Sabre – One Man Jettison – Darkestral Excursions

DARKESTRALEX 001 (DARKESTRAL EXCURSIONS)

SABRE ‘ONE MAN JETTISON’ / ‘BOUNDARY PT.1 (AFTERTHOUGHT)’ / ‘DECORUM’

2009 USHERS IN A NEW PROJECT FOR THE DARKESTRAL OPERATION WITH THE CREATION OF AN IMPRINT SPLICED FROM THE MOTHERSHIP LABEL DNA, WITH THE INTENT OF SETTIN OUT TO EXPLORE THE OUTER REACHES OF THE DARKESTRAL SOUND WITH A MORE CINEMATIC PERSUASION.

EVEN MORE STRIPPED DOWN AND MINIMAL THAN THE MAIN BODY, THIS 170BPM SERIES HAS FOUND THE PERFECT FIRST EXAMPLE THAT DESCRIBES THE FEELING OF BEING CAST OUT INTO DEEP SPACE, WHERE GRAVITY HAS A DIFFERENT IMPACT ON BOTH MIND AND BODY, SO, FITTINGLY, IT’S FIRST TITLE IS ‘ONE MAN JETTISON’, A RENEGADE PRODUCTION FROM THE ARTIST KNOWN AS SABRE.

A1 ‘ONE MAN JETTISON’ COLD, MILDLY MELANCHOLIC STRINGS PLACE YOU IMMEDIATELY IN AN UNFAMILIAR SURROUND, SLOWLY AWAKENING TO A FEELING OF ISOLATION, THE BEATS START TO PUMMEL GENTLY AS THE HEARTBEAT AND ADRENALINE RISES TO THE SURFACE BEFORE FADING BACK DOWN AND A LEVEL OF CALM REALISATION AND PEACE RESIDES . THERES NO GOING BACK. A PERFECT METAPHOR FOR THE LABEL INTENT.

A2 ‘BOUNDARY PT.1 (AFTERTHOUGHT)’

1 MIN 30 SECS OF AMBIENT DRIFT DESCRIBING THE SMALL PARTICLES OF DEEP SPACE FLOWING PAST YOUR VISOR AND HEADWEAR CREATING A SUBTLE GRAZING TEXTURE OF SOUND IN YOUR ENCLOSED SURROUND.

AA ‘DECORUM’

BEATS RISE AND FALL AS IF FLOATING WITHIN THE SONIC VACUUM CREATED BY THE ‘2001 A SPACE ODYSSEY’ FLOW OF THE SURROUNDING PRESSURED ATMOSPHERICS, YOU MENTALLY DRIFT ALONG BEING GENTLY BUFFETED BY CHANGING AIR CAVITIES WHILST THE STRING SECTION ACCENTUATES THE FEELING OF WEIGHTLESSNESS.

With Instra:Mental launching their own label, it’s great to see that Darkestral are signing material from other artists. I’ve had this release for a few months now, and I have to say that it’s a really unique,  original, cinematic, and atmospheric piece of music. A great start to a label which is clearly going to be focussed on pushing the boundaries of what is drum & bass. ST Holdings, the distributor for Darkestral, have confirmed that the release will be a limited edition run of 500 copies on Black & White streaked vinyl, untreated black reverse board with overprinted logo.

One Man Jettison will be released on 7th December 2009. The track “One Man Jettison” featured in a drum & bass mix I recorded back in February 2009, which you can download here

Links
Darkestral Excursions Myspace
Sabre Myspace

ASC – Fabric Promo Mix – November 2009

ASC has very kindly put together a superb autonomic-themed drum & bass mix. It’s an excellent selection of forthcoming tracks from the Exit / NonPlus+ stable and features music from the likes of D-Bridge, Instra:Mental, Consequence and ASC himself.

ASC’s next single, “Porcelain” is due imminantly on NonPlus+. In fact, promos have just appeared on Red Eye Records… Here’s the official statement from NonPlus+:

Instra:mental welcome a new addition to the Nonplus+ camp who goes by the name of ASC. This producer is by no means new to making music, but recently his productions have become an essential addition to dBridge & Instra:mental’s Autonomic podcast series and also frequents their club sets.

ASC ‘Porcelain’ is a perfect illustration as to why Instra:mental have been paying ASC’s music so much attention. It begins with a glitchy yet groove-laden beat coupled with dramatic piano and fx stabs, then fills out with a warm drawing sub bass and smooth atmospheres. As the track progresses and you think it’s reached its climax, ASC cleverly layers an almost oriental sounding percussion stab to accompany the bass line and picks up the track to another level. This track is a prime example of being able to express the utmost with the minimum.

