Another video premiere dropped today over on the Hedmuk YouTube channel, this one re-imagining some classic L-Wiz material from Dub Police's back catalogue. Many will have first encountered this tune on Caspa & Rusko's game-changing 'FabricLive.37' mix CD, but now a whole new generation of listeners can be introduced, again through a compilation, on Dub Police's 'Past Present Future', which is available now on CD, digital, and vinyl.
Since first launching as a silhouetted collective based in Manchester and self-releasing two of the most essential records of 2012, Akkord have been difficult to ignore. And it's only become more difficult since the geometrics obsessives were picked up by Rob Booth-run Fabric offshoot Houndstooth, resulting in the stunning Navigate EP.
In the run-up to one of the most anticipated LP releases of the year, namely Akkord's self-titled debut, the shadowy duo - since revealed as Mancunian pioneers Synkro & Indigo - have been sharing previews of album material via their akkordmusik.net site. Last weekend, 2000 people leaving Manchester's Warehouse Project were handed flyer packs containing the QR code sticker shown on the left, scanning which will take the savvy fan to an exclusive stream of 'Conveyor', the third album cut to be previewed so far.
Our friends over at Pack London recently landed an interview with drum & bass don Kasra, head of the inimitable Critical Records, in which they discussed everything from the label's beginnings and the Critical Fabric mix CD to their New Year's Eve warehouse party plans and which artists have caught Kasra's ear recently. So for the full lowdown, just click on through from the image below...
Distance's Chestplate imprint marks its fifth birthday this year and is doing so with the sort of enthusiasm that a five year old child might: 2012 has, thus far, been a groundbreaking year for the label as the full Chesplate cohort have not only descended upon the world-famous Fabric to host the third room but have also since been making a regular contribution to MistaJam's 'Daily Dose of Dubstep' segment on BBC Radio 1Xtra. And this of course has all been backed up by a steady and, especially for an independent label, plentiful supply of quality releases.
'Nostalgia' / 'Rupture' is the fourth release from the label this year, and Cyrus' second solo 12" to bear the CHST catalogue stamp. Opening with the tough kicks, instantly-recognisable snare, and reverberating vocal sample of 'Nostalgia', the controlled approach to space and sound design has Cyrus written all over it. As the bassline enters, the swing of the drums is wrapped into a swelling groove and accompanied by a drifting synth-line which aptly implies the couched warmth of the track's title. On the flip is 'Rupture', which justifies easily its AA-side status: moving along at a lurch, driven by intricate drum patterns and a visceral sub-bass melody, this is, as it were, the dancefloor's response to 'Nostalgia'. This release serves as a perfectly-weighted balance-point in what could be seen as a historic year for the Chestplate team.
Apparently not content with giving out three free EPs this summer aswell as the screeching 'Raw Dogz', Skream delivers yet another tune to download without a fee. Another metallic, tear-out tune, 'Fabric' was given away after Skream found the tune but couldn't remember making it.
Pinch's Tectonic imprint has been at the forefront of the scene since its inception way back in 2005; home to deep and heavy progressive music, the label has released tunes from the likes of Cyrus, 2562, DMZ, Loefah, Skream, Jack Sparrow, Peverelist and Pinch himself. With what the Tectonic boss describes as "the biggest thing the label has put out yet" coming in Autumn, and an upcoming Fabric Live residency announced today, the rest of 2010 is set to be exciting. Read the Fabric interview with Pinch here and be sure to catch Skream, Kuedo, Youngsta, Kryptic Minds, Pursuit Grooves and Pinch at Fabric on June 11th as they launch Tectonic's new home.
