Founded by head-honcho Elsta, and now run in partnership with label favourite Bass Antics, Murky Digital are one of the south coast’s premier drum & bass outlets, providing stone cold, rupturing beats and show-stopping events out of their thriving hometown of Portsmouth. Starting off as a jump up label and gradually evolving into the eclectic, diverse collective on show today, Murky have continuously delivered an all-encompassing stew of 174 savagery to the masses, with notable efforts from scene stalwarts T>I, Agro, Euphonique, Saxxon, Bou and Vital, combined with diamond-like nuskool gems in Conrad Subs, Guzi, Operate, Leaf and Filthy Habits. With a close, familial vibe and some of the best in gritty sonic warfare, Murky Digital continue to deliver some of the finest DnB the UK has to offer.
Review: Both Agro and Murky Digital share a common passion for making club-ready drum & bass and this five-tracker from the producer, featuring Guzi on a remix, is a no-holds barred display of why they're such a potent combo. The grime-influenced synths and halftime vibes of 'The Dirty South' make it an ideal title track, a gully u rban-edged track with serious crossover potential. 'Presence' is the other highlight, a down and dirty roller with a rough, mid-2000s vibe that takes this EP in an industrial direction but one that's also cut through with a jump-up aesthetic. Seriously cool.
Review: Amplify is a name we're becoming more familiar with and they've come out with a properly good collection of tracks here, tunes with an urban-edged spin on modern D&B and jungle. They're tunes which you can imagine hearing out your mates' car, and that's a very good thing. 'Out of Me' is a rolling number and it's one with a wicked choppy bass and a satisfying sense of sparseness in the drums, a pulsating yet expansive cut that'd go down well just about anywhere. 'Miracle' is the proper dark stuff, the broken drum stutters and eerie sampling giving it that vibe that only this music can impart. Wicked selection.
Review: Here's hoping you're ready to bounce because "Feel It" hasn't just been produced, it's been rubberised. With enough cranked up energy to power the central London, and bass that's cheeky enough to give the Playaz crowd a run for their money, Bass Antics are filling up dancefloors like no other. "Playback" takes things back to the old school in more ways than one, using '90s drum and bass techniquea against soundboy vocals and garage bass stylings, it's a proper mash-up. Get your head down and start skanking.
Review: This is an absolutely wicked release. You know those EPs which perfectly tread the line between playfulness and gullyness? This is one of them, a release which is a breath of fresh air whilst still managing to pack a recognisable punch. The title tune is our favourite, with a lusciously funky main piano line that stretches out over the drums, intermingling with the vocal sample and resting above the bassline in purely satisfying fashion. 'Bend Back' takes things in a harder direction, with stuttering jungle stammers and a wonky bassline that wobbles around like a pig in mud. Banging bit of work, this.
Review: Conrad Subs is on Murky Digital with a fiery four-tracker designed very much for the dancefloor. It's one of those singles that you can tell was made with a good time in mind, music that's goal is to bring happiness to a room full of people. 'Dark Sets In' is the first and it's also the fattest, with a giant, stabby bassline that launches out of the blocks with serious energy. 'Expansion' is glitchier and techier, its wobbling synths are full of momentum and the whole track just feels like it's on steroids. One of the bassface crew.
Review: The man, the monster, the machine: Conrad Subs returns to his good pals Murky with this feisty fiver tracker. As always with the Ipswich heavyweight, the vibes flex with fury across the board. Peaktimers will be all over the icy stabs and riffy energy of 'For So Long' and the Fraser-fronted aggy blaster 'Movement'. Those looking for woozier sensations will enjoy the likes of 'Swish' and the pure grit and twistedness of 'In Your Arms. Meanwhile people looking to absolutely flatten folk should jump straight on the ridiculous slices of 'Cluster'. We've been waiting for sounds like these 'For So Long'.
Review: The unavoidable Conrad Subs jumps aboard the good ship Murky with another incendiary dispatch of full-flavoured bangers he's calling the 'Widowmaker' EP. Killer tunes for a killer title, each cut hits hard first and doesn't even bother to ask questions later. 'Dormant' is all about those subtle wobbles, 'Causing Danger' tickles with a few wry grime elements in the mix, 'Widowmaker' is all about the aggy rifle-like staccato bassline fire while 'Nasty Shit' lives up to its name in every filthy, low-slinging way possible. Last but not least 'Aftermath' brings us the dramatic conclusion we need but totally don't deserve. Massive as always with Conrad.
Review: Damageman lands on Murky Digital with a dancefloof focused journey through D&B's rougher side. Murky Digital don't have a reputation for being a label that'll hold your hand and this is clearly evident throughout Revenge, none more so than on the title track. With a barebones, stripped back approach that's reminiscent of Digital or Spirit, Damageman combines old-school sampling with a distinct rawness to emphasise the track's low-frequency weight. This style is replicated across the other tunes to varying degrees but there's one constant: unadulterated sounds with the aim of serious dancefloor pressure. If that's your thing, then this EP is certainly for you.
