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Home  DJ charts  Juno_Recommends_Bass  

BASS RECOMMENDATIONS BEST OF 2014

Juno Recommends Bass

Juno Recommends Bass

BASS RECOMMENDATIONS BEST OF 2014
4 Dec 2014
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1
Cat: YT 121. Rel: 25 Aug 14
 
Bass
All Under One Roof Raving
Review: The sampletastic new track from Jamie XX lands in a tongue-in-cheek celebration of all things UK rave orientated, with an understated groove as the backdrop to a wealth of documentary chatter, MC toasts and dancefloor testimonials. Musically, the track deals in delicate steel drum refrains and a twitchy little house beat, but this one is all about the cultural references that will ring true with anyone that grew up exposed to the UK in the mid '90s. As if the point needed hammering home, the sports brand rap at the end of the track will bring a wistful tear to the eye of any former tracksuit-sporters hitting their late twenties.
...Read more
out of stock $6.35
2
Cat: TEXT 029 . Rel: 05 May 14
 
Bass
KHLHI
Sext
Review: First introduced to the world via "Bird Song", a contribution to the conceptual Fabric mix from Four Tet and a subsequent sell out 12" for Text, the anonymous Percussions project has now unsurprisingly been revealed to be the work of Keiran Hebden. KHLHI is the second Percussions 12" this week from Text (do check the Taraval record on the label too) and much like Ascii Bot, the two tracks here have a more pronounced usage of vocal samples. This is Kieran Hebden however so the way these samples are implemented means that they become an integral part of the track's structure as opposed to a cheap hook, with "Sext" pretty damn impressive.
...Read more
out of stock $8.76
3
Midland - "Safi" (5:47)
General Ludd - "Burning Mack" (6:18)
Auntie Flo - "Daabi" (5:26)
JD Twitch - "Maya" (4:58)
Review: JD Twitch's Autonomous Africa series is something of a rarity. Each annual 12" single, which features modern electronic music influenced by African rhythms, sounds and styles, is used to raise money for a different African charity. Proceeds from this third 12" in the series are destined for Tanzania's Mtandika Mission, a charity run by Midland's parents. It seems fitting, then, that he kicks things off with "Safi", a heavyweight slice of future voodoo that expertly blends analogue electronics and bombastic African rhythms. General Ludd go deep, psychedelic and off-kilter with their brilliant "Burning Mack", while Auntie Flo delivers a stripped-back vocal cut with echoes of his recent material on Permanent Vacation. Finally, Twitch steps up to deliver "Maya", which sounds like LFO's "LFO" re-made by African musicians.
...Read more
out of stock $8.48
4
Cat: TEXT 030. Rel: 05 May 14
 
Bass
Ascii Bot
Blatant Water Cannon
Review: Four Tet certainly isn't doing anything by halves these days, with no less than three records on his Tex label surfacing in the space of a week. Dedicated Four Tetters will no doubt recall Text slipping out a record from the anonymous Percussions a few years back, and it now seems that Hebden has owned up to being behind the project. If you follow Four Tet on twitter you probably know all about the two tracks on Ascii Bot which seem to capture the producer's current style perfectly, all mushy chords, euphoric synth lines and big room-friendly vocal sampling that steer clear of unnecessary melodic noodling. "Blatant Water Cannon" is a particular gem, especially when that phasing comes in.
...Read more
out of stock $7.42
5
Cat: RS 1406. Rel: 14 Jul 14
 
Bass
Rough 2
Butchwax
C'mon Lets Slow Dance
Review: After the absolute devastation of Nancy's Pantry it's all eyes on Tessela to see how he follows up that particular monster of a release on R&S. The chances are if you've been on a dancefloor commanded by one of the edgier bass-orientated spinners of late you will have heard "Rough 2" laying waste with its killer staggered snare hook, lurid synth line and bludgeoning bass thrusts. "Butchwax" takes a less pronounced approach with a jagged approach to sample triggering that calls to mind Art Of Noise, and then "C'mon Let's Slow Dance" weirds the whole EP out with some fringe electronics that try desperately to cling on to a beat.
...Read more
out of stock $6.63
6
Cat: 699 YTIVIL. Rel: 14 Apr 14
 
