UK-based Calypso Muzak has been boasting bass-face inducing jump up and roller DnB since 2006. Associated with Co-Lab Recordings, and propelled forward by label leaders Heist, DY8 and Benny Colab, Calypso has shelled out speaker-shattering weapons from the likes of: Simula, T>I, Levela, Turno, Too Greezey, Conrad Subs, Hoogs, Jeopardize, Oz, Motiv, Heist himself, and more.
Review: Starting off with a threatening vocal sample, followed in quick succession by a time-stretched 'f**k', the title track on Will Ryan aka Simula's latest EP for Calypso Muzak shows that as always, he means business. Compounding this mood is percussion that is fired in like dum dum bullets over a tightly sprung rhythm. "Demon" is more stripped back and repetitive, but that doesn't mean that this emerging UK artist has mellowed out. Robotic vocal samples and a bass that wobbles its way up and down the sonic spectrum ensure that when it comes to forward-thinking but menacing drum'n'bass, Simula leads the way.
Review: Jeopardize is back and oh boy, this release is absolutely top notch. For anyone out there who likes their rollers dark and dirty yet precise and engineered with quality in mind, you'll be into this release. With two harsh tracks, this release is just bursting with quality and if we ran a label, we'd certainly be writing these names down for the future. The first track, 'Futurama', excels in its simplicity, with all the work being done in a simple yet devastating drum pattern and its relationship to top-notch bit of back end work. The flipside follows this pattern: stunningly solid drums, fat basslines and arrangements rooted in simplicity, allowing the small details to shine. Wicked release.
Review: Calypso Muzak are a regular here on Juno and for good reason, their proclivity for steadily releasing rough but energetic, whole-hearted cuts is strong and their small size doesn't prevent the release of top-quality music. The A-side is the strongest on the release, with a Souped Up-esque feel to its cracking percussion and a torn, broken back end that rips across the range with style. The flip side is a VIP of 'Even The Odds' and blends a range of stabs and wobbles in big fashion.
Review: Often spotted on Low Down Deep, D&B long-timer The Force links up with newcomer Psych for two hair-raising jams on Heist's Calypso. "Head Trip" lives up to its name. Spacious and tense, it's characterised by pranged drawn-out bass notes and eerie harmonics. Real creeper business. It's back up with "Feel Good" also has a telling title... But don't go expecting euphoria for nothing. Vibes as gutsy as this cost at least 10 disgusting bass faces. Where's nan when you need her?
Review: There's something about the name Skore which just emanates dastardly undertones, in the words of the always quotable Super Hans, "an impending sense of dread." Unlike Super Hans, however, Skore can actually make music and his latest piece of work is out over on Calypso Muzak. Thrashing Machine is an energetic piece of jump-up construction that doesn't hesitate to punch you in the face and its exemplified by the title track, a bass-filled expression of dancefloor hatred which moves in mysterious yet obvious ways. It bangs, basically, as does the rest of the EP. Top stuff.
Review: Woi to the oi, Filthy Habits return to Heist's Calypso Muzak with three of bubbliest bubblers you've seen this side of the annual bubbler awards. 'Life Choices' kicks off with an exceptional late 90s Bristol twang, complete with big strings and a rising Size-style bassline. 'First Strike' has more of an electrified hum to it. Think early Hazard with its hornets nest bassline and swinging breaks that sit right back in the mix. Then there's the grumpy finale 'Mirage'. Again hitting with a late 90s vibe but just a hint more tech to the mix, it's another reminder of how timeless Filthy Habits' productions are. Strike it lucky.
Review: The evil nature of this release is apparent straight away, its artwork featuring a ghoulish, smiling goblin who's devilish character spreads easily into the tunes. 'Hobgoblin' itself is snarling and pissed off, a ghoulish blend of synth energy and back end force that twists itself over and under, back and forth. 'Pirelli's Elixir' is equally as insane, a good display of sound design acumen that bodes very well for Ceph's future, as does 'Regular Creepy Smile', a minimal roller that lands with pinpoint precision and delicate yet forceful depth. This is three-tracks of top notch stuff from a relative newcomer - grab it now.
Review: Prestige can really make music and his latest piece of work is out over on Calypso Muzak. A Gift is an energetic piece of jump-up construction that doesn't hesitate to punch you in the face and its exemplified by the title track, a bass-filled expression of dancefloor hatred which moves in mysterious yet obvious ways. It bangs, basically, as does the rest of the EP, with special mention going out to the final track 'Clean', which has a filthy gargled concotion of low frequency energy that wouldn't sound out of place on Souped Up. Top notch.
Review: This release from Jeopardize has artwork straight out of Bioshock and the music itself is equally devilish. Dropping on Calypso Muzak, Jeopardize is coming at you with a four-tracker, a full EP of barebones drum work, roughshod synth construction and animalistic energies. The title track is very, very Serum-esque, with a strong hardware edge to the synths and a no-nonsense attitude in the arrangement. 'Ultimatum' is the highlight of the release, with a serious CNVX vibe in the back end and an old-school tint that courses through its production. Seriously sick stuff.
Review: With some cool, dark, artwork, Illament has landed on Calypse Muzak with a hard-hitting four-tracker which combines a penetrating sense of attitude with a non-nonsense approach to musical arrangements. 'Lone Walker' has an warped-out, Souped Up vibe in its arrangement that feels powerful to the extreme and is perfect for a crowded dancefloor, especially with its underpinning in some weighty percussion. 'Double Up' is the roller of the bunch and grounded in wobbly atmospherics and a sense of space which makes it a pleasure to listen to, its snapping drum line providing the ground rock underneath. Yes boys.
