Monday 29 July 2024

Skin Teeth mix for Torre


Manchester based Torre have recently launced a new series of mixes inspired "in part by old Eclipse tapes". These would feature sets from various DJs followed by a number to delineate which individual set from the artist it was.
First mix is available to listen now - courtesy of the man like Skin Teeth.



Skin Teeth 01

Softy – Wheel Up Signal
Skin Teeth – Dark Was When We Played
Double O – Probe
Gaunt – Firefloor (Pepsi Slammer Remix)
Obsidian Wave – Future
Two Toke – Checkup
Gremlinz & Jesta – New Sky
Revival Season – Pump (Skin Teeth Remix)
Harta – Euphoria Jones
Pepsi Slammer – Saturday Night Loving
Skin Teeth – Rotten
Shit and Cheap – High Treason
Pepsi Slammer – Psudo Tam
Scuba - Feel The Same
Pepsi Slammer Slam Er LAAAAA
Skin Teeth – Knuckle Bone
Doc Zee – Bassquake (Skin Teeth Remix)
S.U.R.E – Kolibri
FSOL – Papua New Guinea (LMajor Remix)
Shut Up And Dance & DJ Hype – Reclaim The Streets







TORRE

Sunday 28 July 2024

Frankie Bones - The Unreleased Joints


Frankie Bones returns to Ozone Recordings with a four track EP of Unreleased Joints!

'Rave Alert' blends Frankie's signature Techno sound with Electro and super-early Belgian Proto-rave stylings for an intense opener to the EP.

'Ragga Acid' is a melting pot of 303s, menacing vocals and sub smashing bass shots over a classic break.

'You Can Find Me' is my personal pick from this essential EP. Electro Breaks meet Oldskool Rave M1 Korg Piano, and a vocal that will bring memories for the first generation of ravers.

'My House' is a full on Techno stomp with 1991 nostalgia etched into every kick, snare and synth stab that conjures up images of Carl Cox dropping this on a wild crowd!

Get the vinyl and/or digital 👇👇

Saturday 27 July 2024

Pillz 005

 


It's quite the treat to get two volumes of the elusive artist unknown Pillz series in one year! The final installment, Volume 5 is on Pre Sale right now and it's a must for your growing collection of modern era Rave vinyl!

'1am @Bagleys' captures the vibe of the legendary London venue in a fast paced belter that reimagines Bagley's anthems by Citadel of Kaos, DJ Slammer & Red Alert and Seduction into a hyper-happy face melter with a massive, nostalgic rush!

'Hardcore Confusion' is my personal favourite. As with all previous Pillz, I get that instant dopamine hit, every time I press play on this one! Put it down to the cleverly chopped up vocals and the sheer amount of 91/92 classics that go out into the blender, morphing into a brand new track with multiple drops that push up the excitement levels to a frenzy!

Get the vinyl 👇 👇 👇 

Friday 26 July 2024

John Bass Scoops Show on Toxic Sickness Radio

Latest show is up, stuffed full of some great hardcore and 150 + BPM Tunes. Guest mix slot  this months is  absolutely held down tight by Boca of Four Jacks Records who rolls out a great hour of dark hardcore  and jungle. Massive thanks to Toxic Sickness Radio for having us back each month to do the show

 


LINK TO SHOW HERE


Tracklist

1. Gesture - Tao Tronic – (N4HC Dub)

2.  Frisbee Aerobics - Beanie – (Frisbee Aerobics)

3.  Janaway - Full Speed – (N4 Records)

4.   Dave Skywalker - Gaslight – (Rave Radio Records)

5.   IN THE MIX - Boca – (Four Jacks Records)

6.   Soul Foundation - Pandemonium (Smooth n Groove Records Dub)

7.   Soulstructure & Tim Cant - The Rebirth – (Jazzsticks Recordings)

8.   Sweetpea & Crystal Clear - Richness Is Life (Sweetpea Bubblerz Mix) – (Sofa Sound              Bristol)

9.     Rawtrachs - All I Wanna Do – (Futurepastzine)

10.  Saint Trippians -  Kiss My Acid – (Ova Doce Dub)

11.  Neon Pumps - One More Time Baby – (Neon Pumps)

12.  Swankout - Rude Bwoy Monty – (F Bombs Records)

13.  Fluid Haunts - Circa 92 (feat. Niall Kane) – (Hardcore Energy)

14.  S.U.R.E. - Here We Go Again – (S.U.R.E.)

15.  End User License Agreement - Love Is... (Karmel Jäger Remix) – (Music For Change Recordings)

16.  Uman- 96' Rinse Out – (Shed Recordings)

17.  Semper - Private Caller (BRUK Jungle Remix) – (Semper)

18.  Aphrodite - King Of The Beats (Neekeetone Dub) – (Neekeetone)

19.  Prince Fatty - Smells Like Teen Spirit ft. Little Roy & Hollie Cook -  (Prince Fatty)

 


