Category Archives: Melodic

Cross Genre, Mash-up, Melodic, Old Skool, Rave

Come Again? – pfradio.com Session #1

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Some people may remember back in the day when I played for Phuture Frequency Radio. Run by the amazingly versatile and talented DJ Raptures / Iambic, Phuture Freq has gone from strength to strength over the last eight years until it is now in the top 100 itunes radio stations.

Around Christmas time Raps contacted me and asked if I would like to contribute a set and I jumped at the chance. The result was this mash-up mix of all sorts from old hardcore through to modern day ambient and even into the uncharted territories of Exile’s twisted music. I’m dedicating the set to Rapture’s for being a great mate down the years, and for always inspiring me to do more musically.

Come Again? – 1hr of Mashed-Up Beats for pfradio.com

Bass Boy & Techmaster P.E.B. – Activated
Blame – Music Take You
Soul Delay – My Shadow (138 Remix)
Missy Elliot – Best Best (Two Fingers Remix)
2 Bad Mice – Drum Trip II
Kaotic Chemistry – Illegal Subs
Tipper – Disolve (In)
Santogold – Unstoppable
Skanna – Heaven
Exile – Merlin
The Prodigy – Claustrophobic Sting
Universal Love – Deeply
Shapeshifter – Summer Haze
D-Bridge – Wonder Where
Ruxpin – Now I Turn To You
Panda – Leaving Amsterdam
Shapeshifter – The Ride

Chill Out, Ear & Drum Session, Jazz & Bass, Melodic

Finer Things – Ear & Drum Session 26

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Last year I did a mix of old 96 chilled jazzy tracks called The Finest. I guess you could call this a sequel of sorts. There are a few well know tracks amongst this lot, but by in large I’ve tried to pick some of the more obscure tracks from the golden era of D&B.

I’m sending this one out to Haste, Blick and Niddle (Nidal) who never cease to amaze me with their knowledge of old D&B and who’s mixes are always welcome on my iPod any time. Respect fellahs.

Finer Things – 2hrs of jazz & bass classics from 1996

Elisabeth Troy – Let Me Be
DJ Krush – Only the Strong Survive (Dillinja Remix)
Alex Banks – Control
Elementz of Noize – Astral
Natural Mystic – Got to Have You
Foul Play – Artificial Intelligence
Hyper-On Experience – East Coast Vibes
Spring Heel Jack – 60 Seconds Dub
Jonny L – 2 of Us
Wax Doctor – Off Shore Drift
Plug – Snapping Fuss
Tekniq – Awakening 96
JMJ & Flytronix – In Too Deep
EZ Rollers – Believe (Photek Remix)
Q Project – Solar System
Doc Scott – Tokyo Dawn
Wax Doctor – Finer Things
E.R.K. – Still Not Smoking
B.L.I.M. – Jeamland 96
P.F.M. – The Eleventh Hour
P.F.M. – The Mystics

2010, Free Tunes, Liquid D&B, Melodic, News, Producer Profile

Producer Profile: DJ Clart

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I first heard of DJ Clart through the Golden Orb Weavers EP with his track So Selfish. His ability to toughen up a liquid track and still keep it melodic jumped out at me straight away. Just to prove it wasn’t a fluke he dropped the monster Avenue on Sole Digital, the super smooth Watchout VIP on Liquid Brilliants and sublime Mysterious Ways with Glen E Stone on Quilin’s 4 Corners EP.

To call Clart liquid doesn’t really do him justice. His diversity is always underpinned by a ‘deepness’ that remains consistent in all his releases. His use of organic bass lines which he twists into growling stabs and the crisp, clean and loud production on his beats really make his tracks hold up in a mix.

It’s looking like a big year for Clart with upcoming releases on Peer pressure, Next Sense, Ingredients, Vampire and Influenza Media. I am convinced 2010 will be year that this talented producer blows up big.

Just top get a taste here is a free track Clart has graciously let me host. It’s a bootleg of Lupe Fiasco’s Paris Tokyo and whilst quite a bit lighter than some of Clart’s official releases it still shows what talent he is.

