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Don't Be Afraid

Don't Be Afraid

Born out of a vibrant London scene thanks to the early sounds by Semtek, Mr Beatnick and MGUN, Don’t Be Afraid has continually embraced a unique blend of artists, genres and styles. Establishing itself as an adventurous outlet - and parent to a slew of conceptual sub labels - Don’t Be Afraid’s natural evolution should be an example to all independent labels. Hooking up with the likes of Karen Gwyer, Rroxymore and Ikonika to Brassfoot, Neville Watson and Herva over the years, you’ll also find intriguing projects like DJ Bone’s Differ-Ent alias, the new school Birmingham sounds of Jayson Wynters to the evanescent house music of Achim Maerz.
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DBA045.5
Various
   
Sunil Sharpe - "Goddhead" - (4:44) 130 BPM
   
Minos & Moving Still - "One Word Techno Special" - (5:20) 138 BPM Hot
   
TVO - "Wer" - (8:01) 134 BPM
   
Fear-E - "Moving Target" - (5:36) 130 BPM
Review: Don't Be Afraid delivers a killer split release that features some of techno's most innovative producers. First up is Sunil Sharpe with "Goddhead"; like his DJing, Sharpe's contribution here is complex but impactful, with skeletal broken beats and a bleary bass supporting dramatic stabs and muffled vocal samples. Minos & Moving Still push in a different direction on "One Word Techno Special": revolving around a dubbed-out rhythm, the track resounds to rich chords and niggling percussion. Tvo's "Wer" is more abrasive, with noisy soundscapes combined with a minimal groove, while Fear-E's contribution also has a visceral undercurrent, with "Moving Target" centred on a lean, acid-soaked rhythm.
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DBA 0455
08 Oct 21
Techno
Bodies (Remixes)
   
What Kinda Pain Are We Talking About? (Ikonika VIP) - (4:11) 130 BPM Hot
   
What Kinda Pain Are We Talking About? (Sumgii remix) - (4:03) 130 BPM
   
Nobody (Quest?onmarq remix) - (3:45) 87 BPM
   
Your Body (Midnight Snacc remix) - (6:01) 132 BPM
Review: Still revelling in their release of Ikonika's Bodies EP, Don't Be Afraidenlists a fresh set of remixers, and an Ikonika VIP dub, for its first roll out of 2021. The Swamp81 affiliate and Illaman producer Sumgii takes on "What Kinda Pain Are We Talking About?" with a heavy hitting remix of hybrid techno drums and interjecting dubstep/rave. Impressing also is the 91-92 hardcore inspired sonds of Semtek and Iona's Midnight Snacc project, sending in something spacey and sweetly atmospheric, with its lo-fi breakbeats a ++. This EP's second wildcard artist, Quest?onmarq, brings a Jersey club / techno sound to DBA with a number that goes large on its bassline next to a fanfare of drums and synths in Ikonika's Jeff Mills-esque VIP dub. Whose afraid of Detroit.
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DBA 045X
16 Apr 21
Bass
10.02
Various
   
Scott Ferguson - "This Is What I Love To Do" - (6:07) 53 BPM
   
Raven Cru - "Saffron Bun" - (5:35) 116 BPM
   
The Room Below - "Bassika" - (5:26) 88 BPM
   
Mr. G - "Birthday Jam" - (6:52) 120 BPM Hot
   
Semtek & Jay L - "Drunken Style" - (6:47) 117 BPM
   
Pablo R. Ruiz - "El Sol Se Acerca" - (6:24) 125 BPM
   
Halvtrak - "For You" - (5:08) 131 BPM
   
Minos - "Laminar Flow" - (5:23) 120 BPM
   
Wheelman - "Nightshift" - (7:28) 129 BPM
   
Hollie - "In Limbo" - (5:28) 136 BPM
   
Midnight Snacc - "Snacc Attacc" - (7:52) 126 BPM
Review: Don't Be Afraid return with the second chapter in a double compilation, celebrating a decade at the cutting edge of electronic music in the UK and beyond. '10.02' sees Semtek's label delving deeper into a fertile underground, further connecting the sense of musical curiosity and willingness to experiment that's been implicit in DBA's namesake from the beginning. Highlights come from Motor City legend Scott Ferguson (Ferrispark) with the knackered mood music of "This Is What I Love to Do", legend Mr G goes back to the Metalbox days on the tough, steely and funked-up house of "Birthday Jam", through to moments of sublime and life-affirming deepness as heard on Pablo R. Ruiz's "El Sol Se Acerca" or Minos's dubby "Laminar Flow" respectively.
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DBA 1002
04 Dec 20
Minimal/Tech House
10.01
Various
   
