Review: Agro is on Sub-Liminal with an EP that's full of, well, agro. He's roped in some of his friends for the release, including NV & Mentah, Leaf, Charlie Rotten and Toxinate in what is a full-throttle release from start to finish. This is clear from the off, as 'Don't Play' dives down deep into murky sonics and minimalist force for session that'll appeal to the real heads. 'Godfather' feat Lead has a unique percussive line that lends it an almost halftime quality; 'Gorgon Sound' is a naughty roller with a disturbingly scary sub bass & reece bass combination and 'Thinking Bout U' ties up the release with more dark atmospherics - quality stuff.
Charlie Rotten - "The Myriad Part 3" (continuous DJ mix) - (16:49) 181 BPM
Review: Sub-liminal are one of those very prolific, very underground labels that tends to go unnoticed yet releases some absolute bangers. So, getting a whole compilation full of them from a variety of up and coming producers is only going to go one way - hard. The first tune - 'Iggy' - from Garry K & RV is an instant stand out, a wobbling riff of force and hurting energy, all tied up in a jump-up sized package. 'Vultures' by Zapya and MC Karter is another top-level cut, a skippy drum-line and menacing vocals sit above a fiercely minimal roller that clicks and clanks with satisfying precision. There are a bunch more excellent tunes on this release, so go check them out.
Review: The clue is in the title mate: Ruff Rollerz... Delivered by one of Manchester's most consistent and authentic jungle imprints since Sappo's Advisory. Epicentre grabs our crotch with an iced out riffer, Warhead gives us the finger with some heavily tribalized drum damage, Bou-affiliate Jamoh cooks up a low-swung waspy bassline-riddled Voltage-style shaker while newcomer Kovert Sounds juices up the rave machine and twists up the elements in quite an astonishing way. Finally Buckfast-swigging buccaneer Sl8r returns with another hardcore homage that switches so sexily into a percussive minimal drop you might need new trousers. Get on this now mate.
Review: Guzi, with the speed of an Uzi and the glamour of Gucci, is landing on Sub-Liminal Recordings with an unsophisticated but incredibly fun release, one which, if you hear out live, is certain to get you moving. There's a carelessness and a freedom to these tracks and it's a tangible sense of kinetics. The title track kicks things off in style but it's 'Shadow' feat. BP MC that really takes the cake, a winding, subby track that flips between wobbiling shimmers and jump-up stabs. It's a wicked track and definitely the highlight of the release. 'Shroud' feat. Peggy Sewage - great name - is another absolute banger but one that's deep and wispy in all the right ways. Sick release.
Review: Nick The Lot and Warhead are back, back again and it's once again on Grid Recordings, the label which ceases to pump out music which pummels you, pleases and you and punishes you in equal measure. This time around the pair are working on a joint single and it's a percy, with two slices of trademark damage that tread a wicked line between over-the-top jump-up and moody rollers. 'Shoplifters' is the best example of that, as the drums roll out into oblivion and a gargling expression of bass energy lights up the top end of the range in stabby, serious fashion. Energy, energy.
Review: Niterider is landing on Murky Digital with his Dub Elevator EP and, as you can probably tell from the name of the label it's coming out on, it's a seriously murky bit of work. You wouldn't think that from the start of the title track though, which leads you in with a luscious bit of elevator music but that quickly devolves into a pummelling expression of force. The rest of the release is powered by the same relentlessness and 'Killa's' carries an expansive back end that undergirds a sequence of menacing hip-hop sampling, whilst 'The Wob' possibly has the most creative bassline on the release in a wicked display of dancefloor heat. Sick stuff.
Review: One of the regular labels we feature are Sub-Division, a wicked little imprint that puts out a diverse sound ranging from techy rollers to jump-up steppers and even liquidy numbers. This week they've arrived with an EP from Niterider, who, across five tracks, spans various tones and styles, all of them rooted in a sense of dancefloor aggressiveness and all of them top-notch. 'Kush Puppy' is a highlight, its rolling percussive line isn't the paciest but is loping and satisfying, whilst a gargling bass and sweeping reeces sit just above and inject all the force. Top stuff.
Review: Don't be misled by the title: this is no thrown-together 'greatest hits' package but rather a 40-track label showcase from DJ Hybrid's Audio Addict label, coming complete (if you opt to buy the whole album) with a fast and furious, 52-minute mixed version by Canada's RMS, aka Paul Currie. Tracks come a mixture of relatively new names (Martyn Nytram, Saffire Dubz, Confusious) and more established players (LJ High, Scartip and of course Hybrid himself), while stylistically the album touches on various different D&B sub-genres, but with the emphasis always firmly on cuts that are built to tear up the rave.
