First ever Kniteforce 'Double L' EP or we'd rather say 'L2' or '2L' is available now and everyone around Kniteforce is extremely delighted about that.
First of all the head honcho of the KF movement, the man like Luna-C, secondly Lowercase as the second essential L and all the rest like fans and all involved inside this legendary 26 yr old label.
'Heavy Beats' is the name of the brand new 12" EP and it's an indisputably banging collaboration between Luna-C and Lowercase.
KF boss and KF Radio manager! "Glyn Lowercase has dedication and enthusiasm in spades, and is both determined and humble. Its a good combination, and perfect for Kniteforce.
I first became aware of Glyn because he posted pics of his leg tattoos, which happen to be Kniteforce logos. So…thats dedication. More that I would ever ask for, and verging on the insane, sure, but still, you cant just scroll past someone who has put your record labels artwork into his skin. That person is dedicated and loves the label, so the least I could do was say “oi oi, nice one” and have a little chat. It turned out that he was only slightly mad, and he wasn’t full of himself, and he had a weekly radio show (this was before Kniteforce Radio). So I tuned in once, then again, until it became fairly regular, and I was pleasantly surprised to hear well mixed tunes, and an enthusiastic host who was obviously very into the music, and Kniteforce played its part in that as well."
In addition to Chris latest blog (read full of it here) the 'Heavy Beats' is a 4track slamming work of storming breakbeats, immense basslines and lush pianos all around blending 1991 with 1992 under modern flag. One way or another this release is a must to have mostly cos its one of the first collabs between Chris and Glyn, as we in the Strictly Nuskool expect more to come from them both.
Why?
Because they still feed their souls with Hardcore, and this turns to be larger day by day!!
Dev Pandya, A.K.A. Paradox & Alaska, A.K.A. Mixrace, is one of Drum and Bass true pioneers. He has released vinyl records on Moving Shadow,Metalheadz,Reinforced,Renegade Hardware, Certificate 18, and Good Looking Records. (Just to name a few)He is one of the humblest human beings I have ever had the pleasure of breaking bread with. I flew from Sunny Fort Lauderdale to historic New Orleans for his USA Tour and show with the NOLADNB crew on 20/4/2018 and we met up for a nice lunch on a beautiful Friday afternoon in classic Downtown.
I decided to go old school for this interview, so I recorded it on a 1980 Panasonic Slimline tape recorder! Yes, you read that right, a tape recorder! (Analog all day!) I surprised him with my gadget, and as nostalgia is contagious, Dev’s memory of his first tape recorder was instantly conjured and the conversation flowed from there.
(The atmosphere is full of glasses clinking, forks and knives scraping, voices from the wait staff and laughter from the table next to us. We are seated near the back on a round table. It’s a busy scene and a sunny afternoon. Paradox is on my right and Greenleaf is seated across.)
Andromeda: So, let’s get to it… Who have you worked with before that you most harmonized with in the studio?
Paradox: Well, I guess the two current people I work with because I continue to work with them. One from Sweden called Seba, (I am the godfather to his daughter) we’ve been making vinyl records together for maybe 13 years. Apart from being a great musician, he’s a good cook as well so when I go to Sweden he cooks and that’s really good! I don’t mind that. (Laughter) Because I don’t live in England another guy that I work with is called Nucleus. He flies over from London to Lithuania and he comes into my studio. I work really well with him as he has a great musical mind. Same age as me, understands funk music really well, and is a proper crate digger.
Lots of people have asked me to do collaborations and I’m like… Hmmmm…. My music is recorded in a different code than everyone else, so I don’t want to spread myself too thin if you know what I mean.
How was your experience with Herbie Hancock, how was that for you? How did it all come about?
That was wicked. It was Bill Laswell that connected us. He is a strange musician; Very avant-garde in lots of avenues of how he works. When he mentioned working with Herbie Hancock, I thought “no that won’t happen.” So he played some of my stuff to Herbie, and what Herbie said blew my mind. Herbie said, “Man that boy can swing!” That is the main important aspect in drum programming is to have the kick back. The breaks gotta swing and there has to be funk. That’s what I try and focus on when I’m making music. For him to say that, that I could swing, just made my day because then I knew he understood. So, when it went through with Columbia Records I was really happy. Some of the keyboard stuff he [Herbie] played listening to my stuff was amazing. The track we did was like a car chase funk scene for a movie. It was brilliant. It’s a shame that it didn’t come on vinyl but only on CD.
What can you say about the hardcore sound? Mix Race - The Future Is before Your Eyes (With Trax scratching) What was that like?
