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Modern Ruin
Browse the latest digital releases on Modern Ruin
Various
Review: The London-based Modern Ruin Records label arrives with a mission statement to showcase some of the most talented and innovative artists making moves on the juke and footwork scenes around the world, and the label's first EP gets things off to an incredibly strong start. Pawn kicks off with "Do U", a dancefloor destroyer melding footwork textures with punishing D&B-influenced rhythms and bass, while The Renegades' "The Warmup" offers a jazzier number which places deft amen breaks throughout. On the flip, Sideswipe's "Be With U" offers a gospel-influenced, funky take on footwork with its vintage sample, but it's Vorres' "One Of These Old Days" that takes the crown, with delicate 808 rhythms fluttering across more soulful vocals. Essential stuff from a label to watch.
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MODRU 001D
04 Aug 14
Footwork/Juke
04 Aug 14
Footwork/Juke
Review: Sweet murderation! Sizzling Spaniards BSN Posse unleash five firing originals on the spotless Modern Ruin and suddenly things in the world don't seem quite so scary. Soulful, smooth, subverted, this is the sound of a well-considered, detailed footwork EP that's matched with six equally sharp refixes. Highlights include the sultry syrup harmonies on "Soul Train", the AK47 drumflow of "Drifting" and the dreamboat behaviour of "About U". Meanwhile on the rubs, we've got heaters galore with as Nikes takes us into cosmic tribal territories, Rootless dips low into sexual 808 healing and Footmerc washes us so hard with his fluttering chords you'll need a towel after you've played it. Powerful.
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MODRU 018
01 Sep 17
Footwork/Juke
01 Sep 17
Footwork/Juke
Review: DJ Ends' first two EPs have been the key to his arrival on Modern Ruin, a label which, in our minds, is making some of the very best footwork experiments around and who have clearly seen the value in the DJ Ends output. There're 8 tunes on here, making this closer to a mini-LP, all of them geared towards the dancefloor and often mashing up diverse pop styles to fit within the neo-juke aesthetic. There's plenty of r&b at the core of this EP, particularly on "Shame", where vintage soul vocals are infused with glitchy, high-powered beats - an element which is blended into pretty much all of these tunes. Wicked style.
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MODRU 022
10 Aug 18
Footwork/Juke
10 Aug 18
Footwork/Juke
Played by: Perez (Iberian Juke), ActRaiser, Franjazzco, Sideswipe, BSN Posse, Juno Recommends Footwork/Juke, Modern Ruin Records
Review: Philly footwork soul man lets loose on Modern Ruin once more with a full-flavoured EP. Instant delight vibes: "Last Nite" is a real smoothy owing as much to classy R&B as it does to footwork. "Fracture Pattern" sees him drop the pleasantries for a sharper jungle workout and "B4 U Lock Ur Love" concludes his originals with another sexual groove with a bold sample that's given just as much room to breathe as it is looped and chopped. Remix-wise BSN add a little dark drum magic, Lefty & Nikes switch up the groove while retaining the jungle edge and Tre goes straight for the sub-heavy ghetto edge.
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MODRU 013
21 Oct 16
Footwork/Juke
21 Oct 16
Footwork/Juke
Review: London's Modern Ruin hadn't been messing around since their first release, and now the label are back with a hot collaboration between Slime's BSN Posse, and newcomer Stayhigh in what could possibly be one of the label's most soulful and seductive slice of bass weight, as of yet. The opener by BSN Posse, "All My Dreams" is a gorgeous bit of sliding drums and placid vocals, and the follower by Stayhigh, "You're Not Alone", follows in a similar vein except there is more energy and more of a rise in momentum. Check all these cuts out; the moral of the story is that these guys are just simply good at making sidewalk bass music with an elegant, maybe eve jazzy edge.
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MODRU 008
27 Nov 15
Footwork/Juke
27 Nov 15
Footwork/Juke
Played by: Calculon
Review: Sun People is the project of Simon/off from Graz in Austria, making his debut for London based Modern Ruin. He's had well-received releases on the likes of Through These Eyes, Alphacut and Goodstreet Records. Kicking things off on the Serenity EP is the mad stepper "Live It Up" which is liquid drum 'n' bass reminiscent of early legends like Calibre or Carlito & Addiction. There's some 160bpm deep dubstep styles of the most contorted kind on the paranoid "Cry", while the sensual and evocative half-time antics of the title track call to mind the grey area experiments of Instra:mental - circa 2010 when Autonomic was all the rage. Fantastic.
