Tag Archives: Ear & Drum Session

2019, Ear & Drum Session, Tech Step

Ear & Drum Session 165: One Giant Leap

Leave a comment

In 1995 when Alex Reece released Pulp Fiction and the D&B world lost it’s collective shit about the step beat in and pulsing bass in the track I just thought it sounded plodding and boring compared to the repecharge beats of the Amen break. When it spawned a million copycat tracks and then it’s own genre I thought the music had taken a huge step (excuse the pun) backwards.

Fast forward to 2005 and D&B had seriously run out of ideas and was looking for a sound to excite me again. Pouring over the back catalogue I started listening to all those old Tech Step tracks and the penny finally dropped a full 10 years later. Ever since I’ve made sure I pick up any old Steppers I come across knowing one day I’d come back to mix them and that time is now!

This is a who’s who of Tech Step classics. No point in calling out high lights as every track in here is there because they shaped a genre that turned out to be one of D&B’s best and most unique sounds. With new listeners currently drooling over Jungle as THE sound of D&B, it is only a matter of time before it takes another giant leap into the sounds of Step.

Remember you read it here first.

One Giant Leap – 1.5hrs of Classic Tech Step

Gang Related & Mask – Dictation (Michael Caine Mix)
Ed Rush, Optical & Fierce – Cutslo (Locuste Remix)
Ray Keith – D4 Toxic Waste (Elementz of Noize Remix)
Capone – Tudor Rose
Dillinja – Go Dillinja
Photek – Baltimore
Jonny L – Wish U Had Something (Remix)
John B – Secrets
Nasty Habits – Shadow Boxing
Genotype – The Germ
Atom 1 – Imminent
Adam F – Metropolis
Dillinja – The Angels Fell
Boymerang – Still
Tonic – Delta
DJ SS – Lost iN New York
Dieselboy – The Descent
Dom & Roland – Dance All Night
Jonny L – Piper
Fortran – The End Part II (feat. Fierce)
Ed Rush & Nico – August (Unreleased VIP Mix)
Ed Rush – The Raven

2019, Chill Out, Ear & Drum Session, Liquid D&B

Ear & Drum Session 164: The Other Side

Leave a comment

A sweet mix of chilled out Liquid beats from some of the scenes best new and established talent. On the old guard side of things you have DJ Trace doing what I think is one of his first ever chilled out tunes, Calibre remixing Vanguard Project’s – Elation and a very special tune in the fact that is probably one of the last Marcus Intalex (RIP) remixes we’ll probably ever hear in Adred feat. Robert Manos’ – Captivate.

On the newer side of the production fence we have a stack of new Etherwood tracks. This man’s talents know no bounds as he continues to straddle the fence between traditional song writing and D&B. Etherwood is backed up by Adred who’s new EP on Metalheadz was a complete surprise to me, Satl & Ill Truth who’s tune, In Your Soul, receives a very tasty Lenzman remix and T:Base who’s Is It True EP on Fokuz Recordings is well worth a download if you get the chance.

The Other Side – 1hr of Chilled Liquid Beats

Etherwood – The Night
Etherwood – Away From It All
Satl & Ill Truth – In Your Soul (Lenzman Remix)
DJ Trace & Emery – Elation feat. Sofi Mari
The Vanguard Project – Stitches (Calibre Remix)
Etherwood – See the Sky feat. Thomas Oliver
Critical Event & Scott Allen – This Love’s For Real
Surreal – Riding Out
Furney – Sit Down & Dance
Scar – Hey You
The Vanguard Project – Flying Away
Polaris – Prismatic Gate
T:Base – Is It True
Document One & Cimone – Newborn
Adred feat. Robert Manos – Captivate (Marcus Intalex Remix)
Adred & Ant TC1 – 1238
T:Base – When I Fear (Who I Am)
Smote – Power of Nature
Eastern District – Ordinary Man
Smote – Power of Nature (Tease)

2019, Ear & Drum Session, Hard D&B, Uncategorized

Ear & Drum Session 163: Blue Rinse

1 Comment

Inspired by the tougher sounds of Blue Note era Metalheadz, this mix proves that not all hard D&B needs to be mid-range bass lines, high pitched snares and screeching synths to make an impact.