STU & NEE THE LOST BOYS EP- ENORMOUS MOUSE (EM-VEFS001)



Vinyl Fanatiks have rereleased two classic EPs the Enormous Mouse label run by Stu Chapman and DJ Nee. This is The Lost Boys EP and here is a rundown of the tracks ..



The Lost Boys 'C If U Can Dance' is the purest form of piano driven breakbeat Hardcore with an elated piano hook, rolling amens and manic Hoovers in the midsection. A true love letter to 1992.

Stu Chapman 'Cut Like A Ninja' is a 92/93 inspired hardcore track with murder on its mind. Brutal and menacing from the get-go, the Hoovers are absolutely livid on this one, a. Slice of dark Rave that the late Tango would be proud of.

The Lost Boys 'Luv Is The Answer' Is loved up piano rave done right with a ecstatic piano that runs throughout the track, amping up the happy vibes all the way to the final beat.

DJ Nee 'Cant Hold Back' is A pristinely executed hip hop inspired hardcore roller with a touch of electro. Everything builds nicely with transitioning beats and the progressive. Melody, that climaxes in just the right place with an explosion of euphoria.

Seriously good Hardcore Rave for Serious Hardcore Ravers! Grab the vinyl 👇 👇 👇 

Loop EP by Sknit [Vinyl + Digital]


At the end of May, the established footwork/bass label Polish Juke released their first material in over a year, surpassing expectations with a standout offering from local rave footwork prince Dubsknit. He is one of the most active figures within the Polish bass scene for the last 15 years, better known of his We Rob Rave action, a co-creator of the Krakow crew dobrebity.pl, crafting also beats for various artists such as Wuzet, Wysokie Loty, and MaÅ‚olat. Additionally he's defined as one of the architects of the Polish grime sound (Dzieci Basu).
As an essential member of Polish Juke, he had to offer something special for his personal record so this time under the alias SKNIT he presents 'LOOP' -  a hectic six-track EP.

The EP kicks off with a double-header of 'SLUSH' and 'HEAT' where thick kicks merge with synthetic, roaring sounds and skeletal melodies. Dubsknit’s approach here strips down his infamous lush WRR style, focusing instead on electro-infused, dubby bare bones of dance music. Midway through the record, we dive into ravier territories with the Chicago-esque aesthetics of “FOOSY” and the energetic, beautifully vocal-chopped 'YO FREE'. The peak-time bomb 'BLOOD', a collaboration with his WRR mate PZG, is set to be a crowd and DJ favorite. The EP concludes with the halftime-leaning, euphoric 'I COULD LOVE' showcasing SKNIT’s mastery in working around vocals, reminiscent of his hits in the We Rob Rave/Dubsknit realm.

Regarding his WRR affiliation, there is a new WRR album in the pipeline including 19 killers. 'WE ROB RAVE X' will come out in August and you can check out some sneak previews here.



The 'LOOP' EP by SKNIT comes out digitally and on a limited number of 10" vinyl copies - Available via Bandcamp.







POLISH JUKE



DUBSKNIT

Sunday 21 July 2024

Hungary's finest rave team PÉNZ debut release

 




PÉNZ, is officialy described as "a cross-genre, omni-style rave crew based in Budapest and in various beloved forest clearings in Hungary."
The crew has been running for almost a decade organizing amazing raves, creating also zines, broadcasting radio shows and it was about time to sort out their first compilation release.

Their debut compilation consists of 14 tracks (+1 digital bonus track) and it simply showcases the ethos of this outstanding invigorating crew. This is translated through the sounds of hardcore, breakcore, dubstep, tekno, jungle, drum and bass, digital hardcore, hardtek, juke and anything else in between.
Apparently there will be more in the near future from this amazing team. Till then, the party won't stop as they have already announced a heavyweight event that will take place in their hometown with special guests Goreshit and Lil Kevo 303 (tickets here).

