El Presidente
DJ Katapila – Trotro (Awesome Tapes)
Originally released in 2009 in Accra, Ghana, this album was snapped up by Awesome Tapes from Africa and re released this month – and for good reason. It features traditional Ghanaian influences alongside electronic drum beats to produce a new level of dance music. It is safe to say that it gets completely nuts at times, but this album is completely unique and worth a listen!
Best Track: ‘Sakawa’
Best to play: When you’re in a weird mood.
Surplus
JoeFarr – RPM EP (Bloc)
JoeFarr has been moving from strength to strength since we got him down to Exeter for our Beats & Bass post-exams party last year. This 3 track EP delivers some of the best techno I’ve heard in a while: incredible dancing synths and punchy kicks on the title track ‘RPM (Dedication)’, the acid banger ‘Rolling and Thatching’ (a nod to Daft Punk), and the techno juggernaut ‘Work Out Three’, a ridiculously heavy track that I can’t wait to play out.
Best track: ‘RPM (Dedication)’
Best to play: First thing in the morning when you wake up to get you sorted for the day.
Tom Deuchars
Chaos in the CBD – Digital Harmony EP (Mule Musiq)
I would love to write about this using clichéd “music review” adjectives which give way to clichéd metaphors peppered with questionable verb choices, but I don’t have the space or English skills. This EP is good and you should definitely give it a listen if you want something a bit more laid back.
Best track: Our Last Dance
Best to play: When the sun is setting somewhere hot and you’ve just cracked open a warm Carlsberg to try and get rid of your hangover.
wgwn
MssingNo – Fones EP (XL Recordings)
Coming off the back of XE2 which was Fact’s best track of 2013, known to induce ravers to the point of tears; MssingNo had already set the bar very high for his sophomore release, though he manages to fully surpass it. These tracks are a curious melting pot of crisp percussion with a definite grime influence and warped and pitch-shifted samples of half-remembered vocals from 90s R&B. The EP manages difficult task of being equal parts banger and ballad; emotive and ecstatic.
Best track: ‘Scope’
Best to play: When you’ve been booked to play a set on Valentine’s Day (even better if you get on the mic and dedicate the song to ‘everybody out there who’s hurting’).
Nala
Enei – Rituals (Critical Music)
Signed to Kasra’s label in 2011, Enei has been producing a heavy Drum and Bass sound over the past years. Featuring on his current album is singer Charli Brix, whose vocals add an easy listening feel to two of his tracks ‘Just one look’ and ‘Homeworld’. Other collaborators on this album include Kasra, Mefjus and Foreign Concept. A definite must listen for any dnb heads, I guarantee you will love!
Best Track: ‘Just One Look’ (ft. Charli Brix)
Best to play: Getting ready to go out. This will get you hyped fo sho!!
Liam Monsell
Jessy Lanza – Oh No (Hyperdub)
Whilst everyone is raving about Justin Bieber, Canada’s worst export since Nickleback, Canada’s best contribution to original music since Rush has been getting busy with her own brand of dynamic hip-hop and bass. After being picked up by Hyperdub, Lanza has been bringing us a rich variety of soulful electronic music that combines’ simplistic vocal hooks with a nostalgic use of polymoog synth and 808 drums. Consistent in vibe though diverse in style, Lanza produces tunes that feel great to listen to at home and to get down to on a night out. Her new album ‘Oh No’ is a testament to her prowess as a rising music star.
Best Track: ‘It Means I Love You’
Best to Play: When shopping in Camden market for windbreakers or when you want to dance without spilling your Red Stripe.
Kasus
Ishan Sound – Trojan (Peng Sound)
Local Exeter producer Ishan Sound has been creating some serious noise with Bristol’s Young Echo collective over the last few years. Playing all over Bristol, more notably Teachings in Dub proved to be a big milestone in Ishan’s career. His experimental approach to percussion compares second-to-none with the cranked low end sub frequencies. His recent EP features remixes from fellow Bristolians, Gorgon Sound and Dubkasm. This weighty selection is not one to miss!
Best Track: ‘Trojan’ (Gorgon Sound Remix)
Best to Play: Off Mungo Hifi’s Sound System
Kingtrix
Alix Perez/Ivy Lab – Arkestra EP (Critical Music)
Certainly no strangers to the underground scene, Alix Perez and Ivy Lab have joined forces to cook up a fresh new EP for the highly acclaimed drum and bass label Critical Music. The beautifully balanced EP Arkestra takes us on an emotional journey. “Maiden”, a deeply meaningful liquid number, held together by soulful vocals sends us on our way to “Arkestra” which rolls forward with punchy breakbeats, silky smooth synths and an alluring vocal to guide. Then “The Last Light” takes the reigns with a dreamy soundscape supported by subtle jazzy twangs, blissful melodies and crisp percussion. Having being lulled into a false sense of security, we’re thrown into the deep end with “Tell Dem”, a swaggy Noisia-esque bass steppin’ banger! Maintaining a balance between light and dark, hard-hitter “Stop it” brings down the tempo with a solid groove. Digital bonus chiller “No one else” puts the dusting on the cake as its airy liquid sweetness floats off into the distance.
Best Track: ‘Maiden’
Best to Play: When in a state of mindfulness.