RRoxymore - "Lost In Synth" - (5:08) 125 BPM Hot
   
Tyler Dancer - "Silver Linings" - (5:50) 127 BPM
   
Kerrie - "At Your Peril" - (5:28) 132 BPM
   
Kamau - "Attribute" - (6:32) 138 BPM
   
General Ludd - "Stentor Polymorphus" - (6:11) 140 BPM
   
MGUN - "Fumigation" - (7:50) 145 BPM
   
Jayson Wynters - "Moving Targets" - (5:27) 134 BPM
   
Brassfoot - "Brundlefly" - (6:54) 107 BPM
   
Lurka - "Clean" - (5:32) 105 BPM
   
Karen Gwyer - "Bloc De Salmonniac" - (6:33) 144 BPM
   
Mr. Beatnick - "In Carcosa" - (4:49) 109 BPM
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DBA 1001
20 Nov 20
Techno
Forward Flamingo (Remixes)
   
Forward Flamingo - (4:23) 118 BPM Hot
   
Forward Flamingo (Joe remix) - (5:00) 118 BPM
   
Forward Flamingo (Altered Natives remix) - (5:06) 130 BPM
   
Forward Flamingo (Badsista remix) - (5:16) 128 BPM
   
Forward Flamingo (DJ Plead remix) - (5:28) 129 BPM
   
Forward Flamingo (Banga remix) - (4:04) 128 BPM
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DBALP 006X
02 Oct 20
Techno
Bodies
   
Your Body - (6:06) 126 BPM Hot
   
Nobody - (4:49) 121 BPM
   
What Kinda Pain Are We Talking About? - (5:00) 130 BPM
   
Bodied (Roller mix) - (5:00) 128 BPM
Review: As ever, the legendary production stylings of Ikonika have done it again as she unveils an absolutely stunning selection here on Don't Be Afraid' under the EP name 'Bodies'. It's always an enjoyable experience taking in one of her new EP's, but this one stands out for sure as we firstly dive into the stunning harmonic layerings and melodic inputs of 'Your Body', before sweeping smoothly into the more moogy bass punches and tight drum switches of 'Nobody'. Next, 'What Kinda Pain Are We Talking About?' combines moody sub-lines with hypnotic arpeggios and softer carnival rhythms with really fun results, finishing up with the shimmering delays and sweeping pads within the Roller mix of 'Bodied'. Awesome stuff as per!
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DBA 045
17 Apr 20
Bass
Sorry I'm Late
   
Brown Sauce - (5:47) 79 BPM
   
Coaxial Drive - (6:50) 87 BPM Hot
   
Mammoth - (1:56) 67 BPM
   
They're Here - (4:08) 77 BPM
   
Aquaplaning - (6:48) 69 BPM
   
Brown Sauce (Claude Young remix) - (7:51) 62 BPM
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DBA 044
31 Jan 20
Experimental/Electronic
The Midnight Orchard (Epilogue)
   
Force Signal - (6:40) 100 BPM
   
Earthbound - (6:09) 128 BPM Hot
   
The Calling - (5:11) 128 BPM
   
Photosynesthesia - (8:03) 129 BPM
Played by: Roman Flugel
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DBALP 005X
06 Dec 19
Techno
Before Calm EP
   
Before Calm - (4:32) 132 BPM
   
Acid8 Slider - (5:07) 132 BPM
   
Curveball - (5:23) 131 BPM Hot
   
Orb Weaver - (8:12) 131 BPM
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DBA 043
01 Nov 19
Techno
Face To Phase
   
Home Is Where The Music Is - (4:32) 152 BPM
   
Passages - (5:44) 130 BPM
   
Forward Flamingo - (4:23) 118 BPM Hot
   
Energy Points - (5:02) 116 BPM
   
Someone Else's Memory - (5:18) 126 BPM
   
Hectadrums - (4:32) 112 BPM
   
PPS21 - (4:26) 87 BPM
   
What's The Plan - (4:49) 140 BPM
Played by: Midland
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DBALP 006
27 Sep 19
Techno
Man On Mountain
   
Faces On Ankles - (7:32) 140 BPM Hot
   
Ian On Fire - (5:22) 123 BPM
   
Cherries On Shoulders - (7:10) 130 BPM
   
Ribbon On Neck - (6:20) 121 BPM
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DBA 042
12 Jul 19
Minimal/Tech House
62 Miles High
   
KArrmA n Line - (8:34) 120 BPM
   
Shiva's Hands - (5:37) 120 BPM Hot
   
Nyx - (4:28) 127 BPM
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DBA 041
29 Mar 19
Techno
The Midnight Orchard
   