Review: Two and a half years deep into their dark star safari Sub-Liminal continue to shred up the dance with a crack team of heavy bass innovators. Bass riffs galore and aesthetics so unforgiving, every track is tailored for the most underground floor... The worming low-end mashery of Too Greezey's "Modulation", Leaf's oddball drum funk and melting trumpets on "Shoot Off", Warhead's brutal technoid mutations on "A'Gwarn" and Tyrant's absolutely annihilating "Nuclear Bomb" are just four of the 14 high level bangers on display here. There's nothing subliminal about the message on this one: not picking up on this is a criminal offence.
Dub General - "World Of Confusion" - (4:27) 175 BPM
Cabin Fever - "The Hunter & The Hunted" - (4:50) 175 BPM
2Stars & Dissent - "Kung Fu Kid" - (4:28) 175 BPM
Zere - "Loophole" - (5:36) 174 BPM
Tomoyoshi - "Smokey Horn" - (5:34) 175 BPM
Suv - "Instead Of War" - (5:12) 175 BPM
Coda - "Tripped" - (3:42) 175 BPM
Ickleman - "Open The Hatch" - (4:24) 174 BPM
Warhead - "Static" - (4:32) 175 BPM
MPW - "Jungle Stranger" - (5:56) 58 BPM
Review: Jaxx powers up his gully roller steam engine for the latest volume in his label's Off The Rails series and the results are off the scale. 14 tracks of deep, forthright rollage from a broad selection of respect talents ranging from certified OGs such as Suv to established dons such as Cabin Fever and Verdikt to bright young upstarts like K-Y and Zere, the collection is one of the best Train wrecks so far. Highlights include the tonal chaos of Zere's "Loophole", Suv's peaceful party piece "Instead Of War" and Warhead's brittle bass lash out "Static" but to be honest the entire collection needs your attention. Full steam ahead.
Review: Sub-liminal sleepers this one is for you... The UK label have just repurposed and repackaged some of their many successes on this epic 20 track compendium. Ranging from the white knuckle neuro pace of Fena's "Viral" to Dominator's gamechanging grumpy-bass twist on Agro's "Noise Complaint" via Dialogue's ultra-grot wobbler "If You Can't Beat 'Em", Tyrant's Nightflight-style jungle slap-about "Bomb", Agro's sinful stepper "Tank" and many more, this is a perfect snapshot of the label's breadth, weight and uncompromised sound so far. Riddim stinkers.
Review: Ooof! Sub-liminal are spoiling us right here: 19 tracks and a mix killer mix from gully professor Too Greezey. Loaded with upfront exclusives, VIPs and classics in equal measure. One moment we're squelching and squirming to the wet bass on Warhead's "Bad Trip", the next we're gurning and turning to Benny L's Dillinja-esque remix of Hybrid & Agro, the next we're spooking out to the Clipz-style harmonies on Guzi's "Business" VIP, the next we're writing out our last will and testament to Agro's incredible mix of Leaf's "New Life". That's just scratching the tip of this murky iceberg, there are myriad other bangers awaiting your attention, just tuck in.
Review: Not to be confused with the Julia Roberts classic, the Sound of Nuusic isn't a Bavarian epic but instead a UK underground epic of compilation sized proportions, with a whole raft of underground talents offering up a diverse concoction of jungle flavours. With Conrad Subs making several appearances, his stand-out contribution is 'Leave Dem', with a funked-up loping introduction that's seriously smooth but which quickly devolves into a stuttering balance of breaks and reece bass action. There's wicked jungle contributions from Kumarachi and RMS as well as Sheffield upstart Charla Green, whose knock-down breaks carry some serious weight. This is a must-listen for anyone who likes their jungle music.
Review: When we look back over both the roster and discography that we have seen the team at PAR assemble over the years, it is very difficult to not be incredibly impressed, with back catalogue boasting arguably one of the strongest selections in UK bass music. We here see them set out on another goliath conquest as they present their ninth birthday release 'PAR IS 9'. This project features a host of exciting guests, from heavyweight veterans such as Garna, DeadbeatUK and Moony, to more new school hard hitters such as S3 Dubs, Daze Prism and more. Highlights for us include Dubzta's grimey sheller 'Side Effect' and the madness of Sekt 87's skippy belter in 'Surge & Rush'.
Review: Forget your daft screechy dubstep variant of the same name, Sub-liminal deal strictly in proper riddims. Wobbly riddims, fat riddims, stinking riddims, gully riddims. They have done for almost five years now, and this new Riddim Return collection is a reminder of just how much ground they cover, how many super talented darksmiths they work with and how much skin of yours their releases will melt. Highlights on this 50 track strong collection (yes, 50!) come from every angle but you'd be mad not to lick a shot from Agro & Raz on their melted bass weird-out "Ah Like It", do air trumpet to Warhead's "Cop Killa" or get wonked the heck out by Leaf's concrete steps on "Hold Up". Dig hard and take a deep breath... You're in riddim country.