ASC ‘Focus Inwards’ is the deeper side of this 12” and as the title suggests, takes you on a journey into yourself. Fully charged with progressive chords and melodies alongside electric sounding drum fills and percussion, the arrangement, musical content and pure elegance of this track give us an insight into ASC’s compositional abilities and potential for the future.

Here is the tracklisting for the mix itself:

1. dBridge – City Of Lonely Runaways [EXIT]
2. ASC – Porcelain [NON PLUS+]
3. Instra:Mental – No Future (ASC Remix) [NON PLUS+]
4. Plus Ultra – ? [NON PLUS+/EXIT]
5. Consequence – Rollin Supreme [N/A]
6. Consequence & Instra:Mental – Reflex Reaction [EXIT]
7. ASC – Untitled – Dub
8. Resound – Untitled – Dub
9. ASC – Untitled – Dub
10. ASC – Untitled – [NON PLUS+]
11. Black Pocket – U’re A Star (dBridge Remix) [EXIT]
12. Unknown – Dub
13. Consequence – Fog [EXIT]
14. Unknown – Dub

Download

Links
NonPlus+ Records @ Juno
ASC Myspace Page
asc SoundCloud Page
DeeperSounds.com – Home of the Deepsounds Forum
Club Autonomic – Home of the Autonomic Podcast
NonPlus+ Myspace – Instra:Mental’s label
D-Bridge Myspace Page

Session 017 November 2009

DAVID BOWIE – TELLING LIES (ADAM F REMIX)
BRIAN ENO – IN DARK TREES
D-BRIDGE – MEMORY PARK
BLU MAR TEN – BY THE TIME MY LIGHT REACHES YOU I’LL BE GONE
DEEP BLUE & BLAME – DE-TRANSITIONS
LTJ BUKEM – CONSTELLATIONS (FEAT. MC CONRAD & DRS)
JOY ORBISON – HYPH MNGO
FLOATING POINTS – J&W BEAT
FINK – TROUBLE’S WHAT YOU’RE IN
UNKLE – IN A STATE
A NUMBER OF NAMES – SHARI VARI
INSTRA:MENTAL – TRAMMA
BLU MAR TEN – MADE OF AIR
BAT FOR LASHES – SLEEP ALONE
ROBERT MANOS – FIRST BORN LOVE
BAT FOR LASHES – DANIEL
KOEN HOLTKAMP – WALKER / MONEY MARK – INSECTS ARE ALL AROUND US

To download via the itunes podcast directory, click the image below; or alternatively, for a direct download link, click here

Podcast Now Available via MixCloud

MixCloud

Mixcloud helps connect radio content to listeners more effectively. Mixcloud is re-thinking radio by joining the dots between radio shows, Podcasts and DJ mixes. We refer to them as Cloudcasts – audio shows that are stored in the “cloud” and available to be streamed on-demand.

I have decided to take advantage of this new site, and have therefore uploaded all sixteen episodes of my podcast, for your enjoyment. This means you can now listen to each episode, without needing to download the audio beforehand.

The nice thing about mixcloud is that, as well as being free, and easy to use, it also encourages it’s users to submit a thorough tracklisting to accompany each mix. You should find a complete tracklist against each & every podcast uploaded to MixCloud.

To check out my MixCloud homepage, click the link below:

http://www.mixcloud.com/robertgraff/

Seba – Exclusive New Drum & Bass Mix – 2009 PT1

Seba

Swedish producer Seba has been making top quality tunes for a number of years, with a string of releases on labels like Good Looking Records, Metalheadz and his own Secret operations label. Originating from Ingaro, an island just outside Stockholm, Sebastian Ahrenberg started producing in the early 90s. Working with a basic home studio, he began by making techno, but soon progressed to a more breakbeat-orientated sound, which is know today as drum & bass.

Seba is known for his emotional depth in his music, which is rarely seen in todays drum & bass. In 2001 he started his label Secret operations, as a platform to continue making beats in a deeper and emotional direction.

Last year saw the release of Seba’s debut album, Return To Forever, which, in my opinion, is probably the best drum & bass album I’ve ever heard.

Seba is probably the most talented producer in the d&b scene bar none; musically, he never fails to deliver, and his music is constantly evolving. What a joy it must be then, for him to find time to put together this excellent 50 minute drum & bass mix.