The classic heavy sound seems to be making a serious comeback lately and is moving forward by looking back to the golden era of the sound. Fixate’s – Ripgroove remix being a perfect example of a classic reworked for modern day sound systems and listening. Other’s such as Brazilian producer Bungle, D&B super group Kings of the Rollers and new kid on the block Pasha Solecci are following suit bringing a new production techniques to the OG sound with devastating effect.

Blue Rinse – 1hr+ of Hard D&B

ANAPA – Damager
Pasha Solecci – Jacobs Ladder
Document One – Holy Moly
Bungle – Infinite
Calibre – Eschaton feat. DRS
Amit – Knuckle Duster
Goldie – Demonz (Gremlinz & Jesta Remix)
Bione – Orcas
Alibi – Shurikan
Dub Elements & Coppa – Massai
Macca & Melinki – Ok
Mefjus – If I Could (Loadstar Remix)
Fixate vs Double 99 – Ripgroove (Fixate Remix)
Sikey & Speedwagon – Conquer
King of the Rollers – You Got Me
Mefjus – Volition (Former Remix)
Bungle – Physical Dub
Bungle – Inner Mask
Muffler – Half Light
Humanature & Induktiv – Paroxysm
Pasha Solecci – Coke & Tea
Skeptical – Charge
S.P.Y – Dreamcatcher
Alix Perez – Slink
Dub Elements & Gyrda – Firing Pin
Pola & Bryson – Hyperborean feat. Data 3
Phaction – Aviatrix feat. Riya

2019, Deep D&B, Ear & Drum Session, Uncategorized

Ear & Drum Session 162: Arc

1 Comment

Well it’s been about as long as I’ve ever gone without posting a mix so I am looong over due. Luckily I have something pretty special up my sleeve with a deeper style mix of tunes designed to pick you up and take you away.

New tunes from Seba & Manos, Acid_Lab, Kid Drama & Om Unit, Bungle along with a whole heap more amazing new tracks. Special shout out to the mighty Mitekiss who’s sublime track Lie Awake has been on rotation pretty much ever since it came out in our house. It is one of those tracks that ticks just about every box for me in terms of what makes D&B great.

Hope you feeling what’s on offer and I promise the next one will come a little sooner than this one did. 😉

Arc – 1hr of Deep D&B

Figures – The Void
Seba & Manos – Said & Done
I Wannabe – Drive
Alb – Major Deep
Acid_Lab – Radiate
Ekva – Edge
Mitekiss feat. Degs – Lie Awake
Touchy Subject – Sky Larkin (Lewis James RMX)
Electrosoul System – Blinded Justice
Decline – Blue Flame
Kid Drama & Om Unit – Untitled 2
I Wannabe – So Excited
Chords & NoRules – Choas
Acid_Lab – Belfast Blues
Jaskin & Uneven – Ancient
Electrosoul System – Temper
Bungle – Cocooned VIP
Gerra & Stone – Feels Like
Paladoin – Friday
Facing Jinx & Peta Oneir – Meet You There (dBridge Remix)

2019, Ear & Drum Session, Liquid D&B, Melodic, Uncategorized

Ear & Drum Session 161: The Turning

1 Comment

Liquid D&B is turning into something a little more mature (for want of a better word) and modern lately and I like it. Led by artists such as Lenzman (check out his Enzo Tape mixes), Technimatic and new kids on the block Dogger, Mindstate & Liam Bailey the sound is more soulful, the lyrics more thoughtful and the vibe smoother than Liquid’s previous iterations.

This is music you can dance, chill or even sing along to. It’s versatility makes it perfect radio D&B that can be played at anytime night or day.

The Turning – 1hr of new Liquid D&B

Balmy & Heft – Night With You
Lenzman – Misty
Monty & Alix Perez – Good To Me
DuoScience & T:Base – Rescue
Technimatic – True Believer
Technimatic – Recurring Dream
Joakulm – Random Jam
Sikey & Speedwagon – Without You
Whiney (feat. Kenno & Pippa Violets) – Spheres (Polaris Remix)
Solotek & Thiago Pery – Lose Control
High Contrast – If We Ever (Unglued Remix)
Dogger, Mindstate & Liam Bailey – So So
Dogger, Mindstate & Liam Bailey – Love is the Law
Lenzman – Food (feat. Konny Kon)
Dogger, Mindstate & Liam Bailey – Rebels
Flaco & Calculon – Rooftop Romance
Ash:Ram, Charli Brix & Walk:r – All I Need (Ash:Ram Remix)
Lenzman – Over You
Dogger, Mindstate & Liam Bailey – Broken Home
London Elektricity – Just One Second (Apex Remix)
Dogger, Mindstate & Liam Bailey – Broken Home (Tease)

2019, Ambient, Chill Out, Ear & Drum Session

Ear & Drum Session 160: Call the Ambience 14 – Intensive Care

1 Comment

We could all use a little more peace in our lives so here’s a mix to soothe the soul and help you unwind and reconnect.

I’ve slipped in some of my favourite artists like Redeyes, Om Unit, Synkro, dBridge and Break along with some very promising new kids on the block in the form of RQ, who’s LP Solid Ground came out of nowhere and blew me away. Dogger & Mindstate also seem to have a very promising career ahead of them if their Broken Home EP on 1985 is anything to go by.

Call the Ambience 14: Intensive Care – 1hr of Ambient D&B

Redeyes – Fighting (Intro)
Mitekiss feat. Degs – Lie Awake
Rainforest – You Can Make New Memories (Album Version)
Tokyo Prose – Alight
Lewis James – Shapeshifter
RQ – Union of Spheres
Kid Drama & Om Unit – Untitled 4
Kid Drama & Om Unit – Untitled 2
Flowrain & Simstah – Manaslu (Interlude)
RQ – Roof Jumping
RQ – Ride
dBridge – Lost Memory
Synkro – Gagaku
Synkro – Gagaku (Frederic Robinson Remix)
dBridge – Wijn Zijn (feat. Lewis James & Kid Drama)
Dogger, Mindstate & Liam Bailey – Broken Home
Break – Conversations (feat. MC Fats & Cleaveland Whatkiss)
London Electricity – Swivel (Ambient Version)

2019, Ear & Drum Session, Liquid D&B, Melodic

Ear & Drum Session 159: Uplift

3 Comments

Looking for something to lift your spirits? Commix, Alix Perez, Seba & Manos, Nookie plus a whole heap more incredible producers rolling out positive vibes for 2019.

Uplift – 1hr of Uplifting D&B

Modest Intentions – No Shadows In Trust
Fluter, Dissident & Funclock – Kundiga (Retro Toys Mix)
Modest Intentions – Meaningful Life
Euphorias – Father Soul
Commix – Black Sand
Alb – Dark Tranquility
Alix Perez – Good to Me
Duoscience & T:Base – Rescue
Velocity & MC Fats – We Gotcha Junglist
I Wannabe – You Listen To This
Joakuim – 8am Roller
Seba & Manos – Evergreen
Dip Vertigo & Dr Apollo feat. Josh Phillips – Red
The Vanguard Project & Pat Fulgoni – Still Together
Technimatic – Sometimes
Nookie – Love Me
Grey Code – Pearl
Mutated Forms – Grow
Judei – Cold Heart
Mutated Forms – Flashbacks
Influx UK, DJ SS & MC Fats – Soul Unite (DJ SS 2018 Remix)
Soul Savage, DJ SS, High Roll & Victor – In Your Name

2019, Ear & Drum Session, Hard D&B

Ear & Drum Session 158: Full Pelt

2 Comments

There’s been a lot of good things happening in D&B lately, and the Harder end of the spectrum has seen a return to form it has sorely been missing. Taking a look back to move forward a lot of these tunes have a old-school D&B or Rave feel to them but with modern production techniques.

You only need to have a look at the artists to see a LOT of the familiar and legendary names – Digital, Spirit, DKay, John B and Calibre all come in swinging. But there is also a new breed bringing their own take to the tougher style such as Mister Shifter, Kid Drama, Acid Lab and Artilect and making some truly speaker shaking sounds.

This is D&B at its rawest and most real. And I have to say, it’s nice to have it back.

Full Pelt – 1hr of Hard D&B

Bou – Gun Crime
Benny L – Skysteppa
Mister Shifter – Dreada
Digital & Spirit – Phantom 2018
DKay – The Martians
Foreign Concept – Black Tea
Calibre – Jacob
Calibre – Under You and You
Touchy Subject – Sky Larkin (Lewis James Remix)
Sunchase – Slap
DKay – Desire (feat. DJ Lee)
Kid Drama – Mirrored Lake
Acid Lab feat. Slider, Expose & Anastasia – Paradoxical
Amoss – Timedrops
Digital & John B – You & Me
Fushara – Survival
Derrick & Tonica – Fata Morgana
Artilect – System of Fear
Digital & Spirit – Deaddial
Artilect – System of Fear (Tease)

2019, Amen, Atmospheric, Ear & Drum Session

Ear & Drum Session 157: Beats & Pieces

2 Comments

One for the lovers of the Good Looking / Looking Good sound, this mix is chock full of modern atmospheric masterpieces from producers old and new. You have tracks from such luminaries as Source Direct’s classic Black Rose and new pieces from Blame, Seba, Q Project and Peshay. Plus some solidly soulful releases from newer artists like Marvel Cinema, Cryogenics and the wonderfully talented Eschaton.

If you like a good Amen then this is for you.

Beats & Pieces – 1.5hrs of Atmospheric D&B

Q Project – Instrumental (Remix)
Infest – Blue Nature
Eschaton – Titan (Original Drum Thump Remix)
Seba – Nobody Knows
Silence Groove – Air Up There (Airstrike Remix)
Marvel Cinema – Mechanical Dream
Seba & Manos – Always
Photo – Rings Around Saturn (2000&X Remix)
Seba – War on Music (feat. MC Blackeye)
Double O – Shuffling on Zion’s Bus
Blame – Hindsight
Cryogenics – Forbidden Souls
Electrosoul System – Letyat Utki (Duck Are Flying) [Folk Version]
Cryogenics – The Black Tempest
Kella & Juha – Svalbard Alonism
Source Direct – Black Rose
Hobzee – Don’t Go
Peshay – Capricorn
The Blunt Needles – Don’t Say Anything
Eschaton – I Walked Over Rainbows to My Ancestors

2019, Deep D&B, Ear & Drum Session, Liquid D&B, Melodic, Uncategorized

Ear & Drum Session 156: Beautiful Music Pt.2

Leave a comment

My second mix sourcing from the ‘Is this the most beautiful D&B tune ever?’ thread on DOA features some amazingly soulful D&B tunes from the year 2000 onward. It’s been amazing fun having a bunch of like minded people program a mix for me as a lot of these tunes I have never put into a mix.

The production roster reads like a who’s who of D&B featuring legendary artists such as Omni Trio, Marcus Intalex (RIP), Klute, Calibre plus Alaska & Seba just to mention a few. Some of these tracks never made it to digital, so I had to dig deep into my vinyl collection to complete the track list.

I hope you enjoy listening as much as I did mixing this special dedication to the beauty that is D&B music.

Beautiful Music Pt.2 – 1.5hrs of Beautiful D&B

Omni Trio – Higher Ground
Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaur – Garden (Calibre Remix)
Marcus Intalex – Airborne
Calibre – Mirage
Alaska & Seba – Back from Eternity
Switch & Icicle – Ur In My Head
Calibre – Trying To Remember
Klute – Hell Hath No Fury
Mako – Held You In My Arms
Tokyo Prose – Saving Grace
Brookes Brothers – Daybreak (feat. Tasha Baxter)
SpectraSoul – Lost Disciple
Fanu – Siren Song
Voyager – Apollo
Blu Mar Ten – Believe Me
Villem & McLeod feat. Leo Wood – Let It Breathe
Phraction – Should Have Known
Klute – Part of Me
Seba – Blaze and Fade Out
Alix Perez & SpectraSoul – Synergy
Marcus Intalex – Refreshed
Zero T – Refusal feat. Steo (Calibe Remix)
Naibu – Wrong