Enjoy. 🙂

Lupe Fiasco – Paris Tokyo (DJ Clart’s D&B Bootleg)

2009, Deep D&B, Ear & Drum Session, Melodic, Minimal

New Year’s Break – Ear & Drum Session 24

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One last mix to see the year out. 2009 has been a great year for D&B. New sounds and boundaries are being forged and despite the constant baying of the haters and the ‘it used to be better’ brigade the music is stronger than ever.

This mix covers a lot of ground from deep, drumfunk, liquid, minimal, tech and more. A big shout to Consequence who’s new LP ‘Live for Never’ has flipped my lid with it’s depth and beauty. Also props to The Upbeats, Audio, SPL, Seba and esspecially The Square for the free tracks.

If you are stuck for something to listen to on or in the New Year then get on it. Happy New Year to everyone who has supported me in 2009 and here’s hoping 2010 is bigger and better for you all.

New Year’s Break – 1hr+ of the deep and the dirty to see off 2009

The Upbeats – Through The Night
Consequence – A Man and a Woman
Consequence – Farewell
Rufige Cru – Chances (Alex Perez & Sabre Mix)
Consequence – Long Lies
Consequence – From A Distance
TVG Hates TVG – Wasting Away… (Indidjinous Remix)
Audio – Error
S.P.Y. vs Mosus – Drop Shadow
Rufige Cru – Sometimes Sad Day
SPL – It Will Be Different
Consequence – Lime Green
Seba – Dangerous Days
The Upbeats – Ki Ki Kai Kai Feat Cardz
The Square – Rock ‘n’ Roll
Soul Defiance – Hurt Me
BCee – Come Home
Sequent Industry – Train to Space (Square Remix)
AK1200 – Junior’s Tune (Digital Remix)

2009, Ear & Drum Session, Liquid D&B, Melodic

The Way It Is – Ear & Drum Session 22

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Liquid seems to be on the move at the moment. Whilst some camps are still pushing the dance floor sound, others are bringing a deeper influence. Russia seems to be a gold mine for new talent, and an amazing amount of melodic and minimal music has surfaced this year from the eastern block. The sound still holds it’s melodic base, but strips back the beats and lets the sub-bass pulse.

This mix is essentially the a best of all the new liquid(esc) music I’ve bought in the last couple of months. There are some traditional hand clap numbers in there, but I mainly try and focus of the deeper side of the sound.

The Way It Is – 1hr of Melodic Beats

Alix Perez feat. Peven Everett & Spectrasoul – Forsaken
Marky & XRS – Rotation (Stress Level & TC1 Remix)
Bonobo – The Keeper (Redeyes Remix)
A-Sides feat MC Fats – What You Don’t Know (Total Science Remix)
Quadrant – Whisper
Majestics – Force of an Attracting
Simplification & Edward Oberon – Loveline
Simplification – The Trilogy
Majestics – Coming Back
Mr Sizef – Garmoniya Mirov
DJ Clart & Glen E Stone – Mysterious Ways
Eveson – Deeper Still
Bcee – Disciple
Donnie Dubson – Battlecat
Calibre – Intro
Donnie Dubson – Grapefruit
Calibre – Tru Beat
Fourward – Eyelash

2008, Cross Genre, Liquid D&B, Melodic

Do MP3s Dream of Electric Bleep? – Jungletrain Session 173

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This one is an oldy but a goody. Well, when I say old it is a bunch of tracks from 2008 which is ancient in D&B terms.

The vibe is strong in this one with a good up lifting feel but a firm dance floor bent. It’s got some of my favourites from last year including the touching (yes D&B can be touching) Bachelors of Science – Song for Lovers, the forgotten classic that is Shapeshifter’s – The Ride and the pure Amen devastation of Theory’s – Aurora Flash.