The truth is that the parties of PÉNZ are becoming bigger and they are spread through private Facebook events. The crew have achieved bringing revolultionary buzz in Budapest's nightlife and their debut compilation is a proof of their involvement into the city's hard dance angle.

Friday 19 July 2024

Gaffer - Live On Renegade Radio (08.06.24)


Listen back to Gaffer's smashing show over Renegade Radio including a variety of banging tunes and releases that should be added to anyone's collection.



Tracklist:

Acen - 116.7 96
DJ Naughty & DJ Mystery - Lost & Found
Sekret Chadow - Big Breaks (Original Mix)
Children of The Sun God - The Lie
Jack Smooth - Under The Light
Force Mass Motion - I Get Up (Forever)
Blade - Ruff As
Luna-C - A Little Radicalical (InnerCore Remix)
Stu & Nee - Devotion (Stu Chapman Remix 2024)
RenegadeGenius - It's a Dream
Low Noise Block - Rave In The Bedroom
The Noise Factory - Be Free
Planet B - Feel This
Interface - ArdKore
DJ Deluxe - Light It Up
Sike - Jungle Rewind (Stu & Nee Remix)
Pillz - Buzzing
Gaffer - Keep It Moving (Stu Chapman Remix) (Master)
Stu Chapman - Piano Indulgence (Gaffer Remix) (Master)
Skanna - Run To Me
Skanna - Untitled
Ben Venom - Fire Rasta
Vinyl Junkie & Sanxion - Just Easy
Amaretto - Lost Ark
Luna-C - Back To Basics (Sunny & Deck Hussy Remix)
Percussive P - Vibrating Harmony
Lucas - Dangerous Coexistence
Tango - Understanding
Digital - Restoration
Matt Bass - Suffocating Darkness



Listen

Wednesday 10 July 2024

This is Jungle/D&B – Centre Space Gallery – Bristol U.K. July 6th to 11th, 2024



Through a discrete alleyway in central Bristol UK lies a time portal. Walking through the door takes you back 29 years to a time before smart phones, TikTok edits and artists getting 0.00001 pence for a lifetimes work being momentarily streamed before the listener skips distractedly away to another commercially targeted algorithmic trap. This time and place is mid-nineties Bristol England.

This is Jungle/D&B, primarily a photo exhibition that is running for just one week at the Centre Space Gallery is an exhibition into the roots of Jungle Drum and Bass. This “is” the music many of us  who habituate this blog love and this exhibition captures the “Big Bang Moment” of energy when the music was something more than just “new”. At this point of time no one knew that we would be enjoying DnB in 30 year’s time, debating the musicality of foghorns or the virtues of an overdriven Mackie desk. Music at this time accelerated away so so fast into the future before we could really appreciate it, thankfully in recent years we’ve seen the resurgence of jungle take a firm grip on modern music and though many of the key players of this time are still working today we can now reflect back on how good it was in 94,5 & 6. 

 

The exhibition has been beautifully curated by three brothers, well known to those that know, Dj Krust, DJ Flynnites and co-author of the Art and Sound Of The Bristol Underground book Gary Thompson.  I got to speak to Gary at the gallery a day after listening to his brother Flynn deliver a classy set at Cosie’s that could/should of soundtracked this exhibition but this was about the images not the sound, the clue is in the term gallery. We quickly teleported our conversation back to those  early days when positivity and kindness in the club was where it was at. I learnt that this exhibition, put together by Gary through his i46 media company, do check out his insta, is hopefully the first version with something bigger in the future. Gary with a well-regarded career in film making is well placed to helm this project, we can only imagine his exposure to his brothers’ adventures in sound over the years. 



Primarily a photo exhibition and it's very much that the photos are the star of the show. Conspicuously there is no music playing which might initially be seen as strange considering it’s focus but you don’t need the music to hear these photos, the hubbub of the streets of Bristol and the sub bass breakbeat punctuation of the tunes rise off the gallery exhibits. A kind of melancholic euphoria covers these walls, moments of joy forever gone but still here thankfully in the archives of black wax, paper and celluloid. Captured , forever young and oh so sharply dressed are the names of those we know well, Roni Size, Krust and Die amongst those that we should perhaps revisit more often Smith and Mighty , More Rockers , Flynn & Flora. 

Central to its focus are the influences of Full Cycle Records, Independent Dealers, More Rockers, and the RuffNeck Ting crew, key players who shaped the genre's trajectory. My personal favorite Dope Dragon gets a brief look in too, a wonderful but perhaps overlooked label from this time. An always Bristol centric lens, this is Lakota, Trinity Centre, Blue Mountain, Thekla, not the oft reported Blue Note or Speed, of London. don’t expect anything to escape outside the gravitational pull of the BS1 postcode apart from the photos of the Reprazent crew in New York, but more of that later.


