Review: We were lucky enough to come across this UKG-patois combo whilst looking through the forthcoming shelf and what a release to find as Blasta joins forces with Steps for a true shellout. Going by the name 'Vibe', this one is a real party starter as highly energetic lyricism laces intense 4x4 beats and vibrant sub sounds, bringing a seriously punchy set of grooves from the off. On remix duty, up steps DJ Dappa for a funky overhaul, bringing lovely key and organ riffs into the picture alongside some smooth breakbeat backing.
Review: It's time to get stuck into some fresh juicy UKG, and what better way to do that than in the company of Downplay, one of the finest arms of Slime Recordings. They bring forward the bubbling sounds of Burnie for three groovy original creations, with the skippy drum structures and catchy vocal slices of 'Cloudy Soul' immediately catching our ears. On the flipside, 'Caramel Colour' adds a really nice contrast, with a more relaxed drum structure taking the lead rhythmic role, topped with smooth chord progressions and luscious vocal lashings. This one also comes complete with a vibrant Kobe JT remix, as if this really couldn't get any smoother!
Review: Even though it would appear the summertime has well and truly passed, Deadly Habitz is here to supply us with some heated spice as he unveils his new three track EP with Downplay. We kick off with the spacy haunted arrangements of the lead track 'Do It All Again', which is driven by warm sub pressure and expertly arranged vocal manoeuvres, before dipping into the darkened synth designs and old school drum skips of 'You Got Me'. We then round up the project in real style as Royal Flesh appear in time for a stripped back super skippy rerun of 'Do It All Again', which brings forward unpredictable chops and flavoursome slices.
Review: The consistency at which we have seen the Downplay contingent of the Slime Recordings camp operate over the last two years has been nothing short of remarkable, with this brand new three track slap from Deadly Habitz proving to fit right into their incredible recent catalogue. We begin this one with 'On Your Mind', a moody electronic skipper, drizzled in unusual synthetic layers and interesting rhythmic pockets, before the writhing 4x4 drum licks of 'Joy' gives us a bit of a nostalgic slap. Finally, 'Feelings' lets fly some impeccable vocal sampling, alongside a warmed warbling low end, putting this finishing touches on a very tidy collection.
Review: Well this is a match made in heaven if ever we saw one as the Earthnut boys link up with the incredibly consistent Downplay imprint for three tracks of genius garage advancement. We begin with 'Hollow Man', an incredibly unpredictable thrill ride, which sees catchy vocal samples arrive alongside groovy cowbell-lead drumlines for a super catchy introduction. From here we hear the combined brilliance of nostalgic chord lines with futuristic drum riffs on 'Knucklethump', before 'Gunker' unleashes a much more sublow display, again showcasing just how good the Earthnut boys really are.
Review: As one of the primary recording outlets for the well respected Slime Recordings team, Downplay have been on a fantastic roll of late, topping it all off with this latest offering from Fork & Knife. As a producer, Fork & Knife is extremely versatile, but often sits in the space between grime, funky and garage, a perfect way to describe the title track for this one which goes by the name of 'Risky Business'. Following this we fall into the more glitchy drum rhythms and colourful percussive patterns of 'Porsche 928', before we finish up with the smoothened out more subby 'Won't Mix' of 'Risky Business'. Very tasty stuff indeed on this one!
Review: Now this is a release we have been seriously looking forward to, as Downplay introduce Jack Selecta to their roster, an artist most actively known for his managerial and written involvement with the UKG scene. However, this EP shows he's capable of swinging with the best of them as we kick off with the super unique bass tones and vocal overlays of 'Dust Off'. Next, more of those juicy bass stabs for all, this time combined with constantly expanding bass synthesizers and crunchy drum maneuvers. We are then treated to a wicked remix from MKII of 'Dust Off', putting the finishing touches on a fantastic debut.
Review: Primarily known for his work in artist management and press, it is an absolute pleasure to see Jack Selecta unveil his brand new EP with Downplay, one of the most consistent imprints within the UKG scene as a whole. The project is a serious showcase of Jack's exceptional production skillset, kicking off with the colourful melodic switches and hard hitting bass stabs of 'Ends', followed by 'Original Pirates', a warbling 2-steppy scorcher, packed with nostalgic energy and precise vocal slicing. Finally, 'Visions' rounds us off with some really cool original ideas, smashing together pulsating squarewaves over wind-inspiring rhythmic designs. It's a fantastic body of work!
