:18) 140 BPM

Oliver Twizt & DJ Rockid - "Wanna Be Gangstas" - (5:48) 129 BPM

Poirier - "Vivendo Juntos" - (4:38) 140 BPM

Kry Wolf - "Picadinho Di Pedalina" - (4:31) 135 BPM

Mele - "Kanopa Riddim" - (5:03) 140 BPM

Kingdom - "Stadium Pass" - (4:41) 135 BPM

Seiji - "Buzzcut" - (5:06) 138 BPM

J-WOW/Toy Selectah - "Mo'chaxo" - (5:53) 132 BPM

Slap In The Bass - "Tapa" - (4:08) 133 BPM

Wildlife - "Metazoa" - (5:43) 136 BPM

Pocz & Pacheco - "Tuki Love" - (4:46) 137 BPM

Dubbel Dutch - "Dead Pool" - (4:45) 135 BPM

Bok Bok - "Dance Report" - (5:21)

Douster - "A Mi A Loco" - (4:23) 141 BPM

Zombies For Money - "Me Toca So" - (4:22) 131 BPM

Martelo Vs Canblaster - "Cannibal" - (5:33) 138 BPM

Bert On Beats - "Bassy Baile" - (3:48) 135 BPM

Cardopusher - "Tu Bizcochito" - (4:48) 136 BPM

Schlachthofbronx - "Backup Run" - (4:49) 138 BPM

from $1.49

Review: It's all about the rather hectic kuduro vibes right here as Buraka Som Sistema's K-Wow neatly packages the previous Hard Ass Sessions he's commissioned over the last three years into one rather monstrous compilation. With an all-star cast including the likes of Seiji , Bok Bok, Mele and Kry Wolf, it's a collection that will tickle the tastes of all moombhaton and favela fans as wild Afro-beat tempos rocket rampantly amidst nutty synth riffs and gritty bass. Highlights include the hardcore techno style riff on Tapa's "Slap In The Bass" and the incessant toad-like croaks of "Me Toca So" by Zombies For Money.

EPROM

Regis Chillbin

Rwina

RWINALP 001S
21 May 12

Regis Chillbin - (3:08)

Regis Chillbin (Machinedrum remix) - (3:45)

from $1.49

Review: Dutch label Rwina drops West Coast bass merchant Eprom's latest killer slice of minimal freakery - the simply stunning "Regis Chillbin". Based around a very lean eat indeed, Eprom fleshes out the tune with some stunning and heady arpeggio stabs, creating a Oizo/Brainfeeder-esque randomscape that's just absorbing as it is gonzoid. The peerless Machinedrum drops yet another essential remix - working respectfully with the original but adding even more samples into a descending pattern of pitch-adjusted wonkery. Quite stunning and very highly recommended.

TRUTH

Dreams

Tempa

buy whole release (2 tracks) from ~~$2.58~~ $2.34

TEMPA 065D
21 May 12

Dreams (feat Yayne) - (4:47) 140 BPM

Last Time - (4:54) 140 BPM

from $1.29

Review: Truth steps up with two superlative half-stepping riddims on the Tempa imprint, which really put the dub back into dubstep. First up is the evocatively entitled "Dreams" featuring a gloriously enticing wailing vocal from Yayne in the intro. We are sucked into the main tune as if hypnotized by the warm, murmuring bassline and clip clop beats and bubbling SFX. "Last Time" continues in a similarly dark and mysterious vein, but with more snapping snares, clipped sounds, rolling atmospherics and an insistent drive throughout the track. Utterly excellent from start to finish.

KROMESTAR

Noiz

Origin Audio UK

ORG 004
21 May 12

Noiz - (5:36) 140 BPM

Dark Tantrums - "The Growler" - (5:27) 143 BPM

from $1.49

Played by: Bam Bam Dealers

Review: Imagine a siren made of bass. We're not talking your namby pamby sirens here, we're talking 'get the hell up and move, this is a massive emergency' style sirens. Air raid level. Got that? Now imagine it as a tune. Just one long, sawing, urgent siren that wails incessantly, ordering your dancefloor to move like they've never moved before... Cool huh? You can thank Kromestar for this. By our reckoning he's not done a bum tune yet - and this could be his most unique, forward thinking bomb to date. For added kicks Origin Audio have thrown in Dark Tantrums' "The Growler". A more traditional half step sub low affair, the title says it all; an ever morphing bassline that grizzles and croaks so hard, at points it eats itself with menace. Bring the "Noiz!"