Review: It's been a busy old year for rising talents Shadre & Salvage as they've released consistent sluggers on the likes of Grid, Shadow Demon and Zombie. Now comes their debut on Heist's Calypso Muzak. Four cuts in total, each one of them tickles in a unique and nicely off-beat type of way. The bassline on 'Bumba' is go grungey you feel you need a shower after listening to it, 'Don't Be Afraid' flips the triplet groove into something sharp, shuffled and incredibly contemporary while StillZ joins the crew for the deadly 'Salamanca Rhythm' before the duo complete the EP with another quirky and original drum flavour on 'Infinity'. Don't be a sleeper on this.
Review: Usually spotted causing riots on Ruffneck Ting, The Force steps over to Heist's Calypso Muzak with four outstanding moments of riff-inflicted sonic showstoppery. "Hallucinate" rolls with a sense of jumpy/funky bassline mischief that's reminiscent of the early 2000s without getting too nostalgic. Elsewhere "The Boogieman" brings us into the future with a gruelling, grizzly bassline that's reminiscent of your worst nightmares, "Living Dead" is the sharpest peaktimer of the set with its infectious, soaking wet savageness "Living Dead" while "Mash It Up" warbles and wobbles on a classic jungle bass tone and skippy break in a similar way to DJ Die's early 2000s work. Forceful.
Review: Following on the heels of his last absolutely wicked release, Oz is back on Calypso Muzak for a showcase in how to produce gruff, no nonsense drum & bass that hits you hard and steps over the body. 'Hunter' feat Dubbz is the perfect example, as the pair team up for a raucous jump up tune that growls in its stabs and wobbles in the sub bass. The old school jump up vibe carries on into 'Bear', with an urban edge to the sound that smacks sharply of the pioneering jump up producers of 10 or 15 years ago. The rest of the release is equally as on point - big ups Oz.
Review: Coming in hot with an EP that's positively deadly, Motiv lands on Calypso Muzak in stunning form. Hypnotize is aptly named because it's just that: hypnotic. There's a rawness, a depth, to its elements and every inch of the package feels carved out of urban, rough-edged stone. 'Turmoil' is the highlight of the release, with a tantalisingly good drum line that tumbles ove ritself in eagerness to mess you up, its bassline companion not far behind and just rippling with force and movement. The title track samples the classic Biggie tune and puts a junglist spin on it, whilst 'Taking Lives' rolls out with abandon and 'Last Breath' is a cheeky, cheeky growler. Top notch.
Review: 'Mad Times' for the current chaotic era we seem to find ourselves in these days, courtesy of Jaxx. Last spotted on Calypso Muzak way back in 2019 when none of us even knew what a Covid was, he's back packing some of his juiciest, fattest, not mention sweariest, tear-ups to date. 'Mad Times' is a c-bomb hurling slab of danger that's followed by a wide range of flavours and ideas. 'Apologise To My Guy' is all about the obese bassline and minimal funk dynamics, 'New World' (with Illphaze) is a high voltage array of nutty bass tones while 'Didn't Stand A Chance' brings a little jungle fury in to the mix. Music to go mad as hell to.
Review: Not to be confused with Belgian hardstyle duo, this Russian outfit go hard in a wholly different way... The sole preserve of dub for the last six months (sported only by the likes of label boss Heist and titans playing at a Noisia-level), all four tracks showcase Lowriderz at a premiership level: the abstract textures on jugular-cutter "Moving Images", the deep sepia wooziness of "Blonde Lover", the slinky subs and badboy funk of "Money" and the seasick rhythm of "Interplanetary Experiments"".There's some serious diversity and creativity going on right here.
Review: With two massive "Abstract" EPs and an equally hefty dispatch on AFT, 2018 has been Oz's most prolific year to date. So he's celebrating with a good old fashioned ruckus... "Beat 'Em Up". "Apoka" lights the fire with brazen dramatic operatic effect while the title track pistol whips us into submission before a hornets nest bassline stings from all directions. Deeper into the EP we glide of "OMG", another heavily orchestral influenced piece before "Rockers" shuts up shop with a groaning understated rumble roller. Wounders all round.
Review: Jaxx can really make music and his latest piece of work is out over on Calypso Muzak. Bionic is an energetic piece of jump-up construction that doesn't hesitate to punch you in the face and its exemplified by the title track, a bass-filled expression of dancefloor hatred which moves in mysterious yet obvious ways. It bangs, basically, as does the rest of the EP, with special mention going out to Iyahbinghi Ancient for his contribution to the excellent 'Fix Up', as well as for having a wicked name. Top stuff
Review: Forever mixing up the styles and flavours, Motvi comes correct with this deep dark showcase on Heist's Calypso Muzak. 'Body Pop' sets the scene with juke-like beats and ghetto energy while 'Enkrypt' maintains the darkness with a techno build-up and a Enei-style riff and 'Scathead' gets us swinging from the rafters with its scorching percussion. Rounding up the EP is the skanked out sub rumbler 'TL Dub' and crucial remix from Illament of 'Taking Lives'. What's popping?
Review: You got questions? Nepo's got answers. Or explanations, as he'd prefer to call them. The whirling seasick chords and croaky bass explains why you'll be leaping like a frog to "Allergic", the spacious arrangement, crafty sample dig and evolving bass textures of "Explanation" explain why you quite enjoy dancing like a robot these days while "Heppier You" explains why you've got repetitive strain injury in your rewinding hand. Finally "UFO" explains why alien lifeforms definitely do exist while the breakneck drop and savage dynamics of "Try It" explains why you have nightmares most nights. Ah, sweet closure. Thanks Nepo!
We use cookies to personalise content and ads, to provide social media features and to analyse our traffic. We also share information about your use of our site with our social media, advertising and analytics partners who may combine it with other information that you've provided to them or that they've collected from your use of their services.