Maxxi Soundsystem - Stella's Way (Huxley Remix)

Here we see the man responsible for creating, in my opinion, one of the most incredible tracks of recent years. I am of course talking about Michael Dodman a.k.a Huxley and his track 'Box Clever'.  The credentials that he displayed in said tune established him as one of the top producers of the moment and the skills that earned him this are on full display in his outstanding remix of Futureboogie advocate Maxxi Soundsystem's 'Stella's Way'. This track is forthcoming on Maceo Plex's label, Ellum Audio.

Huxley takes this track to an entirely new level, making it obviously different in comparison to the original. The sampled female voice is euphoric, whilst the lead bass-line is incredibly dark and moody. As a result of this, Huxley creates a beautiful juxtaposition of these elements. In the bridge, we welcome ambient synth sounds, swaying from ear to ear and consequentially fitting perfectly with that vocal sample.

However, I cannot explain how much I love that bass line! The descending deep riff is  catchy and just sits in unison with everything else. Huxley's reputation as one of the best is by no means in jeopardy.

For all you vinyl heads, this is out now. For those wanting a digital copy, you will have to wait until the 5th November.

-Samuel Hughes

Kry Wolf & Claude VonStroke - Turbosteppa

Dirtybird mastermind Claude VonStroke and up and coming boys in the UK Bass scene Kry Wolf have teamed up to release 'Turbosteppa'. Forthcoming on Dirtybird Records, 14th November.

The song builds fantastically. The bridge preceding the first drop features a sharp hi-end synth stab every two bars, the anticipation is exemplified by the solid hi-hat hits and clicks stuttering underneath. In addition to this is the repetitive sample luring in the background, progressively crescendoing to the drop.

Once the song fully hits, we are greeted with an incredibly bass heavy sound, not too different to the forthcoming French Fries release on the same label. You can feel the bass rumbling throughout your body and on the root note of each bar we welcome the large rumble that creates the aforementioned. Rhythmically accessible, yet not conventional, this track is quintessentially Dirtybird, the weird FX sounds, bleep and all together strange sounds lurking in the shadows make this tune instantly associable with Dirtybird.

The artwork is pretty intense too...

- Samuel Hughes

Rumah - Vex

As part of the 'Church' imprint, Sean Hughes a.k.a Rumah has released 'Vex' as a free download. He claims that he has only been "producing seriously" for eight months (as reported by Clash Magazine) and if this is indeed true, the results are startling. For such little experience in the industry, Rumah produces a sound that is both mature and infectious.

Vex is a prime example of Rumah's style, 4/4 techno focussed on sharp synth stabs,a nostalgic Detroit-esque bass line, ambient noises and a bass drum that hits harder than a Jehovah's Witness knocking at your door (no offence). The build-up to the first drop focusses in on  strange samples panning from ear to ear, however the sounds that he creates here are not subtle, the extreme filtering of these samples make you lose yourself completely in what you are listening to, to point where you are not sure whether to dance, or to wig out all over the dance floor.

The lead bass line is fantastic, it fits wonderfully over the simplistic, yet effective drum pattern and over the alternating synth stabs. Combine this with the reversed cymbals and eerie stutters and you have a tune that will work as well as it would on the dance floor  as it would sound tracking a drive up the M1 at 3 in the morning.

Essentially, Rumah shows a tremendous amount of promise. By listening to his music, it is relatively easy to calculate his influences, although, and unlike some,  he couples this with his own sound resulting in some brilliant productions that are both an ode to  producers that have influenced him and an illustration of his own creative flare.
I'm sure we will be hearing a lot more of Rumah in the future.

- Samuel Hughes

George FitzGerald - Needs You

Prominent Hot Flush Recordings member George FitzGerald is snatched up by Hypercolour recordings for his latest 12" release. This change is most obvious, as we see FitzGerald diversify himself to another level, fusing together garage and house to ultimately create two intricate sets of music quite different to his previous releases.