Interna Externa - (2:51) 91 BPM
   
Come On In - (5:55) 120 BPM
   
Anarcho Midnight - (5:51) 131 BPM
   
Reet Dux - (5:54) 126 BPM
   
Eine Kleine Emusik - (6:03) 123 BPM
   
The Returning - (3:55) 160 BPM
   
Twin Tub - (6:15) 119 BPM Hot
   
Dee Sides - (5:13) 134 BPM
   
We Own The Night - (3:59) 126 BPM
   
4am In The Trees - (5:45) 131 BPM
   
Displays Of Brotherly Love - (5:02) 122 BPM
   
Phosphorescent - (6:03) 160 BPM
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DBALP 005
30 Nov 18
Techno
DBA039.5
   
General Ludd - "Owl" - (5:04) 133 BPM
   
Herva - "Constructive Pessimism" - (5:20) 132 BPM
   
Nene H - "Ghetto" - (6:48) 135 BPM
   
Altered Natives - "Dancing Girl" - (7:04) 130 BPM Hot
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DBA 0395
02 Nov 18
Techno
Indentured Servitude
   
Followers Fate - (5:40) 120 BPM
   
Psycho-Spiritual Parasites - (7:31) 128 BPM
   
Dice Lude - (1:56) 120 BPM
   
Penchant For Persuasion - (7:36) 124 BPM
   
Surfing On Haemoglobin - (5:58) 134 BPM Hot
   
Blame It On The Tame - (5:17) 120 BPM
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DBA 040
12 Oct 18
Techno
DBA Dubs (Ten Remixes)
Various
   
Claws For? - "Profumo" (Gosub remix) - (5:40) 130 BPM
   
Kelpe - "Monte Verite" (Kevin Reynolds Truth mix) - (7:48) 121 BPM
   
Adjowa - "Science & Soul" (Max D's Snares Down The Stairs mix) - (5:17) 138 BPM
   
Lily - "Memory Jacket" (Madteo Tutto Nero remix) - (7:31) 113 BPM
   
D-Malice - "Indian Time" (Basic Soul Unit remix) - (6:02) 129 BPM
   
Typesun - "Make It Right" (Jason Fine's Astral Travelling remix) - (5:58) 126 BPM Hot
   
Samrai - "Khadi" (JTC remix) - (6:32) 125 BPM
   
Kemback - "Carduelis" (Differ-Ent remix) - (10:40) 126 BPM
   
Ikonika - "Oral Suspension" (Big Strick remix) - (8:21) 128 BPM
   
Wheelman - "Signal" (Detroit In Effect's Resignal) - (4:52) 140 BPM
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DUB 100R
24 Aug 18
Minimal/Tech House
DBA Dubs (Ten Originals)
Various
   
Claws For? - "Profumo" - (6:32) 120 BPM
   
Kelpe - "Monte Verita" - (5:33) 115 BPM
   
Adjowa - "Science & Soul" - (6:01) 123 BPM
   
Lily - "Memory Jacket" - (4:39) 103 BPM
   
D-Malice - "Indian Time" - (5:57) 125 BPM Hot
   
Typesun - "Make It Right" - (6:30) 126 BPM
   
Samrai - "Khadi" - (4:46) 125 BPM
   
Kemback - "Carduelis" - (6:07) 116 BPM
   
Ikonika - "Oral Suspension" - (5:16) 86 BPM
   
Wheelman - "Signal" - (6:25) 125 BPM
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DUB 100
24 Aug 18
Minimal/Tech House
Signal
   
Signal - (6:25) 125 BPM Hot
   
Signal (Detroit In Effect remix) - (4:52) 70 BPM
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DUB 010
10 Aug 18
Deep House
Bad Plans
   
April - (6:21) 129 BPM Hot
   
Bad Plans - (6:53) 128 BPM
   
What Is Happening - (6:04) 130 BPM
   
Samusex - (7:11) 127 BPM
Review: Ian Lehman's debut release as Doubt appeared on Don't Be Afraid back in 2014, and after a string of releases on other imprints , he makes his way back to Semtek's imprint. "April" starts the release with dreamy, lullaby melodies and an understated, organic groove, while on the title track, Lehman offers up a more tracky affair. While the loose, out there approach remains, there is a sense of mystery with the arrangement also integrating eerie sound effects. There is a similar aesthetic at play on "What Is Happening", albeit with a more electronic, glitchy sensibility playing out, while on "Samusex" Lehman voyages into a darker, more foreboding space, still supported by those loose drums and percussion.
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DBA 039
06 Jul 18
Techno
Axiom
   
