Ames Henry & Paul Kav - "Business In Hasenheide" - (6:00) 131 BPM
Ames Henry - "Tribute" - (6:22) 123 BPM
Fanu - "Dubia" - (6:50) 124 BPM
Octo Octa - "For My Girls" - (3:27) 85 BPM
Review: After a hiatus of two years, Kellam Matthews has decided to reignite his Frendzone label via a multi-artist EP packed to the rafters with retro-futurist dancefloor treats. Ames Henry and Paul Kav get things going in stellar fashion with "Business in Hasenhide", an urgent fusion of two-step drums, thrusting acid bass and jumpy synth stabs, before Ames goes solo via the breezy bounce of "Tribute". Fania successfully roughs things up via the mutant sub-bass, dystopian noises and distorted breakbeats of "Dubia", while Octo Octa offers up a wonderfully spooky and hectic jungle roller that's guaranteed to set pulses racing out on the dancefloor.
Review: Following a recent sell-out London show to celebrate the milestone anniversary of Digweed's iconic and genre leading record label he drops volume 14, and to us it sounds like one of the biggest and best yet. Across the 21 tracks, label favorites get a good showing, with; Pig & Dan's 'Crazy', Guy J with 'Mish Mash', and 'Whispering Leaves' from Marco Bailey. Plus a plethora of new talent coming through such as Maxime Dangles on 'Unsteady Curve'. Check out the tasty Electric Rescue mix of Digweed & Muir collab 'Raise'.. This is an essential for prog heads.
Henry Hyde - "Every Day's A Good Day For A Swim" - (6:19) 135 BPM
Review: While the ethos behind Bobby Pleasure's Needs (Not For Profit) label is admirable - all proceeds go to carefully chosen charities - the imprint's greatest calling card is the exceptionally high quality of its releases. That's evident once again on EP number six, which begins with a stellar slab of fizzing, synth-sporting peak-time breakbeat house from fast-rising DJ/producer Eris Drew. Her bustling, pleasingly positive "See You In Snow" is quickly followed by the low-slung dub disco/deep house heaviness of Edward's "Mind Loop" and the rave era deep house/proto hardcore fusion of D Tiffany's typically dreamy sunrise workout "Sun Trip". Best of all, though, is the liquid warmth of Henry Hyde's "Every Day's a Good Day", where lucid ambient electronics swim around bold, bass-heavy two-step beats.
Review: With Bedorck having pioneered electronic music since '98, it is quite a milestone to reach the 100th release, and what high expectations set for Guy J & Henry Saiz to deliver. Unsurprisingly, they rise to the occasion with two tracks that showcase all the Bedrock history whilst firming looking ahead to the sounds of tomorrow. 'Meridian' sees the two come together for a groovy and melodic progger that has peaktime smacked all over it, on the flip Saiz goes it alone for the massive piano led 'La Marea', one of the largest progressive tracks of the year... Both of these need to be at the front of your wallet immdediately!!
Review: Guy J's progressive house roots shine through on this first contribution to the Balance series. It's not just the sound - occasionally downtempo, always atmospheric and sometimes deliciously dreamy - but also his choice of tunes; each of the 13 tracks has been reconstructed or re-edited by the experienced Israeli producer. While this would be seen as self-indulgence in others, it gives the mix a coherence and fluidity that's never less than attractive. Wisely, he mixes it up throughout, flitting between dreamy deepness (Juan Deminicis), trippy dancefloor intensity (his edit of Radio Slave's version of APM 001's "Migrants"), picturesque goodness (Nevar's "Phases of Grief") and darting, melodic techno (Echomen).
Review: Quick! Grab Henry an anchor, he's "Drifting Away" and we need him back on terra firma to maintain high vibe levels in drum & bass! Seriously, though, you will actually drift into the ether with all of these jams. The title track radiate soul with its lilting pianos, "Waiting For You" adds a solemn touch where the drums are shrouded in a cloak of melancholy, "Journey's End" shimmers with a dreamy sheen that's not dissimilar to an Etherwood instrumental while "Let's Move On" closes with some of the smoothest guitar work since Dire Straits Brothers In Arms. Sublime.
Review: Fresh from his "Coming Back For More" EP in August, rising UK soul merchant Henry returns to DNBB with a powerful slice of MC led liquid. Introducing newcomer US MC Chainge, there's an urgent rap momentum that counters the lilting pianos and instrumentation creating a moving trip that's comparable to the work of the currently unstoppable T.R.A.C. Those not so keen on Chainge's ferocity can flip for a much more delicate, emotional instrumental.
