PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT: DEBIAN BLAK X AALIYAH

Having first interviewed the exceptionally talented Debian Blak back in 2011, his recent signing to ever-pioneering imprint Audio Doughnuts serves as no surprise. Diverse, sonically unique and remarkably deft on the buttons, Blak's forthcoming EP 'Six Months From Mars' is one that is expected to provide a platform for him to solidify himself as one of the year's standout new producers. 

Ahead of it's release, Blak has prepped a free 3-track bootleg EP dedicated to fallen songstress Aaliyah. Thoughtful, sombre in parts but superbly contextualized, each rework is a testament to the subtle complexities of his sound. In fact, think of it more generally as a juxtaposition of complexity and simplicity - Blak's work really sings because he manages to transcend them both. An inspiring listen.

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT: SR x UA MIX 018 | OH91

For the 18th installment of the Sonic Router x Uncle Albert mix series, young Bristolian OH91 steps up to the plate with a 30-minute mix of contemporary grime cuts and exclusive dubs. A signee to my Coyote imprint and hotly-tipped to make waves this year after his extraordinary remix of Kahn & Neek's 'Percy', i caught up with him for Sonic Router too.

Read up and stream / download his mix over at SR here: http://www.sonicrouter.com/2013/03/oh91-sonic-router-x-uncle-albert-mix/

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT: TERROR DANJAH - HARDWIRED

Ahead of the release of essential new grime compilation 'Hardwired', I caught up with Terror Danjah at Rough Trade East to get some insight into it's curation and talked leaving a legacy,,.

Read in full over at Clash: http://www.clashmusic.com/features/hardwired-terror-danjah

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT: BOXED

Ahead of it's debut at Peckham Palais this coming Saturday, I wrote a few words on South London's new instrumental grime driven night, 'Boxed', and caught up with originators Mr Mitch, Slackk, Logos and Oil Gang to grab some insight and note their favourite tracks of the moment for Sonic Router.

Read over in full over at SR here: http://www.sonicrouter.com/2013/03/playlist-mr-mitch-slackk-oil-gang-logos-boxed-residents/

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT: MOONY - SOUL SESSION

Having garnered plenty of support on Uncle Albert over the past two years, Moony is a name more familiar to these pages than most. An unsung hero on the airwaves, his heavily garage-leaning brand of grime still continues to impress, although his first offering of 2013 sees him wander into 130 territory for the first time.

 The 4-track 'Soul Session' EP is almost a nostalgic salute to his 4x4 roots, with each track working classic rhythm and groove in a style similar to that of fellow garage connoisseurs Mista Men and marks a welcome musical excursion. The verdict? Fresh, clean-cut and thoroughly enjoyable - highly recommended. 

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT: LIFE AT 140 #7

My latest 'Life at 140' column for Clash looks back at the world of grime in February, featuring a slew of releases from the likes of Swifta Beater, Spooky and JME plus my top 5 tracks of the month, including Slackk's monstrous 8-bar stomper 'Shogun Assassin'. 

Read in full over at Clash here: http://www.clashmusic.com/features/life-at-140-7

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT: MIK vs KAHN

MIK has been one of grime's more dominant voices over the last 18 months and has continued to look to push boundaries in 2013, having already worked with a tasteful mix of producers. With this in mind, I was lucky enough to get hold of an exclusive mix of MIK vocal tracks put together by Bristol's Kahn; the pair have collaborated on numerous tracks since first joining forces back in 2010. There's also a short interview to get your teeth into..

You can listen / read up exclusively via Clash here: http://www.clashmusic.com/features/mik-vs-kahn-the-mix

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT: STUFF - GUN HO

Crystal Culture, a stellar new London-based imprint co-ordinated by rising star Pedro 123 and Get Some's Bobby Pecotic, today celebrates it's debut release in the form of a 4-track monster from Bristol's 'Stuff'. Entitled 'Gun Ho', the EP features remixes from Liminal Sounds' Elsewhere and label head Pedro as well as 'Spider', a jump-up, synth heavy club joint full of dance floor swagger.

Title-track 'Gun Ho' is where Stuff really sings though. Rugged, thugged-out bass carries relentless momentum and energy, with classic vocal chops and whistles bringing the track firmly into 'club banger' territory; reminiscent of some of AC Slater's party joints, it is unashamedly good fun. 

Pedro's remix is further evidence of his undoubted talent on the buttons, taking the original down less raucous routes, working a refined and intricate 2-step groove to good effect whilst Elsewhere explores a more stripped back, guttural approach that packs plenty of punch. 

The verdict? A great start to life as a label.

'Gun Ho' is out today on Crystal Culture and available from all good online outlets.