Under the expert tutelage of multi-talented label boss and soul-supplier Lenzman, homegrown Dutch label The North Quarter has firmly established itself as the premier location for soulful, vocal, liquid-infused drum & bass, never afraid of diverging into their foundational hip hop, funk and downtempo influences, as well as cherished dips into the more weighty, rolling corners of the 174bpm sound and beyond. Formed in 2016, their roster is a globetrekking ode to the musical artform TNQ call home; Lenzman, Redeyes, FD, Satl, Anile, Echo Brown, Tokyo Prose and Submorphics, plus shining vocalists and micmen Fox, Dan Stezo and Abnormal Sleepz, all have honed their sublime art on the imprint. Close friends and guests to the label have included Children of Zeus, iamddb, Myth, KinKai, Akemi Fox and [ K S R ], adding to that quintessential family feel; this is the ethos of the always consistent TNQ. With a fresh, groundbreaking aesthetic and artstyle, luxurious LP’s and full length albums, emotionally educatory EPs, thoughtful, diverse compilations like ‘Quarter to Quarter’ & ‘NQ State of Mind’ and events all over the world; The North Quarter is truly a unique, once-in-a-lifetime musical phenomenon.
Review: An sporting tale of collaboration, fusion and football: the TNQ All Stars are a collective of key artists from Lenzman's stable The North Quarter such as FD, Satl, Redeyes and Submorphics (to name but a few). Not credited individually and rolling as one unit, vibing off the moment and each other's ideas, each track took seed in an undisclosed location near where football legends Ruud Gullit and Frank Rijkaard first met. Laced with vocals from key TNQ songsmiths Steo and Fox, the end result is a unique but seamless and fluid set that really shines with the label's spirit. Ranging from the sweetest of soul to much darker, driving roll-outs, this is beautiful story from one of the most inspiring labels active in dnb right now.
Review: Following the release 'Kilburn' last summer, Zero T and his piano virtuoso neighbour Onj continue to soundtrack and document the vibes and history of their north west London cultural melting pot with 'Kilburn Park'. Album in size, and a feast in terms of scope and range, the flavours range from high grade neo soul and jazzy broken beat to the finale D&B slappers and smoulder sessions. With remixes from various Co-Op members such as newcomer James Rudie and bruk OG Mark Force (from Bugz In The Attic) this is an exciting development for Lenzman's label as he is now highlighting and nurturing the type of influences that The North Quarter has always been inspired by... Exceptional, organic and deeply soulful. Zero T and Onj have created something truly special here.
Review: Polish talent Satl returns to Lenzman's label The North Quarter with his most accomplished and wide-armed bodies of work so far. Taking us on a trip through his influences and widescreen musical vision, the album stretches from full-on technoid D&B ('Hard Times') to bubbling, twisted funk ('Werk It') via smouldering, unclassifiable dark soul ('Ride Or Die') and dreamy breakbeats ('Standing By') With many other sides to his sound revealed throughout, this is an exceptional and very impressive album.
Review: Having previously appeared on the label's 'NQ State Of Mind' a while back, Sam Binary makes his full release debut on Lenzman's label The North Quarter with 'Reality Slip'. As with all releases on TNQ, the variety and scope of the release is massive as we're slapped silly with seven crucial breakbeat assaults. Each cut rolling with a great sense of old school charm, highlights include the Good Looking flavours and feels of 'Travelling Somewhere', the barbed soul of the Deviant-featured 'Want U' and the deep UKG finale 'The Shroud'. What an EP and proper label debut - we're looking forward to hearing more from Sam on The North Quarter in the future.
Review: The people's champion FD returns to Lenzman's HQ with four more supreme pieces. Each one flexing hard around the FD spectrum, we got every flavour you need right here... 'Shawn Kemp' is a real blaster jam with a rugged, crisp bass riff, 'Mama Told Me' sends us off to bed without tea for skanking too hard to Hella's prominent bars while 'Double Drizzle' is the consummate bubbler with its tubular bass glide and jazzy keys. Last but most definitely not least 'Sails' eases us back to earth with its silky soulful flow. The 'Pleasure' is ours.
Review: Everybody needs good neighbours... And they don't come much better than Zero T and his pianist neighbour Onj. The pair had been living next door to each other for years without even knowing each other, now, thanks to a local situation, they're writing whole albums together. As always with Zero T, the vibes are set at the highest possible flavours and range from soulful to savage at the flick of a switch. Blind pianist Onj is new to D&B production but clearly knows the vibe and articulates his musicianship over the breaks tastefully, skilfully and perfectly. Featuring vocalists such as the legendary Ursula Rucker, Steo and T-Man (to name but a few), this is a class body of work delivered in that elegant way that only The North Quarter knows how.
Review: The North Quarter's second mix project is headed by two of the label's leading artists: Redeyes & Fox. The Amsterdam-based label believes that the mixtape is an important symbol in the formative years of many artists and seeks to continue the beloved tradition. Featuring a bunch of TNQ exclusives, there's a whopping 31 tracks across NQ State Of Mind, Vol. 2, featuring premium material by the likes of Alexx A-Game, Echo Brown, Satl, Submotive and many more plus a continuous mix by Redeyes & Fox. Join the label in celebrating five years in the business and the artists that make the label the respected entity it is today.
Review: Veteran producer Ben Tyrone makes his debut on Amsterdam's The North Quarter with Hurt Index, which the Newcastle native recorded over a two year period and he challenged himself to step out of his comfort zone. Tyrone explains 'the entire process has in a way been very cathartic, sort of like a spring clean for the brain.' From the high-tech neurofunk of "Come Closer" and "Untitled Matrix", to the intelligent drum and bass roller "City Lights" and ending with the emotive steppa "Misconceptions" - here's a bespoke six track statement of where this talented producer is at right now.
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