KRUEGER

40oz Bounce EP

Paradisiaca Recordings

buy whole release (6 tracks) from ~~$8.94~~ $7.29

PRC 003
16 Apr 12

40oz Bounce - (3:35) 131 BPM

This Is Sick - (4:32) 136 BPM

Talk - (4:29) 134 BPM

40oz Bounce (Taz Buckfaster remix) - (4:33) 140 BPM

This Is Sick (Drippin remix) - (4:37) 136 BPM

Talk (Baauer remix) - (3:39) 142 BPM

from $1.49

Played by: Juno Recommends Dubstep, Dev79, Commodore 69 - Hot N Heavy, Klipar, The Golden Toyz, Sounds Of Sumo, Krueger

Review: Young Philly producer Krueger channels the sounds of London on this new EP for Paradisiaca. Title tune "40oz Bounce" channels Pearson Sound and Girl Unit in particular, whilst still sounding hugely unique, while the excellent bass-thumper "This Is Sick" mixes reverbed textures with a thumping minimal kick. On a mean, post-dubstep tip, "Talk" is an equally essential 130bpm mindf*ck loaded with plenty of hip-hop swagger.

SKISM/VARIOUS

Never Say Die (unmixed tracks)

Never Say Die

buy whole release (24 tracks) from ~~$35.76~~ $15.99

NSDXCD 01X
27 May 12

501 - "Headrush" (feat Belle Humble) - (4:30)

Dodge & Fuski - "Python" - (4:47) 140 BPM

SKisM - "Like This" (feat Virus Syndicate) - (4:37) 140 BPM

Eptic - "Like A Boss" - (4:34) 140 BPM

Foreign Beggars - "Still Getting It" (feat Skrillex - Zomboy remix) - (4:00) 140 BPM

Freestylers - "Cracks" (feat Belle Humble - Flux Pavilion remix) - (4:40) 140 BPM

501 - "Chasing Stars" - (4:43) 140 BPM

Dodge & Fuski - "Round One" - (4:36)

Zomboy - "Cage The Rage" - (3:28) 140 BPM

SKisM - "Rave Review" (Dodge & Fuski remix) - (3:58) 140 BPM

Eptic & Habstrakt - "Ninja Challenge" - (6:31) 140 BPM

Foreign Beggars - "Solace One" (feat Black Sun Empire - Datsik remix) - (4:23) 140 BPM

Zomboy - "Game Time" - (3:56) 140 BPM

Dodge & Fuski - "Come Again" (Phetsta remix) - (4:47)

Foreign Beggars - "LDN" (feat Alix Perez - Eddie K & Statix remix) - (4:39) 140 BPM

Skeptiks - "All Hail" - (4:32) 145 BPM

Foreign Beggars - "Still Getting It" - (4:00) 140 BPM

SKisM - "Like This" (feat Virus Syndicate - Mojo remix) - (4:10) 140 BPM

Skeptics - "Without A Name" - (4:11) 145 BPM

Lazy Rich - "The Chase" (feat Belle Humble - Mobscene remix) - (5:53)

Foreign Beggars - "Contact" (feat Noisia - Trolley Snatcha remix) - (5:48) 140 BPM

SKisM - "Power" (Eptic remix) - (5:36) 140 BPM

Mindflow - "Switched" (DC Breaks remix) - (5:55)

Various - "Never Say Die" (continuous DJ mix by SKisM) - (1:14:32) 140 BPM

from $1.49

ADDISON GROOVE

Transistor Rhythm

50 Weapons

buy whole release (13 tracks) from ~~$19.37~~ $10.99

50WEAPONSCD 06
30 Mar 12

Savage Henry - (2:50)

Addison Groove - "Bad Things" (feat Spank Rock) - (3:28)

Addison Groove - "Beeps" (feat Spank Rock) - (4:13)

Rudeboy - (3:33)

Night To Remember - (4:41)

Sooperlooper - (4:00)

Energy Flash Back - (1:02)

Ass Jazz - (4:29)

Skylight - (3:58)

Starluck - (4:29)

Incredibly Exhausted Bunny Ears - (5:29)

Addison Groove - "Dance Of The Women" (feat Mark Pritchard) - (3:56)

Entropy - (3:46)

from $1.49

Played by: Paul Mac, Chris Coco, Shadow Dancer (Boysnoize Records), Wildlife!, J-Wow (Buraka Som Sistema), Matthew Kyle, Djs: Most Charted - Dubstep

Review: 50 Weapons indulge Tony Williams's expansive take on current dance culture as Addison Groove. Musically, Transistor Rhythm explores the same areas of crisp, finely sculpted rhythms that have graced Swamp 81 and 3024 in recent times, with the smart sample usage on tracks such as "Night To Remember" complemented by a clutch of guest spots. Naeem Spank Rock features twice and instantly reminds you how good his voice sounds over a club beat, whilst there's also a battle beat with Mark Pritchard in the shape of "Dance Of The Woman".

FRENCH FRIES

Yo Vogue

Dirtybird US

DB 069
27 Mar 12

Yo Vogue - (5:54) 131 BPM

Yo Vogue (Claude VonStroke remix) - (6:15) 126 BPM

Yo Vogue (Leroy Peppers remix) - (3:43) 140 BPM

from $1.49

Played by: The Town - Clekclekboom Recordings, Daniel Haaksman, Justin Miller Hakt/Dfa, Monkey Beats, DJ Rsi, T.williams, Hxdb, Greenmoney, Shox, Sounds Of Sumo, Breakbeat.is, Krueger, Baxter Beez, Jordan & Santero, Mak & Pasteman, Tcts

Review: The story behind this release is a smile-inducing one; Parisian producer French Fries rushed the decks during a Claude Von Stroke set in Paris. "They were playing a new sound, some nasty bits sitting somewhere between juke and bass music and I knew we had to get this vibe on Dirtybird no matter what," recalls the American. And here it is, with "Yo Vogue" arriving at a time when interest in the resurgent NY ballroom/voguing scene is at a high. The pitched-down vocal intoning the words "I wanna see you vogue b*tch" is backed by splashing, reverbed hats, frankly mental rave stabs and a killer bass line. CVS turns in his own remix, a heads-down affair the chops the vocal with effortless ease, while the Leroy Peppers version goes deep on the atmospherics and plunges deep into the murkiest depths of sub bass.

MATT U

Wipe Em Out/Uncontrolled

Blackbox

BLACKBOX 026
28 May 12

Wipe Em Out - (4:36) 140 BPM

Uncontrolled - (4:34) 140 BPM

from $1.49

CYRUS

Nostalgia

Chestplate UK

CHST 019
28 May 12

Nostalgia - (5:32) 140 BPM

Rupture - (6:00) 140 BPM

from $1.49

PERVERSE

Genocide EP

MindStep

MSEP 007
21 May 12

Thalamus - (4:11) 140 BPM

Cerberus - (5:23) 138 BPM

Mutiny - (5:03) 140 BPM

Genocide - (4:42) 142 BPM

Neurotic - (5:08) 140 BPM

from $1.49

MAK & PASTEMAN

Do The Same EP

Shifting Peaks

buy whole release (6 tracks) from ~~$8.94~~ $7.29

SPEAKS 007
02 Apr 12

Do The Same (original mix) - (5:58) 130 BPM

Do The Same (Lando Kal remix) - (6:24) 123 BPM

Lost (original mix) - (6:36) 126 BPM

Lost (Youandewan dub) - (8:00) 129 BPM

Mode - (5:25) 130 BPM

Again - (5:47) 134 BPM

from $1.49

Played by: Odiggity, DJ Rsi, Wildlife!, Juno Recommends Uk Funky/Garage, Hxdb, Commodore 69 - Hot N Heavy, Mike Hindle - Immersed Audio, Sounds Of Sumo, Konnekt - Hot N Heavy, Mak & Pasteman

Review: Upcoming UK house pairing Mak & Pasteman show a healthy respect for the best of Detroit and London on this new release on Shifting Peaks. The essential title tune "Do The Same" is smothered in strong dreamy pads a la Derrick Carter, but spiced up hugely by an addictive vocal hook that's layered perfectly over blunt kicks and Carl Craig-style arpeggios. "Lost" is a more withdrawn and haunted 2-step winner, while "Mode" takes a familiar Junior Reed refrain but frames it perfectly over some rough snares and tough, grimy bass. An excellent release and definite names to follow during the course of the year.

MORESOUNDS

Breath Control EP

Cosmic Bridge

CBR 004
21 May 12

Weeda - (3:45)

Analog Steak - (4:43)

Shtrakstep - (4:02)

No Coke - (5:03)

from $1.49

Played by: Bam Bam Dealers, Xlii

Review: Moresound brings us the powerful "Breath Control" EP on Cosmic Bridge which is all smacking kicks, scintillating synths and plenty more. "Weeda" gets the four-track offering off to a great start with thudding drums and reggae-laced vocals dominating; "Analog Steak" is a dense, synth-driven piece with growling bassline underneath. "Shtrakstep", up next, is a quirky little number with stuttering, off-key rhythms and driving beats, making for an unusual journey before "No Coke" concludes the EP with shimmying beats and a muttering vocal.

DELTA HEAVY

Down The Rabbit Hole

Ram

buy whole release (7 tracks) from ~~$10.43~~ $8.29

RAMM 115D
27 May 12

Get By - (4:40)

Get By (radio edit) - (3:03)

Get By (Delta 174 mix) - (4:17) 174 BPM

Demons - (4:42) 140 BPM

End Of Days - (4:43) 174 BPM

Turbine - (4:34)

Make It Rain - (4:13) 174 BPM

from $1.49

Played by: Zetek

GULLFISK

Move Me

Hot N Heavy

buy whole release (6 tracks) from ~~$8.94~~ $7.29

HNHEP 023
21 May 12

Green Waters (original) - (3:41) 129 BPM

Move Me (original) - (4:32) 131 BPM

Explore (original) - (5:12) 131 BPM

Green Waters (EPLP remix) - (4:01) 130 BPM

Move Me (Commodore 69 remix) - (5:48) 136 BPM

Move Me (D3adl1ne remix) - (5:46) 123 BPM

from $1.49

Played by: Commodore 69 - Hot N Heavy, Urban Knights, Gullfisk, Konnekt - Hot N Heavy

Review: Delightfully smooth vibes can be found in abundance as Gullfisk marks his entrance into the bass world with his first full artist EP. With slippery synth pads and neatly diced vocal cuts running throughout, this will win you friends on the dancefloor and your home stereo. The title track is especially beautiful with its subtle kicks and trickling hi-hats playing careful cameos as the vocal and groove do all the talking. The two-step powered "Green Waters" is slightly more dancefloor inclined but equally deep and enchanting. Meanwhile "Explore" lives up to its name and explores the wonderfully retrospective world of synth sounds to such an expert level it almost sounds like an Orbital track. With remixes from EPLP, Commodore 69 and D3adl1ne, this really is quite the package.

PHON O

Black Boulder

50 Weapons

buy whole release (11 tracks) from ~~$16.39~~ $10.99

50WEAPONSCD 07
18 May 12

Nightshifts - (4:45)

Twilight (feat Pantasz) - (4:35)

Yudasi - (2:00)

Die Maschinistin - (4:53)

Black Boulder - (3:40)

ABAW 723 - (4:25)

Mosquitoes - (5:13)

Leave A Light On (featTunde Olaniran) - (3:41)

Slavemode - (5:18)

Hopelight - (4:12)

12th - (6:18)

from $1.49

Played by: Ennio Styles (Stylin Radio Show), Hxdb, Gullfisk

Review: Returning with his third album, German producer Phon O continues his excursions into dubby/UKF territory on "Black Boulder", released on Modeselektor's 50 Weapons label. Giving a superior tech sheen to some hyped funky rhythms and drum patterns, tunes like the astral flex of "Nightshifts", the acapella chop of "Die Maschinistin" and the bubbly yet spooked 2-step of "ABAW 723" will sit well with fans of Scuba's recent and similar mergers of UKF and teutonic tech.

FOAMO

Tremors EP

Fat!

buy whole release (9 tracks) from ~~$13.41~~ $9.99

CTFAT 122
02 Apr 12

Sherlock - (5:01) 132 BPM

Tambor - (6:59) 129 BPM

There For Me - (5:17) 129 BPM

Vibrations - (5:11) 131 BPM

Ocean Drive - (8:24) 128 BPM

Rumours - (4:23) 131 BPM

Corridor - (5:41) 129 BPM

Celestial - (6:23) 130 BPM

Tremors (mixed) - (31:44) 129 BPM

from $1.49

Played by: Odiggity, DJ Rsi, Bert On Beats, Juno Recommends Uk Funky/Garage, Tee Circus, Konnekt - Hot N Heavy

FATIMA AL QADIRI

GSX Remixes

Uno US

buy whole release (7 tracks) from ~~$10.43~~ $8.29

UNO 012
18 May 12

How Can I Resist U (Girl Unit remix) - (4:10)

Vatican Vibes (DJ Rashad remix) - (3:51)

Corpcore (Kingdom remix) - (4:02)

D-Medley (Dutch E Germ remix) - (5:39)

Vatican Vibes (Dubbel Dutch remix) - (4:38)

Hip Hop Spa (Nguzunguzu remix) - (4:16)

D-Medley (Ikonika remix) - (3:42)

from $1.49

Review: Perhaps better known to most as Tri Angle artist Ayshay, Fatima Al Qadiri's EP of skittery, steel drum-led beats and bass was an undersung highlight of New York based label UNO last year. Here it gets the remix treatment - and we're not lying when we say some of the global bass scene's biggest names have gotten involved. Night Slugs fam Girl Unit and Kingdom, Hyperdub's Ikonika, Fade to Mind's Nguzunguzu, Dubbel Dutch and footwork titan DJ Rashad all get involved, and the results are pretty spectacular. Girl Unit's take on "How Can I Resist" you is like hyperkinetic club music put into an echo chamber, DJ Rashad's remix is spindly and rickety, Kingdom turns in a fantastic cut that riffs on 80s electro but perhaps the most striking is Ikonika's dark, rumbling rework of "D-Medley" which sounds like nothing else.