Well, the funny thing is, when we were doing that this was before the word drum and bass was even invented. We were 17 then, making music on our computers. We didn't even know what it was it was so fast. So we sent demos to the record labels that were close to our home in Essex and these record labels were really the foundation of jungle. Well, I say “jungle” now because it turned into jungle, but it was Moving Shadow, Ram Records and Suburban Base Records. All these record labels were bedroom studios themselves, so we didn't know what we were doing, and we were making hardcore music, but we were all into hip-hop, like b-boy hip-hop. We were rapping about which pose could dance the best. (Not about guns or whatever.) and Trax was scratching. It was so fast our computer didn't have a bpm counter but it sounded normal to us. When we sent a draft to Moving Shadow and they liked it they said "You now how fast that is right?" and we were like no we don't have a bpm counter. They said “It's 180 bpm's” we said "No, It can’t be" We had to recreate the tracks in the studio and it was way too fast to be classified as hip-hop music. We were like “what have we done?” Then, all of a sudden, it just morphed into hardcore music with Trax scratching as well. We recorded in 1991 but it obviously takes time to go out to the shops, so when it was finally out it was early 1992; But we signed in 1991 and it came out to be a landmark 12” in the hardcore jungle scene.
With all the labels… Paradox Music, Arctic Music, and Esoteric, (labels mostly that put out vinyl) what are your views on the whole vinyl vs digital discussion?
I think that if vinyl wasn’t around, I would actually stop the labels. I wouldn’t do digital labels. To me, it’s like yellow folder music. I’m not against it, everything on my phone is digital. Since I’ve been doing this before DnB was invented, it has to be vinyl, it has to be this way. I don’t care if I lose money when I release records, it just has to be on vinyl.
What can you tell me about Outsider Label? What do you look for when people send you tunes to listen to? What is the first thing you analyze from a piece to consider it for your label?
Outsider is asleep at the moment. I’m a bit of a bastard when accepting music because it has to be perfect, and the thing is I don’t like telling other people how to make their music. If someone sends me their track and there is something that I don’t like in it, I can’t sign it. But I won’t say to them if you take that out I will sign it ya know. I’m a little bit funny if the film samples are crap but the track is really good. I can’t put [out] anything I don’t like so to speak.
Are people still sending you music today?
Yeah, all the time I listen to it all. When you say people sending me music are you talking about people that I don’t know?
Well yeah, unknown producers like example Aperture. That tune on ‘The Age of Outsiders’ CD is wonderful, I had that on repeat forever.
Yeah, Aperture is brilliant. He did a few things for me and just kinda disappeared. I try to listen to all the demos I get. Sometimes I would get a download link from a Russian producer and it will be a zip of like 60 tracks which really isn’t the way to get someone to listen to your music. I tell people to send me 3 of your strongest tracks, and this goes for any label, if the label is interested, get their attention first and then they will ask for more. This guy sent me 60 in a zip (10 is way too much music also.) It stops you as a listener to want to listen to it all. I am always listening, I am just waiting to find the next Aperture really.
Tomorrow is record store day… Best record digging story?
That is really Nucleus territory. He goes to boot fairs lots. Sometimes when I get into his car there is a list that kinda looks like an exam, stapled together 20 pages, I pick it up and it’s just names and names of records in tiny font. You flip the pages and you see the luminous marker of the tunes of the ones he is still looking for.
What is your most influential funk record?
Oh… That is really difficult to answer. I guess the first one I ever heard was “The Meters”, Ironically. (He turns to Greenleaf who during this whole interview has been sitting in front of us and asks Greenleaf if they [The Meters] were from New Orleans? Greenleaf replies “Yes they are”) The Meters are from New Orleans, which is quite bizarre really because I guess it’s meant to be me coming here as we sampled The Meters on early hardcore records on Moving Shadow. We had The Meters snares. We didn’t use the whole break and we always sampled The Meters. So yeah that was really our first looking into the drum side of Funk. I had all of those on CD too, trying to hear which one of the breaks is clearer, trying to get different versions.
What was your most recent music purchase?
I bought Fierce and Zero Tolerance 12” on Redeye Records in London and paid ridiculous shipping charges! (Laughter) And I’m not happy about it but I guess you have to represent. He [Fierce] sent me the wav so I had to have the vinyl. It’s kind of an old one. It has wicked breaks. Equipment wise, I bought a floppy disk on eBay. (Laughter) (Greenleaf says “New kids are going to read that and not know what a floppy disk is"). (Laughter)
In 2003 you said you were on #7, which one are you on now?
