What a healthy year it’s been for dubstep and it’s surrounding genres, and what a month it’s been to finish it off! Some serious bits have been put out there over the last few weeks. Lets take a look at some of my favourites…
Hi5ghost – Isoulate EP
There seems to be so much good stuff coming out of Bristol right now, more so than ever. But it’s High5ghost who happens to be one of the ones at the top having nailed releases on Sector 7 and the mighty Bandulu Records. This month, the Bristolian returned to Papercranes Records for a second time although this one being a solo release on the label with ‘Isoulate‘. All four tracks bang in their own right with the perfect mix of grime and dubstep, a sound that’s really come into it’s own as of late. The EP’s title track is must listen, involving a perfect sample taken from the soundtrack of my favourite movie this year ‘Annihilation‘. Hi5ghost certainly does it justice.
Chad Dubz – Reptilian Bitch EP (DSDV002)
Moving on to another very active Bristol based producer Chad Dubz, who released a second EP in two months following ‘Addicts‘ on Boka Records. For his final release this year, Chad Dubz debuted on US label Dub Sector with the perfectly named ‘Reptilian Bitch’, matched with some very accurate artwork. There’s some really tough beasts on this one, a little rowdier than the producers aforementioned release. Welsh collective LSN worked their magic on the EP’s title track, creating a beauty of a remix that’s been on repeat ever since.
MR K – Don’t Trip EP (WPR037)
If there’s another producer who can match Chad Dubz‘ work ethic this month it’s Mr K who successfully came through with two EP’s on the same day! Although his release on Wheel & Deal is not to be ignored (WHEELYDEALY061), it’s his brand new four tracker on White Peach Records that comes on out on top for me having the heavyweight ‘Firm‘ included, a track I’ve been waiting to get on the hard drive for some time.
1137 – FKOFd036
Stateside newcomer 1137 has quietly been finding his place over the last 12 months leading up to this effort, his biggest release yet. FKOFd036 is a solid bass driven four tracker where 1137 displays his abilities including some sweet percussion on the likes of ‘Terror Dub‘ and awesome melodies on the likes of ‘Undefeated‘. FKOFd036 has a very authentic sound running throughout the EP, a sound of which I hope 1137 continues to grow and nurture going into 2019.
Argo – ENV002.1
As ever with any vinyl only release on Encrypted Audio, ENV002.1 from Parisian producer Argo has been highly anticipated. Partly down to the heavy interest in the track ‘LNTC‘, one that has been waiting to get into the public domain for the best part of a year. The two other tracks aren’t to be overlooked either and evidently so, having now sold out. Argo once again displays his incredibly unique sound, one that’s rather airy and light thanks to his delicate melodies and superb synth work yet still packing a punch on the low end.
Other Releases I’ve been feeling this month…
Karma – Bluefoot / Choose Life (IMRV025)
London producer Karma returned to Innamind Recordings for the third time having had a fairly low key year or so. Similar to previous releases, Karma carried out the sample heavy, authenic dubby sound that he has perfected over recent years along with some seriously intricate percussion, particularly on the flip ‘Choose Life‘.
LSN – Systematic EP (ARTKL038)
Following their EP ‘Night Terrors‘ on Uprise Audio earlier this year (of which I thoroughly enjoyed), Welsh trio LSN debuted on Artikal Music thus creating their most high profile release to date. ‘Systematic EP‘ features two mighty vocalists in Rider Shafique and Warrior Queen although it’s the EP’s weighty opening track ‘Join Em‘ that really does it for me.
Rarefied Anthology Volume 1 (RARED1)
It’s no secret that Rarefied is up there as one of my favourite labels right now. So it was a treat to have a collective orientated album from the label. The Anthology includes favourite tracks from previous releases and most importantly new talent that has recently been signed to the roster that we will get to hear more from going into 2019, including the likes of Pharma and Traces. The Anthology works well as a record that shows Rarefied‘s achievements so far but also of what’s to come.
Dayzero – SEN008
Dayzero has consistently started to pop up on my radar recently so it’s of no surprise that Sentry Records bagged a couple of bangers from the Japanese producer, always ahead of the curve. SEN008 features two brand new heavyweight productions full of flavour and personality.
My free download picks from this month…
Cartridge – Free Christmas EP
TMSV – My Head
V Links – Lost Symbol
As always don’t miss the Weekly Buzz, a weekly blog post where I take a look at my favourite release of the week.
This month, Leeds based label Bare Bones came through with its fourth instalment of their various artist EPs. Check it out here.
Bare Bones wasn’t the only label on a multi artist EP flex. Crucial Recordings brought its second volume of the Crucial EP the following week.
Finally, to finish 2018, who else but Commodo and a tune that had been waiting in the wings for far too long, ‘Rikers‘. Check it out here.
If you missed it, check out my extended review on Thelem‘s ‘Informers EP‘ here.
And that’s ya lot! Once again a fantastic year of music and a big thanks if you kept up to date through Honey & Bass. As a one man blog trying to cover as much as I can, it can be overwhelming. However looking back, it has certainly been worth it!