SWINDLE

Do The Jazz

Deep Medi Musik

MEDI 058
28 May 12

Do The Jazz - (5:03) 140 BPM

Under The Sun - (4:36) 140 BPM

If I Was A Super Hero - (3:53) 140 BPM

from $1.49

Played by: Bam Bam Dealers

BRACKLES

Rinse Presents: Brackles

Rinse

buy whole release (12 tracks) from ~~$17.88~~ $10.99

RINSECD 024D2
04 May 12

Never Coming Down (feat Lily McKenzie) - (5:26) 131 BPM

I Can't Wait - (5:40) 128 BPM

Lighthouse - (6:00) 128 BPM

DPMO (feat Terri Walker) - (4:45) 129 BPM

Walkin' Out - (5:17) 127 BPM

Chasing Crazy (feat Cherri V) - (3:32) 127 BPM

Squarehead - (5:32) 128 BPM

Too Much - (4:16) 137 BPM

Go Ahead (feat Meleka) - (4:12) 128 BPM

Earphone Memories - (5:16) 128 BPM

X Ray Specs - (5:30) 128 BPM

Blazeby - (5:01) 129 BPM

from $1.49

Played by: DJ Rsi, Z-Kat, Sounds Of Sumo, Blacksmif

Review: Considering he's been releasing records for the likes of Planet Mu and Apple Pips since 2009, it would be something of an understatement to say that Brackles' debut album has been a long time coming - but it couldn't have been better timed. Although his sound - a rough hybrid of UK garage and funky styles with echoes of dubstep - is very much of the now, there's an obvious love for the classic sounds of 90s UKG which many of his more inexperienced contemporaries lack - assisted by the inspired vocal contributions from Lily McKenzie and Terri Walker. But it's not just a throwback record - be it the slightly offbeat bass and calypso vibe of "Walkin' Out", or the churning subs of "Squarehead", Brackles nevertheless manages to twist the template into weird and unique shapes. That this album has been released on Rinse isn't a surprise - he's encapsulated nearly twenty years of the station's sound into one record.

NIC SARNO

RGP EP

Lucky Beard Rec

LB 010
18 May 12

Skills - (3:31)

Crafting - (2:52)

Thief - (2:56)

Mage - (2:53)

Warrior - (3:14)

from $1.49

Review: Following huge releases from Digi G'Alessio and Stabber in recent months, Crookers' Lucky Beard imprint comes through with another EP of weird and wonderful yet heavy bass hybrids. "Skills" takes a house structure and flips it round with its skeletal beats and vocal samples and thundering low-end, while "Crafting" takes 808 percussion and wraps it up in some moody bass rumble. "Thief", "Mage" and "Warrior" meanwhile opt for some dubstep-style half-time action, which despite their hip-hop shapes are undeniably heavy beasts.

VICIOUS CIRCLE

Not Afraid

Crunch Recordings

CRUNCH 012
29 May 12

Not Afraid - (5:34) 140 BPM

Hibernation - (6:31) 140 BPM

from $1.49

Played by: James Vorres - Juno

DISMANTLE

Detonate

Black Gold UK

BG 001D
21 May 12

Detonate - (5:05) 140 BPM

2 In 1 - (5:32) 140 BPM

Dismantle & Hizzleguy - "Carbonate" (digital bonus) - (5:36) 142 BPM

from $1.49

DUB MECHANICS

The Clash

Deep Medi Musik

MEDI 055
14 May 12

The Clash - (4:33) 143 BPM

Highest Strain - (5:34) 142 BPM

from $1.49

Review: South London soldiers Dub Mechanics unveil their debut release, which comes courtesy of Mala's Deep Medi Musik and boy, are you guys in for a treat. Giving us a lesson in bass science, "The Clash" is a well rinsed favourite of many a dubstep DJ with powerful subs and massive stabs setting the tone for the piece and grinding bass underpinning the proceedings with malicious intent. This one's a killer, in every sense of the word. The accompaniment "Highest Strain", in stark contrast, is all about the hollow clip clop beats, sweeping atmospherics and sparkling melodies and is quite the polished, hypnotic roller. A sublime release here that Deep Medi fans will not want to miss out on.

URBAN KNIGHTS feat BLACKOUT JA

Step On Dem

Top Billin

TBMP 3095
23 May 12

Step On Dem - (4:33) 130 BPM

Step On Dem (Rory Lyons remix) - (4:12) 130 BPM

Step On Dem (Soul Circuit remix) - (5:40) 140 BPM

Step On Dem (Benny Kane remix) - (3:35) 135 BPM

from $1.49

Played by: Kush Arora, Urban Knights

TCTS

Hands EP

Cool Kid Music

CKM 002
15 May 12

And So We Find Ourselves - (6:11)

I'm Gonna Lose My Baby - (5:49)

Hands - (5:26)

from $1.49

Played by: Odiggity, James Vorres - Juno, Tcts

Review: Sassier than a slap from a glam queen crunked up on sarsaparilla, "Hands" is both cuttingly sharp and stupendously silky. Futuristic garage with echoes of neo soul and soft whispers of classic Chicago house, each of the three numbers on offer reverberate with grooves strong enough to seep into tomorrow. "Hands" shimmies with spine-tingling R&B chords before dropping into a clanging late night bassline frenzy, "I'm Gonna Lose My Baby" is both tribal and twinkling with its robust 4/4 and laser-loving toplines while "And So We Find Ourselves" could sit happily both on daytime radio and on the deeper floors. A rare breed.