Review: DJ Direkt has built up a name for himself as someone who never fails to bring out the big guns with his music. It's always heavy, hard-hitting and built on soundscapes and vibes which are deeply urban. His newest EP on Murky Digital is no different and it kicks off with 'Claret', a Serum-esque roller with a bassline that stretches out over the horizon, the only constant being its grinding, coarse nature and the manner in which it constantly mutates and evolves. 'Krome' is equally as rough but less rolling and more fragmented, its structure and nature constantly changes and it keeps the tune sounding consistently fresh. The last track of this EP - 'Net' - is absolute vibes, too. Big ups the Murky Digital crew.
Review: Murky welcome rising newcomer Dysfunction to the label with this sleek and savage set of five... Heads down, bassline business, stripped back but still rich in gully goodness, each cut complements each other. 'Proximity' is pure turbine bassline blow-out with added war cries while, 'The Funk' is a big belly bouncer with wobblier subs than your mum, 'Beside Self' is the slinky, stinky creeper while 'Concrete Junglist' takes us for a brisk trip down a metallic tunnel. Finally 'Nightmare' closes on a much starker, darker tip as the bassline goes up a few octaves and activates sizzle mode. A great finale to a nicely consistent and stylised EP. Looking forward to hearing more from Dysfunction.
Review: Murky Digital are a label who do what their name might suggest in that they release digital murkiness on a regular basis. No Escape is an EP from Euphonique that brings together MC Frost, Guzi & Madrush MC and Saxxon, all of whom have helped contribute to dastardly naughty tracks. 'Switch' is up there with the best of them and it's all about that bassline, an almost foghorn of groaning, fiery proportions which rattles its way through the arrangement. MC Frost also impresses on 'No Escape, a sub-heavy roller which will please the more minimalistic heads amongst you. Banging stuff.
Review: Biological Beats mainstay and LionDub International high roller Flat T arrives on Murky Digital with a little slice of everything. At six tracks large and extensively deep, the artist doesn't shy away from a bit of snarling bass in "Everything I Taught You" and heavy riffs in "Nooks & Crannies". Stripping it back a little more with some added percussion in "Now Inside" next to some stand out snares in "Fill Me In" - the stand out track here is no question "Shuttle". A number that takes in Flat T's entire sound-world that's full of tempo, edgy liquid rhythms and falling atmospheres. Blast off.
Review: Murky Digital don't tend to put out music that's weak, thin or otherwise not suitable for the dancefloor. Jaxx's Prepare For Take Off EP is a testament to that, all five cuts do some serious damage and the release overall is certainly on the sharper end of the spectrum. 'Take Off' is the best of the bunch and it's got a rough, Sofa Sound edge that injects a satisfying level of oomph into the arrangement, there's a serious vibrancy in the bass-drums relationship and it's a pleasure to listen to. 'Stacks' is a close second and its incredibly unique concoction of swirling basses and gargling pulsars adds a wicked futuristic element, all of it underpinned by a creative, stepping percussive line. There's a wicked variety here and everything feels accurate and well-placed - well played to the Murky Digital crew.
Review: Last spotted on Murky telling us to 'Prepare For Take Off', Jaxx is now back on the label and fully out of orbit with this rocket-powered five track attack. All wriggly and highly filthed, Jaxx's sound continues to hit the funkiest spots between jump-up and minimal; there's a nice whiff of Die to the title track 'Weight Off Your Shoulders', 'Be Strong' balances a sweet vocal element with a buzzsaw bassline while Dub General features on the tense, growling behemoth that is 'Got You Here', 'Nice One Mate' is a low-swinging grumbler with cheeky jazzy flourishes before 'TJA Bro' closes the EP on a grizzly early 2000s Full Cycle style message. The Jaxx Action!
Review: Murky Digital are a label who do what their name might suggest in that they release digital murkiness on a regular basis. Black Lagoon is a various artists release that brings together Jaxx, Euphonique, Vital, Damageman and Tarz, all of whom have contributed dastardly naughty tracks. Vital's 'Bank Robbers' is up there with the best of them and it's all about that bassline, a foghorn of groaning, fiery proportions which rattles its way through the arrangement. Damageman also impresses with 'Low Signal', a sub-heavy roller which will please the more minimalistic heads amongst you. Banging stuff.