You Inside Me - (6:10) 109 BPM Hot
   
K Art W Heel - (4:59) 120 BPM
   
Nichrome - (7:38) 120 BPM
   
Sil - (8:25) 122 BPM
   
See It For Myself - (0:36) 120 BPM
   
She Finna Blow - (5:12) 123 BPM
   
359 - (7:35) 127 BPM
   
Hole - (4:15) 84 BPM
   
Your Never Home - (8:23) 123 BPM
   
Vap - (1:43) 92 BPM
   
Cancel - (6:39) 138 BPM
   
Sift - (9:05) 123 BPM
Review: Manuel Gonzales aka MGUN follows up 2016's Gentium album with another inspired, sprawling work. As befits the Detroit producer's freewheeling approach, Axiom veers wildly in styles, from the disco-led "You Inside Me" to the more tracky grooves like "Nichrome" and "Sil". The album also features more abstract, minimal arrangements in the form of "K Art W Heel" and "She Finna Blow", while he also makes nods to deeper techno strains on the moody, chord-led "359". As he has demonstrated before, MGUN isn't just about house and techno, and Gonzales proves himself to be an adept electro arranger on the spiky "Hole". If you're looking for a snapshot of where modern electronic music is heading, give Axiom your attention.
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DBALP 004
01 Jun 18
Techno
Thoughts Of An Introvert Part 2
   
This Is Not What You Think - (6:05) 121 BPM
   
Run... Feet - (7:05) 148 BPM
   
Mythical Technology - (6:30) 129 BPM Hot
Review: The brilliant Hermione Frank aka rRoxymore returns to Don't Be Afraid for a second instalment of Thoughts.. Fusing her abstract whims with left-field techno structures, this three-tracker shows that the UK producer is a creative force to be reckoned with. "This Is Not What You Think" sees her conjure up the kind of outer space tones last heard on an In Sync record, while on "Run ... Feet", she goes off the deep end with a distorted, flailing workout that drifts in and out of unpredictable time signatures. Finally, there's "Mythical Technology", where Frank returns to the dance floor, albeit with atmospheric break downs and a series of unpredictable cut-ups.
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DBA 038
04 May 18
Techno
Industrial Espionage
   
Beta (version) - (6:33) 120 BPM Hot
   
One Hundred N Forty - (6:08) 140 BPM
   
Into The Void - (6:28) 86 BPM
   
The Kansei Method - (8:37) 125 BPM
Review: Brum's best techno export since Regis, Jayson Wynters returns to Don't Be Afraid with four more strident constructions. Rooted in classic machine funk and loop craft we take off with the gradually pummelling percussive hypnotiser "Beta" and crash land to the soothing synthesis and deep acid textures of "The Kansei Method". In between we're treated to the soft-but-stern swoons of the white knuckle "One Hundred N Forty" and bashed senseless by the warehouse crumbling jacker "Into The Void". On point.
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DBA 037
16 Mar 18
Techno
Rembo (The Remixes)
   
The Workers Are On Strike (Via App remix) - (5:29) 131 BPM
   
He's Been Teaching Me To Drive (Ron Morelli remix) - (5:52) 127 BPM Hot
   
It's Not Worth The Bother (E. Myers remix) - (5:18) 136 BPM
   
Why Does Your Father Look So Nervous (M/R remix) - (7:42) 125 BPM
Review: Karen Gwyer's third album, Rembo was one of 2017's best long players. It saw the US artist consolidate her reputation as a purveyor of raw, hardware-driven electronic music and was one of the many highlights in Don't Be Afraid's stellar release schedule. Now Gwyer's material from the album gets reworked by an impressive group of artists. First up is Via App, who drops a grating, abstract take on "The Workers Are On Strike", while Ron Morelli takes time out from running L.I.E.S. to drops a skewed, stripped back techno version of 'He's Been Teaching Me to Drive'. It's hard to choose a highlight, but that honour belongs here to E.Myers, who uses sublime keys and a funk bass to turn 'It's Not Worth the Bother' into a gloriously soulful affair.
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DBALP 003R
02 Feb 18
Techno
A Month Has Passed
   
A Month Has Passed - (7:20) 128 BPM
   
The Boutique Of Neverending Dreams - (7:54) 122 BPM
   
The Printer (That Stole My Time) - (7:36) 127 BPM Hot
   
Road To The Sea - (6:27) 123 BPM
Review: Irish twosome TR One has drifted between labels over the years, variously delivering quietly impressive house and techno EPs for some fine imprints. Here they make their first appearance on Semtek's formidable Don't Be Afraid imprint. Hints of their techno heritage can be found on wonderfully tactile opener "A Month Has Passed", a pitched-up deep house shuffler rich in Steve Reich style marimba melodies, Motor City techno chords and bubbling electronic percussion. The gentle positivity continues via the swirling Italo-disco/deep house fusion of "The Boutique of Neverending Dreams", before they reach for the New Jersey organs on the sumptuous and sensual "The Printer (That Stole My Time)". Hypnotic late night headiness is provided by spacey dub techno-influenced closer "Road to the Sea".
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DBA 036
01 Dec 17
Deep House
Oral Suspension
   