GANTZ/CONGI

Cave Dance EP

InnaMindRecordings

IMR 005
05 May 12

Gantz - "Cave Dance" - (6:21) 140 BPM

Gantz - "Left Right Hindsight" - (5:40) 140 BPM

Gantz & Congi - "Warrior" - (5:26) 140 BPM

from $1.49

Played by: Bam Bam Dealers

Review: A cave dance eh? Sounds fun, actually quite annoying; stalactites poke your eyes out, stalagmites are trip you up and that dirty cave man graffiti with all those naked ladies? No form of vandalism is acceptable here at Juno HQ. Then this polyrhythmalicious banger comes along, and suddenly there's a party in a rock cavity... And everyone is invited! You'll be glad you came too; the drum patterns on this are so complex and pensive, they'll leave you whirling in a shamanistic state for hours. "Left Right Hindsight" is a much deeper affair but still highly sprung with distinctive percussion and surprising rhythms. "Warrior" (a collabo with Congi) is a punchy, moody finale with equal measure of utter darkness and spine-tingling light, thanks to some rather Burial-esque vocal snippets.

CATACOMBS/KNOWLEDGE/PHERAL

Out Of Focus EP

Macabre Unit Digital

MUD 006
14 May 12

Catacombs & Knowledge - "Out Of Focus" - (5:34) 140 BPM

Catacombs & Knowledge - "Old Town" - (5:32) 140 BPM

Pheral - "Residue" - (4:48) 140 BPM

from $1.49

Review: Catacombs & Knowledge provides us with a slab of the deepest, darkest dubstep in the Out Of Focus EP on Macabre Unit, which should satisfy even the most ardent of bass heads. The title track starts with a spaced out, sci-fi influenced intro of hissing, skittish beats and eerie, wailing vocal snippets. Bass and warping volcanic explosions send their shockwaves through the rest of the tune - it's powerful stuff. "Out Of Town" follows on in a similarly hypnotic fashion, with distant cooing, crisp, crunchy beats and a sense of despair permeating through the music with an ominous movie sample breaking the spell half way through. A top notch release - dubsteppers take note.

INTERFACE/MINU/DIE/MENSAH

Hardwork/Firing Line

Gutterfunk

GF 002
14 May 12

Interface/Minus - "Hardwork" - (5:22) 120 BPM

Die/Mensah - "Firing Line" - (3:37) 130 BPM

from $1.49

Played by: Urban Knights

Review: Dropping on DJ Die's pleasingly-varied Gutterfunk label, these two collaborations contain some absolute ghetto-bass gold. Interface and Minus rise up to nu-juke tempos and deliver a storming, Om Unit/Machinedrum-esque mix of pitched-up samples and D&B-inspired drum work. Die and Mensah however work a bleeped-out beauty on "Firing Line", with some unorthodox kick patterns and intense atmospheres providing a gritty yet hyped delight. Early support from Addison Groove, Claude Von Stroke, Eats Everything, Toddla T and Sub Focus among others suggests this double-sided release is going to be a very big deal indeed.

PASTEMAN/TANKA

Camaro / Torino

877

877003
14 May 12

Camaro - (5:39)

Torino - (6:30)

from $1.49

Played by: The Town - Clekclekboom Recordings, Hxdb, Simon/Off

Review: Two UK bass producers unite on this very tasty release from 877, with Pasteman and Tanka nailing it on the arpeggio-fest "Camaro" - which balances an echo soundscape with some truly booty-spanking Addison Groove-esque 808 work - and the more murky dub-house of "Torino".

INKARV

Make U Feel

Prospekt

PSK 003
20 May 12

Make U Feel - (6:22) 133 BPM

Over My - (7:56) 129 BPM

I'm Falling - (6:35) 137 BPM

Ultra - (8:36) 123 BPM

from $1.49

Played by: Konnekt - Hot N Heavy

XLII

Neon High

Civil Music

buy whole release (8 tracks) from ~~$11.92~~ $9.29

CIV 034DX
17 May 12

Dilated - (3:33)

No Cure - (3:23)

Thro Yo! - (4:35)

Rasclap - (3:24)

Thro Yo! (Starkey remix) - (4:28)

No Cure (Ean remix) - (3:37)

Dilated (NcLovin remix) - (3:42)

Thro Yo (Broken Haze remix) - (5:05)

from $1.49

Played by: Xlii

Review: Already a respected figure in the underground of his home turf in Japan, XLII delivers his first extended release outside his country on Civil Music, who can always be counted on to deliver the most unclassifiable bass shapes. Throwing brittle 808 beats into the mix with half-time tempos, off kilter dubstep basslines and tweaked out, scattershot samples, one need look no further than the footwork vibes of "No Cure" and the thudding bass weight of "Rasclap" for proof of the man's talents. Ean's frantic juke reworking and Broken Haze's abrasive take on "Dilated" provide serious thrills, though it's Starkey's tense, sparse reworking of "Thro Yo!" and the crazed, slapbass styles of NcLoving really deliver the goods.

VARIOUS

Deep Rooted Volume 2

Paradise Lost

buy whole release (13 tracks) from ~~$19.37~~ $10.99

PLLP 02
22 May 12

Dubtek - "Hemisphere" - (4:53) 140 BPM

Boot - "Methods Of Control" - (4:43) 140 BPM

Shredexx - "Asphalt" - (4:37) 140 BPM

TZR & Press - "The Duel" - (5:05) 140 BPM

Void - "Cimmerian Shade" - (5:54) 140 BPM

Twisted - "Cannibalism" - (5:21) 140 BPM

Shureshotz - "CheapH" - (7:01)

Takomo - "Kosketushaeirioe" - (5:15)

TKR - "Tomahawk" - (5:45)

Shureshotz - "Binaural" - (4:31)

Aeolho - "Unique Conscience" - (5:15) 140 BPM

The SubDivision - "Life Is Hard" - (7:09) 139 BPM

Fritzness - "Wagawaga" - (6:58)

from $1.49

ROSKA

Rinse Presents: Roska 2

Rinse

buy whole release (12 tracks) from ~~$17.88~~ $10.99

RINSECD 026D2
28 May 12

You Dun Kno - (5:41) 128 BPM

Memories (feat Ruby Goe) - (3:33) 128 BPM

OnRinseSinceZeroEight - (3:22) 135 BPM

Do You Like This (feat Jamie George) - (4:48) 128 BPM

The Oracle - (5:26) 129 BPM

Metric - (4:33) 128 BPM

Badman (feat Sweetie Irie) - (4:25) 130 BPM

Eleven 45 - (3:33) 127 BPM

Go (feat Mz Bratt) - (4:28) 130 BPM

Spanner In The Works (feat Swindle & Funtcase) - (4:21) 126 BPM

Oreo - (5:03) 128 BPM

Grand Theft Audio - (4:41) 126 BPM

from $1.49

MUNGOS HI FI

Hire & Removal

Scotch Bonnet

SCRUB 006
30 Apr 12

Hire & Removal (refix) - (5:04) 141 BPM

Kung Fu Know How - (5:32) 140 BPM

Kung Fu Drunken (dub) - (5:34) 140 BPM

from $1.49

Played by: The Seed Organization, Rebelbass (Hum Fi Dub), Bam Bam Dealers

Review: The delightful Mungos Hi Fi present a glorious three-track offering on the Scotch Bonnet imprint which provides enough bass weight to satisfy even the greediest of dub heads. Kicking things off is the "Hire & Removal (refix)" which pairs a raw, humming bassline with deftly placed beats and bass squelches and occasional vocal snippets. Up next is vocal-driven "Kung Fu Know How" with its chirpy lyrics and juddering synths, before "Kung Fu Drunken" brings the EP to a close with a shimmy of bass wobbles.

COMPA

Security

Area Recordings

ARE 006
21 May 12

Security - (5:26) 144 BPM

Cold Weather - (5:33) 140 BPM

from $1.49

SUBMERSE

They Always Come Back EP

Apollo

AMB 1203D
27 May 12

8Bit Romance - (3:04)

They Always Come Back - (4:03)

Give It Up - (4:16)

Cluster - (2:53)

from $1.49

Played by: James Vorres - Juno, Submerse, Sounds Of Sumo, Gullfisk

Review: Apollo seem to be unstoppable in their surge of fresh releases representing the UK post-everything circuit, and next up is Submerse with some deadly conglomerating funk. "8Bit Romance" sees heavyweight LA swagger (via a hip-hop rhythm) get augmented with nasty lo-res squiggles of synths for a serious bumper of a track. "They Always Come Back" explores the territory first unveiled by early Instra:Mental and DBridge, where emotion and restraint bring out the sensitive side of drum & bass. "Give It Up" follows down a similar slow/fast jam path, leaving it to "Cluster" to swerve back into the cluttered beats of the first track.

ODIGGITY

Fever EP

Chaya

CHR 003
28 May 12

Fever - (5:36) 128 BPM

Agony - (6:27) 130 BPM

My Thing - (5:03) 129 BPM

Fever (Blenda Sound remix) - (4:50) 128 BPM

Fever (Tafuri remix) - (7:28) 136 BPM

from $1.49

Played by: Odiggity

PLACEHOLDER

Brothers EP

Space Hardware

JIM 001
07 May 12

Brothers (original mix) - (5:09)

Don't U Know (original mix) - (4:20)

Don't U Know (Jacob Korn remix) - (6:39)

Don't U Know (Jacob Korn NuGroove remix) - (6:18)

from $1.49

Review: Released on Space Hardware, another new label from Hypercolour magnate Jamie Russell, American producer Placeholder impresses hugely on this debut. The whispy bass-house of "Brothers" makes for a gripping and minimal start to the EP, but "Don't U Know" is the real standout. Stocked to the brim with future-funk and neo-soul flavour, the expertly chopped and pitch-shifted vocals that drive it along are truly exceptional, with octaves layered on top of each other over a fresh 808 clap. Jacob Korn fleshes "Don't U Know" out with some tricked-out snares and hats on his remix (as well as his Todd Edwards-esque "NuGroove remix"), but that original really takes some beating. Highly recommended stuff!

