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Rocstar
Browse the latest digital releases on Rocstar
Review: A fun-filled smasher from Liverpool's Beatmonkeys, who chop and sample a version of "The Sheik Of Araby" and layer it among rave pianos, tough breaks and loads of club 'tude on this new belter on the Rocstar label. While the album version is more breakbeat-orientated, their extended mix is a must-have for house fans as they offer a languid piano build set off nicely against some mainroom kicks and white noise flutters. Cheeky and charming stuff.
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ROCST 63DA
17 Apr 11
Breakbeat
17 Apr 11
Breakbeat
Played by: Mo-Matic
Review: Exclusive to Juno Download, Rocstar main man and nu-funk breaks king Cut La Rock slams it on this cheeky one-off single. Running at a hip-hop tempo and sporting a tight, old-skool loop featuring plenty of Eastern percussion, CLR offers up the beat to two UK MC's - Coppa and Native Sun - who both kick unique verses with killer lines in each. Don't ask us to pick a favourite, they're both pretty tight spitters who both marry their flow to the beat perfectly here.
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ROCST 74DA
23 Oct 11
Breakbeat
23 Oct 11
Breakbeat
Review: Caper?s "Poker Ghost EP" gets a release on Cut La Roc?s excellent Rocstar label. Featuring three original productions, Caper explores the deeper side of dubstep whilst melting together the sounds of dubstep, garage, breaks, grime and even reggae. Having released on a number of other imprints, it now looks as though Caper has found his home on Rocstar.
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ROCST 38DA
25 Feb 10
Dirty Dubstep/Trap/Grime
25 Feb 10
Dirty Dubstep/Trap/Grime
Review: Back with his third album, Big Beat pioneer Lee "Cut La Roc" Potter has created a kaleidoscopic set of songs that make his early days on Skint suddenly seem like a very long time ago. As someone who grew up on hip-hop, it's maybe not surprising to hear so many influences at work at one time. There are plenty of B-Boy references, most notably on "Come Get Some" which features an amazing guest spot from MC Donald D, as well as a choice sample from Big Daddy Kane's "Warm It Up Kane". There's also the use of classic UBB tune Pussyfooter on the schizoid party-banger Jump Up & Down.
But surprisingly, there are a host of other styles on show here as well. Pop gets a look in on For The Kids, which uses a Robbie Williams chorus as a hook in between raps from The 6th Letter. Gary Lightbody from Snow Patrol even makes an appearance on Mishka, with La Roc making a soundbed of sampled strings for the singer to let loose on. A pair of songs with vocalist Alex Larke also showcases some unexpected influences. Don't Stop seems pleasantly indebted to The Rolling Stones, while their other collaboration Candy Man is a slow and sentimental piano-led ballad.
There's still a lot of jump-up club tunes that fans would expect from a Cut La Roc album, like the awesome Nightlife Love and Hey Girl which features a great performance from Ragga MC Lion D. But it's refreshing to hear a DJ produce an album that takes them out of their comfort zone, especially when it works as well as Larger Than Life.
But surprisingly, there are a host of other styles on show here as well. Pop gets a look in on For The Kids, which uses a Robbie Williams chorus as a hook in between raps from The 6th Letter. Gary Lightbody from Snow Patrol even makes an appearance on Mishka, with La Roc making a soundbed of sampled strings for the singer to let loose on. A pair of songs with vocalist Alex Larke also showcases some unexpected influences. Don't Stop seems pleasantly indebted to The Rolling Stones, while their other collaboration Candy Man is a slow and sentimental piano-led ballad.
There's still a lot of jump-up club tunes that fans would expect from a Cut La Roc album, like the awesome Nightlife Love and Hey Girl which features a great performance from Ragga MC Lion D. But it's refreshing to hear a DJ produce an album that takes them out of their comfort zone, especially when it works as well as Larger Than Life.
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ROCST 36DA
11 Feb 10
Hip Hop/R&B
11 Feb 10
Hip Hop/R&B
Review: Firstly, what an album title! Secondly, we're glad to see UK hip-hop, rock and breaks trio The Sixth Letter doing so well - with their debut album out this week on Cut La Roc's Rocstar label. From the Led Zep-recalling opener "Fly Or Die", it's pretty clear the listener is in for a big, brash and dynamic album. The boys don't disappoint - mixing the intense lyrical insights of "Glass" with soulful and sunny choruses ("Over And Out") and hot foot funk ("Gaffer"). A perfect marriage of beats, rhymes and guitars.