Review: Konz has absolutely smashed this one. Brand new on Murky Digital, Paper Man is a minimal collection of forceful tones and subby wobbles, each track has this funky, stepping feel to it and there are some seriously dirty bass touches. 'Blinded' is exactly that, with a jungley but excessively clean drum line, this track just rolls out and out with a wicked progression that takes you on a tour through futuristic, grating soundscapes. DJ Hybrid also lands on the remix for 'Paper Man', which he hasn't changed much except to ground even further into a solid bed of sine waves and snapping snare cracks.
Review: Make like a tree and Leaf: one of the most innovative artists to breakthrough in recent years, Leaf's left-of-centre, gutter-chomping textures and twisted dynamics have become a staple of the more underground side of D&B and a buy-on-sight situation. This EP is no exception; the distorted tubular grunt of "Glitch", the twisted strings and gammon sample in the breakdown of "Muck Meat", the offbeat harmonics and faraway soul of "Luv" and the freaky sci-fi stepper funk of "One Jah"... Each and every cut a stone cold singular thumper. Time to branch out.
Review: Hot on the heels of his recent return to AudioPorn, Leaf rustles up more crispy goodness this time on Murky. As with previous branches of his work, expect the unexpected as things get brilliantly twisted and unusual; 'Roll On Fleek' drops into an absolute jam with its strange harmonics and relentless energy while 'Don Gargon' finger clicks its way into subby minimal madness and 'Clicker Ready' closes the EP with some industrial strength savagery. Essential heaviness. Now make like a tree.
Leaf - "Dup Up The Dance" (BassBrothers remix) - (4:06) 175 BPM
Saxxon - "Long Haul" - (4:48) 175 BPM
NiteRider - "River Monster" - (4:23) 175 BPM
Fena - "Audible" - (4:34) 172 BPM
Meladee - "Connoisseur" - (4:23) 175 BPM
Review: Niterider, Saxxon and more are landing on Murky Digital with the Wolf Man EP and, as you can probably tell from the name of the label it's coming out on, it's a seriously murky bit of work. This is obvious from the first tune, a BassBrothers remix of Leaf's 'Dup Up The Dance', which expands hugely down into the back end with penetrating force, swaying and moving as it goes. The rest of the release is powered by the same relentlessness and 'Long Haul'' carries an expansive back end that undergirds a sequence of menacing sampling, whilst 'Audible' possibly has the most creative bassline on the release in a wicked display of dancefloor heat. Sick stuff.
Review: Over on Murky Digital, Masker is banging out the badness with a brand new single that features MC heat on both cuts courtesy of Jimmy Danger and Indigo. It's a typically moody release from the label and the producer, who have a track record of this kind of thing, and 'Dark Statement' rests above gully, pitched down drums that beef up the bigness and provide a solid basis on which it's stabby basses can roar through the spaces. Indigo puts in a wicked performance on 'At Midnight', as its inch-perfect drums inch out with devilish precision, the perfect accompaniment to a bassline that's like an elbow in the face - but in a good way. Top notch.
Review: Murky Digital are a regular here on Juno and for good reason, their proclivity for steadily releasing rough but energetic, whole-hearted cuts is strong and their small size doesn't prevent the release of top-quality music. The title track is the strongest on the release, with a Sofa Sound-esque feel to its cracking percussion and a torn, broken back end that rips across the range with style. The other four cuts go down an equally rolling, stripped back route and, if you like the tougher side of things, this is the release for you.
Review: He's back! Mr Alf-E doesn't release a huge amount, but when he does it's always essential checking as he leaves no holds unbarred. Each of these four tracks provides a firing example. 'Pulling A Gun On Me' bumps and bubbles with a timeless wobbly flavour, 'What's A Rock N Rolla' hits with huge levels of crunch as the bassline hits with Mampi levels of heaviness and 'The Grand Dictator' provides a skippier, trippier take on Alf-E's dancefloor sound. 'One Night In Essex' closes the EP with a little old school ravey twist. The only way is Alf-E.
Review: Niterider is landing on Murky Digital with his Dub Elevator EP and, as you can probably tell from the name of the label it's coming out on, it's a seriously murky bit of work. You wouldn't think that from the start of the title track though, which leads you in with a luscious bit of elevator music but that quickly devolves into a pummelling expression of force. The rest of the release is powered by the same relentlessness and 'Killa's' carries an expansive back end that undergirds a sequence of menacing hip-hop sampling, whilst 'The Wob' possibly has the most creative bassline on the release in a wicked display of dancefloor heat. Sick stuff.
Review: T>I has gone from strength to strength over the past couple of years, he's put out two sick EPs on scene-leading label Critical Music and you can tell from listening to his music that his sound is being constantly refined. For this single on Murky digital he steps up with one original and one remix, and the it's the former of these two that is the highlight for us. 'Fine Balance' is just that - finely balanced. There's a tangible synergy between the bouncing yet penetrating drum line and the pulsating, subby back end that pushes down on the range with devastating monotony. T>I is a top producer - just check out the evidence.
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