Review: It's time to get dubby as Digital Monk lands on Dubstep Rotterdam for a delicious two track excursion, kicking off with the melodic blows and spacey arrangements of 'Fire Season', which combines original steppers vibes with futuristic dubstep production methods in infinite majesty. The whole set up takes a more systematic turn next as 'Liberation' arrives with an incredibly potent sub-line, combining big room bass tones, catchy toasted vocals and minimal drum work to provide a perfect contrast to the A-side. Delicious!
Review: We are starting to really look forward to new Frenk Dublin releases appearing in our store as we jump into this, his latest collection of originals, which comes to us courtesy of the Dubstep Rotterdam imprint. As ever, we kick off with some super silky dubwise designs in the title track 'High Upon', which flits between dubbed out snare sections and breathy accordions with serious ease. Next, we jump into the high energy organ riffs and relaxed syncopation of 'Organ Dub Rocker', before the rolling drum lines of 'Champion Sound' wade into view. Finally, we finish up our excursion with the more systemized compositional structures of 'Down Below', which uses subtle sub textures and distant chord progressions to wrap everything up nicely.
Review: There are few things more uplifting within the realms of bass music that future dub music, a sound with which Dubstep Rotterdam have been closely associated. Here we are thrilled to see them unveil this vibrant two track masterpiece from Mungk, who firstly puts together some super smooth reggae-infused arrangements across the expanse of 'Lion Dub'. On the flip the party really starts to warm up however, as the structures are manipulated into a more 4x4 design, bringing a pulsating sub-line to the front of the mix, making this one perfect material for the dance.
Review: Frenk Dublin brings the sort of vibe here that everyone can get behind. The first thing you notice on 'Let Me Tell Yah' is the dub and reggae influence, those classic bouncy dub notes sound fantastic but don't stop darker dubstep elements from creeping in. 'Steppin Down' ups the tempo slightly but opts for more mellow soundscapes, whereas 'Bongo Rocker' takes you straight to the Tangled Roots at Boomtown with a gorgeous mix of Jamaican and British dance influences. 'My Head Is A Space Echo' stays on the same tip but combines it with a more celestial, spacey feel, before 'Stingray Dub' shuts down the release, a chilled out number, a real eye-closer but one which still hits your chest how it should. Not the most energetic release but it doesn't matter - the dub consistency is what brings the magic.
Review: Manchester's Maes and Stockholm's Ohyra take a trip to the Netherlands for the precision one-tracker that is "Scabs". Dubstep Rotterdam sure know how to pick 'em: "Scabs" is a bleak sci-fi step into the scorched future with marching kicks, weeping chords and turbine bass powered by mankind's innermost fears. Let's hope this isn't a one-off collaboration.
Review: Straight out of Thessaloniki, Greece, Digital Monk is hear to prove that dub music is well and truly thriving around the Mediterranean. We start of this fantastic two tracker with the incredible spacial designs and dubbed out delays of 'Revolutionary Dub', which slowly advances into a more dubstep inspired piece. On the B-side we have the more swampish stylings of 'Morph Dub'. This one is as punchy as they come, with a grinding bass synth rotating away underneath perfectly processed dungeon driven drums.
Review: Dubstep Rotterdam Records is a Dutch label releasing quality tracks since December 2012. deeper, darker, dubwise bass. DJ Raptor, originally from a town near Rotterdam, is known for his variety in styles. He's able to set a chill vibe with the deep and darkest tunes, yet can also tear it up with the filthiest in dubstep. Testament to this is the brooding and downright sinister "Cold Outside" with its chillingly cinematic pads leading the way towards razor sharp beats and a bassline that can only be described as the devil's own. Next up, the paranoid reefer madness continues on the brutal "1 Out Of 8" which introduces some exotic riddims over its techno dub onslaught.
Review: Four years and 20 releases deep: Frenk Dublin's Dubstep Rotterdam imprint have never been ones to swamp or saturate the genre. Quality over quantity and forever erring on the deeper, cavernous and more dangerous sides of dubstep, here the label takes a moment to reflect and remind us of their breadth so far... From the purring subs and meditative vapour trails of "The Aggressor" to the all-out jungle badness of Hajee's take on "Demon's Rhythm" by way of DWise's industrial strength concrete melting "Mushrooms", it's a fitting document that not only enforces the label's strength but its timelessness too.
Review: Frenk Dublin is back on his native Dubstep Rotterdam, carrying with his a pair of deep, wondrous sound sketches that manage to blend the best of dubstep and, very appropriately, some puristic dub in the same vein as artists like Rhythm & Sound. In fact, both "Wispelturig" and "What I Want" are more on the futuristic roots side of them game, rather than anything dubstep-related; the echoes are out in full effect - literally - the beats are broken, and the textures very much heartical in their approach. There's even a little bit of a step to these grooves, and they wouldn't sound out of place in some dark corner of a Jah Shaka set.
