Review: Air K & Cephei are a duo that make some of the most creative rolling D&B in the game and should absolutely draw more attention than they do. Fokuz is a long-time label for them and so they're back on home ground with this double-tracker, which includes one original and one remix. 'Wish To Fade' featuring Nadine is a juxtaposition of a gorgeous vocal and a pummelling bassline, a classic Air K & Cephei approach to making music. The flip is similar but a tad more melancholy, with a filtered out vocal providing the background ambience for a naughty bassline. Top stuff.
Review: Artificial Intelligence's Integral label is a scene leader is releasing atmospheric yet driving liquid D&B, the evidence for which is truly bountiful if you take one quick flick through their prestigious back catalogue. Air.K & Cephei now have their first full length release on their label, a four-tracker that is grounded in lighter sonics but isn't afraid to take things a bit darker when it feels like it. Title track 'All U Know' is the ideal example, with a pop-influenced vocal that sits beautifully above its rolling exterior and a heavy second drop to die for. Fellow label member Edlan also makes an appearance, rounding off what is a typically strong EP from the camp.
Review: Artificial Intelligence's Integral imprint hits its second "Glow" volume and once again loads it with total D&B futurism from friends old and new. The bosses take the lead with a heavily textured stepper that's weighed down by a breath-taking reverse lead sound and processed vocals on "The Need", Air K & Cephei sprinkle some mountain fresh Austrian emotional gold into the mix with "Way Home", Satl & Djah flex on the low swinging soul vibe where the sample chimes softly just below the perfectly tuned rolling break and Serpico closes with the majestic soul-out "Illusion". Glowing.
Need For Mirrors - "Speedy Boarding" - (5:12) 174 BPM
Alexvnder - "Continuity" - (4:55) 174 BPM
DJ Ransome - "Arctic Blizzard" - (5:41) 174 BPM
Review: One of the most iconic and prolific labels in the D&B scene, Fokuz Recordings manage to simultaneously show off the best in the game whilst supporting new talent and the results are fantastic. This album - a recap of 2018 - exemplifies their approach. It's full of big names and bigger tracks, including S.P.Y's remix of 'Always Yours' by Macca & Loz Contreras, Artificial Intelligence's remix of 'String City' by Lenzman and Calibre's remix of 'Forward Thinking' by Satl. Whilst these are obviously great, the bigger story lies in the lesser-known participants and their ability to pull at your heartstrings. DJ Ransome, Edlan, Soligen amongst others all come seriously correct on this LP, turning it into a seriously good release.