#8
Has your equipment failed before on stage?
Yeah, that happened once in Italy. I was performing, and I was playing the keyboard. I kicked the equipment underneath and I kicked the power supply. The whole club turned off! This was in Milan. I didn’t realize it was me. My power supply was connected to a power strip. For some reason, it turned the electric out on the stage. Once I realized it was me, I pretended that it wasn’t me. The club went dark for ½ hour. That was my fault.
So for your live PA shows, do you know what you are going to play? How do you get your show set up?
I say I don’t know what I’m going to play, but I already know half of what I will do so to speak. There are some tracks that are not going to come out yet that I think that I am going to do and it’s never really planned, but sometimes I realize that I am running out of time so I can’t end up doing the ones that I want to do later on in the set, so I just play it by ear; And it really depends if I have the synth or not. (I might play more Alaska stuff.) I have a synth for this show; I didn’t have one for New York. (They couldn’t source one.) So I’m going to be doing some Alaska stuff today… And the next Alaska 12” that is coming out, I will debut that tonight at the Show. (Note to the reader, it is divine.)
What other mediums influence you?
Everything creative, I design all the record sleeves for the labels. I did graphic design in college whilst I was making music. I’m Indian, Indians do everything themselves so I’m a bit of a control freak. I have to do the record sleeves. I have to sign off on the proofing. I do everything. So anything art I’m into. My favourite instrument is the viola. I love listening to classical music with violins and violas. I think playing strings in ambient jungle is a way of releasing the fact that you can’t play strings yourself so to speak. Every time there’s a performance I try to do art photography to make it look like art and not a flat jpeg on the internet. I’m always trying to do something 3dish so to speak, it all comes down to creative design.
What have you learned throughout the years (with your music) that you can share with someone to learn from?
It’s going to sound really weird right, but I believe I was put on this earth to make music. It sounds a bit narcissistic, it’s not meant to be, but I believe this is what I was meant to do. It is something that I will constantly do till the last breath I hope.
What should we look forward to this year?
There’s an Alaska 12" coming out in May(out this Friday with copies still available, just click on the soundcloud clips below)There is another Nucleus & Paradox 12" coming on Metalheadz. A remix project with Gremlinz on my flagship label and another remix with an ambient artist that might be revealed soon. There are other things I can't really say at the moment. We are going to do another 12" for Samurai Music as Geoff Presha is someone we've worked with on many projects so that should appear at the end of 2018. Next year will probably see my 200th 12" surface so at the moment I am researching extravagant packaging options for it. It's not every year you're 200 so it's going to be special.
One of the most outstanding labels during 2017, TRIGGER HAPPY, has taken over the majority of the Hardcore community into a rapid eruption on the grounds of its first 12" white label release with 2 astonishing tunes! Definetely this highlight EP of 2017 will have a following up release will be out soon as announced... In case you haven't grabbed your copy yet you can grab it here or follow Trigger Happy socials and get in touch. There are a few left all around vinyl stores worldwide. Till your order check out this mix made by Trigger Happy including old and new material as well as several Oldskool bits...
A1. Run The Tune - B1. Ice Breaker - B2. War On Jungle
A well known KF member, good friend of Luna-C, very talented and down to earth Hardcore DJ/producer is UK based IDEALZ who adds one more class release this time on the reborn Kniteforce chapter.
This 12" EP is titled "Run the Tune" and consists of 3 personal tracks by Idealz bringing once again his Jungle/D&B inspiring sound and aspect to the masses!
This 12" release is limited and out on 300 copies including also exclusive 320MP3 / 24Bit Wavs. The digital downloads are available when you receive the vinyl. All vinyls come with an "idiot sheet" that contains a link and password to your downloads, as well as links to bonus material and previews of forthcoming Kniteofrce & Knitebreed releases!
For UK/REST OF WORLD buyers you can purchase this limited 12" edition HERE and for US crew HERE
Toronto based producer MANNIK is for sure a must to watch producer, a new addition to the fresh airi breathing by Kniteforce Records, even if its couple of years in the game of production by a quality and quantity of good tunes. We've met him on the label on the recent KF70 'Death To Digital EP' as well as on 'Vinyl Is Better 2' and this time his promising self debut is one more proud moment of the label and himself and an extraordinary nuskool Hardcore 12".
It contains 4 big bangers, seriously insane ideas coming from Oldschool Hardcore to Jungletechno vibes on an illecit '92 mission aiming to blow your mind directly so try to keep it between the ditches if you can...