Alex SLK - "Kulture" (feat Bisity) - (4:35) 174 BPM
KY - "Dancefloor Hot" - (4:20) 178 BPM
Nick The Lot - "Demons" - (4:03) 175 BPM
Damage Report - "Get Away" - (4:32) 175 BPM
Coda & Coy - "Super Red 15" - (4:06) 58 BPM
Hands Prime - "War Path" - (4:30) 175 BPM
Warhead - "Rumpa" - (4:27) 175 BPM
Sikka & Mugshot - "Public Enemy" - (5:28) 170 BPM
Review: Grubs up! Twisted Individual's cooked up a feast of undead delights for the first Zombie Recordings V/A collection and everyone's invited. Chewy, spicy and full of gully victuals, across the collection we're treated to all range of flavours; the peppery aftertaste of Filthy Habits & Jeopardize's "Mind Transfer", the fruity funk bursts of Imaginary Friends' "Rooftop Jam", the gamey aroma and meaty chugs of Yatuza & Nick The Lot's "Mystic Ways" and the sweet and sour textures of Alex SLK's "Kluture" are just some of the many highlights on the menu. Gunfinger-licking good!
Review: Verdikt has actually nailed this one. For real. Born On Road are back and they're back with a an absolute corker courtesy of the aforementioned Verdikt, who's Ice Cold EP is aptly named and which simply slams start to finish. The title track is a fluid, motional number with a wobbling back end that wraps itself round the percussion in gloriously satisfying way fashion. "Don't Leave' featuring Dissonant is a steppier bit of work, with clean jungle drums and a growling bassline that warps and morphs into sine territory, all overcut by a soulful vocal sample. The other four are also top-notch, with Verdikt really nailing that Kings Of The Rollers vibe. Wicked stuff.
Review: Following his "Bloodclart Dubplate" EP this spring, Warhead returns to Sub-liminal with another generous five pack punch up that ranges from divine funk to guttural low end filth. The title track is one of Warhead's funkiest cuts to date with its urgent vocal and spacious sense of soul and freedom. It's joined by the sweeping gully drones of "Embers", the knuckle scuffing gritty bass of "Kill Ya Quick", the dizzy tribal rolls and jittering grizzles of "Start The Attack" and the siren blazing hair raiser "Watch It". As if that's not generous enough, there's an insane Dutta remix thrown in for good measure, too. Thinkin bout this?
Review: Preston pistoleero Warhead lets rip on Sub-Liminal with six battle-ready bumpers of varying degrees of aggression. "Bludclart Dubplate" wobbles and shakes like an old Bristol joint, "Triggered" waves and weaves with a woozy horn sample and warped bass stretches, "Talk Sense" pokes and punches with a stabbed-out horn riff and an outrageous fog horn bass lick on the drop, "Cop Killa" scratches and soothes with its well balanced smoky jazz whispers and guttural bass groan and "Don't Test" teases and pleases with minimal mischief. Finally "Electric" (with Erkal) slaps and batters us with mangled muted trumpets and pneumatic beats so strong they should come with a government health warning. Show us your war face!
Review: Warhead returns to Sub-Liminal and once again it's like a riot in both your speakers, your streets and your pants. Trouble, drama, tension and pure ugliness all abound as he hurls us through the darkest corners of his psyche. Lead track "Exploritorium" is an all-out trippy groaner topped with warnings of the woes of finance from outspoken woke MC Mr Traumatik. Elsewhere "Cranked" takes us into snake-like techy roller territory, "Huh" is a harmonic riddle with a hypnotic see-saw riff, "Mucked" is pure tear-up material, all rattly and high voltage and finally "Volume" shuts the EP down with some of the gnarliest moany groany basses he's ever sculpted. Just plain naughty; get exploring.
Review: Warhead: Because it's always stinker-o-clock somewhere in the world. "Overdue" is one of his most accomplished EPs so far. Featuring collabs galore but running a consistent heads-down rolling sound throughout the whole release, every track is fire for the floor. Highlights include the pulverising warping bass on "Higher", the seductive vocal and equally sexy bassline on "Swerve" and the pure ugliness of the title track. Respect for Warhead is long overdue...
Review: Two highly respected members of the new-gen gentry collide on Co-Lab for this perfectly symmetrical release. Two tag-team cuts, one solo piece each, Warhead and Teej go in from every angle; "Gyaldem" takes the lead with a classic Bristol rolling vibe with hip-hop samples but for a weeping bassline literally cries into the mix. Their second collaboration "Cloaked" continues the wry sample theme and baggy space in the groove, but this time with a much sterner wobble to the bassline. Elsewhere Warhead's "Soundboy Slaughter" rolls its sleeves up and dusts off its pneumatic kick drums and timestretched break fills for a white knuckle 23rd century dancehall jam while Teej's "Fatal Attraction" gives us a deep breathing introspective cheerio. Cloakers gotta cloak