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ROCST 75 DA
30 Oct 11
Breakbeat
30 Oct 11
Breakbeat
Houseplayerz feat Tricky Micky
Review: The alias of producer Stuart Green, Houseplayaz has steadily built up a following on the house/electro/breaks scene, enjoying big support from Seb Fontaine, Dave Spoon and the Plump DJs to name but a few. Cut La Roc's Rocstar label is the latest to get on board, releasing the summery pop-trance of "Yes Man" which features a hook-laden vocal from Tricky Micky. Look out for the build 'n' drop-filled "extended' version too for a more club-friendly rework.
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ROCST77DA
27 Nov 11
Breakbeat
27 Nov 11
Breakbeat
Review: Canadian bass and breaks newcomer Van Tek marks his debut for Cut La Roc's Rocstar label with three excellent mid-tempo wobblers on this tasty EP. "106 Miles" keeps the funk firmly in place despite the techy sheen, "In The Name of Spain" adds a chunky bassline to some bashment acapella action and "Partial Nudity" swings in nicely with a hip-hop aesthetic, a cheeky Family Guy sample and plenty of lovely liquid bass.
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ROCST 79DA
12 Feb 12
Breakbeat
12 Feb 12
Breakbeat
Review: What we have here is a rather resplendent head nod to Cut La Roc's early days as the big beat DJ du jour. With hip-hop sensibilities and a penchant for the groove, while others swashbuckled, he strutted. This emotive, string-drenched hip-hop cut would've sounded just as good back then as it does now. Timeless, perfectly arranged, soulful and coated with some decent rhymes, it's not dissimilar to that poignant-but-funky-but-sad-but-happy hip-hop that Ugly Duckling do really well. For kicks he's thrown in the instrumental, making this a great battle tool for some hip-hop trickery -the type of trickery Cutty became known for in the first place.
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ROCST 82DA
22 Apr 12
Breakbeat
22 Apr 12
Breakbeat
Review: There are two things you need to survive in life - music and puns. Sheer, unashamed, silly puns. Willy's got both; his chucklesome name giving birth to the forthcoming album title Bardcore. We approve. You'll have to wait until later in the month for that, in the meantime chow down on this fine album track. Featuring the syrup-toned legend from Freak Power, Ashley Slater, "Avatar" is a dreamy, squelchy nu funk nugget with instant heart-melt potential. Prime material timed perfectly for any sunshine sets you've got coming up, it's complemented by a deeply trippy rub from Jazz-Magz Avatari and a soulful D&B flex via Slim Blue.
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ROCST 83DA
29 Apr 12
Breakbeat
29 Apr 12
Breakbeat
Cut La Roc feat Tricky Micky
Played by: Mo-Matic
Review: Cut La Roc and Tricky Micky's tongues are so far in their cheeks right here, they're almost doing rude things to themselves. Spitting sharp, snide commentary on the faults, foibles and funk-ups of his life, Tricky's lyrics are so rude they'd make Gordon Ramsay run away crying to his mum. More British than The Queen having a cup of tea in the boot of a Mini, about a million times funnier and a billion times funkier, this is a great example of unique UK party hip-hop. Just for added japes, they've thrown in a radio edit and, in case you can't relate to Micky's messed up diatribe, there's a great instrumental on board too.
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ROCST 84 DA
14 May 12
Breakbeat
14 May 12
Breakbeat
Review: Neatly hyped by his "Avatar" single at the start of the month, Rocstar's new funker-in-residence William Breakspear brings the noise on his debut LP. And what noise it is! Sitting comfortably somewhere between raw funk, hip-hop and dancefloor-driven nu-funk, Billy boy delivers in every way; even with the pun-fuelled title. With 10 sterling tracks on board, we can't list them all, but here are a few hot tips... "Mountain Fort" is a wonderfully trippy slice of deep dub, "Innovation" is a screaming slab of concentrated party fusion that features back-in-the-day legends Credit To The Nation, "Brave New World" drives us to the most darkened corners of the dance with a bashment rhythm and well textured bass tones while "Man Up" celebrates all things carnival. That's four tracks; have a buzz on the other six yourselves!
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ROCST 85 DA
20 May 12
Breakbeat
20 May 12
Breakbeat
Review: Label chief of Spanky Panky Records and a pretty mean producer as well, William Breakspear marks himself out as the bard of breakbeat on this new release for Cut La Roc's Rocstar label. With 90s UK hip-hop stars Credit To The Nation leading the rhyme charge, WB cooks up a swaggering, rock-influenced beat while singer Georgina Upton drops a teasing chorus that fits in perfectly amid the hyped verses and souped-up breaks. Truly kick-ass stuff, and a perfect addition to Rocstar's dependable catalogue.
