Remix EPs often promise much but deliver little although, in keeping with his own work, Moony's latest offering breaks the trend entirely. From Stevie Wonder to The Weeknd, The Remix EP 2 is infused with typically polished garage and grime flavours to create an excellent summertime sampler. The rework of Beyonce's 'End of Time' is particularly good, sharing Royal T's ethos of marrying 2-step intros with explosive grime-driven crescendos and in turn adding credence to those calling for a collaboration between the two. Great stuff.
The Remix EP 2 will be released on July 9th - you can download it for free or pay whatever you think it's worth.
With the excellent Torus marking Sonic Router's debut release on a limited edition white casette, it's a return to a more traditional vinyl format for 002, this time courtesy of young Birmingham-based producer Wattville. 'We Jostle' is comprised of 3 original tracks and an instrumental dub of 'Clan' by NYC trio Archie Pelago, with the Quietus describing the EP as a "pirate radio shocked take on house that harks back to the earliest, rawest UK funky instrumentals" and from listening to previews, it certainly doesn't fail to deliver. Wattville takes up Torus' baton with confidence and has provided another first class, cutting-edge joint to further emphasize Sonic Router's trend-setting credentials. A great effort.
'We Jostle' is out July 2nd on Sonic Router Records on both digital and 12'' formats.
I was lucky enough to be given the opportunity to choose a track of the day for Clash online today and duly opted for the incredible 'Quartz' by Bloom.
After first coming to Uncle Albert's attention just over a year ago with the release of the hotly-tipped 'A Hint Of Menace', Debian Blak is back with his latest EP for First World Records with a stunning video for title track 'Hawks and Spies' to boot. Calling on the soulful vocals of emerging talent Neo Joshua, Hawks and Spies is a gloriously smooth, relaxed summer anthem; Slick, refined and beautifully balanced, it is definitely Blak's most confident work to date and more than enhances his reputation as one to watch. A subtly great effort.
Debian Blak - Hawks and Spies is scheduled for release on July 9th.
Rapidly rising club brand LDN DC play host to Ikonika's 'I Make Lists' EP launch party at the Rhythm Factory this coming Friday. Set for release on the esteemed Hum + Buzz, a label Ikonika co-established with like-minded producer Optimum, I Make Lists is typically bold, innovative and highly polished and showcases all of Ikonika's ingenious production talent. The launch party marks Hum + Buzz' first club night venture and they've put together a wonderfully eclectic line-up to celebrate. Expect an exclusive 2 hour showcase from Ikonika herself, deep house from NTS' Mr Beatnick and further dynamic sets from label-mate Optimum, Alex D££mands and Timothy J. Fairplay, plus LDN DC residents.
In my latest piece for Clash, I put together a little label profile on Butterz, my favourite record label of the last two years. You can read up on their rapid rise here: http://bit.ly/KQ3Asb
Butterz and Hardrive are also set to host their third party of a residency at London's Cable on July 7th, with a comprehensive line-up of the most exciting DJs and MCs currently on the grime circuit. The Newham Generals (D Double E and Footsie) are back for their second Butterz outing and there are debut spots for Formula Records protege Notion, the multi-talented Mr Mitch and currently grime's most in demand producer, Preditah. Butterz alumni in the forms of Swindle, Champion, Terror Danjah (alongside Riko) and Trim are also back alongside label heads Elijah and Skilliam, with Logan Sama playing a one-off garage set to complete the bill. Expect lighters, whistles, one-aways galore and an unbeatable atmosphere; the first two were incredible. Highly recommended.
Watch the video for Champion's 'Crystal Meth' (it was filmed at the last Butterz vs Hardrive night in March) to get a flavour:
Details:
Twitter: @Butterz
Pre-order 'Crystal Meth / 'Let Me Be The One' (both out June 25th): http://bit.ly/LXT3ok
DJ Myrikal's 'Interesting' EP marks the debut foray into the world of electronic music for Wig Power, a vibrant, hard working collective of like-minded producers, MCs and DJs, all of whom are united by the challenge of producing and releasing exceptional grime music.
Largely co-ordinated by NAA's talented selector Grand Mixer Dan Gar Dan, their decision to begin life as a label with Myrikal's 'Interesting' is a proverbial no-brainer upon first listening. Calling upon the tried, tested and unbeatable flow of veteran emcee Flirta D, Interesting is a catchy reminder of how grime used to sound seven or eight years ago. Built around a solid, punchy instrumental, Flirta's textbook vocal wizardry adds real charisma and his appearance alone will guarantee wheel-ups. Remixes come from the super-versatile and hotly tipped Moony, fellow Wig Power ambassador Dullah Beatz and Uncle Dreama to round off a great debut offering. Out July 8th.
In the eighth installment of the Sonic Router x Uncle Albert mix series, veteran producer Dexplicit takes to the decks to put together a 30-minute mix of exclusive dubs and forthcoming material. The POW! producer also gives us his insight into a decade working with some of grime's biggest and best artists.
The fourth release from Champion's lauded Formula Records stable comes courtesy of talented label protege, Notion. Having been a feature of Champion's sets for much of the year, the Digits EP has already done much of its all important groundwork and a recent guest mix slot on Royal T's Rinse show has only garnered further intrigue.
Hailing from Hereford, Notion is hotly tipped to follow Champion in joining the dots between funky and grime and does so on his debut outing emphatically. Bold, bolshy and brilliantly raucous, his sound is for one infectious, but immaculate in it's delivery. There is also a refreshing familiarity about the Digits EP in particular; each track seems to elevate funky you'd hear back in 2005 to new and spectacular heights.
Title-track Digits is a bass-laden, funky onslaught, full of energy and character and one that fans of the Butterz / Formula stables will have heard over the few months; It has also caught the attentions of Roska, Brackles and Marcus Nasty, all of whom have had it on heavy rotation on their respective shows. Second track 'Soundbwoy Killa' is another to have received extensive airplay and with good merit, combining an incredible bassline with subtle percussive elements to great effect, whilst final track 'Watch Here' reveals itself as a real club monster; for what it may lack in finesse it makes up for with sheer danceability. All in all, a cracking debut effort from one of 2012's most promising young producers.
Digits will be available both digitally and on 12'' vinyl from July 4th via Formula Records.