Oral Suspension - (5:16) 86 BPM Hot
   
Oral Suspension (Big Strick remix) - (8:21) 128 BPM
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DUB 009
17 Nov 17
Techno
Thoughts Of An Introvert Part 1
   
Prodrome - (5:44) 126 BPM
   
Thoughts Of An Introvert - (4:45) 111 BPM Hot
   
Mycetozoa - (5:25) 117 BPM
Review: It's been almost a year to the day since Hermione Frank brought her Rroxymore project to Don't Be Afraid for the first time. This follow-up, then, is well overdue. The Berlin-based DJ/producer's work tends towards the imaginative and left-of-centre, generally delivering club jams rich in live hardware manipulation and straight-to-tape workouts. As on this EP, that results in a great combination of atmospheric music and loose, ear-pleasing beats. All three tracks here are impressive in their own right, from the trippy, rising and falling synths and hypnotic, locked-in beats of "Thoughts of Introvert" - a track whose effortless beauty and fluidity is notable - to the loose-and-percussive weirdness of "Mycetozoa" and thrusting, tropical-tinged creepiness of superb opener "Prodrome".
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DBA 035
03 Nov 17
Deep House
Resisting In The Darkness
   
Hercolobus - (8:10) 135 BPM
   
Mindgrinder - (5:18) 127 BPM Hot
   
Bloob - (4:23) 135 BPM
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DBA 034
20 Oct 17
Techno
Healing Scaphoids
   
On The Rhodes - (5:34) 120 BPM Hot
   
Icy - (6:08) 120 BPM
   
Ants In Amber - (5:41) 115 BPM
   
Black Cast - (6:00) 124 BPM
Review: Soundspecies member Henry Keen returns to the warm bosom of Don't Be Afraid following a two-year absence. The London producer is on-point from the word go, with opener "On The Roads" brilliantly joining the dots between Kaidi Tatham style jazz-funk/broken beat fusion and dusty, Detroit style deep house. You'll find similar organic warmth and jazzy instrumentation at the heart of the altogether deeper "Icy", while "Ants In Amber" sees Keen smother a rock solid, kick-drum dominated beat in gentle acid lines, galactic electronics and bleeping melody lines. Finally, he pushes up the tempo and looks towards South America on the fizzing, broken house highlight that is "Black Cast", where simple marimba melodies rise above a booming, bass-heavy rhythm track.

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DBA 033
22 Sep 17
Deep House
Moonscapes
   
Amalthea - (5:29) 128 BPM
   
Dione - (5:29) 128 BPM Hot
   
Elara - (5:25) 124 BPM
   
Larissa - (6:28) 124 BPM
Review: Michigan's Jason Fine has appeared mainly for esteemed imprints like FXHE and Kontra Musik since 2007. He makes his debut for Semtek's Bristol based imprint Don't Be Afraid with the Moonscapes EP, following up his remix of Typesun on the label's Dubs 10" series in 2016. The shadowy producer's deep and emotive takes on the homegrown 'hi-tech soul' sound are expertly executed. From the dubby and evocative opener "Amalthea", to the spacey and tunnelling acid of "Dione" and the sublimely galactic excursions in deepness like "Elara" or "Larissa", respectively, which hone in on the same vibe of Windy City experts like Chris Gray or Da Rand Land: Fine has really got it going on!
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DBA 031
01 Sep 17
Techno
Rembo
   
Why Is There A Long Line In Front Of The Factory? - (3:44) 138 BPM
   
The Workers Are On Strike - (7:11) 136 BPM Hot
   
Why Don't You Make Your Bed? - (5:52) 126 BPM
   
It's Not Worth The Bother - (1:59) 136 BPM
   
Why Does Your Father Look So Nervous? - (5:44) 132 BPM
   
He's Been Teaching Me To Drive - (7:55) 136 BPM
   
Did You Hear The Owls Last Night? - (3:59) 136 BPM
   
Yes, But I Didn't Know They Were Owls - (2:48) 152 BPM
Played by: ORKA
Review: Given her rising reputation in recent years, it's something of a surprise to find that Rembo is Karen Gwyer's first full-length excursion since 2013's Kiki The Wormhole on Opal Tapes. While that latter set was impressive, Rembi is arguably even better. For starters, Gwyer refuses to settle on one groove, following a glistening ambient opener with a fuzzy, IDM-influenced chunk of left-of-centre dancefloor techno, which in turn makes way for a beat-less slab of hazy synthesizer positivity. It's a pattern that continues throughout, as the talent American producer delivers bustling, redlined techno jams laden with dirt-encrusted synthesizer motifs, spacey IDM club tracks and picturesque electronic soundscapes that sidestep easy categorization.
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DBALP 003
21 Jul 17
Techno
Carduelis
   
Carduelis - (6:07) 116 BPM
   
Carduelis (Differ-Ent remix) - (10:40) 126 BPM Hot
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DUB 008
23 Jun 17
Deep House
Double Standards EP
   