Do MP3s Dream of Electric Bleep – 1hr of the beautiful and bold from 2008


Do the Math – Aint No Home

Gex – My Sadness (Club Mix)

Dirrrty B – Push It Higher

Stunna & Amaning – Mutual Life

Zyz Ruffen & Jssa – Outtah Here

ICR – The Way It Goes

Bachelors of Science – Song for Lovers

Km & Paralyzah – Nega

Stunna & Amaning – Just a Dream

Blasta – Son of Love

Altair – Reminisce

Shapeshifter – The Ride

Solar Empire – Dynamics

Theory – Aurora Flash

Camoe – Morning Sun

Chill Out, Ear & Drum Session, Jazz & Bass, Melodic, Old Skool

The Finest – Ear & Drum Session 11

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1996-97 was the era when Drum & Bass was at it’s most popular in the broadest sense. From hardcore Hip-Hoppers to chart topping acts, everyone needed a D&B remix on their 12″ or album. CafĂ©s, bars and restaurants were using it as muzac and every second advert on TV seemed to have a D&B backing track. It also happens to be the era when D&B as a music was at it’s most melodic and intricate, which is why I love the jazzy/intelligent D&B from around this time more than just about any other era.

This was a time when commercial success wasn’t such a dirty word (Sony and others were snapping up artists for their labels) and accessibility to the music didn’t seem like such a bad thing. Artists like Wax Doctor, LTJ Bukem, EZ Rollers, Omni Trio, Aquasky and many others all put delicate floating melodies over tough chopped up Amens and beats to produce a sound that you could play on a dance floor, but also play to your Mum and still have her stay in the room. The best thing about this era is that it still sounds as fresh today as when it first came out. It never seems to age or become disposable like some of the genres that came after it.

So in this mix I’ve tried to put together what was great about the 1996-97 Jazzy D&B genre. Some tracks you will have heard and, hopefully, there are a few obscure surprises in there that you haven’t. Best listened to with a good drink in your hand and your feet up on the couch, I suggest you kick back and enjoy what is not only great D&B, but great music too.

 

The Finest – 1.5hrs of 1996-97 Jazz & Bass

Nuyorcian Soul – I Am the Black Gold of the Sun (4 Hero Remix)
JMJ & Flytronix – In Too Deep
Flytronix – The Rhodes Tune
EZ Rollers – Dropping Science (EZ Remix)
Dr. S. Gachet – Remember the Rollers (The Meaningful Mix)
Omni Trio – Tripping on Broken Beats (Carlito Mix)
Statik Sound System – Revolutionary Pilot (Rob Smith Mix)
EZ Rollers – Sub Tropic
EZ Rollers – Believe
Photek – The Hidden Camera (Static Remix)
Aquasky – Opaque
Olive – You’re Not Alone (Roni Size Remix)
Alex Banks – Control
DJ Krush – Only the Strong Survive (Dillinja Remix)
LTJ Bukem – The James Bond Theme
Intense – Careless Minds
St. Germain – Alabama Blues (Wax Doctor Remix)
Ken Ishii – Stretch (Shogun Remix)
Wax Doctor – Finer Things
Adam F – Aromatherapy

All Artist Mix, Amen, Chill Out, Jazz & Bass, Melodic, Old Skool, Requested Archive

Los Trio Omnios – Phuturefreq Session 7

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I’ll be the first to admit that Omni Trio is like no other D&B producer in the game. His sense of melody and gentle touch in production makes his stuff far more than D&B and pushes it into the realms of ‘proper music’.

Ever since he started up with Rob Playford, Omni Trio has consistently released hit after hit and has provided some of THE anthems for the genre. His Albums Volume One – The Deepest Cut, The Haunted Science, Skeleton Keys, Byte Sized Life and Even Angels Cast Shadows are all classics.

I did this mix back in 2004, but still get requests for it today and so I thought it is well overdue for a re-hosting. It doesn’t cover every great track he has ever done, but you never could in just 2 hours. Even though a lot of the stuff in the mix is over 10 years old, I never get sick of listening to it and I hope you don’t either. Mr Robert Haigh, to you I say respect.

