Review: Gr8 scott! High R8 are celebrating 10 years of being at the forefront of dnb, grafting at the future talent coalface and we're in for a treat of a trip down memory lane. Featuring early cuts from modern day donnies like Guv, Spaow and K Motionz, the collection takes us back to 2011 then pings us around the last decade by way of crucial cuts from the likes of Damage Report, Dub Bezerker, Nu Elementz, Sub Killaz and beyond. Highlights include the still-raw 'Blood' from Guv, the stripped-back vibe and grungey bass slaps of Diskize's 'Rain' and the haunted cries and sense of tension in Filthy Habits' 'Hidden Secrets' but to be honest the whole collection slaps and really highlights how consistent and ruthlessly gully High R8 have been since they began.
Review: Bites have got a really nice little single coming your way in the shape of Imagination by Nu:Elementz, a producer who definitely knows how to make a big D&B number. 'Imagination' features a fat main drum line and a stomping synth section, both of which synergise really nicely to form a slick rolling tune. The flip, courtesy of Slipz, is more stripped back but still packs a similar roughshod drum sound, underpinned this time by a pulsatingly strong low frequency backdrop. Top top.
Review: The one and only Nu Elementz ushers us into a new lockdown era with his third studio album. Arguably his most comprehensive LP to date, he eases us in with sober reflective jams like the title track and 'Dark Times' before plunging us deeper and deeper into his savage sound palette where collabs with the likes Dominator (RIP), Sub Zero, Sub Killaz and label boss Majistrate await. Highlights include the all-out weirdness and dark funk of 'Reality', the bouncy-assed dancefloor slap and tickle of 'Lost World' and the purring deep soul hums of 'Don't You' but that's not even scratching the tip of this ice cold iceberg. Lockdowns were invented for albums like this. Turn on, tune in, 'Blackout'...
Review: Fair play it's been an impressive run from DJ Warden's Bagged & Tagged this year, despite the rona working its wicked way with 2020. Following massive EPs from the likes of Total Recall, BlckHry and Obbley & Maze the label now hits with its biggest release to date... An all-star remix EP featuring the likes of Heist, Nu Elementz, Slipz and D-Nasty. All off them given the green light to go nuts on some of the label's most distinctive cuts so far. Highlights include Heist's raucous harmonic twist on the bassline of Vital & Phenom's 'Hoe Money' and D-Nasty's skin-melting technoid riff. Disgusting. Bag this one right now.
Review: Maji's Sweet Tooth brings the puddings two courses early with this massive collabo release as the label boss goes toe-to-toe with one of the label's most prolific and influential artists Nu Elementz for "Never Forget". Laced with the star-gazing emotions of vocalist Jessica Luck, it's a deeper cut than you'd expect from both acts, and it hits the spot with lingering poignancy and barbed soul. Complete with original and slightly heavier remix, this will go down as a pivotal release for the label in years to come. Always remember "Never Forget".
Review: Nu Elementz is one of the big success stories from the new school of jump up producers and he's risen to prominence on the basis of a stabbing, aggressive tonality of production which has resonated superbly in recent times. With 'Lucky', a forthcoming single on Sweet Tooth Recordings, he strips things back and this one could easily be an Original Sin track from the late 2000s, with booming stabs popping through the range and gully sense of roughed up aggression emanating from all corners of the arrangement. It's a proper club tune and we're looking forward to hearing it out.
Review: Nu Elementz is one of the many rising stars in the newly invigorated jump-up scene at the moment and, despite being a stalwart of that scene for years now, his popularity has surged in tandem with his production skills. His new album - titled X (very catchy) - is evidence of that shift and we're loving it, a ten-tracker packed full of the type of bangers that've seen him performing all over Europe. The surprise of the bunch is 'Didn't I', a sample-laden liquid track that rests on some seriously nice sampling and a gorgeous atmosphere of nonchalance and relaxation. With the others, however, it's back to business as usual - you don't need us to describe it to you.
Review: Nu Elementz is gearing up for his forthcoming album X. Landing almost three years since his still-thunderous Prophecy album, if this sampler is anything to go by, we're to expect a broadsword smorgasbord of styles. "Streamtrain" adds a new, trippy harmonic twist to the current drone style of basslines while his 2016 cult sledgehammer "Repent" enjoys a VIP upgrade with a whole new springy, cheeky bassline. Tailored for the most insane double drop reactions. X marks the spot!
