This year marks the 30th anniversary of the '92 big bang of Breakbeat Hardcore kistarting from UK and there's nothing better during this year than having an astounding row of class releases from producers and labels that take it even further.
This week, we got an e-mail (as already signed on the mailing list) from the hard working crew over Def Star about the brand new absolutely slamming debut Vinyl of a fresh label called, Phonomena Records.
Based in Bournemouth, the label is launched by Rage and Renegade, who have been working together in the rave scene since 1993. Growing up just west of London they started with a residency on pirate Radioactive FM, which led to performances at venues such as the Roller Express and many events around the UK and Europe. A shared love of Hardcore and Jungle and the resurgence of the sound has resulted in the pair’s debut release, part 1 of the ongoing LazerDrome series with 3 tracks in the Hardcore Jungle style.
The A side is a flashback to the early Slammin’ Vinyl style of releases, loud and full of energy with many musical twists and turns, designed for DJs to have fun mixing with.
First up on the AA side is 'Chains'. featuring big rave pianos layered with Landlord stabs to bring a fresh sound to the classic A.S.H.A. riff. Finally, 'Jagged Edge' - twisting up the synths and layering it with a dirty beat to make a Hardcore stomper that’s quite a bit rowdier than the famous original.
With advance DJ support from the likes of Bizzy B and Tim Reaper, this release comes on strictly Limited yellow edge glow vinyl with hand stamped labels in assorted colour combinations supplied at random from a strictly limited run of just 175 we do not anticipate these hanging about.
Last but not least, exclusively on Def Star you can order one out of the 25 vinyls hand stamped with a blue & red combo on the label that give a '3D effect' when viewed through 3D glasses (which are supplied with the 25 limited 3D STAMPED vinyls only).
Option to choose 1 colour standard stamped or "3d Effect" ltd stamped with retro 3d glasses.
GL0WKiD's Generation X [RadioShow] highlights the brand new record of Z-Neo, 'Trueskool LP'. The show was broadcasted on 25th October @ Kniteforce Radio and you can listen back on mixcloud on the link below.
Strictly Nuskool Blog premiere of 'Kazuho - Lismo' [Club Glow]
Club Glow is back for another instalment of our Cassette series, getting on board label favourites and good friends Estella Boersma & Kazuho onto the label.
Side A is EstellaBoersma at her finest, a sci-fi journey through the breakbeat continuum while Side B is Kazuho's interpretation of UK Rave culture with a Japanese influence.
Available digitally and on Lilac cassette tape with a double sided comic panel designed by both artists. Release date November 4th 2022.
It was the very last day of this summer when Brighton's finest Rave Radio Records made a statement about the orders of the Test Presses of their next installment. The previews were credited to an 'Unknown Artist' for a few days - a proper teaser to the masses, till the first days of September when they dropped the name of the artist. And it was no one else but the German Hardcore Breaks prince, Z-NEO.
Coming back stronger right after his storming 'New Hope EP' from last year, which went down a storm, Z-Neo brings about a sophomore chapter of an ultimate raveolution to your soul. Again it's all about the intensive storming beats, obeying to the oldskool ethos and most of all to his passion to produce breakbeats and to remain hardcore in everything.
Kickstarted his journey in the early days of the 90s and swamping with an Amiga 2000 alongside his brother, till his Psychedelic, D&B and Ambient creations, Martin (his real name) has been always musically busy. And his brand new material is once again absolutely stunning!
"Originally Z-Neo and I were about to release a 4-track EP called the 'Dope Enuff ' EP, which just included the 4 tracks on disc 1 and because of the delays in the pressing plants and Z-Neo was continuing to send me some new tracks that blew my mind and were so good that I felt that this wanted a 2 or 3 disc EP into an album. So we both felt that an album would really compliment his hard work." recalls Sam Purcell, the owner of Rave Radio Records who signed this new material by Z-Neo.
The support has been huge since the Test Presses gone out easily and eventually all of the 12 tracks from there stand out differently. Eventually, this means a lot.