 

Los Trios Omnios – 2hrs of Omni Trio  

Through the Vibe (2 on 1 Mix)
Nu Birth Of Cool (Rogue Unit Mix)
The Elemental
Rhythm Methods
Serpent Navigators
Astral Phase 
Who Are You? (Aquasky Remix)
Sanctuary
Twin Town Karaoke (Guardians of Dalience Mix)
Fire Island 
Red Rain
Skeleton Keys
Meltdown
Breakbeat Etiquette
Secret Life (Silent Storm Remix) 
Higher Ground
Nu Birth
Lucid
Higher Ground (Breakbeat Etiquette London Steppas Mix)
Artificial Life (Harp Tune)
First Contact (1.25)
Diffusion Loops
Rogue Satellite (Extended Mix)
Lucid (London Steppers Remix)
Less Than Zero
Who Are You (EZ Rollers RMX)
Renegade Snares (High Contrast Remix)
Thru The Vibe (John B Remix)

All Label Mix, Ear & Drum Session, Liquid D&B, Melodic

Rolled Gold – Ear & Drum Session 9

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This is just as much a review as a mix, as I focus on the amazing label Golden Orb. This label has been up and running for about a year now and already they are up to release number nine. The fact that I could find an hours worth of quality music to fill a mix is a real testimony to the quality control set down by those at Golden Orb.

Operon, the labels manager, pricked up my ears with release one which had the madly funky Inside Man on it and from there the label has never looked back. The artist roster has some better know producers such as DJ Clart and Melbourne’s ATP, but the label isn’t shy with breaking new talent. They have a string of producers I’d never heard of, but who I will be keeping a serious ear out for in the future.

The best way I can describe their sound is a cross between the golden age of the ‘intelligent’ Moving Shadow releases (think Storm From The East), Good Looking and Fokus recordings. Even though Golden Orb has all these similar elements, they still manage to have a distinct and unique sound which is both lush and deep all at the same time.

Their last two releases, the Eastern Promises EPs, sees them toughening up their sound quite substantially with Invisible Landscape’s – First is Forever and Shebuzzz’ – In Infinity clear standouts. In Infinity is what can only be described as an out and out Amen spanker and is a dead cert for making the floor go mad.

If you like what you hear in this mix please give them your support by buying their stuff from .

 

Rolled Gold – 1hr mix of Golden Orb Digital

D-Fect – The Dayz
Cutworks – Alone in the Silence
ATP – Montego Funk
ATP – Struggle
Koritsa – Mine (Infuzoria Mix)
ATP – Soho Lament
DJ Clart – So Selfish
Intelligent Manners – Showtime
Command Strange – Goa
Flirt with Dirt – Taken to Reverie
D-Fect & Crix – All I Ever
Operon – Inside Man
Invisible Landscape – First is Forever
Shebuzzz – In Infinity

All Artist Mix, Chill Out, Liquid D&B, Melodic, Requested Archive

Muttly Much? – Jungletrain Session 176

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Hailing from Canada, Mutt blazes a trail with his unique sound. His melodic and soulful style is second to none in D&B today.

For me Mutt was the best new comer to D&B for 2006-7. His sense of melody, stripped back beats and soulful vocals make his sound relaxed and easy on the ear. But when it comes to rolling it out, he heads into a dubby dance hall style that gets the floor moving proper. I can’t say enough about him really. :fanboy: 

This mix is for him and anyone who loves his sound.

 

Muttly Much? – 1hr of Mr Mutt

Mutt – Strangers
Mutt – Trying Measures
Mutt – Lately
Mutt – Hot Lick Squeeze
Mutt – Kush Talk
Mutt – Come to Terms
Mutt – Nice As Me
Mutt – Advance Money
Mutt – Same As You Feel
Mutt – Crazy
Mutt – Hands Free
Mutt – Draw on Me
Mutt & Paul T – Hips, Thighs and Alibis
Mutt & Apeture – New Jazz Lick
Mutt – Dublites (D-Bridge Remix)
Mutt & Perpetuum – November
Mutt & Redeyes – Virtue
Mutt – Credence