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ROCST 70 DA
26 Jun 11
Breakbeat
26 Jun 11
Breakbeat
Review: Hot on the heels of a killer remix package of their 2008 anthem "MSG" Afghan Headspin release the Schwarzenegger sized "Total Recall" which blends Happy Hardcore piano hooks and chipmunk vocals with heavy breaks and trancey synths for maximum effect. Japanese breakbeat artist Eshericks drops a killer progressive breakbeat banger with a very effective breakdown whereas as Jersey quartet Schema add further to their reputation with a mid range dubstep tear out. Afgan Headspin finish off things themselves with "5 Years 10 Years" a cheeky little dubstep number with menacing bass stabs, off key hats and comedy samples.
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ROCST 48DA
20 Jun 10
Breakbeat
20 Jun 10
Breakbeat
Review: Exclusive to Juno Download, this is a big release from Cut La Roc's Rocstar label, courtesy of Norwegian dub 'n' breaks mentalist Mindflow. Keeping on a half-step rhythm but given extra bounce thanks to thick and joyous rave stabs, "Need To Be" is hot to trot for either dubstep or nu-school breaks fans. London duo Afghan Headspin give it a D&B rerub but at a housey tempo, with an Amen-soundalike beat and killer white-noise breakdown working wonders on this mash up masterpiece.
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ROCST 67DA
23 May 11
Breakbeat
23 May 11
Breakbeat
Played by: Afghan Headspin
Review: London based multi-genre collective Pixel Fist (comprised of Audio, Lorne, Mackie and Stapleton MC of Renegade Hardware fame) come storming back after their super gully remix of Noisia "Gutterpump" with an epic EP on Rocstar Recordings. Taking the title track from their 2010 album Our Sound, Pixel Fist bring in DaVip, Rack N Ruin and Dubsidia on remix duties. Expect rambunctious Slavic abandon in the first instance, followed by a dark, glowering interpretation by R and R and an ominous, Feed Me-esque re-lick from Dubsidia. Pixel Fist's "Beware" completes the EP with some gnarly bassline murderation at 140bpm. Nasty!
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ROCST 68DA
30 May 11
Dirty Dubstep/Trap/Grime
30 May 11
Dirty Dubstep/Trap/Grime
Review: A fondant funkster. A Battenberg badboy. A cupcake crusader - whatever you want to call him, Cakeboy is one of the sweetest things to happen in the breaks world for a long, long time. Baked with precision, his debut album is tasty to the very last crumb. Ranging from the gritty rolls and old school stabs of "Come & Get It" to the mechanical tripletty skankage of "Glam Sandwich" via the mind-bending bass warps and acid mentalism of "Gettin' Carried Away", each cut on this impressive album is cooked with dedicated dancefloor dynamism. Tuck in today.
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ROCST 113DA
03 Nov 13
Breakbeat
03 Nov 13
Breakbeat
Review: Music is rife with repetition. It thrives off it, from sampling to homages to pastiche. But we guarantee you have never heard anything like this. It's Shakespeare's Othello told in a UK hip-hop narrative. No, really. What's more, it genuinely works; while charged at rate of verbal knots, bardman Charlie D's lyrical approach is clear and emphatic, enveloping you into the tragic tale with true storyteller skills. The beats, meanwhile, flicker and faze with the right balance of poignancy and bass. Genuinely unique.
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ROCST114DA
24 Nov 13
Breakbeat
24 Nov 13
Breakbeat
Review: His third album in as many decades, Unique 3's influence and clout in electronic music is still wholly relevant, forward-thinking and commendably genre-smashing as it was when he unleashed "The Theme" in 1990. 17 tracks wide, the whole album weighs in at almost two hours with each track tickling a different corner of dance music's underbelly. From the stunning Orbtialesque opener "Broke My Dream" to the slippery subby D&B skips of "Daddy Ain't Around" via the lush acid house bubbles and rushy synth washes of "SIP 9", we're switched and flipped from style to style with due consistency and clarity. Other highlights include the dreamy breakbeat wobbles and ripples of "Alteratio", the chop-slapping big room house of "Memories Inside My Head" and the epic mesmerisation of the 11 minute finale "Flam Flam". Picture perfect.
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ROCST 115DA
05 Jan 14
Breakbeat
05 Jan 14
Breakbeat
Played by: Clairvo (MustBeat), Mooqee, Johnnypluse, Juno Recommends Breakbeat, Radical Mixtape, WBBL, Crashgroove
Review: One of the funk and breaks scene's most enduring, influential players, Cut La Roc reminds us what's important in life: going to church on a Sunday morning and giving it up for the big bearded man above. Prayers don't come much funkier; with big soul elements oozing out of every element, it's an instant ticket to party heaven. Remix-wise we're spoilt for choice: Herbgrinder ups the gnarly bass factor, Roast Beatz adds a sprinkle of ghetto attitude to his blend while Fonkyson fuses the mix with lazer-strutting synths and shades of subtle slap bass. Cut La Roc has smashed it on this one. If only all sermons were this funky.