Technological Enslavement - (6:41) 126 BPM
   
Double Standards - (6:43) 83 BPM
   
Technological Enslavement (Kowton remix) - (5:20) 126 BPM Hot
   
Sonic Boxing - (8:04) 115 BPM
Review: DJ Semtek's Don't Be Afraid Returns with more soulful Detroit inspired techno courtesy of one Jayson Wynters from Birmingham. Starting off with the emotive and classic hi-tech soul sounds of "Technological Enslavement" which gets a seething and bass heavy remix by Bristol favoutite Kowton, "Double Standards" has an evocative element abut it similar to early Carl Craig and the EP finishes in fine form on the deep and sublime "Sonic Boxing" with its layers of rich pads, dark strings and stylish sense of restraint.
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DBA 030
14 Apr 17
Techno
Four Dubs EP
   
Limetree - (6:49) 120 BPM
   
Repercussions - (7:25) 122 BPM
   
Angel - (7:14) 124 BPM Hot
   
Helpline - (7:17) 124 BPM
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DBA 029
31 Mar 17
Deep House
It's Good To Be Differ-Ent
   
Inhabit Tense - (4:57) 131 BPM
   
Marvel Less - (9:31) 128 BPM
   
Met Allergic Flew Antsy - (9:20) 128 BPM
   
Compute Her - (3:41) 136 BPM
   
Drum Addict - (8:03) 128 BPM Hot
   
We Have U Surrounded - (6:42) 130 BPM
   
Motive Hate Shun - (4:40) 136 BPM
   
Fasten 8 Shun - (7:04) 130 BPM
   
Gem In Eyes (feat DJ Bone) - (7:56) 129 BPM
   
A Calm Bliss - (7:43) 89 BPM
   
Laser Eyes - (3:40) 136 BPM
   
I M Differ-Ent - (7:42) 126 BPM
Review: Detroit's DJ Bone is and always has been one of his city's most underrated producers. In fact, the man is a killer behind the decks too, mashing up house and techno with that inimitable US speed that has also been championed by the likes of DJ Rush et al. His relationship with Bristol's Don't Be Afraid has been a fruitful one of the last year or two, releasing a couple of gnarly EPs under the Differ-ENT moniker, a sound that expands upon his comparatively more rigid techno sound. This is the debut album under the Differ-ENT alias, and we most certainly agree that It's Good To Be Differ-ENT." There isn't a dud tune on here, and for an LP that focusses primarily on the dancefloor, it manages to convey a strong narrative throughout, built with mastery and dedication by this talented artist. Tunes like "Met Allergic Flew Antsy" or "Marvel Less" are muscly and fast-paced, but there is still plenty of exploration going on at their core, while remnants of electro can be heard on tunes like "Compute Her". This is a vibrant LP, made up of many different guises and shades, all finely tuned around the dancehall, and strangely fitting with the UK's lust for the broken sound. Recommended.
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DBALP 002
17 Mar 17
Techno
Organ Smith
   
Organ Smith - (7:39) 127 BPM
   
About Finding The Right Balance - (4:50) 87 BPM
   
Uchi's House - (6:15) 128 BPM Hot
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DBA 028
04 Nov 16
Deep House
Khadi
   
Khadi - (4:46) 63 BPM
   
Khadi (JTC remix) - (6:32) 125 BPM Hot
Played by: Jimpster
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DUB 007
04 Nov 16
Broken Beat/Nu Jazz
Illumine
   
Illumine - (6:12) 127 BPM Hot
   
Oblique - (6:47) 126 BPM
Played by: Honey Soundsystem
Review: Bristol's Don't Be Afraid, proudly helmed by the experienced DJ Semtek, is fast becoming one of our go-to imprints, and is arguably in the running for label of the year. Each new release is more finessed and mature than the next, and Semtek is quickly introducing us to a whole new selection of artists. This time, it's the Dyad duo that make an appearance on the label, and their cold, steely strain of techno is a perfect way to bring in the Autumnal months. Ben Gibson and Fundamental Interaction are the two producers behind this project, and this is the first time that they branch out from their self-titled DYAD imprint. "Illumine" is a fast, kick-driven techno missile with a spiralling set of sonics at its core, while "Oblique" takes a darker, more barren approach to its thumping 4/4; it's one which instantly calls to the warehouse, and the sort of material one drops as the clock hits 5am. Sick.
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DBA 027
21 Oct 16
Techno
Prophase Metaphase Anaphase Telophase
   