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MODRU 020
23 Mar 18
Footwork/Juke
23 Mar 18
Footwork/Juke
Review: Modern Ruin ain't messing... Having launched in August with a full album, they now follow it up with this daring audio adventure from Leeds-based footworker Sarantis. Taking the Chicago genre into fresh pastures, tracks like the "Highway" fuse the distorted, acidic bass more often seen in dubstep or electro derived tracks but applied in a way that makes complete sense. Paying homage to the label itself, Sarantis's label-homage "Modern Ruin" develops this idea further with a twisted skank and pneumatic kick that manages to resonate with both dancehall and techno schools of thought. The 4/4 switch on "I Want To Know", meanwhile, will genuinely sweep you off your feet. Unique.
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MODRU 002D
13 Oct 14
Footwork/Juke
13 Oct 14
Footwork/Juke
Review: Alex Godoy has only been making music under the Itoa moniker for a few years, but his own strand of wonky, experimental footwork has caught our ear since his first release on the WW imprint. This time he touches down on Modern Ruin with two-tracker backed by a three-legged remix artillery. "Darline" is a dark and ominous stepper with fast-moving drum typhoons, and "Clap Tone" is a broken arrangement of, well, claps and toms - another wonderfully bouncing floor bomb. The reworks come TS Rapman on "Darline", who twists up the groove to its very limits, while Sun People and Crypticz go for "Clap Tone", the former adding a nice sci-fi layer, and the latter slowing things down to a murky, muddy substance.
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MODRU 007
16 Oct 15
Footwork/Juke
16 Oct 15
Footwork/Juke
Played by: Modern Ruin Records
Review: Modern Ruin here introduce some incredibly unique sounds as Iyer touches down for some footwork expertise as we explore the stunning 'Third Culture Tamalian' project, combining super skippy drum rhythms with authentic vocal layers from start to finish. We kick off with the eerie vocal slices of 'Extramarital' alongside The Sine Painter', which is chased up by both the shimmering pads of 'Rahukaalam Rajini Rush' and high energy vocal skits of 'Heartbreak Express'. We then move into more minimal ground as 'Joy And Suffering' arrives with stripped back drum textures and a more potent push on the vocal lines, before we finish up on Breaka's piano heavy re-think of 'Rahukaalam Rajini Rush', putting the finishing touches on a very original body of work.
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MODRU 026
30 Aug 19
Footwork/Juke
30 Aug 19
Footwork/Juke
Review: Malou Morkeberg has been seriously impressing us with his recent batch of releases, allowing us to have a fresh and innovative view on both bass music and what can be done with percussion. After a slew of debut releases, he's (unsurprisingly) been snapped up by Modern Ruin, rolling through with five powerful dancefloor bruisers, and a whole load of low frequencies to blow through your chest. Although the construction of these jue pieces is similar to UK two-step in aesthetic, M?rkeberg's sound feels more akin to the US dynasty, such as on "Ladyboy" and "Make It", the latter being a classic, tooled-up, codeine-laden footwork killer. Similarly, "Hyggeling" morphs its intricate drums over tuned-down vocal samples, while "Go Back" goes for a darker, dubbier approach, and BSN Posse's remix of "Ladyboy" injects a further layer of deep-minded ambience to the already spaced-out original.
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MODRU 021
08 Jun 18
Footwork/Juke
08 Jun 18
Footwork/Juke
Review: Today we are here to take a look at some seriously smooth newschool footwork production as we welcome BSN Posse & Sideswipe back to the Modern Ruin release schedule. They arrive on the scene with five original bangers, kicking off with the steadily progressing chord structures of 'Stratus', which move smoothly into the junglistic drum twists and R&G style vocal slices of 'Slow It Down'. Next, we enter the luxurious orchestral sampling of 'Blue Sky' before the more classic Jersey Club production style of 'Bones' appears on the scene. Finally, 'Southbound' finishes the project with a touch of subby goodness, packed with intelligent vocal dips and sharp drum work as ever.
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MODRU 025
28 Jun 19
Footwork/Juke
28 Jun 19
Footwork/Juke
Played by: Modern Ruin Records
Review: Colorrhythm isn't a name we're overly familiar with, but after hearing this release we certainly regret that. Forthcoming on Modern Ruin, Colorrhythm is making up for their incorrect spelling of the world colour with the Technicolor EP, a loping halftime-esque release that is packed full of nonchalant, carefree vibes. The title track is especially beautiful, with gorgeous sampling and a rich depth of textural work. 'Continuum' doesn't mess around either, with jungle vibes on the drums that manage not to interfere with the gentle clarity in the rest of the arrangement. This is a top EP for those that enjoy music a bit more introspective.