Bass
Amor Fati
Renegades
Review: Things have only been getting bigger and better for Jacob Martin of late, and following on from his appearances on Punch Drunk he makes the leap over to Livity Sound's offshoot imprint with two hi-octane rollers that see him further rough up his sound for the dance. There's an exotic thread at the core of both tracks, with the title track in particular ramping up the tension with an ostentatious breakdown that loops a vocal cry over tumbling percussion before dropping down into a magnificently limber bass led throwdown. "Renegades" has something of a calypso tone to its looping synth line and snagging drums, maximising on a powerful deployment of the soca break when the drop comes but keeping everything shot through with that futuristic Livity malaise.
...Read more
out of stock $8.22
7
Cat: YT 108. Rel: 05 May 14
 
Bass
Girl
Sleep Sound
Review: It's been a long time since Jamie XX offered up any solo material, so this new release for Young Turks comes loaded with a certain amount of expectation. His trademark knack for atmospheric melodies and catchy arrangements is intact, with "Girl" stepping out on a slow house template anchored by live bass while snatches of strained vocal meld ring out to form the basis for the track. "Sleep Sound" is equally winsome, if a little more energetic as it moves through filtered breakdowns and skittish diversions as though Theo Parrish were on a rotary mixer in front of the final master.
...Read more
out of stock $20.69
8
Cat: TRICKYSTEAM. Rel: 05 May 14
 
Bass
Tricky's Team
Review: Record Store Day Edition: Oh yes, Team Boddika and Joy Orbison pull out all the stops for this year's Record Store Day unleashing one of their most sought after dubplates in "Tricky's Team". Arriving on a White Label with no accompanying information or indeed a B Side, this record is a celebration of Al Bleeky and Joy O at their best! If you've see either Djing in the club over the past 12 months you'll be more than familiar with the sunken techno bad boy that is "Tricky's Team" which swings nicely from dark side bass heavy techno to abstract chaos. Hot Hot Hot!
...Read more
out of stock $8.48
9
Cat: SWAMP 027. Rel: 27 Jan 14
 
Bass
The Day
Handy Clue
Review: Having first appeared on Swamp81 on a collaborative 12" with the grizzly bear of bass music himself Zed Bias, Manchester-based producer Paleman follows his subsequent drop on the affiliated School Records with a full debut for Loefah's label. Racking up an impressive 30,000 plays since the producer, real name Calum Lee slipped it onto Soundcloud a few months back, it's fair to say lead track "The Day" comes with a certain level of expectation. For fans of the Swamp sound it's pitch perfect too, with skeletal teched up 808 patterns and heaving sub bass the back drop to some snaking vocal edits by the Paleman. Those seeking something a bit ruder will be well served with the brukked up B Side "Handy Clue".
...Read more
out of stock $8.22
10
Cat: TEXT 028. Rel: 24 Feb 14
 
Bass
Killer
Nasty
Review: A couple of months into 2014 and Kieran Hebden seems to be in the most productive phase of his long career thus far at the moment, swiftly following up the material that comprised 2012?s Pink compilation with the Beautiful Rewind album last year. Having first teased the notion of some tracks with veteran grime producer and Hyperdub regular Terror Danjah a few months back, they finally arrive in physical format in the shape of the two track 12" Killer/Nasty. Possibly the best Four Tet collaboration since that famed Moth/Wolf Cub 12? with Burial from 2009, both "Killer" and "Nasty" combine grime, jungle, funky and techno into a enjoyably twisted pair of club tracks.
...Read more
out of stock $7.42
11
Cat: RS 1313. Rel: 20 Jan 14
 