Review: Nu Elementz has been one of the biggest success stories from the world of jump up over the past couple of years, his steady rise mirrored in peers like Bou, Kanine and others. This time around he's teamed up with Slipz to produce a naughty two-tracker that, if you're a fan of his work, will almost certainly be up your street. 'Empire' is a stabby concoction of percussive knocks and bass flares, with an ominous sample to lead you in on the drop. The flip is made of bigger material, with a groaning bass synth that's got jump up anthem written all over it and those classic percussive sounds we all know and love. 'S.W.A.T' is the better of the two but both are equally on point. Grab em.
Review: Put on your iron shirts and raise your Iron Fist! Certified returns in high grade version form as two of his heaviest cuts of 2017 get a re-lick. First-up Nu Elementz deepens the riotous feels of "90s Seconds" with more of a droning bassline and a cool Serum-style wriggling harmonic bass riff. Second-up, Certified himself adds a whole new layer of angry funk to "Keep Walking" with this insane VIP. If your shoes aren't off by the second drop then you've tied them too tightly. First come, Iron Fist served.
Review: Would you like to play a game? Nu Elementz return to Sweet Tooth for an old family favourite "Mouse Trap"... With a twist. Instead of playing a board game you get skanky to the laser bass and totally sucked away by the sci-fi breakdown. Everyone's a winner! Especially us because there are three more tracks on offer; "Smokin Barrels" is an infectious high-harmonic bass wriggler, "Hyrule" is a warped, stretched groaners while "Holding On" (with US duo Sub Killaz) plays the roof-raiser of the pack with its twisted squealing bass and sultry vocal sample. Game on!
Review: Last spotted on Maji's Sweet Tooth screaming prophecies loud and clear, the unstoppable Nu Elementz returns with more concrete body-slammers. "Operation" blasts with such a venomous hook it could remove your spleen so quickly you won't even notice. Looking for a bassline that purrs rather than screeches? Look no further than the danger-humming "Trainwreck". Looking for a reason to invite the queen to tea? Stick on "Royalty" and watch her throw her crown (and of course shoes) out of the window. Finally we have "Curious". A strange stepper with a wormlike rusty bassline that creaks and groans on every chop-slapping snare, if this doesn't have you questioning mankind's existence you are officially soulless. Good luck with that mate.
Review: If there's any tune that can truly say I'll be back it's Hizzleguy's screech-funk stepper "Terminator". Released in January, it has returned in both VIP and remix form... And the results are even more hair-raising. The former is pure mimetic poly-alloy T-1000 with its stretched out bass textures and unnerving sense of danger while the latter (courtesy of Nu Elementz) will take your clothes, your boots and your motorcycle with its added grizzly bass tones and looser sense of funk. Terminated.
Review: It's kinda rare to see an artist delivering a full drum and bass album these days, but that's just how Nu Elementz like to vibe. Prophecy is a complete master blaster of an LP, with thirteen tracks of wild and diverse jump-up steppers charged and motored by devious swarms of mutant bass, reminding us of the that DJ Hazard school of thought that made the Playaz label what it is today. Tunes like "Speed Of Sound", "Evolution", and "Pablo Escobar" are the sort of gear you can break out if you're need of something nasty, something to bump sideways to amid a sea of hungry ravers. There are deeper moments, too, such as "Respect" or "Never Forget" featuring longtime drum and bass don Majistrate. No funny business, just pure rave vibes.
Review: Milton Keynes High R8 Digital are back with more dark side drum and bass shenanigans courtesy of their most recent recruits. Starting out with Hoogs' "The Comet (Majistrate remix)" which is reminiscent of classic Andy C or DJ Zinc from the early noughties, there's honourable mentions also to Sub Killaz with their stripped back and absolutely sketchy offering "Horror (Nu Elementz remix)" and of course Filthy Habits' "Hidden Secrets (Upgrade remix)" which is a seriously wonky journey through the dark side of breakbeat science. His remix up next of Dub Berzerka's "Born Bad" likewise demonstrates that this fella certainly 'ain't messing around!
