Review: Introducing the sounds of The Usual Suspects Part 1, a radical attempt to create jump-up so splintered and broken you'll barely recognise it. This is pure party music, there's no time for sophisticated conversations about its merits because you'll be too busy dancing to it. Sota's 'Pumper's epitomizes the extent of the madness here, with a punched-out percussive line that underpins a grating force of progression and anger, perfectly crafted to give you goosebumps in the dance. The metallic quality to 'Bring It' is another highlight, and it's safe to say that with these five tunes, Sota, Supreme Being, Heist, Complex and The Force have done a wicked job. Big tunes.
Review: Big guns blazing, Low Down Deep fire more shots into 2021 with this massive four-piece from Skore. As you can tell from the title, the EP ignites with a very special track as an old unreleased collab with Dom (RIP) kicks things off with incendiary riff magic. Elsewhere 'Your Lovin' brings in the tones of Ellie Marie for some light/dark fusion and another massive riff before 'My Selectah' adds a little euphoria into the mix and 'Slushy' ensures the EP ends on a serious bang. Not to be missed... You all know the score about Skore by now.
Review: Following a string of heavy hitters on the likes of Invicta, Bagged & Tagged and Subway Soundz, young Czech producer Magenta dents the discography of Low Down Deep with this stinking collection of jump-up bumpers. Five cuts deep, each one laced with high levels of funk of mischief, highlights include the rattling drums and early 2000s Zinc style Q&A riff of 'Lesson' the outright drama and foreboding tones of 'Games' and the gritty salute-inducing growler 'Nuff Respect' with UK MC donnie Swifta. Get busy.
Review: Low Down Deep have really outdone themselves with this one and it's courtesy of Filthy Habits, who, across four tunes, seriously rolls things out. The standout tune is 'Caught Sippin', which moves from a choppy array of jump up stabs into a winding, twisting bass node with a devilish bend within, a powerful dancefloor track that you won't forget any time soon. The title track smacks of old school Low Down Deep material with its shameless approach to funky rhythms and bouncy beat making, a catchy affair that doesn't take itself too seriously. The others are equally stripped back, and we really love the barebones approach being taken here.
Review: Defying the curse of 2020, Yoteii's been on something of a roll this year with dope bombs on the likes of Cave, Breeze and now Logan D's mighty Low Down Deep. Two tunes, two vibes; 'Nostalgia' is a roller's roller with its mildly euphoric intro flipping into a whole chorus of space-aged gritty bass tones. 'The Virus', meanwhile, marks the weird and pranged-out era with vocal cameos from one of the scariest men on the planet. Stay safe.
Review: Fresh from his unforgettable "Amnesia" EP, Jeopardize returns to Logan D's Low Down Deep with another feisty selection. Four slabs deep, we kick off with the Annix-style gurgles and spikes of "The Death Marshes" before getting sandblasted by the droning basses on "Connected" and ruffed up by the curmudgeonly bass grizzles of "So Simple". Last but not least we hit "Sight Seeing" where savage breaks and barking basses guarantee reloads, riots and respect from all other selectors in a 50 mile radius. Heavy!
Review: May The Force be with you... After releases on the label's new talent imprint Subway Soundz, The Force makes his debut on Low Down Deep with two premium riff-loaded dancefloor bombs: the Upgrade-style "Stone Cold" (all harmonics and big bounce flavours) and "The Age Of Aquarius" which nods a bit further back in jump up time to around the early 2000s when D*Minds and Twisted Individual were crown princes of the game. Penny for your force?
Review: Magenta is back, using his force to compel you to pull ugly bassfaces and throw your drink with a single that doesn't hold back. It's not the kindest on the ears but then again, its not supposed to be, it's a monograph in hard-hitting sonics and dastardly tones. Both tunes are undergirded by a booming snare drum and percussive clarity, but the action happens in the steadily melodic but still raucous basslines, a pitched-up monstrosity of dancefloor proportions. 'Big Nose Many Hoes' especially, and this new one from the legendary Low Down Deep Crew isn't something you'll forget quickly.
Review: Sota has developed a reputation for tough, urban-edged sonics over several years now of cultivation and curation and, a fairly substantial number of tunes later, he's landing hereon Low Down Deep. He's diverse in his capabilities and Damnation sees him returning to his jump up-ier side, something we're definitely very keen on, especially when it's on a label like Low Down Deep. This release is wicked and 'My Time' is a highlight, with a snapping percussive line forming around its inching, creeping basses and eerie background ambience, all of which builds up to a ridiculously heavy top synth line, which is as choppy as they come. Top stuff right here.
Review: You've got to be tripping us... Ego Trippin have just dropped their third release this month and it's another monster. Following the second part of their "Tales Of The Darkside" series on Hi-Def comes this super-sweet five-tracker on Low Down Deep "Chocolate". Every bit as tasty as the name suggests, highlights include the classic early 2000s style Q&A and running drums of "Desire", the funk-riddled party-slapper "Feeling Good" and the raffish frazzled bass of the title track. Tuck in.
Review: Skore has been absolutely smashing it recently and is fast becoming one of the scene's most reliable sources of explosive dancefloor material. This release is no different, featuring two cuts of pure damage in classic style, with plenty of attitude and plenty of gunfinger moments. The second tune is our favourite, with a seriously hype-inducing build and a raucous drop that reminds us of a neurofunk track except without all the unnecessary noise it becomes ten times heavier. We love this one - big-ups to the Low Down Deep crew.
