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Tectonic Recordings will mark their 70th release with a new collaboration from label boss Pinch and UK funky veteran Roska.
Listen to Pinch & Roska’s “Shoulda Rolla” collaboration
by Juno Plus on 19.03.2013 at 16:05pmWin Eastern Electric NYE tickets
by Juno Plus on 26.11.2010 at 11:41am
If you’re still undecided about how to spend your New Year’s Eve this year let Juno Plus make it easy for you with chance to win a pair of tickets to the Eastern Electrics Back To The Tunnel Party.
Mary Anne Hobbs reveals more acts for Bloc 2011
by Tony Poland on 08.11.2010 at 13:45pm
Former Radio One stalwart Mary Anne Hobbs has announced some of the names who will be appearing on her showcase stage at next year’s Bloc Festival with L-Vis 1990 and Roska amongst those playing.
Roska & Untold – Myth review
by Juno Plus on 08.10.2010 at 13:40pmA. Huge. Single. Out on Numbers – the sweet three-way imprint formed by Dress 2 Sweat, Stuff and Wireblock – this two-track release might just be one of the most hotly-anticipated singles in the relatively brief existence of UK funky. Known for mixes of The xx, Boyz Noize, Baobinga and (ahem) Ke$ha, along with stand-out tunes of his own like “Anaconda” and “I Can’t Stop This Feeling”, Untold’s subtle approach to bass music sees him mentioned in the same breath as Burial, Pangaea and Mount Kimbie. Roska has become something of an ambassador for UK funky, tirelessly dropping beats, remixes and originals on his own Kicks and Snares label and many others. Together, they craft a brilliant median point between house, dubstep, funky and grime that frankly bangs very hard indeed.
“Myth” develops from a severely distressed and descending bass loop into a warped and wheezy banger, complete with a lead sound playing Eastern scales and some ethnic percussion hits that really set the tune alight. The drums are pitch perfect, such is Roska’s incredible gift, while the development of the tune keeps it spell-binding despite being locked into almost the same groove throughout. On a slightly more Detroit tip, “Long Range” builds with some long drawn-out string notes over a highly funky conga beat, which drops into some lethal Untold subs and organ stabs – again all synched to the groove perfectly, with absolutely no extraneous sounds used whatsoever. It’s hazy, slinky and very very addictive stuff – just what you’d expect from such a collaboration from to dons at the top of their game.
Oliver Keens
Modeselektor – Art & Cash remixes review
by Juno Plus on 31.08.2010 at 10:50amThese faultless Berlin techno/dubstep merchants are on very fine form at the moment, having recently announced Modeselektion Vol 1, a bumper compilation that features a heavyweight cast of international producers currently entrenched in the post dubstep sound. Their label 50 Weapons is gushing out all kinds of goodness at present, they never fail to retain their trademark sense of humour, and now they have released this excellent set of Art & Cash remixes. This Mdslktr classic from last year was perfect enough in a taut, funky motorik way but here we see Bok Bok, Roska, SBTRKT and Phon.o really expand the horizons.
Nightslugs’ star Bok Bok transfers the original’s sinuous synthlines to a way lower register, riding a huge bassline that’s embellished with some raw snares, claps and cash register sound effects, a nice sonic pun on the tune’s title. It’s prime UK bass material, and is yet another excellent Bok Bok version. Roska is someone else who’s simply unable to turn in a bad mix – staggering given the amount of stuff he’s been knocking out of late. Using his trademark kit of organic percussion (with a nice eastern flavour this time around) layered into powerfully funky sequences, he keeps the original’s booty-slapping electro snares and loosely follows the chord structure with some shivering synthlines. It’s prime Roska, even if it’s hard to spot the original Modeselektor in the mix.
SBTRKT keeps closer to the spirit of the original, using glitchy chords and bleeps in his version, but he really makes it his own with a chord sequence that tugs hard at the heartstrings and an added vocal that sounds as though it’s being dredged out of the sea. It’s a real beauty, almost like Boards of Canada on a house tip, with crisp snares that don’t over-complicate the tune. Whereas the other three mixes are pretty radical makeovers, Phon.o’s mix is possibly the one hardcore Modeselektor fans will pounce on. Upping the tempo slightly, he keeps the huge tech-riffs of “Art & Cash” in place, but adds a whole set of minimal hits in a Bmore-meets-Radioclit style, and filters sections up for maximum rinse potential. Don’t make us pick our favourite – these are all absolute gold.
Oliver Keens
Roska & Untold team up on Numbers
by Juno Plus on 27.08.2010 at 14:45pm
Rinse FM Awarded FM Licence
by Tony Poland on 17.06.2010 at 13:11pm
It’s just been annnounced that Rinse FM, the long running pirate radio station that has played an integral part in the rise of underground sounds such as dubstep, grime and UK Funky, has finally been awarded a FM radio licence.
Featured DJ Chart: Sinden
by Juno Plus on 12.04.2010 at 15:56pm
From dancehall to kuduro via broken beat and UK funky – the new featured chart from beat connoisseur Sinden is nothing if not eclectic. The DJ/producer recently announced the launch of his new label Grizzly, with a release from the man himself (in collaboration with the ever elusive SBTRKT) due out on April 19, swiftly followed by an EP from French star Brodinski on May 17.
Martyn – Is This Insanity? (Remixes Part 2)
by Juno Plus on 08.02.2010 at 11:02am
Artist: Martyn
Title: Is This Insanity? (Remixes Part 2)
Label: 3024
Genre: Dubstep/Grime, Techno
Format: 12″, Digital
Buy From: Juno Records, Juno Download
The second set of remixes of Dutch producer Martyn sees three more top names take on songs from the incredible Great Lengths album. As a digital exclusive, UK Funky star Roska takes on one of the biggest tunes from the album, “These Words”. Dropping the tempo down a little, Roska adds his distinctive beats to the track, which work well with the vocal courtesy of dBridge. The effect is funky, but still retains the ghostly and moving vibe of the original.
German Ben Klock also puts a haunting Minimal edge on “Is This Insanity?” Losing the tabla drums but keeping the husky vocal from Spaceape, Klock’s arrangement is thrillingly sparse and perfect, and a nice departure from the Martyn original. Manchester’s Illum Sphere, who’s been getting attention from Radio 1 to Radiohead of late, also does a neat job with the epic “Brilliant Orange”, adding some tastefully off-kilter and hypnotic beats to the originally dry, beatless track. Some essential remixes from an already classic album.
Review: Oliver Keens
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