"And as a label manager I asked quite a few different individuals in the scene who bought Test Presses or I sent them Test Presses to, to gain their information of what's their top 3 from the album. And what was really quite amazing is that there was no pattern to what these people came back to me with. Everyone has different preferences. Z-Neo was able to really show versatility in his production whilst keeping just absolute banging Hardcore music coming up from the studio." mentions Sam, who's feeling grateful for all the support off this release and happy as well getting the established street artist, illustrator SNBU23 from Brighton to make the artwork for this album.
"As a label manager, Z-Neo's final 12 tracks made me feel incredibly proud to put out his music. The music that he produced there really captulates what I feel like pure energy music. It's relentless in my mind and it makes me feel so invigorated when I hear it." - Sam Purcell
"Rave Radio Records Presents: Z-Neo - Trueskool. 12 brand new tracks across 3 discs. The exclusive album artwork illustration is by SNUB23, one of Brighton's prolific graffiti/street artists"
Z-Neo inside his studio
On behalf of this amazing album we had the chance for a quick chat with the German artist Z-Neo who's opening his files about his projects and how his heart beats for Hardcore.
GK: Martin, you currently live in Frankfurt, Germany. How's things over there regarding the Electronic music scene?
Z-NEO: For about 27 years I was living in Berlin, 4 years ago I moved away to a small town near Frankfurt called Butzbach :) So I’m out of the big city-biz, living a peaceful life. Can’t say much about the Electronic music scene in Frankfurt, not sure if Techno is as big as it was in the beginning of the 90s when Sven Väth and other guys ruled the city, guess I’m old now haha. But in the early 90s in Frankfurt we enjoyed going to the club ‘XS’ (later ‘The Box’), where Hardcore and Jungle was played.
GK: There are already some massive releases from your locals: Dragon Technical Records, Parallax Recordings, Systec, Shar-Pei, TNO Project, Alex Jungle and a few others. I'd like to know from your perspective how a producer from a Techno capital, thinks about Hardcore Breakbeat?
Z-NEO:In Germany, Breakbeat was never as big as in England, though there were enough people who lost their heart and souls to the broken stuff, guess I’m one of them :) When I started to listen to Electronic music the DJs from Germany were playing various styles in their sets, mixing Rave/Techno-stuff with Breakbeat which I liked a lot. From '94 on there came the big separation when DJs no longer dared to play anything but one style.
I guess Hardcore Breakbeat has always a very special place in my mind because the raw untamed energy is outstanding – especially compared to other ‘boring’ electronic music. I think the music is made for people who love high energy. Yeah and it’s nice to see that people and labels from Germany are also part of the Hardcore Breakbeat- and Jungle scene.
GK: What are the records that inspired you to get into Breakbeat?
Z-NEO:There were a few records but mainly it was the 'Ganja Man' EP by Mike Slammer and Red Alert, also Prodigy kicked ass with the 'Everybody In The Place' EP. Also NRG/Liquid Crystal, Acen and Hyper On Experience have been a big inspiration.
GK:Is it true that you're also into Psychedelic Trance and Ambient music? Are there any similarities with Hardcore Breaks in any kind of spirit that also helped you with your HCB productions?
Z-NEO:Yes that’s true, together with my mate Oli I’m doing dark Psychedelic Trance, our name is Nobot (https://soundcloud.com/nobotno). We’re doing this since 7 years, before we produced some Electro-stuff. In the last 29 years I produced electronic music in several styles, from Rave to IDM/Braindance, Hardcore Breakbeat, DnB, I’ve also produced two tracks for a relatively well know Hip Hop artist as well as some Dub and some special commissions.
About the similarities: When an artist produces several styles of music, I guess there a two major ways: One way is to use the sounds from a certain style also in your other productions (other styles) which – for my ears - often results in music that’s neither fish nor meat. The other way is to clearly separate the styles (as much as it’s useful) but use your growing experience regarding sound production for the other styles. To be honest I think I didn’t produce any Psytrance-track without layering a breakbeat on top haha. But for example when I produce Hardcore-Breaks I wouldn’t use Psy-sounds – even if they are way more diverse, there are unlimited Psy-sounds coming out of the Modular System, but I don’t feel that they would be useful to capture the 92/93 Hardcore Breakbeat vibe :)
GK:Last year you released one of the greatest records within the scene, the 'New Hope EP'. How you got in touch with Rave Radio Records - the whole deal and general feedback for your tracks?