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MODRU 024
08 Mar 19
Drum & Bass / Jungle
08 Mar 19
Drum & Bass / Jungle
Review: Footmerc and Regent Street have pooled their creativity for this exceptional Modern Ruin release and the results are truly unique. Massaging soul, jazz and leftfield sensibilities within the juke template, each cut takes footwork into a whole new dimension... "Wooden Ships" is a masterclass in folk-fuelled sample craft, "Into Outerspace" is a loopy stepper with quick fire jazz synth stabs, "Crows Nest", meanwhile, sounds straight outer Goodlooking's mid 90s catalogue but with modern drum dynamics. "Big Ass B-Boy Belly" concludes the set with big dusty horns and a wry sense of humour. Emotional.
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MODRU 003
01 Dec 14
Footwork/Juke
01 Dec 14
Footwork/Juke
Review: Skubi steps into the limelight with his debut release for Modern Ruin, an imprint reserved strictly for the finest in footwork killers. "Brain Music" is basically a modern hip-hop lick with cavernous low-ends and that familiar juke vocal stutter. The same goes for "Wet", a relatively darker, dreamier sort of affair. Remixes comes from none other than Slick Shoota and House Of Black Lanterns, the former opting for a jungle swing while the latter twists and funks that juke into an even nuttier bundle of drums and percussion. Large.
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MODRU 004D
11 May 15
Bass
11 May 15
Bass
Played by: Perez (Iberian Juke)
Review: As per usual, Canada's Philthkids are up to no good, and it seems like the Modern Ruin label are up for causing a bit of trouble. These four spaced-out gun-slingers are the perfect form of juke music, an amalgamation of all the right elements of bass music into four grooves. "Open Up", for example, is only juke because of its beat flex, but the melodies and arrangement feels much closer to electro, or even house, while "Futura" has a bit of hardcore in its DNA. "Status 3" is a veritable dubstep number twisted into motion by complex percussive knots, and "Wanderers" is a modern take on tribal bass music that can make for an absolute stunner on the dance floor. TIP!
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MODRU 014
02 Dec 16
Footwork/Juke
02 Dec 16
Footwork/Juke
Played by: Perez (Iberian Juke), HomeSick, BSN Posse, Juno Recommends Footwork/Juke, Modern Ruin Records
Review: Modern Ruin feels like the perfect location for Homesick's twisted, dub-filtered, strain of footwork and these four smoking guns are the perfect thing to turn your Saturday night from fun to a little nuts. "Environment Standards" uses a sort of acid house, big piano approach in its groove, while Carnivore VIP is a juke reinvention of jungle, where breaks fly around loosely in a sea of percussion and sonics. "VIP Rave" is the craziest of them all, with a broken bass drum rhythm guiding sinister melodies forwards; Sinistarr Ravegod's remix of the same tune is similarly jagged but here the artist injects a new, more violent flavour of bass.
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MODRU 011
24 Jun 16
Footwork/Juke
24 Jun 16
Footwork/Juke
Played by: Philthtrax
Review: Last spotted busting some dope moves to Compost's "Brexit Jazz", Athens' 160-splicer LeTryp makes his debut on London's Modern Ruin with more groove-based steppy switch-ups. Highlights can be found in every moment of this juicy juke jam: the Detroitian wave bends and emotion on "Let Me Hit It", the deep dark analogue bubbles and laser-flexing stabs "In The Heat", the soulful shimmers of "Move Operator" and the unabashed euphoria of the title track "Crossover". Time to take tryp...
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MODRU 019
24 Nov 17
Footwork/Juke
24 Nov 17
Footwork/Juke
Review: No way, it's Noh Vae! The Italian-in-London returns to Modern Ruin with more brutal junglised footwork amalgams. "Nocturnal" eases us in gently with a tidal wave of amens rattling around a steppy riddim before "Pale Colours" thrusts us deeper underground with a heavily pressurised techno textures and a dungeon-denting energy and "Stamina" lures into a deep spatial adventure that's not dissimilar to a Fracture joint. Finally Breaka rounds off the set with a slower 140 take on "Stamina" that maintains all the ice of the original but adds a little edge as the beats are a lot more skippy. Nocturnal crew this one's for you.