Review: Ah, Downplay, what a beautiful gem of a catalogue these guys are developing as they continue their hot streak with this latest three track delight from Kells. We kick off with the title track which takes the name 'A Girl', an incredibly vibrant UKG fist pumper, filled with smooth subby energies and classy vocal finesse, glued together with delicate chord melodies and tasty harmonic structures. On the flip, 'Dreeper' gives us something different, lacing euphoric rave chords with shimmering reverberations over a delightful backdrop of groovy drum arcs. Finally, Earthnut arrive just in time to provide a typically techy rethink of 'A Girl', adding the ideal finishing touches.
Review: We have been watching the rapid emergence of MKII with quite some interest, as the seemingly new face has put together incredibly well received drops with both Four40 and Southpoint in recent weeks, followed up by this fantastic project with Downplay. We kick this one off with a look at the super groovy title track 'Give Me', which combines funky melodic plucks with crunchy UKG drum flavours with fantastic results. This is followed by the emotive harmonic structures of 'Looking' For', before we finish up the EP on 'Movin', a rolling moogy belter, packed with well designed vocal slices and perfectly processed drum additions.
Review: Having heard a tonne of great things about this producer, we genuinely couldn't wait to get stuck into the futuristic sounds of Mykroboy as he presents his brand new 'Open Arms' EP. We kick off with the title track 'Open Arms' which is an immediate chill zone, pulling together soft xylophone based melodies and groovy UKG style drum performances for a heavenly combination. Next up we have 'Horizon' which continues along the garage themes, this time incorporating spacious synth textures and Asian inspired plucked melodies, creating another genius piece of soundscaping. We finish up with the unusually named 'Deja Vu', an incredible piece of electronic harmonisation, meshing together dubbed out piano melodies, heavily reverberated vocal expressions and subtle tripletted drum work, resulting in a masterpiece of a composition.
Review: Not a week goes by these days where we aren't greeted by a gift from our friends over at Slime Recordings, who this week return to their super popular 'Downplay' imprint to bring us some original UKG heat from Nat Fanuel. We kick this one off with the loud, sharpened drum sounds and warped melodic synth patterns of the title track 'Doin', before taking a little trip over to the B-side as 'Selecta' is deployed with a bag of nostalgic, electronic energy. On remix duty we are very excited to see Nekst touch down with a tasty, old-school choppy relick of 'Doin', adding some additional dashes of spice to proceedings.
Review: Downplay were without a doubt one of the UKG scene's stand out imprints of 2019. It seems as though they are getting ready to maintain that position for another year as they get us started in good fashion with this crunchy selection from Nekst, beginning with the unpredictable drum switches and lethal bass growls of the title track 'Hektic'. Next up, we have two exclusive remixes of 'Frantik', the first of which comes to us from choppy garage angle, with When I Die providing a vibrant rethink, before Fork & Knife gets busy on a clap-heavy grime rethink to follow!
Review: When we saw the names "Royal Flush" and Downplay in the same sentence, we knew we were in for a treat as the two fabulous garage outfits combine for a saucy three track selection. We begin with the old school vocal snippets and pleasing organ chord structures of 'Need You' which supplies us with some seriously nostalgic sunshine flavours. Next, 'Somebody New' continues the good vibe with a much techier design, stripping back the melodies in favour of more potent drum textures and crunchy sub tones. On remix duty, the ever-dependable Kobe JT steps up for a fabulous recreation of 'Need You' adding an additional dash of spice to a fabulous body of work!
Review: The vibes around the UK garage scene are at seriously high point at the moment as we witness an influx of high quality 2-step drops, including this absolute fire ball from the Downplay team. They here unveil Sine Step, who baptizes the release with the lethal reese-like tones of 'Go', engulfing us in flaming drum grooves. Next, everything is stripped back to a degree as the wide sub LFO's of 'I Can Do' bundle into play, topped with some smooth vocal slices and crunchy drum arrangements. We finish up this project with more experimental bass structure of 'Unrest', which employs quirky broken beats blended with more sharpened synthesizers to cause a ruckus inna rave.
Review: As fast rising artist coming through the ranks of a UKG sound, the Manchester-based DJ & producer Yemi recently debut with a single on Strictly Flava. Now arriving on Slime Recordings with the most-accomplished Luv U EP, woozy house chords, two-stepping drum and percussion sequences hook up with classic strands of jazz, house and clever MC sampling that across three tracks brings in soothing and sultry vibes for the well informed dancefloor. While still a mellow trip, all tracks ooze a '90s R&B feel that are melodic, warm, soulful and full of house vibes! Classy.