Tracklisting
1. Illogic & raf – songs of experience – Bingo
2. Mosus & HLZ – Nexus7 – Liquid V
3. Calibre – understand – deep kut
4. Seba – pressure point – hospital dub
5. Seba – dont you love me any more – dub
6. Seba – painted sky – secret operations dub
7. Seba & Kirsty Hawkshaw – The joy (face to face) – secret operations dub
8. Spy – ASBO – soul:r
9. Illogic & raf – complex identities – Bingo
10. Eward Oberon – Paradise – dub
11. Spy – the boy who cried wolf – 31 records

Links
Secret Operations – Seba’s label
Seba @ Juno Records
Secret Operations Myspace Page
Seba & Krazy Myspace Page

Blu Mar Ten – Natural History Album

“It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent. It is the one that is the most adaptable to change.” -Charles Darwin

Few musical acts can lay claim to such dynamic evolution as Blu Mar Ten. Formed in the big-bang of 90’s drum & bass, their superior genes saw them grow and mutate beyond the confines of the jungle into lush experimentation with downtempo, ambient, house, techno & left-field.

Returning to their ancestral roots, ‘Natural History’ is the long-awaited first full drum & bass album from Blu Mar Ten leaving you in no doubt about their position at the cutting edge of the genre. From the storming remix of vocal opener ‘Starting Over’, through the deeply abstract ‘Grey Area’, to the VIP rework of massive club hit ‘Close’ and the epic ‘Last Dance’, ‘Natural History’ showcases the trio’s ability to enrich and develop their DNA, resulting in an album full of surprising twists and turns that always carry the Blu Mar Ten stamp of quality.

DJ support for ‘Natural History’ has come from right across the d&b family tree, including:
Marky, London Elektricity, Doc Scott, Teebee, D Bridge, Hype, John B, Logistics, Ed Rush, Marcus Intalex, Utah Jazz, Makoto, Spectrasoul , Apex, SPY, Craggz, DKay, Seba, Loxy, Ink, Lynx, Instra:mental, John B, Randomer, Data, Ink, Nerm & D-Kode, Annie Nightingale, Crissy Criss, Mosus, Furney, SPY, A Sides, Tom Middleton, ASC, Kubiks, Lomax, Alleycat, Big Bud and many more….

CD Tracklisting:
01. Starting Over (2009 Remix)
02. Above Words
03. God’s Lonely Man
04. By The Time My Light Reaches You I’ll Be Gone
05. Grey Area
06. Believe Me
07. Close (VIP)
08. Clipjoint
09. If I Could Tell You
10. Nobody Here
11. Last Dance
12. Overwhelm
13. Bedroom Eyes

Audio:

Blu Mar Ten – Natural History by Blu Mar Ten

Digital Version will feature the following Bonus Tracks:
(14). Made Of Air
(15). Eight Rounds Rapid

2×12″ Vinyl Tracklist:
A) Close (VIP)
B) Clipjoint
C) If I Could Tell You
D) Last Dance

According to the official ST Holdings Announcement, the album will be in shops from 2nd November 2009.

Links
Blu Mar Ten @ Juno Records
Pre-Order The Vinyl @ Red Eye Records
Blu Mar Ten @ Chemical Records
Blu Mar Ten @ Play.com
Blu Mar Ten @ itunes
Official Blu Mar Ten Site

Fanu – Homefree – Lightless Recordings

“Homefree” is, technically, the third long player from prolific producer Fanu aka Janne Hatula, Finland’s biggest drum & bass star. The first was “Focused Mind” under his now defunct Fanu Samurai monikor, which was eventually re-packaged as monster double-pack called “Daylightless”, containing both “Focused Mind” and a whole suite of new drum & bass tracks.

“Homefree” is a 13-track, mostly drum & bass affair. The album kicks off with the epic “Amok”, which has received much DJ support over the last 12 months; It’s a very cinematic, edgy, emotional track with a beautiful melody and haunting vocals. Fanu’s take on the do-the-do break is really phenomenal in this track; I’ve never heard it sound quite so punchy. As a bit of a surprise, the track concludes with a heavy amen brothers workout to complete what is probably one of his biggest tracks since the mighty Siren Song.

“And I Find It There” harks back to the Fanu Samurai project with his mid-tempo drums, ethnic instruments and unusual melodies.

“Where It Rains Blood”, which was previously a single on Lightless, is a homage to the latest David Lynch film INLAND EMPIRE. The vocals are used to great affect to build a lot of tension before Fanu takes us through a definitive lesson on how to program drums. It’s a pretty intense, edgy, crazy track and really stands out.

“Burning The Bridge” is another excellent example of Fanu’s ability to effortlessly switch styles and create really cinematic-sounding music. The track has really heavy, pounding drums and a growling double bass, all used to great effect.

“Cry4u” is, I think, one of Fanu’s first vocal tracks, featuring Swervez, and follows Amok’s emotional, melodic tones, but with the addition of some very nice vocals.