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MODRU 023
26 Oct 18
Drum & Bass / Jungle
26 Oct 18
Drum & Bass / Jungle
Review: Russian producer Colorhythm returns on London's Modern Ruin following up some great beats by Breaka, in particular, on the last outing. It's intensely paranoid and nefarious bass music of the deeper strains on the immersive "Lavina" while the title track is drum and bass on downers; imagine playing an Ed Rush & Optical record on -8 and you get the picture. Also of worthy mention is "Bionic" which appears in its original version as well as being remixed by Stayhigh; where the track takes on a life of its own with its juke style stutter vocals, jagged beats and wonky synths firing off all over the place.
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MODRU 016
24 Feb 17
Bass
24 Feb 17
Bass
Review: London's Modern Ruin classifies itself as footwork label, and we think that is just about close enough to reality. However, it's important to note that all the music going through this catalogue has a definite UK palette to it, and the gang are certainly not in the game with the aim of merely replicating the US sound that the genre is typically known for. This is some straight-up UK flexing. Noh Vae steps up with four bruisers: "Bumble" sounds like the mutant spawn of a DMZ dubplate, full or dread and grime experimentation, "Oh Man" is a raucous drum frenzy that's taken a lesson or two from Toasty's early productions, "Yell" has an early era Metalheadz vibe to it, and Sun People's rework of "Oh Man" winds the tempo down to a stepping, grizzly dubstep belter that'll cause havoc and a hysteria in the dancehall. This is sick.
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MODRU 017
31 Mar 17
Bass
31 Mar 17
Bass
Review: Rico Tubbs dusts off his old Infekto alter ego for some classic junglist fun. Both rolling at the original 160 tempo, it's an instant snapback to the early chapters when Moving Shadow forecasted the bleakest of electronic futures. "Escape" balances a classic reggae sample with a slew of roughage drums while "Phuture" is a rainbow of harmonic arpeggios layered over breaks so finely diced you'll feel freshly shaven just listening to it. Remix-wise Modern Ruin regulars lay down the science: The Renegades throw in a little hardcore mentality (and just a tiny bit of acid) while Sideswipe provide some rather champion sounds (ahem).
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MODRU 009
11 Mar 16
Drum & Bass / Jungle
11 Mar 16
Drum & Bass / Jungle
Review: This is no real surprise, but Canada's Philthkids are in no mood to mess around, and this latest EP is another shot straight to the head. Coming through courtesy of Modern Ruin, "Cyber Sapiens" is a butty tune, a not-so-gentle blend of footwork and 94' jungle held together by an intricate arrangement and some killer sonic work. "Power Supply" is more jungle than anything else, but its bassline is fresh and provocative, while "The Core" lashes out a heavy techno beat beneath starry, detuned synths; "Memory" features BSMNT and a nu-school kinds tribal beat that is a total pleasure on the old dancing feet.
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MODRU 010
20 May 16
Footwork/Juke
20 May 16
Footwork/Juke
Review: Breaka is Leeds lad Charlie Baker who has previously released on the likes of Tsunami Bass Weight and Good Street. He now appears for London's Modern Ruin with the Express Your Groove EP and he's right at home on this Footwork/Juke/Jungle/Bass label. Starting off with the deep and emotive junglist groove "Pull & Release" which features some nice R&B vocals atop, there's more quality on the stripped back drum and bass of "The Mistake" which takes things down a much darker route. Itoa's remix later on also stays on the same vibe but with more rolling, intricate riddims reminiscent of Andy C. The title track is particularly impressive; a soulful drum and bass journey that calls to mind Calibre or Marcus Intalex's finer moments.
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MODRU 015
27 Jan 17
Bass
27 Jan 17
Bass
Played by: Modern Ruin Records
Review: Skipping, flickering and darkly beautiful, "Phenomenon", the first track on this EP is a stunning piece of work, pieced together and arranged immaculately. Moving on smoothly with strong songlike interludes, "Evermore" continues the themes of graceful beats at 160BPM with a touch more metallic percussion for good measure. "Take Me Down" is warmer and softer than the first two sombre pieces but still expects the same level of attention.
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MODRU 006
14 Aug 15
Drum & Bass / Jungle
14 Aug 15
Drum & Bass / Jungle
Review: Enter Valencia massive Rootless with their debut EP for Modern Ruin! For starters, "Da Fock" is straight-up footwork science, a glitchy piece of Chicago-inspired futurism backed by a jazzy melodic wave and an excellent sampling style; "Say To My Face", on the other hand, manages to drop a little jungle magic into the juke pattern, while "Stepper Lines" ups the aggression and gets the beat pattern rolling even more aggressively amid a delicate sea of melancholic tones. Fresh and recommended!
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MODRU 012
05 Aug 16
Footwork/Juke
05 Aug 16
Footwork/Juke