Z-NEO: Thanks a lot mate, means a lot to me :)
While I was producing the 4 tracks I stumbled across some Breakbeat mixsets from DJ Systec and Shar-Pei on Youtube which blew me away. I contacted Systec and asked if he wants to give my tracks a listen. He liked the tracks but told me that they’ve stopped with their label Dragon Technicals a few years before. But he was really kind and was sending the music to Sammy from Rave Radio Records. And Sammy is such a nice guy, I think it’s awesome that he was putting it on wax :)
Also afterwards he pushed me into making an album which resulted in the 'Trueskool' LP. Really glad to work with him!!!
And the feedback was really nice, gave me the energy to do more. Also you and me we were getting in contact through the first EP, awesome to see when music connects people :)
GK:'Trueskool' LP. Is it true and how come with this title?
Can you give an insight of the progress of your new work and a track-by-track short description from your own perspective?
Z-NEO: Yes it’s true, damn true :) The title should reflect that the music was mainly made for people who are staying true to the oldschool-sound and that it’s coming from a guy who loves the 92/93-spirit of the broken beats.
On my album I wanted to deliver tracks within a certain range of styles. My goal was to nail the 92/93-vibe using all the necessary ingredients like craziness, darkness, light and also some kind of childish naivety – because I think most of the producers back then didn’t care much about typical song- or track-arrangements.
As far as the individual tracks are concerned, a description of each track would go beyond the scope of the interview :) But here are a few things I generally do when I produce Hardcore Breakbeat:
In almost all my tracks, I try to use a lot of inversion in the chords (piano/strings), because that usually sounds more exciting from my point of view. At the same time, I often try to play a counter-theme with the bassline (and other elements) and not just play the basic notes of the chords. These two methods ensure that I don't get bored with the songs too quickly :)
Another thing I like to do: When there is a section where only the beats and the main sound is playing I like it to add energy to the main sound in the bass range (but only down to 70/80 Hz, so that the illusion of a bass is still created, but not blowing deep down like a sub), to make the whole sound picture sound relatively complete, even without a real sub-bass line. If you then thin out this 'bass range' a little bit on the next 1 with a high-pass filter, you can layer the actual sub-bass line underneath, which can then play a contra melody to the rest. This can create the effect that the listener thinks that you are adding a sub-bassline, although there is already a supposed bass.
Apart from that, I’m using some synths to create my sounds (Moog Voyager, Roland SH-101 and OB-6) that would be difficult to achieve with virtual instruments - especially when it comes to fatness. And of course the Roland U220 for the strings :)
GK: Your thoughts about the Hardcore Breaks scene currently?
Z-NEO: There are some massive tracks out there and it’s nice to see some legends come back. I also love the technical quality of the new productions. Never expected a comeback for Hardcore :)
GK: Why somebody will choose a Hardcore Breakbeat banger for a proper rave?
Z-NEO: If it’s timed right you could make the crowd go wild.
Imagine a rave where the
audience is already in a good mood – and then Liquid Crystal ‘You Got Me’ is being dropped.
GK: What are the next steps for the Z-Neo project? Any kind of a live set maybe for future gigs etc. ?
Z-NEO: I guess I will do some more tracks and see if a live set could be possible in the future, really burning for this idea! At the moment there is a massive change about the priorities of my private life (including a move to a new apartment) so I have to see how long it will take until I’m able to go on.
GK: We're totally buzzing from track 1 when played the promos of this LP, however we'd pick our personal highlights that are 'Turn The Heat Up', 'High As Kite' and 'The Sound'. Amazing work Martin! All the best for your next steps mate. Forever hardcore, forever strong!