Touchstones of the time are evident throughout the exhibition.  The Knowledge magazine front covers, an old rack mount Roland S series sampler, a DAT machine and dusty floppy discs holding unknown treasures. I’m compelled to tell my son, who was half bribed into accompanying me, that this is how you had to do it before Ableton was a glint in Robert Henke’s eye. He nods, a little pityingly ,but I think he kind of gets it that all of  this is something very special to his old man. 



A picture of a young DJ Dazzee is on one wall amongst  a montage of stickers, backstage passes ,  several flyers mention Ruffneck Ting. An interview I did with Borai on my radio show, one of Bristol’s latest torch carriers of the bass infused  bristolian breakbeat sound , paid homage to the importance  of Ruffneck Ting and their shop on Park Street. It's importance  doubly cemented by it inclusion in this exhibition.


As I was just about to walk out the door I was struck by the holiday snap style photos of the Bristol crew on what must have been a big record label funded  trip to the bright lights of America , gazing up at the neon of New York , cigars in mouths and drinks in hand , celebrating life there and then. No way of knowing that 29 years later we’d be looking back at them all with such high regard. Fortunately for  us no cigars or flights to New York are  needed to celebrate the sound of  95 (ish) jungle drum n bass, just  a short walk up an alleyway in Bristol… 

John Bass Scoops, July 2024.


Monday 8 July 2024

Abstractions Vol 3 [Top Drawer Digital]



It's taken me an ashamedly long time to publish this. Abstractions Vol 3 is the final release from a label that quite literally got me interested in music again, so here we go ..


D3 starts the journey with 'All I Want', a melodic acid opener opener, rooted in the beginnings of Rave yet equally suited to that return drive or indeed, 'the afters.'


Rawtrachs puts a musical spin on the popular phrase 'Nghothing Ventured (Nothing Gained)', interpreted through the medium of halucigenic, skippy Techno bits that make this writer think of a darker version of 'Nightbird' by Convert.


Kazumi Anzai serves up the timely 'Flashlight (TDD and the )'y, a bumpy Breakbeat House number with shades of Orbital's 'Halcyon' and the early 90s Prog House sound.


The Rumblist adds some cinematic darkness to this album with the atmospheric sounds of 'Separation.' The production is impeccable on this one with attention to the finest detail. A jagged, shimmering soundscape that glides across the speakers with sharp breaks and cutting basslines.


Nyxen conjures up the kind of 'Nightmares' that will live rent free in our heads. A combination of Carpenter like eerie keys and upbeat melodies set to a 90s style beat.


JMT's 'Balance' evokes the 'tearout' /Hardcore Breaks sound of the early to late oughts with roaring basslines and crisp drums.


Beat Breaker injects airy strings and Jazzy overtones over rolling breakbeats and Amen break interludes on 'All Night'


S.U.R.E showcase sleak production prowess, the fusing elements of hypnotic grooves with growling riffs and Jungle Tekno leads in harmony with a super crisp funky drummer edit.


The absolute juggernaut that is Skin Teeth contributes the rousing 'Plumstead Lullaby', a show capturing the twisted darkness of golden era Jungle in a suspenseful and brutal reimagining of the soundcloud with all it's haunting ambience and spaciousness while the drums hammer home.


Kazumi Anzai contributes his own amen roller in the space odyssey like 'Spiral' (TDD VIP). As with many of his tracks, a sense of non gravity and deep space is built through the other-worldly soundscape and musical depth that filters through this production.


Gav Ley takes it right back to the oldskool sounds of 92' with 'Let's Go', a piano led rave masterpiece that will give you all those feels in the way that only a true Breakbeat Hardcore tune can.


Beagle continues this vibe with a track that could literally be mixed into the previous Gav Ley tune. 'Laser Burn' returns to the sound of Eagle's releases with Diplomat on Amen Brother ie pure late 92' Hardcore with strong Hip Hop influences and ethereal proto-darkside flavours that will send chills up your spine!


Swankout's 'New Generation' and cuts up and refreshes the early rave sound of labels like Kickin' with ominous bells, bleeps and haunting aesthetics.


Prepare to have your 'Mind Blown' by The Rumblist through powerful, and intricate production, breaks that pack a hefty wallop and gorgeous cinematic strings.