'Needs You' builds in a progressive manner, the male voice hiding behind the repetitive, yet melodiously pleasing bass line ultimately climaxing into something beautiful which  merit of an exceptional level can immediately be found. The bouncing bass and the low-end kick drum coexist wonderfully and the addition of the underlying synths only but add to this rush of sonic euphoria. You will- without a shadow of doubt- be hearing this one soon.

The B-side to this release is titled 'Every Inch' and continues in the same vein as the A-side. FitzGerald demonstrates his love for sweeping and subtle harmonies again in this tune as they gently sway from ear to ear. The gentle claps throughout are a pleasing addition,  especially when added to the multiple melodic patterns that weave in and out of your sub-conscience on top of a restrained garage beat equalling in a much more relaxed production in comparison to the A side.

Swiss producer Deetron shows us his talents on his remix of 'Every Inch'. The filtered drums preceding the drop keep the listener anxious for what is in store. Deetron provides us with an array of psychedelic sounds, maintaining his focus on the Acid bass and tremolo synth patterns throughout.  The driving force of this song however comes from the subtle additions that only transpire after multiple listens; consisting the blissed out twinkles and deep bass grooves that keep things fresh and new throughout.

This bad boy will see a release on the 19th Novemeber.

George FitzGerald - Needs You (clip)

-Samuel Hughes

BrockBerrigan - Welcome to the Family

With the genre classified as 'good vibes' one can more or less presume the feel to this tune. Supposedly created in ode to his brother tieing the knot, BrockBerrigan comes out on top with 'Welcome To The Family'.

The drums are perfect, crisp but packing a lot of weight. The strings are beautiful and work perfectly with that lead brass line.  After several inspections, there is a lot going on here, featuring a shift in the main melodic part mid-way; as well as the introduction of an acoustic guitar and a sampled bass line, consequentially making everything fit together wonderfully.

Drift off into un-reality with this one...

   - Samuel Hughes

Flashmob - Sometimes

As part of Annie Mac's Free Music Monday, Flashmob have contributed 'Sometimes'.

The vocal sample is euphoric, yet the song ultimately generates a moody feel creating a brilliant contrast of the two. The bass line is the real driving force behind this production, deep, ascending and melodic, it fits perfectly on top of the open hi-hats and the ambient synths coming in at the second drop.

What makes the song work is that it combines a perfect blend of beautiful sounds making you feel that you are walking through the Garden of Eden but a bass line that subsequently puts right in the mean streets of Compton. Flashmob, certainly have a bright future.

Flashmob-Sometimes

- Samuel Hughes

French Fries - Space Alarm

Since I first got into electronic music, Dirtybird Records has always been a point of reference for the most cutting-edge styles of bass music. This forthcoming release from French Fries is a prime example of why Dirtybird is becoming a household name for dance music pursuits.

Last year saw the release of 'Yo Vogue' a tune that along with its' VIP and many remixes kept teenagers gurning and DJs spinning the tune for along time, certifying itself as one of the stand-out tracks from 2011. The self-titled A side is in the same vein of 'Yo Vogue' but through several listens, the track restrains itself respectfully, never going over the top but providing listeners with the low-end bass lines and killer percussion that makes 'French Fries' something special.

The second track on the release 'Smoke Wine' is quintessentially French Fries, the off-beat samples, tribal rhythms and the repetition of the words "Smoke Wine" in your typical slow-motion black gentleman speaking way is familiar, yet never dull.

The remixes that accompany this release are never short of exceptional themselves. House music's man of the moment Justin Martin takes to 'Space Alarm' in a way that only Martin himself could do.  The weird noises and percussive elements that  feature are what make Martin, Martin.  Dirtybird newcomers GoldFFinch take on 'Smoke Wine' is sublime; the typical UK Funky drums take this thing right out of your headphones and into the club. A sterling effort from the boys in Belgium.

All in all, a release I cannot wait to drop.