DISTAL

Civilization

Tectonic

buy whole release (13 tracks) from ~~$16.80~~ $11.08

TECCD 014
30 Apr 12

The Sun - (4:16)

Feed Me - (3:04)

Preach On Hustle - (5:00)

Around The Fire - (3:21)

Venom - (5:14)

Rattlesnake - (3:13)

House Party Five - (5:11)

Drop Like This - (5:08)

Gorilla - (5:07)

Not Cool - (5:41)

Temple People - (3:41)

Boca Ratawan - (4:45)

She Wears Pearls - (3:37)

from $1.29

Played by: Ennio Styles (Stylin Radio Show), Hxdb

Review: Amid much anticipation, Distal's album crash lands on Tectonic in a myriad of electronic styles all thoroughly typical of the plucky Atlantan. There's raw juke-isms on "Preach On Hustle", where the Chicago style gets slowed down and spread out, while on "Around The Fire" you'll find a swung techno framework full of alluring melodies just under the surface. There's melodica-baiting dubstep on "Rattlesnake", while electro gets pitched down for the peak time banger "House Party Five". Everywhere you turn, Distal's supremely developed production stands out, whatever vibe he's turning his hand to. In the end, that skill becomes the glue that holds this free ranging album together.

KRY WOLF

Black & Blue EP

Sounds Of Sumo

SOS 020
11 May 12

Black & Blue - (4:39) 128 BPM

Under My Skin - (4:47) 128 BPM

Under My Skin (Mak & Pasteman Remix) - (4:34) 128 BPM

Black & Blue (Daniel Haaksman Remix) - (5:28) 135 BPM

Black & Blue (Real Remix) - (4:35) 126 BPM

from $1.49

Played by: DJ Rsi, Kush Arora, Hxdb, Commodore 69 - Hot N Heavy, Mike Hindle - Immersed Audio, Sounds Of Sumo, Konnekt - Hot N Heavy

Review: We know about the boy who cried wolf. But have you heard the one about the boy who cried Kry Wolf? No, neither have we. But dropping this bottom end savvy b-boy workout will certainly keep the wolves from your door for a while. Elsewhere you'll find "Under My Skin", a bashy, darker number with an incessant rhythm and some nifty finger clicks and handclaps. There's plenty to chat about on the remix tip, too: Mak & Pasteman turn "Black & Blue" into a Guy Called Gerald flavoured acid house joint, Daniel Haaksman massages "Under My Skin" into a hypnotic Made To Play style mode while Real delivers a slice of two-step so sexy you'll want to marry it.

LURKA

Forgotten Ones

Box Clever

BOXCL 013
30 Apr 12

Forgotten Ones - (4:39) 140 BPM

Refresher - (4:12) 140 BPM

from $1.49

Played by: Rebelbass (Hum Fi Dub), Bam Bam Dealers

KAHN

Margeaux

Idle Hands UK

IDLE 012
21 May 12

Margeaux (part 1) - (3:40)

Margeaux (part 2) - (4:52)

from $1.49

Played by: Blacksmif

Review: As one of the most active members of the Young Echo collective, Kahn has already revealed a sizable spread of styles in his output, and this latest emission for Idle Hands flips the script once again. It's an emotive and linear place we find Kahn in on "Margeaux Pt 1", as a bouncy 2-step beat and chirpy bassline get offset by dense layers of heavily treated vocal from Kahn himself, creating a pastoral kind of vibe as the end result. Meanwhile "Margeaux Pt 2" spaces things out with a more jagged beat and a brooding bottom end, while obviously continuing the theme found on Part 1.

RACKNRUIN

Slow Down

Cheap Thrills

CHEAP 054
28 May 12

Slow Down - (4:43) 140 BPM

Burning - (4:44) 140 BPM

Slow Down (Dusky remix) - (7:48) 125 BPM

from $1.49

DARK SKY

Black Rainbows EP

Blackacre

ACRE 033
26 Mar 12

F Technology - (4:41)

Tremor - (4:48)

Zoom - (4:39)

Totum - (6:10)

from $1.49

Played by: Odiggity, Shadow Dancer (Boysnoize Records), Hxdb, Commodore 69 - Hot N Heavy, Bunny On Acid, Simon/Off, Mike Hindle - Immersed Audio, Breakbeat.is, Djs: Most Charted - Dubstep, Krueger, Konnekt - Hot N Heavy, Mak & Pasteman

Review: Dark Sky return to Black Acre with the Black Rainbows EP, which opens with the sparse, stripped back rhythms of "F-Technology" - for our money the pick of a fine release. Razor sharp snare hits dovetail between cavernous bass hits to create the kind of dread-inducing atmospheres one associates with Black Acre. "Tremor", up next, is all about those rough and tumble drums, while the sub bass groans of "Zoom" and neon-tinged roughness of "Totum" round off an unsurprisingly excellent package.

JOKER

Skitta

Kapsize