Z-NEO: Thanks a lot dear Peri and also thanks a lot for your support :)
GK: Your final essential shouts out ?
Z-NEO: Yeah, shouts are going out to my lovely girls, to my family and friends, to Sammy and the RRR-crew, to the Dragon Technicals and DJ Systec, to Sir Rice and Stephano – and to the Trueskool-crew for keeping the vibe alive!
Finland's established Straight Up Breakbeat is one of those label that shine into the Drum & Bass scene and every release they put out is always into the point. This time they debut their first 10" Vinyl driven by the talent of the Helsinki based DJ Sofa.
DJ Sofa (a.k.a Kia Súmen) is one of those raising tune machines and selectors sparking the interest of many people out there.
With major releases on labels such as Straight up Breakbeat, Myor Massiv, Future Retro and a forthcoming collab with Tim Reaper and Dwarde on Shall Not Fade from Bristol, DJ Sofa proves how stronger she becomes day by day expanding her vibes to every place.
The brand new 10" Vinyl from her, is comprised of 'Junglist Respect' and 'K-Feet' and it's the first of this 10" series that the mighty Finnish label is about to deliver in their next chapter. Two feel-good Jungle tracks that stand for the 90s ethos and theaesthetics that the label preserves.
If you purchase the vinyl on Bandcamp you'd get also the 'Skatta' as bonus track on digital version - it's available exclusively on Bandcamp.
Early support from Mantra, DJ Flight, LTJ Bukem, DJ Aries, Jay Cunning & more.
A Breaking Concept based in Bogotá/Colombia, is a fresh project created by Lamediscos and it aims to connect various nations by the power of rave music. As officially stated on their debut release there are 4 continents, 13 countries, 17 cites, one beat and one love in overall.
The compilation under the name 'Rave Factory' is comprised of 19 tracks ntroducing us producers from places such as Bogotá, Glasgow, Mendoza, Moscow, Tbilisi, L.A., Galway, Brighton, Berlín, Buenos Aires, Lyon, Bradford, Sao Paulo, Auckland, London, Olavarria and París.
"Reminiscences from the old skool calling to your mind, with the RAVE FACTORY V.A., Dance-orientated encounters between broken beats and 4 on the floor, giving an edgier look on Rave, Breakbeat House, Jungle Techno, and OldSchool Hardcore as some of the first genres to narrow the gap between different ethnic backgrounds from around the world like Hip Hop,Rock,Dub, R&B, Punk House, and Techno to merge them into something new. Rusty syncopated drum samples, chest-hitting leads, woofers smashing sub-bass patterns, a constant wave between 2-step and 4x4 Kick drum Patterns, and vocal motifs from back in the day."
It was last year when the mysterious 'DPAL001' 12" Vinyl came out of the blue, then hit the stores and it went down a storm! Now there's a second volume following this incredible sophisticated weapon of oldskool breaks and techno revival. You might be wondering though, who's behind this release?
Stockhom based musician D Palace is one of the recent side projects of Dold, known of his Techno passion and popular off his extravaganza releases on the Arsenik Records - a label that he's co-runs too.
And the vibe never ends. The second personal Vinyl EP by D Palace is his brand new record, and one of those plates that bring you back the early days of the 90s rave either techno-ish or covered by breakbeats. The producer uses his retro futuristic beats inspired by his avid love for the 90s rave sometimes visualized by nostalgia and other times bangs to the bone as hard as you can't imagine with madly strong basslines. In addition, there's also a bit of an.. 'XTC' soundscape inside too; a tune which marks our highlight from this EP and can be found on the flipside of the record.
Save the date! On Friday 2nd December a brand new collective under the name Breakbeat Kulture unleashes their first event @ The Loft in Southampton, UK. A journey from past to present and future with the likes of DJ Jedi, Moakz, DJ Hat and KeeF and the legends Wax & Inferno, who are getting back in action after a while. The party is sponsored by Defstar.