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ROCST117DA
09 Mar 14
Breakbeat
09 Mar 14
Breakbeat
Review: Having appeared on William Breakspear's album last summer, Credit To The Nation bolster their return again with this spiked out slammer from Cornish firestarter Cakeboy. Running amok with an electro-charged riff, Cakey's provided the ideal bed for CTTN's rapid-fire conscious spittage. Not feeling the vocal? Jump on the instrumental version "Funkin Marvellous". Tasty!
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ROCST 109DA
15 Sep 13
Breakbeat
15 Sep 13
Breakbeat
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ROCST 126DA
10 Aug 14
Deep House
10 Aug 14
Deep House
Mechanical Pressure feat Dice
Played by: Juno Recommends Breakbeat
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ROCST 119DA
13 Apr 14
Breakbeat
13 Apr 14
Breakbeat
Cakeboy feat Frances Law
Review: Crumbs! Cakeboy remains as sweet as ever with this first new track since his impressive album Gateau Blaster. Teaming up with the rather raunchy, emphatic sounding Frances Law, the pair have cooked up a gritty, growling breakbeat groove that's super-charged with sexy prowess. Remix-wise Dutty Moonshine get wild on a slap-happy 140 flex while Sirkus Sirkuz lay down a more subtle 4/4 vibe that - thanks to some very distinctive detuned synth work and Beltram-flavoured strings - builds into a timeless techno monster. Do not delay: Cause some "Damage" today!
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ROCST 120DA
11 May 14
Breakbeat
11 May 14
Breakbeat
Played by: Barrio Katz, Cat in the Hat, Boogieburg, Juno Recommends Breakbeat, Sammy Senior, Dusty Tonez, Radical Mixtape, Bart&Baker, Relative Dimensions
Review: Party-upstarts Dutty Moonshine push the 'next level' button with their debut album Rum Runners. If you've seen them annihilate a club or festival in the past you'll already know what to expect... Full-frontal, full-flavoured audio carnage. Fusing aspects of swing over a walloping electro 4/4, it's an unrelenting brew that's ultimately unique. Highlights include the spatters of jazz piano and arresting vocals on "Bang Bang Boom", the molten rave motifs of the slamming breakbeat jam "Steazy Hangover" and the mischievous bump n' shuffle of "Showbiz". Genuinely one-of-a-kind, Dutty Moonshine are rapidly establishing themselves as an unstoppable force in dance music right now. Go on...Pull a moony today!
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ROCST 121DA
08 Jun 14
Breakbeat
08 Jun 14
Breakbeat
Review: Swing and soul ambassadors Captain Flatcap can be found in live three-piece form and solo DJ form. Right here they're clearly operating as a tight unit as an array of organic instruments fly at us from every angle, weaving and bobbing amid treacle-thick cheeky bass. "Bonklet" is a madcap jam with fellow swing sizzlers Dutty Moonshine, all leads and counter leads overlapping with mischief. "Enhancement", meanwhile, plays the soothing counter as we're soothed by flutes and massaged by harpsichord melodies. Deeper into the EP we're chop-slapped by raw swing skanks and savage bass licks on "Blaze Up" and shin-kicked by the gypsy insanity of the accordion-charged "On Your Bike". Tasty.
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ROCST 122DA
15 Jun 14
Breakbeat
15 Jun 14
Breakbeat
Review: A 30-strong rhythm commission headed up by one Aid Todd, Drum Machine are a tub-thumping collective that are often spotted frothing up festival frenzies across the UK. Here we find Rocstar capturing them at their most DJ friendly with a creative tool that will drive any crowd wild. Those looking for a little more than raw drum power will enjoy the star-gazing, almost prog-like remix from Aid himself. Or indeed the chop-slapping house twist from Sonny Wharton and Mango Trasher. Looking for something a lot more pumping and trance-tinged? Head for Syrum's remix and you'll be more than satisfied. Like the majority of Rocstar releases, this is genuinely unique.
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ROCST124DA
06 Jul 14
Funky/Club House
06 Jul 14
Funky/Club House
Cut La Roc feat Sally Bloomer
Played by: Jimi Needles
Review: Rocstar bossman Cut La Roc doesn't release new music half as much as he should, but when he does, attention needs to be paid. "Let's Spend The Night Together" is a steamy, sexy jam that's as dirty as it is suggestive. Sally Bloomer's sultry tones work perfectly over the jacking, mangled horn bass and juicy subs. Also included is a stripped back instrumental dub version named "Bugle". Naked and raw, it carries the same naughty nocturnal message as the original with vocal-free prowess. Solid.
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ROCST 123DA
22 Jun 14
Funky/Club House
22 Jun 14
Funky/Club House