Review: Barbed soul: Russian vibe weaver Sept makes his debut on Dubstep Rotterdam with two on-pont compositions that maintain a precision weight/soul balance throughout. "Relic" twists between with pneumatic kicks and almost jazz-like keys while "Born In Saint P" ripples with real dub authenticity and a proper soundsystem melting tubular bassline. Remix-wise DR bossman Frenk adds more of a classic deep dubstep sheen with all manner of reverbs and edits. Serious sub soul right here.
Review: dWise: all-round Russian fun guy and master of the industrial strength deep dub sound. Here he takes us on a dark trip through mechanical twangs, rusty drum textures and gurgling bass tones that will either freak or delight if you were to take the title literally. Label boss Frenk licks up a spacier remix with more room for manoeuvre between the subs, kicks and sci-fi tones and FX. Happy landings.
Review: Babylon's fall has been foretold once more. This time by Dubstep Rotterdam co-founder Frenk Dublin. Continuing to whittle his impeccably authentic dub stick, "Time To Fall" hits with loose but stern command, powdered with refracted reverbs, a soft-but-solid skank and an ultimately bouncy kick/bass arrangement. "Pula Dub" marches with much more militancy; rampant kicks drive the way as the instrumentation is displayed in a much leaner composition. Finally we hit "Steppin' The Light" where a much more techno mindset is applied in the sonic aesthetic of the bassline and rolling kicks. Think mid 2000s Get Physical and you're not far off.
Review: Dubstep Rotterdam co-founder Frenk digs deeper than ever before on "Evolve". A lesson in how to conjure up a fully physical groove with a simple chord sequence and some really detailed studio tweakery, it's nothing short of authentic modern day dub. "Revolution" sees Dublin bringing the step back into his melting pot as a rim shot, shakers and a steady 4/4 combine and mutate to create a smoky, full-bodied sensation. Finally "Jah Dub" brings us full circle with a classic dub cut that's not shy of a little oomph in the kick department. Proper roots business.
Review: It's been a while since we caught a vibe from Dubstep Rotterdam (or its founder Frenk for that matter) but they're making up for lost time in the best way possible here... Three tracks of distinctive dub dynamite, each cut is tailored for peaktime floor fire. "Danger Dub" is a bulbous bounce-off with a Nepali squidge to its bass tone and a kick so reliable you could trust it with your dog. "Evil Dub" is equally demonstrative - all growling basses and switching time signatures, it could throw the most eagle-eared fans off-guard. Finally we hit "Apollo Dub". A much steadier, more authentic dub-minded joint, lean back on its soft skanks and let the low end whisk you away... Welcome back Frenk.
Review: Following outings on Iron Shirt and MWM, Frenk Dublin returns to his Dubstep Rotterdam homestead with two outrageously deep blends. "Interference" is all about the synths; pulsating with warped ease, the riff starts with a soft insistent hammer before growing into a sonic black hole that munches everything in its path. "Midnight" uses the same soundset and chord structure, making the entire release a great creative mixing tool. With more of a staccato sensation to the riff and an exciting sense of unpredictability to the kicks, it will hypnotise any dancefloor within a 10 mile radius. Beautiful.
Review: Dubstep Rotterdam founder Frenk has been on firing form this year. Not only has he nurtured acts like Hajee, Substar and VGB on his label, but he's been dishing out some rich, dark beats himself, too. Here are two perfect examples; "Pervasive Shadow" is a treacle-like gloom monger with added percussive elements and hi-hat splashes providing enough rhythmic excitement and funk throughout. "Demons Rhythm", meanwhile, flips the switch for a much more rampant, ravier slab of bass action. All amens and twisted, processed beats, both the original and Hajee's remix take the new jungle sound and give it a savage seeing to. Heaviness!
Review: Having made his deep, dark, dubby intentions more than clear earlier this year with his massive "Single Scream", Rotterdam-based badman Hajee returns with another slinky slice of cavernous, oceanic dub trippiness. Boasting interesting bass textures and trippy SFX on the fills, it's a smoky session that will see heaps of action this summer. Remix-wise we're treated to versions from Cyance (more pensive pulsations on the subs), Gyu (tribal, steppy and spooky) and SQRD (gruesome bass alert!) You can run but you can't hide from "Heide".
Review: In truth, the Netherlands has rarely been considered a dubstep hotbed. While the country's electronic music pedigree is impressive - from deep house and techno to trance and instrumental hip-hop - dubstep seems to have largely passed it by. The Dubstep Rotterdam crew wants to change all that. Here, they deliver three solid cuts to attract the heads. Le Lion kicks things off with "Battleship", a pan-fried fusion of sparse, tech-tinged beats and rumbling low-end pressure. Curifex impresses with "Toy Box", a delightful fusion of cascading electronic melodies and classic dubstep percussion. Franky Nuts, meanwhile, brings the skank on his heavy trip into electro-step territory.
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