"We like to keep our beats broken, do you? A journey from past to present and future playing the very best breakbeat oldskool hardcore, new breakbeat hardcore, jungle tekno and atmos dnb. This will be the first event and to top it off we will be celebrating Inferno's birthday to boot with a wicked set from the birthday boy himself. We look forward to seeing you all there. The event is free on the door. Friendly attitudes only! See you there, Breakbeat Kulture"
A massive showcase celebrating the debut Long Play album by The Prodigy. One of the records that defined that style of hardcore. In a nutshel this show's an experience captured on 90 minutes of Prodigized thundering vibes from back in 1992.
The infamous brothers from Finland, Aeon Four, have submitted an exclusive guest mix for an anti-war fund-raising Ukrainian podcast.
Productionwise their latest track called 'Equilibrium' is featured on the very fresh second volume of 'Flatliners' and you can grab it here on vinyl and digitally.
Tracklist
FFF - Planet Rhythm (Fresh 86, FRESH86211) Aeon Four - Shadow Leakage (Straight Up Breakbeat, SUBB9605) DJ Yes Yes - Then I Sing (Impact Reset, IR036) Esc - Amuri Dusk (Flatliners Vol 2, FLATS002) Aeon Four - Power Dub (Bukva Sound, forthcoming) Mineral - There (Metius Music) Synthforce - Make Your Spirit Fly (Moakz Remix) (Default Recordings, DEF100UK) Sonar's Ghost - Sweet Surrender (Dalston Chillies, SPCY005) Aeon Four - Stray (Dalston Chillies, SPCY005) DJ Sofa - Kill A Soundboy (Flatliners Vol 2, FLATS002) Raas Kemp - A Piece Of Me (Bukva Sound, forthcoming) Aeon Four - ?? (forthcoming) Aeon Four - Tremor (Straight Up Breakbeat, SUBB012) FFF - Art School Crush (Fresh 86, FRESH86211) Mineral - Suddenly (Metius Music) Aeon Four - Hold Water (Straight Up Breakbeat, SUBB012) Rhytual - Pagan (Microcosm Remix) (Straight Up Breakbeat, SUBB96X1) Msymiakos - Hold Tight (Straight Up Breakbeat, SUBB96X1)
This one goes strictly to those who want it happy, hard, bouncy and chunky.
One of the ultimate heroes of Bouncy Techno and Makina sounds the man like Triple XL (a.k.a. Wayne Chapman), is about to take the masses to the other side of his imprint 'BuddaBeats'. Actually it all came up after a contact with some of his fellow producers to recreate that type of sound that he's been representing over the years among his mates.
"It began as a few phone calls, WhatsApp messages and eventually, a private Facebook group under the name ‘The 9Five Project’ – the meaning behind the project name being that the majority of us suffer a ‘9-to-5’ day job and ’95 being the year most of us were focussing on, in terms of sound and energy. Within this group we traded ideas and samples, links to free VST’s, provided help to one another and we shared YouTube links of our favourite tracks, there was also time left over to taunt pick on the less fortunate from Hull (Welshy)." recalls Wayne and instantly the team had created around 15 tracks under the styles of Bouncy Techno, Hardcore & Happy Hardcore aiming to publish and release them preferably on Vinyl.
All things considered, he felt that the right way to get these tracks out there is the BuddaBeats street. And just for the record, it initially began as a digital only label in 2011 to promote Makina and Bouncy Techno tunes by Triple XL and his friends.
"After IMODownload went bust and Trackitdown sold up, the label and artist's money along with them, BuddaBeats was left in the past." - Triple XL
The label's artwork was originally created by Jake Nicholls/Riddler and it's a nod to the 90's, moreover the Budda mascot is taken from ‘The Belly of Wisdom’ by the incredible illustrator Brandon Zamora/Experimettle. Combined, the label’s artwork is a love letter to the great labels (and their artists) that helped create and establish the Bouncy Techno, Hardcore & Happy Hardcore genres; Evolution Records, Dwarf Records, Babyboom, Revolution Records, Q-Dup Records, Samurai, ID&T, but to name a few.
BuddaBeats - The next chapter
Triple XL was determined to give a boost on his label, driving it to the next level.
"We have 90’s style music and 90’s style artwork. Therefore, I deemed it almost blasphemous to allow that to go to waste. After clearing it with the group it was decided, BuddaBeats would relaunch and give this project a brand name." says Wayne.
Going fast forward to 2022 and inspired by the likes of Kniteforce Records, Jedi Records, Cantina Cuts, Vinyl Fanatiks, Ruffneck etc. the BuddaBeats is now relaunched as a vinyl & digital label to predominantly try and reignite the 90's style 'Bouncy Techno' genre which of course, includes Hardcore, Happy Hardcore & Gabber.
"Each vinyl release would only be a limited run, with the maximum press being 100 records (per release). Of course, this leads to each release being considerably dearer than your larger distribution presses of 300+ but there are no middle-men here, there is no distribution list and I have no contacts to rely on. It’s a small, independent label and I am still trying to find my feet and, indeed, place within the world of releasing records. All I know is - this is a passion project for me and many of the lads involved but I do them to be paid for their music, I want them to see their music put on to a tangible format and I want to see them all thrive as artists but, most of all, I want to try and help to build a new found love amongst the scene for Bouncy Techno." -Triple XL
For the finale of this special feature, we let the Budda head honcho Triple XL to reveal the current roster of BuddaBeats, which is based on 7 stars involved (aside Triple XL himself). And, here we go:
An often-unsung hero of the hardcore scene. Extremely versatile and knowledgeable. A man I feel very fortunate to have known for almost 20 years, a man who’s always available to call on for help, advice and, most importantly, abuse.
One of my best friends in the world. KS1’s love for the 90’s and ability to come up with ideas and create daft-as-f*ck music makes him absolutely perfect for the group.
Based in the North East of England - MJ is know for producing many styles of music, Makina, Bounce and (thankfully, for us) Happy Hardcore/Bouncy Techno. The undisputed kind of keto brings that bouncy North East vibe to BuddaBeats.
Having known M-Project for some time from us both being producers of Makina, him being a producer I highly rate and him releasing a couple of my tracks on his ‘Bastard Pop Terrorists’ Compilations in Japan, I approached him to see if he would be interested in contributing towards the project. To me delight he loved the idea, so here he is!
Another North East based artist, well known for a string of solid Makina releases on ‘The New Monkey EP’ series and the Afterdark Music label, Neil’s love has always been for Hardcore and Bouncy Techno. It’s a pleasure to have a man of his talent releasing on BuddaBeats.
An extremely versatile producer and a man with whom I have a huge amount of respect for. We began working on music for Force 10 Records (Newcastle), ending up amongst the same circle of raves and label owners across the years. Static plays a massive role within BuddaBeats, not only producing some great Bouncy Techno but he also does the artwork for the label’s releases and has given me solid advice when it has come to getting the vinyl out there.
Another one of my best friends and one of the main reasons I got to know my way around Cubase a lot faster in those early days. Over the past 20 years, Welshy has always been there. A talented DJ and Producer and a lover of music of all varieties. Has unhealthy obsessions with M1 Pianos and Americanisms… REALLY?!!?!?
"I am trying hard to convince some of my heroes (or in some instances, even just get a reply from) to produce a track for the label. Scott Brown, Marc Smith, Slipmatt, The DJ Producer, Paul-O, Brisk, DJ Jordens… the list goes on… and on. As much as I love and have faith in the BuddaBeats sound as it is developing, it would be great to have new (but old) music from the producers that have inspired me and all of my artists over the years - the originators, the old guard. I want to thank everyone for their support with BuddaBeats. We’re down to our last 30-ish copies of the first vinyl release (BBV001) and the second (BBV002) is due in early January 2023." - Triple XL
BBV002 - Due in early January 2023
You can stay up-to-date with all the latest BuddaBeats Hardcore, Happy Hardcore, Bouncy Techno & Gabber releases (vinyl/digital) and merchandise by giving simply a follow on any of the above social platforms that they run.