Prophase Metaphase Anaphase Telophase - (9:03) 124 BPM Hot
   
And Again Those Eyes - (1:13) 136 BPM
   
Meiosis Gametes - (8:53) 90 BPM
Played by: J Khobb
Review: London-based electronic artist Karen Gwyer has kept on impressing us over the last four years. With releases for labels like No Pain In Pop, Kaleidoscope, and Nous, Semtek's Don't Be Afraid seems like a natural fit to her improvisational take on techno. "Prophase Metaphase Anaphase Telophase" is a stunner, a nine minutes' techno journey that's spans the whole length over nine minutes with its loose, aqueous groove barely held in place by raw, analog drum programming. "And Again Those Eyes" sees the artist return to more familiar territories thanks to a broken sway of beats and melodics, whereas "Meiosis Gametes" is a harsh, menacing techno swing with an electrifying buzz running through its groove. Solid, as per usual. This material comes hotly recommended. She's one to watch out for in 2016 and beyond.
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DBA 026
23 Sep 16
Techno
Ankh Boogie EP
   
Ankh Boogie - (9:30) 134 BPM
   
Aural Afrek - (7:22) 134 BPM Hot
   
Time For Change - (4:31) 133 BPM
Played by: Giampi Spinelli
Review: Now, Damon Bell is an interesting signing, indeed. This is especially true for this latest EP on Bristol's Don't Be Afraid, both because he acts as an interesting and refreshing addition to the label's catalogue, but also because he has pretty much only released on Deepblak until now. "Ankh Boogie" is everything you'd expect from Damon Bell: a kinetic, dusty percussion that has been processed significantly, and an airy collection of circulating atmospherics. "Aural Afrek" is deeper, more mysterious and techno-minded, while "Time For Change" breaks out the dubbiness and goes for a Basic Channel kind of approach that is layered smoothly over a more delicate house framework. Effective and impressive - shouts to Semtek.
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DBA 025
19 Aug 16
Techno
Gentium
   
Pok - (5:06) 114 BPM
   
Half Past 3 - (8:29) 121 BPM Hot
   
Don't Hurt Yo Self - (4:50) 113 BPM
   
Past Due - (9:10) 119 BPM
   
Bed & Breakfast - (6:01) 123 BPM
   
NVR - (7:04) 163 BPM
   
Veyra - (9:10) 122 BPM
   
Nobs - (3:15) 120 BPM
Review: Given Don't Be Afraid's long relationship with Manuel 'M Gun' Gonzales, it's pleasing to see Semtek's label releasing the Detroit producer's long-awaited debut album. Predictably, it's a fine set, containing a mix of far-out techno throbbers - the hypnotic, piano-laden alien funk of "Half Past 3", fuzzy "Past Due", and classic Derrick May revivalism of "Bed & Breakfast" - dusty electro jams (the brilliant "NVR"), and more experimental downtempo fare (see the bass-heavy, dubbed-out "Nobs" and jazzy opener "Pok"). While it arguably takes mutiple listens to really peel back the layers and get your head round Gonzalez's impressive use of textures, it's more than worth the effort. Put simply, Gentium more than delivers on its' promise.
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DBALP 001
22 Apr 16
Techno
Tso
   
Tso - (5:57) 129 BPM Hot
   
Sse - (6:15) 133 BPM
   
Nik - (5:22) 131 BPM
   
Can - (5:30) 128 BPM
Review: Part of the Special Editions series from Semtek's label, this four-tracker takes inspiration from 90s techno. The title track is an old school, minimal techno workout, its repetitive tonal rhythm given some modern relevance thanks to the snappy, Dettmann-style percussion. There are no such concessions on "Sse" or "Nik" - the former rides a buzzing, spine-tingling bass to reach a ravey climax, while the latter is a noisy analogue track. Reminiscent of DBX, its yelping riffs and primal rhythm sound vital and energetic. Finally, there's "Can". A rolling, loopy affair just shy of the 130bpm mark, it may not be the most imaginative composition, but it's certainly an effective one.
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SPE 006
04 Mar 16
Techno
Make It Right
   
Make It Right - (6:30) 126 BPM Hot
   
Make It Right (Jason Fine's Astral Travelling remix) - (5:58) 126 BPM
Review: This release is reminiscent of the very best of 90s deep house. Luke Harney has brought together a heavyweight collaborative team here, which includes Lewis Wright on vibraphone and the seminal guitar player Miles James. It's this dynamic interplay which makes "Right" such a stand out track, as James' strutting guitar plays out over a powerful bass and jazzy key tinkling leads the listener to a spine chill-inducing break down. US producer Jason Fine has been tasked with the remix and he does a fine job, making the drums slightly heavier and adding in some eerie synths, but it's hard to beat the beautiful original track.
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DUB 006
05 Feb 16
Techno
M.O.M.
   
