Innerground Music, established in the early 2000s, is a prominent record label specializing in Drum & Bass music. Founded by DJ Marky and XRS, the label has become synonymous with a unique sound, often incorporating Brazilian influences and characterized by a vibrant, energetic style.
Innerground has played a pivotal role in shaping the Drum & Bass scene, fostering the careers of established artists like DJ Marky and Drumsound & Bassline Smith, while also providing a platform for up-and-coming talents. With a focus on quality and innovation, the label continues to push the boundaries of the genre, releasing music that is both fresh and captivating.
Review: For all his dancefloor destroying singles and party-starting anthems, Brazilian D&B legend DJ Marky hasn't much pedigree when it comes to the album format. In fact, My Heroes is his debut solo full-length, and his first album of any sort since XRS collaboration In Rotation way back in 2004. It's perhaps unsurprising, then, that My Heroes has a celebratory feel throughout, with Marky delivering a range of melodious, soulful, carnival-friendly rollers and spiralling, anthem-like cuts (see recent single "Silly"). These are interspersed with a number of surprising diversions, including two memorable trips into soulful house territory ("Around You", the samba-flecked "Freedom"), and the synth-boogie influenced goodness of "Bella Drix".
Review: It's exciting when Roygreen and Protone get together because it's never an easy one to call. Maybe it'll be an old smoothie of a track, maybe it'll be a bit of a Rottweiler. That's the fun of their dynamic - they're a little unpredictable. Kicking off with slow jazz and beautifully arranged piano, "The Five Spot" immediately upturns their lasting impression by being slick and sweet and sexy. "Jazzypants" itself is more contemporary in its stylings but still very laid back and sleek. Working with Natural Flavour and Dorian for final tune "The Storm", it's a darker meander around moodier bass and playful toy piano that makes for an interesting round-off.
Review: Innerground continues its reign over the soulful and jazzy D&B world with a storming collection of shining new music from some of the scene's finest. Arguably the greatest liquid collab duo in history Marky & Makoto pair up for not one but two massive tracks, heading up the EP in 'we mean business' style. Also featuring their love for jazz funk are Austria's own RoyGreen & Protone, blasting that groove with a lush, retro feel, as does Brazilian newcomer Level 2. Liquid veteran Submorphics drops by to reveal a sweet summer anthem in "Hazel Street" and rounding off the comp is newcomer T>I with a hypnotic delve through nasty electronic percussion. A true indication of where DJ Marky's label is right now, if you're a fan of the genre you'd be foolish to miss out.
Review: Plundering their extensive vault for the best vocal-coated moments, Marky's Innerground label have curated a sweet collection of tried and tested buzz cuts, all tied together with the very best mic-munchers they've collaborated with. A great opportunity to catch up with classics such as the essential summer anthem "LK" and "Breeze" plus lesser known (but equally essential) rollers such as Marky and AI's gorgeous "Shame" and Bcee & Lomax's jazz-tinged "One Year On". Vocals can be a tricky beast in D&B but Innerground have nailed many over the years. Here's proof.
Review: DJ Marky's legendary Innerground label has been responsible for some of the biggest names in drum & bass getting their start. Zip forward to 2014 and the label is still going strong, sizzingly fresh and dancefloor-ready. First track "Custom Dancer" is a sparkling effort from Anile, rolling deep with tasty synth punches. Command Strange offer a ravey meltdown in "1000% Acid", Brazilian export L-Side offers undeniably sun-soaked roller "Legacy", Simplification and Manners hit the jazz for "Sweet Promise" and St. Petersberg-based liquid manipulator Intelligent Manners brings his light and fresh sounds to the comp. A must-bag.
Review: Not content with putting up with a winter that's outstaying its welcome, Innerground have begun to piece together a work collective that shows off the sundrenched atmospherics of the Brazilian drum and bass scene. Headed up by DJ Marky and S.P.Y, the first track is of course "Yellow Shoes" but with a twist; adding that classic Calibre warmth to drum and bass' ultimate summer anthem tones down the glare, making it much more accessible to those of us bleached by a thousand months of rain and sleet. "Summer Soul" is far less accommodating however, and as the title suggests, it's a Submorphics-flavoured roll through the bassy summer days and soulful vocals that have become a staple of the Brazilian scene. A perfect excuse to ramp up the heating and crack open some Brahmas.
Review: Where do you go when all you need are sexy summer vibes and the type of beats that roll for days? DJ Markey's house, obviously. In lieu of actually receiving an invitation to the man's Brazilian maison, may we suggest this double helping of sweet summery goodness - guaranteed to get your feet moving and heart smiling. Marky is the king of soulful drum and bass and both "Silly" and "Firenzi" are hot enough to get things heated on the dancefloor. Set them off and feel the sun come out. Perfect.