Review: Filthy Habits? We wouldn't be surprised if Filthy Habits himself had a few of those, not just because it's in his name but because of how downright filthy his tunes are. 'Catastrophe' is a rush of pitched-up deathy synths that rolls out at max speed and with zero sense of giving a fuck about, well, anything really. The flip-side is the highlight, though, as 'Dungeon' hangs in mid-air, it's stabbing oscillations cutting through sound with an eerily potent feeling of satisfaction that we're dying to hear over a sound system. Big.
Review: Low Down Deep are regular appearances here for two main reasons. Firstly, they release a hell of a lot of music. Secondly, it almost always hits hard and in good order. So, with that in mind, let's take a look at Vital & Mass' collaborative EP Think First/Rolling Stoney/No Gangsta/Deeper. 'Think First' is without a doubt the highlight of the EP, with an infectiously funky arrangement that's grounded in a glitchy sense of progression and movement. It goes hard, but in a way that's not off-putting or over the top, and it's a fitting tribute to an excellent original by the late DJ Dominator That's the general impression of this EP: jump-up with serious finesse and class.
Review: Low Down Deep has become one of the premier destinations for UK jump-up, playing host to every big name in the scene over the years. Now a proper flag-holder for the resurgent jump-up movement, Low Down Deep are back and they're repping Slipz, one of the big up and comers right now. He's coming out with the Boss EP and the title track is playful yet devastating, with an upbeat and funky arrangement that lands hard - very hard. 'Infinite' is less subtle, with pitched up synths that pummel the top end of the range and a snapping drum line that nails the bottom end. Yes guys.
Review: Jeopardize is without a doubt one of the most talented producers to have emerged out of the jump-up space in the past several years. His sound is rough and tumble but still dark and techy, he draws upon multiple influences and, as such, has a cross-subgenre appeal. This EP on Low Down Deep expresses this fact perfectly. "Amnesia' has the snarling stabs of jump up with the blackish fa?ade of something darker, it's still rooted in urbanity thanks but also packs a futuristic punch. 'Commander' is typically choppish, pointed synths abound and each hit and knock feel purposely placed. Top piece of work and the other two are just as good.
Review: Blackley's back with another life hack... If you're going to bury them with your sounds then be polite and "Build Them A Coffin". Strong enough to keep the worms off your Rolex and lined with cosy cushions, Blackley's quite the carpenter with his use of vibrant samples and gurgling bassline. "Over 18", meanwhile, screams set intro thanks to its soulful vocals and sunny side feels before melting into a grotty pot of weird sounds and alien textures. High grade business.
Review: Low Down Deep has become one of the premier destinations for UK jump-up, playing host to every big name in the scene over the years. Now a proper flag-holder for the resurgent jump-up movement, Low Down Deep are back and they're repping Ego Trippin, one of the big boys in the scene right now. He's coming out with two VIPs and track one, featuring the late DJ Dominator, is playful yet devastating, with an upbeat and funky arrangement that lands hard - very hard. 'Spinning Elbow' is less subtle, with gravelly synths that pummel the top end of the range and a snapping drum line that nails the bottom end. Yes guys!
Review: Premium by name... Absolute savage on the dials by nature! Englishman in Belgium Premium unleashed his inner junglist with these two hairy hurters. "Chewbacca" growls and purrs just as its name suggests. Driven by breaks but powered by a jump-up heaviness, it's the perfect sweet spot of a lot of sounds and subgenres here. "The Master" continues this grizzly theme but with more of a classic jump-up twist. One note basslines hitting with Warhead-like severity and cheeky break splashes on the fills, it's a heads-down workout that hits home in every mix situation you can blend it into. Masterful.
Review: Low Down Deep are regular appearances here for two main reasons. Firstly, they release a hell of a lot of music. Secondly, it almost always hits hard and in good order. So, with that in mind, let's take a look at Sota's three-track single: Bite/Signal/Down. 'Bite' is without a doubt the highlight of the EP, with an infectiously funky arrangement that's grounded in a glitchy sense of progression and movement. It goes hard, but in a way that's not off-putting or over the top. That's the general impression of this EP: jump-up, but not trashy jump-up. Just the way we like it.
Review: Logan D's Low Down Deep welcome Complex to the family with these two stinking wallopers. "Tested" takes the lead with its sharp but sweet sense of funk. All one note hits and octave variations, it's a classic alchemy that will drive the dancefloor nuts every time. Meanwhile "Under The Bed" takes things into darker territories with a creepy sample and a wobbled-out bass so strong it could life up your bed while you sleep in it. Don't have nightmares.
Review: Cor blimey. We all know how heavy Turno's "Power" was. One of the most powerful tracks he'd made at the time he named his album after it, anyone on remix duties had big shoes to fill... So it's a good job Low Down Deep have called in the best possible guys for the job: G Dub. Absolute legends from jump-up's most important era (and ever since) Sub Zero and Original Sin's G Dub alias go to town on the original, completely flip the arrangement, add their own take, textures and brazen sense of rolling energy. A powerful tune needs a powerful remix. This bangs.
Review: After a dizzying year of releases on the likes of Walking Dead, Down 2 Earth, Cr8, Crucast and Low Down Deep's sister label Subway Soundz, Tesen steps up to the mother imprint with this naughty little doublet. "Don't Wake Me Up" is a Macky-esque riff stomper with big positive feels in the synths and chords and a savage bassline matching every epic melodic up and down. Showing his true contrasts and skills, "Alive With You" sees Tesen teaming up with Pyrax for something much deeper and sensual. Purring with rolling cosmic soul, it's another reminder of Tesen's superb skills. We anticipate another dizzying year for him.