“End Of An Era” is an excellent 90s sounding atmospheric Amen Track, which is reminiscent of something Boymerang would have written for the landmark drum & bass album, Balance Of The Force. A nice track that quickly brings back memories of the old GLR days.

All in all, this 15-track album highlights Fanu’s tireless dedication to his craft; A very detailed, moving, and impressive piece of work.

“Homefree” was released in August 2009 on lightless recordings.

Links
Buy Homefree from Juno Records
Buy Homefree in MP3 Format from Digital Tunes.net
Buy Homefree in MP3 Format from RawRip
Buy Homefree from the itunes store
http://www.fanumusic.com/ – The Official Fanu Site
http://www.myspace.com/fanubreaks – Fanu Myspace Page

Session 016 October 2009

UNKNOWN ARTIST – NEWSNIGHT THEME
UNITED FUTURE ORGANISATION – THE MOVING SHADOWS
JOCELYN POOK – MASKED BALL
ANGELO BADALAMENTI &  THE CITY OF PRAGUE PHILHARMONIC – DIANE & CAMILLA
FLOATING POINTS – VACUUM BOOGIE
DOLLY PARTON – HERE YOU COME AGAIN
UNITED FUTURE ORGANISATION – COSMIC GYPSY
SEBA – BLAZE & FADE OUT
NAIBU – IT TOOK A LONG TIME
CYANTIFIC – EMPTY STREETS
SEBA & KRAZY – INKASSO
BLU MAR TEN – CLOSE
RESOUND – SECOND THOUGHTS
SEBA – 34 ALPHA
COMMIX – JUSTIFIED
NUCLEUS & PARADOX – ETYMOLOGY
SPECTRASOUL – INSIGNIA
LONDON ELEKTRICITY – JUST ONE SECOND (APEX REMIX)
SABRE & SURVIVAL – OMEGA KING
CONSEQUENCE – THE HOLD
UNITED FUTURE ORGANISATION – THE MOVING SHADOWS (EXCERPT)

To download via the itunes podcast directory, click the image below; or alternatively, for a direct download link, click here

Session 015 – September 2009

First & Foremost, I would like to thank Rico @ Darkestral for allowing me to play the excellent “Dreadtone” by Consequence, forthcoming on Darkestral Excursions. Check out Darkestral at any of the following sites:

http://www.darkestral.com/
http://www.myspace.com/darkestralrecordings
http://www.myspace.com/darkestralexcursions

Following last month’s format, this month’s selection kicks off with some top-drawer drum & bass, followed by a hand-picked sequence of the finest electro, detroit techno, and other lush electronica.

CONSEQUENCE – DREADTONE – FORTHCOMING ON DARKESTRAL EXCURSIONS
INSTRA:MENTAL – WATCHING YOU
SPECTRASOUL FEAT. MIKE KNIGHT – MELODIES
SPECTRASOUL – ALIBI (BREAK REMIX)
CARL CRAIG – SPARKLE
CARL CRAIG – SCIENCE FICTION (VERSION)
PSYCHE – ELEMENTS
DREXCIYA – AQUA WORM HOLE
DOPPLEREFFEKT – Z-BOSON
DOPPLEREFFEKT – HYPERELLIPTIC SURFACES (EXCERPT) / MESSAGE FROM MISSION CONTROL
DREXCIYA – DAVY JONES LOCKER
TELEX – MY TIME
WAX STAG – SHORT ROAD
THE WHITEST BOY ALIVE – COURAGE
THE OTHER PEOPLE PLACE – MOONLIGHT RENDEZVOUS
SLEEPY TOWN MANUFACTURE – CHERISH

To download via the itunes podcast directory, click the image below; or alternatively, for a direct download link, click here

Next Blu Mar Ten Album Title Announced

The next Blu Mar Ten Album - Natural History

The title of the third album from Blu Mar Ten was announced this morning as “Natural History”. The title was announced earlier today by one of the members of the trio, together with some very nice, contemporary artwork courtesy of ithinkitsnice, who has recently provided artwork for Bop’s debut album on Medschool.

In a stark contrast to their previous albums, The Six Million Names Of God and Blackwater, “Natural History” is going to be an all-drum & bass album. I’ve always thought that drum & bass albums rarely work, so it’ll be interesting to hear what they’ve come up with; to be fair, Seba’s Return To Forever was a truly excellent example of a good, solid album of drum & bass; almost a blueprint for how it should be done.

Rumours suggest that “Natural History” will be dropping around October / November, on their own Blu Mar Ten imprint.

Links
www.blumarten.com – Official Site
www.myspace.com/blumarten – Official Myspace Page
http://www.ithinkitsnice.com/ – Official page of graphic designer ithinkitsnice