Review: It's been a while since Mcleod and Symptom collided in the studio but it's clear their past work on Chronic was unfinished business as they lock horns once again on Marky's ever-gorgeous Innerground. "Just The Way" twangs and slaps with a classic disco hook before dropping into a nicely restrained Bingo-style funk bubbled bassline while "Cherry Hill" is just pure ear honey with its swooning chords lilting soulfully over a robust roll and barbed bass reverse bass textures that refuse to quit. Truly timeless.
Review: New lad Voltage has shaken things up at Innerground HQ with his darker, more stylised productions. Taking the funk of his contemporaries and whipping out the carpet from underneath, "Channel 2" is a perfect example of his stripped-back sound that's as edgy as it is reminiscent of the past. Rounding off his debut release for the legendary label, "Private Time" brings a little soul back with a Paul Rogers sample lifting it out from the depths. It's a bold choice considering the sample was recently used by Eminem but with a few tweaks and the input of lush bass he makes it his own. Real last tune vibes.
Review: Bursting out of the Innerground catalogue this time is soulful drum and bass star Random Movement, a man so vital to the cause he's worked with S.P.Y and DJ Marky right from the outset of his career, rolling out smooth, jazzy vibes on Liquid V, CIA, Integral, Spearhead and Horizons. Bringing his bright, uplifting take on the genre to first track "Down Somehow", cool vocals drift over sparkling synths and jazzy bass. "Won't Budge" is a deep stepper, contrasting with the usual sunshine layers of R.M's style. Taking a deeper approach, expect to hear this tearing up dancefloors Stateside and across the Atlantic. Another lawless release from one of D&B's continually rising stars.
Review: It's a Florida funk-off at Innerground HQ this month as Marky invites Sunshine State royalty for a two-track treat. Jaybee continues his rich vein of form with one of his hookiest jams to date; jazzy keys, dubby reverbs and precision breaks create the perfect bed for a velvet soul vocal. Random Movement follows with a similarly touching jam. A tight weave of dreamy instrumentation woozily waves across the mix as stern bass tones stretch sporadically, giving the sensuous floating textures real gravitas. In other words, this is dope.
Review: Innerground is one of those labels that deserves a lot more attention than it gets, and you'd think DJ Marky's imprint would perhaps be a little more in the limelight, but it clearly doesn't matter to them. They just keep rolling out the tunes. This time it's Phase 2 and the
Stranger Things EP, whether it's based on the TV show or not I don't know, but it's hardly scary. In fact, it's mostly welcoming, a creatively exciting three-tracker that covers various ground and serves differing flavours. 'Stranger Things' is a bouncing roller, one that inches in progression as it evolves; 'Come On Then' is a stepper yet shares some of the techy bounciness in 'Stranger Things'; finally, 'Go Pro' is the upbeat one of the bunch, a happy synth line forming the bedrock of what is a lovely tune. All three work very well here.
Review: Fancy something fresh from Innerground? Did we even need to ask? This little beauty comes fresh from the Midlands, but don't let that stop the vibes. "The Things You Do" opens up the release with a sleek, old school sound and the funkiest bass/drums/sax 'parp' combo in town. Seriously, you need to hear this. On the flip, "Feeling Inside" takes a very different course, with rapidfire breaks and soulful live instrumental sampling, not to mention classic sounding diva vocals. The perfect choice for anyone looking for something nice to put on at the weekend - go on, give your crowds a treat.
Review: Marky and Makoto made this almost 10 years ago. Naturally it still stands up to today's production standards with ease as the rolling breaks, a sumptuous string and horn sample and juicy bass undulations fuse to create the epitome of a soulful roller. If this isn't in your collection yet, now is most certainly the time to jump on it. Lovely.
Review: One of the US's most consistent and respected D&B contributors, Random Movement has been moving floors with his jitter-jazz frenetic funk since 2005. Here we find Marky's Innerground plotting out the producer's career with a perfectly curated collection of highlights. From the bold organic drum choppery and oceanic lickage of "Sabina" to the dreamy, star-gazing sub-driven stepper "Bandaids", it's a fine testament to Random Movement's contributions. Whether you're only just getting acquainted or looking to fill some gaps in your collection, this is a must!
Review: Last spotted on "Chronic Rollers" a few months back, the criminally under-prolific Flaco maintains the heat with his first full release in what feels like an eternity. Destination Innerground for two silky slices of rolling timelessness... "Wasp" buzzes with bassline intention, all heads down and rattling with cool percussion. "You Get Lonely" plays the perfect foil with a big soul vocal loop and gliding instrumentation that's only going to sound more beautiful as the warmer months commence. Stunning.
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