Review: Ahead of his debut Prophecy, heavyweight dagger-wielder Nu Elementz shows us his hand with two turbo-charged, super-lean tech-twisted bust-ups. "Chop Shop" stabs gleefully with an alien Q&A and a pirate swagger to the drum swing. "Pablo Escobar" takes a similar approach with its stark question/answer style riff that rips through unique bass textures but the breakdown is where the heat really lies... Spacey, Wild West and thugged all at the same time, this works a treat on a big rig.
Review: Subject to a recent remix competition, Nu Elementz's 2013 bubble-cut "C4" enjoys four wide-ranging revisions from names old and new. Banzai takes the lead with a sharp, higher-toned stabbier riff that switches the original's funk for something much darker, Skew gets ugly with a texture that's not dissimilar to that of the one Decimal Bass used on "Work For Nothing", Dub Bezerka & TechPro completely remove the original bass ideas for an angry hornets nest style tone while Too Greezey creates soaking wet alien sounds for his bass twist. Each cut boasting a life of its own, the only thing preventing them from being complete originals is the use of the original spoken sample.
Review: Full throttle jump-up business, Dominator and Nu Elementz finally deliver two of the subgenre's biggest ID requests this year so far. "Dimension" rides with a pulverising drill bass that fluctuates through the tones on every eight. "Spartanz", meanwhile, adds a cheeky breakbeat swing in the background as a darker, oakier bassline takes the lead with a Q&A riff before dropping into a string-laced breakdown from out of nowhere. Deadly.
Telekom - "Nicky" (Nu Elementz remix) - (4:23) 175 BPM
Freek - "Kung Fu Is Banned" (Lowriderz remix) - (4:28) 175 BPM
Review: Wrapping up a month of five-year anniversary chaos, Digital Terror have bundled their exclusive remix adventures into one sense-slapping compendium. All label talents are present and correct with highlights punching, kicking and grizzling from every corner. Ranging from Hoogs' sticky treacle low end stretches on "Effects" to Hedex's rougher, more metallic swagger on "Greed" and Lyptikal's out-and-out industrial grindage on "Badman" and Lowriderz' harrowing designs on "Kung Fu Is Banned", if you missed on any of the four EPs now is your chance to catch up. If this is how Digital Terror celebrate five years, we can't wait to see how they party a decade of sonic hellraising.
Review: Turbo-charged slammage from two of UK jump-up's finest freshmen: "Secret Technique" struts out with a heavily swung rhythm and a scowling blender bassline that scratches with the same level of insistency you might witness on a Majistrate record. "Miracle" takes us deeper into the groove with a similar funk to the beats but a deeper, groanier bassline. Heavyweight.
Review: It's been a while since Sweet Tooth cooked up an "All You Need" EP feast. But the wait has been worth it as five of the label's most exciting artists deliver electrifying new twists on the jump-up sound. "Murderah" is all about the high-end Hazard-style bass lickage, "Route 66" croaks like an angry, addiction-riddled frog who's run out of glue to sniff, "Side Effect" takes us back to Dreamscape at its 1994 prime with its paranoid-drenched synth stabs, "Could Be" wriggles with Majistrate's trademark wobbly charm while "Phenomena" toys with some of the most enduring aspects of late 90s D&B with a tearing mentasm, old school samples on the breaks and an interesting key change midway. Exceptional.
Review: New York D&B hotbed Digital Terror celebrate five years in the filth industry with a series of heavyweight remix EPs. It kicks off here with this ridiculous five tracker featuring the likes of Saxxon, Hoogs, Northern Lights, Filthy Habits and Voltage. Each remixer delivers in a major way with notable highlights being the ozone-blasting bass and old schooly twists on Northern Light's remix of "Think Different" and the high pressure drums and Metalheadz textures on Saxxon's remix of "Shadow Lion". Savage.
Review: Nu Elementz returns to Sweet Tooth Recordings with just the type of drum and bass you've been looking for - mutant basslines, skatty drums, neo-goth and classical atmospheres to sci-fi effects and hospital bleeps; and killer drops. Both "Trauma" and "Understood" deliver steppy rhythms with the former squealing like a broken cardiac monitor, while the latter blips like devilish crickets at dusk. "Like It" adds a calming female vocal to offset its terror synths while darkly rasta chants fill the void between syrupy splashes of tear out bass and drums in a stripped back "Badman" - whump.