For UK/REST OF WORLD buyers you can purchase this limited 12" edition HERE and for US crewHERE
PLUS EXCLUSIVE 320MP3 / 24Bit Wavs. The digital downloads are available when you receive the vinyl. All vinyls come with an "idiot sheet" that contains a link and password to your downloads, as well as links to bonus material and previews of forthcoming Kniteforce & Knitebreed releases!
And bonus Digital EP:
KF73D - Mannik - You Are Now Legally A Genious 01. Addicted (150 Version) 02. Here It Comes 03. In My House 04. Addicted MANNIK soundcloud facebook twitter youtube
Vinyl is for sure in a healthy condition these days in our scene, as Vinyl releases and labels getting multiplied throughout this year by people devoted and faithful to vinyl and Hardcore music. One more good example is PEACE ON WAX, a brand new label set up by DJ ABO, an established member of nu-Hardcore & Nu-Rave movement. PEACE ON WAX long awaited second installment is available to pre-order now with an estimated shipping date of 17th July 2017.
This new 12" consists of four tracks covering and represeting present's Hardcore by Dutch head Afterlife, to New Zealand's Worldwide Epidemic and an essential collaboration between Enormous Mouse one half, mr Stu Chapman and Boykz. Their collab "Everybody" steps on a 140bpm Hardcore Breaks tip, while Worldwide Epidemic is offering 2 mental oldskool rave/techno dishes closing with Dutch producer Afterlife who's stuck for years in 1990-93 period, therefore he captures that vibe deep inside his own joint of a tune.
To sum up, this is for sure one more essential 12" release for all Hardcore troopers and Vinyl junkies out there. It's an Oldskool revival, it's a quite golden item bringing you peace on wax!
Kniteforce Records father and living legend LUNA-C is back on his personal releases and this time is experimenting himself by different means, taking back to his music roots, back to his early ideas, back to the Oldskool. Using more hardware than software aiming to put an Oldskool Hardcore approach at present, Luna-C scores on "Project Zero EP". His best work till then next one of course... Grab now the 12" EP - Limited to 300 copies and only!
It's been a crazy period and even crazier year so far for Kniteforce Records and its manager Luna-C, who seems more hungry than ever to share his double excitement with new music, new releases offering vinyl EPs again by a fresh and active new roster. "Death To Digital EP" is the big answer to anyone wondering what happened to Kniteforce or thought that it all came to an end... As we've already said the label is reborn since last second of last year, thus Luna-C mentions about this new EP. "I cant big this EP up enough, I really cant. You wanted Kniteforce back? Its back. And its back the way it should be – proper hardcore for the proper hardcore!"
This new 4tracker is completely astonishing and recommended to any Hardcore brain out there reading this blogpost at present. It starts with the mastermind and versatile mr. Sanxion, who's leaving his usual latest 140bpm bass stylee, taking back to his old goodness by offering a lovely happy hardcore piano flavoured vibe. Then comes Nicky Allen. Our Nu-Rave tune machine, who's a fair enough a passionate Hardcore producer who gives a slamming trademark of the "new but old" Kniteforce sense.
Side B of the "Death To Digital" starts with a friendly producer and more than that a very young one. German TNO Project is only 17 years old and we should not forget that...
"Orphanage" is one more great tune from him, a proud moment from this boy, adding a German inspired kinda Dune era sample, which is the key on this tune.
Closing tune comes from Toronto maniac or better call him Mannik, who's unleashing the sounds of hell on a chaotic tune which has it all!!!
Two brothers in crime join the forces and offer the "Double Dragon EP" out on a limited number of 12" copies on 7th Storey Projects. Coco Bryce meets FFF and the Dutch Junglist flag remains on a high level! This EP is totally recommended to every Jungle head out there who respects this music til now. Four astonishing tunes inside and I'd personally stick to the self titled tune, which marks a serious new junglistic killer as my main favourite from there. The Dutch badboys keep on their successful series of releases from Coco Bryce imprint Myor Massiv to this fresh 4track weapon here, following ideally Coco Bryce personal debut vinyl release some months ago on the label.
Something off different this time from Dutch hard working producer/DJ, Coco Bryce who loves experimenting into many music paths and so this time takes off his Hardcore Breakbeat aspect offering 2 golden gems while assembling all good '92 Oldskool buzz getting himself on a deep rave and one more quality release comes out from his own imprint Myor Massiv!
BUY the Limited 12" & Digital format via BANDCAMP HERE
