PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT: GRIME-TINTED GLASSES

I took a look at grime through a 2013 lens for Hyponik and interviewed both Merky Ace and Mr Mitch ahead of their respective latest releases. 

Read the feature in full over at Hyponik here: http://t.co/idmeMhYrsv

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT: CONDUCTA - GALAXY EP

In and amongst the slew of new names running riot in with grime in 2013, Bristol's Conducta has the potential to establish himself as one of the front-runners. His debut 4-track 'Galaxy' EP for fledgling London-based imprint Digitally Disturbed channels both dubstep and garage in an ode to the contemporary sound, working grime in a style that refuses to fit the more recent eski-inspired mould - it really is very good.

Title rack 'Galaxy' is awash with storming, Joker-esque synths and bangs a little like 'Purple CIty' did back in 2010 but with fresh perspective, whilst 'Guava' is a real floaty, tropical ride. Neat ripped vocals and 2-step beats combine amidst a series of raucuous, grimy bass kicks that move things further in to 140 territory. 'Hold Tight' works a similar formula too, with a really polished, nostalgic garage cut suddenly ripped to shreds by a thugged-out, guttural bassline that reminds me a little of P Jam's 'Arizona Skyz'. Final track 'Oh Baby' continues with the nostalgia although is far defter in approach and highlights a subtlety in production that befits an artist of real pedigree, rounding off what is a more than promising debut for both label and artist. Good work.

Conducta's 'Galaxy' EP will be available to buy digitally from June 2nd. 

You can preview title-track Galaxy below:

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT: OOKO - NIGHT MOVES

With instrumental grime currently taking shape in a whole variety of forms, the strand captured so vivaciously by Keysound regulars Wen and in particular, Rabit, is really starting to flourish. Ooko, who's debut 12'' 'Sex Sells' I featured on Uncle Albert last year, is another to fall under this bracket and latest EP 'Night Moves' is sure-fire eski gold. 

Title-track 'Night Moves' is a corker, marrying a punchy 2-step beat with heavy-set eski synths whilst 'Ill Temper' gets colder, channeling Trim and working broken,  thugged out bass stabs. 'Hush' is a little less bruising in delivery, although still looks to the classic eski blueprint for inspiration. Something of a topical release maybe, but there is some really good work on show here. 

Night Moves is out now and available for free.

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT: JAMIE HUSTLE - PLEASURE DOME

Alongside solo endeavours for the likes of Butterz, Hyperdub and later on this year, Digital Soundboy, it's sometimes easy to forget that Champion fronts his own label too. Formula Records has been a consistent exponent of forward thinking, bass-heavy funky cuts since it's inception back in 2011 - mirroring the ethos Champion pursues within his own productions - but hasn't been afraid to introduce new talent along the way. The latest to step up to the plate is Jamie Hustle, whose 2-track 'Pleasure Dome' EP looks firmly to the dancefloor for inspiration.

Title-track Pleasure Dome is centered around a thumping 4x4 drum pattern, although only really starts to sing amidst the layers of dreamy, pitch-bent synths that combine to leave us with a weighty, genre-blurring club weapon. A great track. On the flip, 'One Objektive' incorporates vocals to get it's kicks alongside a slew of kicks and claps - it doesn't carry the same swagger as the EP's opener, but is still a great indicator as to Hustle's talents. 

The verdict? A promising debut and one that continues to mark out Formula as a hub for great home-grown bass talent. 

Out June 10th on 12'' / digital - you can preview 'Pleasure Dome' below:

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT: GRIME 2.0 - INSPIRATIONS

To commemorate the launch of Big Dada's 'Grime 2.0' compilation, I caught up with 10 producers and got their insight into the tracks that inspired them to start making music. From The Beatles to Waifer and from Dizzee Rascal to Dot Rotten, it's certainly an eye-opener - one of the most interesting features I've put together so far.

Read in full over at Clash Music here: http://www.clashmusic.com/features/grime-20-inspirations

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT: LIFE AT 140 #9

The latest of my 'Life at 140' columns for Clash Music took a look at April's happenings in the world of grime. A slew of new singles, EPs and mixes made it one of the busiest months of 2013 so far..

Read in full over at Clash and check out my top 5 tunes of the month too:

 http://www.clashmusic.com/features/life-at-140-9

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT: SERGIC & LYKA - BULLETPROOF

Nottingham based imprint Tumble Audio have been consistent exponents of dance music's grimier side since their inception late last year. A strong debut EP offering from Killjoy set the pace last October and was followed in quick succession by hotly-tipped producer Majora, whose 'Boss Key' EP peaked at number 1 on the Juno Download bass charts. 

Their third outing looks in-house for inspiration, with label heads Sergic & Lyka combining on the 3-track 'Bulletproof' EP, a genre-blurring exercise in dance floor rumbling. Title-track Bulletproof is certainly the grimiest of the 3; underpinned by snarling blasts of sub-bass, it works sporadic eski samples, heavy duty bass stabs and punchy drums to a frenzy - a little cluttered in parts but certainly good enough to get a floor jumping. 'Shame' on the other hand takes things firmly into bassline territory with serious swagger - in all honesty, it's a joy to hear that niche sound pushed with such enthusiasm after years of well-documented neglect. Final track 'Glod' is just as weighty too, if a touch less refined, but still more than earns 'club banger' status - big bass hits at house tempo exemplify the freedom in which the duo clearly revel in.

As a label, Tumble refuse to be bound by specificity in sound or style and Sergic & Lyka's effort is a testament to their refreshingly no frills, club-friendly outlook. Ones to watch for sure. 

'Bulletproof' is out now and available from all good online outlets. Preview 'Shame' below: