Samurai Red Seal At Juno Download

Review: Amazingly, this is the ninth album from experimental D&B veteran ASC. Those who've followed his career to date should know what to expect; an atmospheric and all-enveloping sound that uses traditional D&B rhythms and structures sparingly, instead flipping between clandestine electronica, IDM and shuffling ambience (see the crackly opener "Spheres", which recalls his recent work with fellow experimentalist Sam KDC on the Decayed Society LP). It's a fusion that delivers real quality, from the late night '90s vibes of "Glass Wall", and guitar-laden Balearica of "Oneironaut", to the beatless beauty of "A Song For Hope", technological grooves of "Prometheus", and glitchy oddness of "Stay True".

Review: Samurai, the hugely respected drum & bass label that under the watchful eye of DJ Presha brings the world the finest in deep, dark beats from beyond the 170+ realm. This time they've hit up ASC once more for his own mashed up brand of techno-infused drum & bass straight from his own cold, calculating mind. Close, creeping and stunningly hard, although "Polemic" is softened slightly by a swirling sci-fi synth, there's no mistaking its clinical edge. "Oracle" takes off-beats and creates a master work of atmospherics with them. Minimal and clean, it builds to a shuffling crescendo amidst the smallest of pad interference. Unnervingly good.

Review: Samurai Red Seal get massive props for this release, which sees four more examples of Calibre's diverse approach to the art of D&B. The title track is pure steppahs delight, rising from the ether into rigid upright syncopation until a vintage junglist bassline comes soaring in, whilst "Dogshit" is anything but, with intricately layered beats fighting through the dystopian fuzz. The music matters just as much on the final two tunes, with the slick arrangements demonstrated on "Touch Me" and "Free My Mind" bound to satisfy the old skool heads, the former in particular thanks to dazzling array of amen filled rhythms.

Review: The ever-talented and ever-prolific London based producer Lynx steps up with his next release on Presha's Samurai Red Seal imprint. And we're in for a treat, ladies and gentlemen. An epic, cinematic intro gets "March Of The Living" off to a dramatic and grandiose start, with powerful strings and clicking beats. Moving into the main tune, and the sounds get sparse, with syncopated, stuttering drums and the morose instrumentals swaying in the background. "Rankoor" is a heavy, experimental cut with humming sub bass, snapping clicks and snares and plenty of ominous energy lurking below the surface.

Review: Moving Shadow legend Paradox serves up his 147th release and to celebrate he's gone back to the old school and pulled out some of the most influential, creatively potential breakbeats ever sampled by man. The clue's in the title and the records he's sampled are actually part of the artwork. Shucks, on "Scorpius" it actually ends with the source break, all beefed up and ready for you to sample. Heavy in heritage, this is a lesson for any budding producer/D&B fan... and a must for all DJs!

Review: Since 2007, New Zealand based drum and bass label Samurai Music has been putting out quality tracks from the scene's biggest players and newcomers alike. Channelling their deeper, more experimental output to sister label Samurai Red Seal, it's this imprint that launches Tokyo Prose to the music buying public with their "Introducing" eight-tracker. With all tracks upholding the label's high standards, there isn't much to dislike, however the melodic vocal samples and computer game effects of "LPK Sound" and "Royale's" infectious warped bass stabs stand out above the rest. Calibre-esque piano, string and vocal rollers come courtesy of "All You Want", "Rose Without Rain", "Echoes" and "Saving Grace", while "Knucklehead" goes on a darker, more minimal tangent. Flipping the style again, "Apogee" delivers an enchanting, ambient soundscape, making this a varied and accomplished first release.

Review: Tokyo Prose deserves some serious props. His track record has been faultless. Largely riding shotgun with New Zealand label Samurai, he's not dropped a dodgy record yet. And this is one of his best. "Raised By Wolves" first appeared on Samurai's Ways Of The Samurai compilation last year. Now up for full release, it glistens with soft-jazzy edge and an overall Good Looking groove. Previously unreleased "Status Anxiety", meanwhile, is a true gem. Emotional with hints of ice and plenty of star-gazing, this is what the running man dance was invented for. A stellar release.

Review: Two top-notch remixes of Tokyo Prose - "Echoes" and "LPK Sound" - delivered to us direct from Samurai Red Seal HQ. First up, man of the moment, and highly acclaimed dubstep / 2-step / D&B producer Synkro steps up to the fore with his remix of "Echoes"; immediately we are plunged into a subterranean world of deep, immersive music. With a tinge of Burial to its crackling tips, and murmuring waves of sub bass adding beauty to the hushed soundscape, this one's a beauty. Consequence's remix of "LPK Sound" takes us on yet another journey into the unknown with hissing, taught clipped beats, and yearning atmospherics.

Review: Hot on the heels of his release on Break's Symmetry imprint, Villem is back with more on Presha's Samurai. Bringing his unique blend of D&B to the fore in "Solar Plexus", it's all about the glitchy, fidgety beats here with its tripping percussive quality and the winding bassline below. Quirky and clever, this one really stands out from the crowd. Next, Villem teams up with McLeod in "Hush" which is all celestial synths and blissed out atmospherics with gentle beats and chiming piano keys setting the tone and bringing the single to a fantastic close.