Check a preview of it below

.French Fries - Space Alarm

- Samuel Hughes

Disclosure - Boiling (feat. Sinead Harnett) EL-B Remix (shelfed release)

Love them or hate them, Disclosure are picking up some serious recognition at the moment. From playing sold out shows with SBTRKT to being labelled as 'The Next Big Thing' by many, Disclosure are essentially doing big things.

However, for me, some of their tunes seem to fall flat, not really providing the listener with much, their original productions do possess a sound which is entirely their own,but they don''t feature much variation and it seems that they are missing something...

But don't worry, as seminal Garage head EL-B takes the song from the radio and into to the club, creating deep pulsing bass grooves contrasted with heavy 2-step rhythms in the process.  A massive improvment on the original.

Screw your face up and punch your fist the air to this one.

Disclosure-Boiling (feat. Sinead Harnett) EL-B Remix

Joy Orbison - Hyph Mngo (Whitesquare Remix)

By now, I'm sure you will all be familiar with Joy Orbison.  If not, then chances are you would have heard 'Hyph Mngo' anyway, when Hotflush recordings released Fact Magazine's top song of 2009, everything changed for one Peter O' Grady. Since then, releases with the likes of Pearson Sound and Boddika have made him one of the key figures in the progression of alternative electronic music.

Italian producer Whitesquare takes Joy Orbsion's debut  single to an entirely different level. Coming in at just under 10 minutes, Whitesquare offers an albeit structurally simple, yet provides an infectious interpretation of a modern classic. The track slowly crescendos to the first drop with a bass drum sound that it is too die for, accompanied with the iconic synth pattern of the original coupled another layer of similar sounds to add to the atmosphere and anticipation of the bridge. Whitesquare gives listeners what they are waiting for, when 3.34 hits, listeners are greeted with a hard-hitting bass line, percussion hitting hard and subtle melancholic sampled strings that make this track one of the few successful remixes of one of the most influential tracks of recent years.

Whitesquare takes the deep vibes even higher in the second drop, the ear is met with that foot tapping bass line again as well as the aforementioned atmosphere-making elements in the first half of the song. But this time, it is more intense , more infectious and it ultimately hits harder than the first half; keeping things new throughout. A prime example of a production that builds and builds and certainly pays off.

Joy Orbison - Hyph Mngo (Whitesquare Remix)

- Samuel Hughes

Big L - Put It On (ManOnWire Remix)

British producer ManOnWire a.k.a James Whitehead highlights why he is considered as one of the key players in the underground hip-hop and soul scene with his take on the Big L classic 'Put It On'.  The juxtaposition of Big L's gritty voice with a beat that doesn't sound too dissimilar to something off 'Ill Communication' providers listeners with an arguably much darker experience than the original.

http://soundcloud.com/manonwire-2/big-l-put-it-on-manonwire
(It's free as well)

-Samuel Hughes

Daisy Cutta - Cutta & Friends

Hailing from Santa Ana California comes Daisy Cutta, a beat producer who's latest Full Length (free release) 'Cutta & Friends' showcases one man's diverse tastes in just around 22 minutes of sonic bliss.

Always with his sight on simplistic, yet harmonious, melodic patterns Daisy Cutta manages to draw a beautiful contrast of heavily processed drum patterns with low-end bass frequencies; which consequentially result in an incredibly diverse listen. In this 12 track release, 'Cutta showcases his diverse interests ideas with wonderful effect. The repetition of the Organ as the main leading instrument coupled with electronic bleeps and sounds throughout keeps things familiar but never tiresome.

However, the sterling effort on this release must not all be directed towards 'Cutta, as the man himself draws in many valuable contributions for assistance. Notable heavy hitters such as weirddough, Bassmango and eme are inspired additions, keeping that head nodding throughout.

A highly underrated producer in the broad spectrum that is instrumental hip-hop comes out on top with 'Cutta & Friends' and one can only expect/hope for  more of the same in the future.

Cop this bad-boy through the link below:
Daisy Cutta - Cutta & Friends

-Samuel Hughes