Visible Sound returns to TDD one last time with 'The Darkness', a pulse racing, and cold sweat inducing beautiful nightmare of breakbeat science that personifies the TDD sound.


Another TDD alumni, the Bojcot Selecta returns for the final curtain call. 'On Your Own Turf' reminds us once again, we what a unique producer Bojcot is. The incredible beat manipulation, the the post-rave/grime bass mayhem and the cerebral midnight vibes hit different on this one.


Gav Ley presents a 'Reqium' in the form of a jaw dropping intro of sheer terror that launches into a firestorm of breaks and strings that will leave an indelible mark on your cortex.


Outrage let's loose the 'Roughneck' (my personal favourite on the album), a time travelling masterpiece from the darkest reaches of 1993 Hardcore/Jungle Tekno that packs in the discombobulating hoovers, angry stabs and B-Boy Hip Hop notes you could wish for and considerably more!


Beagle throws his 'Next Punch' and in the form of energising early-morning strings the curveball before a sorty of iconic rave stabs hits with the force of crater, the followed in quick succession of 303s and tough pads. Don't forget those rap samples that add significant entropy to this punch!


Vinyl Junkie & Sanxion 'Hold The Beat' and with a 92 style hook to kick things off before a playful lead riff takes the baton in a rave against time to the finish line that piles on more and more authentic oldskool 'ardcore, I lighting up the neurons in the brain of every rave addict!


At this juncture, Bobby Lasers provides a' Vibe Check' with some timeless 80s RnB business that morphs into a mutant bass creature from the deepest, the unexplored regions of the Hardcore Jungle continuum.


Sanxion blends together soulful vocals with chest bursting bass on 'Been Losin' switching from half-step to seriously rude amens in seamless fashion.


Schoco takes us on a dive into the bottom of the ocean with the brain penetrating progression of 'Float' and where mind melding melodies meet 303s and beats straight from the dry ice and smoke filled raves of the raving days of glory!


Kefford's 'Psychedelic Trip' to flips a menacing intro into a quick fire stabby slice of Breakbeat Hardcore that amps up the energy levels with a formidable weapon in the DJ's arsenal.


Going back to where it began, label boss, Lucas reprises his 'Antichrist' and with a new 'End of Days' version, incorporating rolling rhythms, the Jungle Tekno inspired darkness and eerie chords plus a bone chilling drop that accentuates the chilling Christopher Walken dialogue heard throughout the track.


Pressa contributes perhaps the most Breakbeat Hardcore like track of his discography with 'Rushin' Over Me', a fast, flowing 


Dystance drops a techy Jungle roller in 'Pure S' with shades of the wormhole techstep era and the ethereal quality of a space movie soundtrack. 


Sub Fusion's 'Rocking In The Nine Five' games blends 1993 darkcore influences with Blade Runner style synths and electro elements. 


Lucas revisits the late 00's J-Tek era with 'Light and High Beauty' where funk stabs, the atmospheric strings and vocals glide along a snappy 4x4 rhythm. 


Prism B.R.K's 'XXX' and takes the famous 'Dance With Me, I'm your extasy' and vocal as the lead for a modernisation of 94 Breakbeat Hardcore with DnB dynamics. 


Noisevandal's 'Correct Future' and continues in the 94 Hardcore vein with dreamlike keys with a very Kniteforce like style juxtaposed by the industrial bleeps of blueprint rave. 


Strange Rollers, but a true TDD stalwart let's loose a ferocious amen attack in the rollercoaster beats, dominant hoovers and classic dark vs light formula of 'Loading Room.'


Trident signals to a deeper strain of modern breakbeat music with the hypnotic, dubby sounds of 'Kinetic' 


Rawtrachs pushes the boundaries of sound design and innovation in breaks n bass with the absolutely aptly named 'Outerdimensional.' 


Strange Rollers dishes out another dose of intense breakology with the shock and awe stabs of 'My Vision Is Clear.' 


Next, then a 'Sound Attack' in the waveform shape of Radiokillaz' 94/95 style Jungle workout, detailed, intricate, and authentic to the finest detail. It's like being at World Dance, skanking to a Randall DJ set! 


And this is sadly, where the album ends. Truly the end of an era but what a way to finish the story. Take a listen below and grab your copy from all good download stores and streaming sites.

https://topdrawerdigital.bandcamp.com/album/tddr100-abstractions-3-jungle-techno-breaks