M.O.M. - (10:17) 128 BPM Hot
   
The Final Driver - (10:06) 128 BPM
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DBA 024
04 Dec 15
Techno
Night Of The Inflatable Muscle Heads
   
Night Of The Inflatable Muscle Heads - (5:37) 124 BPM Hot
   
Creatine Cretin - (8:18) 131 BPM
   
Deep Vee Douche - (5:43) 130 BPM
   
M8, Do You Even Squat? - (5:16) 125 BPM
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DBA 023
23 Oct 15
Deep House
Purple Moon
   
Kanem Bu Warriors - (6:03) 122 BPM
   
Black Oddyssey - (7:05) 120 BPM Hot
   
Night Of The Purple Moon - (6:02) 125 BPM
   
Slowsss - (3:08) 115 BPM
Played by: Paul Mac
Review: Having been impressed by Ben Cohen's contribution to Don't Be Afraid's 19.5 label sampler 12", Semtek has decided to give the relative newcomer a full EP on which to showcase his talents. The Purple Moon EP is an intriguingly atmospheric affair, with Cohen delivering a trio of dancefloor workouts - plus the pleasing ambient weirdness of "Slowness" - variously influenced by classic Detroit techno, the creepiness of '80s industrial, and the snappy beats of Chicago house. The spooky throb and spacey synths of "Black Oddyssey" [sic] arguably standout, though most DJs will instinctively reach for the title track, whose cracking military percussion, clandestine textures and barely audible vocal samples make it something of a banger. Spacey techno opener "Kanem Bu Warriors" is pretty darn tasty, too.
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DBA 022
25 Sep 15
Techno
Indian Time
   
Indian Time - (5:57) 125 BPM Hot
   
Indian Time (Basic Soul Unit remix) - (6:02) 129 BPM
Review: Don't Be Afraid sub-label DBA Dubs pulls out an intriguing single, pitching tastings of Bristol bass, middle-eastern themes and watery tabla rhythms of D-Malice with Canada's house faithful Basic Soul Unit. This D-Malice release, somewhat of a surprise inclusion to the label, follows music by Claws For?, beat fusionist Kelpe, Adjowa and No Corner and Idle Hands artist Lily. Both tracks fit a house tempo and it's the percussion of the original that's the real hook, while BSU's thumping remixing delivers a menacing Vermona kick drum with swathes of heavy, dub techno-spheres. A versatile release.
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DUB 005
07 Aug 15
Funky/Club House
Formed In The Stance
   
Stutter - (5:04) 125 BPM Hot
   
Jellyfish - (5:13) 129 BPM
   
Formed In The Stance - (5:08) 159 BPM
   
Obsidian Morning - (5:14) 123 BPM
Review: It's two years since Nick 'Mr Beatnick' Wilson released the final part of his brilliant Synthetes Trilogy on Don't Be Afraid, and a year since his similarly impressive Marshmallows 12" on Tief. As usual, he's in fine form, kicking things off with the spacey but melancholic synthesizer chords, sun-kissed electronic melodies and rolling, Italo-influenced bottom end of "Stutter". His renowned beat programming skills come to the fore on the Detroit futurism-goes-broken beat brilliance of "Jellyfish", before "Formed In The Stance" offers up a deeper, marginally darker and certainly moodier take on broken techno. Finally, he's back to his sunny, melodious best with the sparkling brilliance of "Obsidian Morning". Stellar stuff, as always.
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DBA 021
24 Jul 15
Techno
Homemade Waves EP
   
Trusted - (4:57) 120 BPM Hot
   
Rainy Friday - (5:48) 122 BPM
   
Mad Energy - (5:12) 123 BPM
   
Freedom - (5:17) 123 BPM
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DBA 020
29 Jun 15
Deep House
Dreamers Of Unknown Tales
   
Dreamers Of Unknown Tales - (3:55) 136 BPM
   
From The Inside - (4:06) 89 BPM
   
Nice & Crisp - (4:17) 123 BPM Hot
   
Pissed Monitoring - (4:43) 139 BPM
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DBA 019
20 Apr 15
Techno
Memory Jacket
   
Memory Jacket - (4:39) 103 BPM Hot
   
Memory Jacket (Madteo's Tutto Nero remix) - (7:31) 113 BPM
Review: Semtek's Don't Be Afraid imprint returns with a rather special little two-tracker for the Dubs series. Mystery producer Lily - who has quietly appeared on Spargel Trax, No Corner and Idle Hands in the past - drops "Memory Jacket, one of the strangest and most daring five minutes to emanate from the Bristol-based imprint. The tune is a stuttering, pseudo-house joint filled with flurries of FX and resembling something more like a post-punk B-side than a club number. Strangely enough, it's NY's Madteo who is the one to re-arrange the track back into some sort of regular shape and the Queens-based goes for a truly 'insider' house approach, where a stumbling 4/4 groove meets deadly, club-ready chords. Warmly recommended.
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DUB 004
09 Mar 15
Techno
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