Bass
Nancy's Pantry
Horizon
Gateaway
Review: As one of the key proponents of the hardcore renaissance, Tessela's latest offering on R&S comes weighted under the kind of expectation that was foisted on Joy O releases a year or two ago. The lead tune is undoubtedly an utterly deadly weapon, maximising on stop-start dynamics to create a jaw-slackening moment for the heated dancefloor, all chunky pistons of breaks on top and ominous swells of techno undertow. "Horizon" opts for the dazzling optimism of hardcore synth stabs in the lead in before dishing out another dose of fractured jungle roll to freak out the movers and shakers, while "Gateway" takes the unresolved tension to a whole new level of nail-biting drama.
...Read more
out of stock $5.83
12
Cat: SUKI 013. Rel: 20 Jan 14
 
Bass
5ths
NYC
Only You
Review: First surfacing a few years ago on Black Butter with the appropriately titled UK bass/jungle hybrid "Fyah", Warrior One has become one of the emergent label's most potent weapons. A debut on "Hypercolour's little sister" Losing Suki is probably the veteran producer's most high profile release as Warrior One and you sense it's a good fit as soon as lead track "5ths" swing into focus. It's been called a modern incarnation of "RIP Groove" by some blogs, and the classic 2 step vibes and powerful bassline is certainly reminiscent of that vintage jam though Warrior One melds it successfully with elements of classic US House. On the flip "NYC" is a wholehearted homage to the original house movement in the five boroughs with some truly killer keys, whilst "Only You" has the Warrior One edging back to a more UK-centric sound.
...Read more
out of stock $8.48
13
Cat: HDB 082. Rel: 26 May 14
 
Bass
Mala - "Expected, Level 10"
DVA - "Technical Difficulties"
Kuedo - "Mtzpn"
Kode9 - "Xingfu Lu" (Helix remix)
Review: Hyperdub kick off the vinyl side to their ten-year celebrations with this weighty four-tracker from some of the leading lights from the label's story. Mala is in a strident mood with "Expected, Level 10" carrying through that extra touch of melody from the Mala In Cuba LP. DVA cuts loose with the leftfield scattershot groove of "Technical Difficulties", reveling in tonal experimentation and jagged rhythmic flair to a stunning end. Still locked into the sci-fi trap tangent that characterised Severant, Kuedo turns out the haunting "Mtzpn" and Helix pops up for a remix of Kode9's "Xingfu Lu" that strips down to bare essentials with a little starlit soul rubbed into the framework.
...Read more
out of stock $5.58
14
Cat: MANUCCI 007. Rel: 07 Jul 14
 
Bass
Feel It Out
Raptor
Raptor (Will Berridge remix)
Review: In addition to his work as one half of Mista Men, London via Doncaster producer Ryan Aitchison has been making solo moves under his Mella Dee guise these past few years with appearances in all the right places (think Wolf Music, Shabby Doll and Sccucci Manucci). In fact Mella Dee's featured on two of the latter label's releases so it's little surprise to find the producer popping up on the affiliated Manucci's Mistress operation. The Feel It Out EP sits snugly between house, techno and bass music with the lead cut featuring a rather vicious sub bass line and some superb vocal edits, whilst "Raptor" opts for a moodier UKG meets snapping techno flex. Do check the smudged out bass refix from Will Berridge too.
...Read more
out of stock $6.63
15
Cat: 599 YTIVIL. Rel: 29 Sep 14
 
Bass
Just Getting Started
Tilikum
Review: UK producer Bruce, soon to debut on Hessle Audio, finds himself following up Hodge's first release on Dnuos Ytivil with more quality, off the beaten track techno. The Livity Sound sub-label provides the emerging talent with his first record and "Just Getting Started" is a frenetic session of looped tribal drums, mechanical atmospheres and full-on rhythms drunk on swing, while a more subdued "Tilikum" on the B-side is awkwardly syncopated to start, before building into something deep - to then dropping back into a funky Chicago bassline groove.
out of stock $8.22
16
Cat: RS 1405LPLTD. Rel: 16 Jun 14
 
Bass
First Born Seconds
Restless City
Meeker Warm Energy
Aurora Northern Quarter
2 Is 8
Airglow Fires
Coincidences
Begin to Begin
Jaded
Vengeance Video
Stuck
Cutched Under
Review: On the basis of this latest Lone long player, Matthew Cutler seems to be mellowing with age. Having earned a belated breakthrough on the back of a number of rush-inducing, rainbow-coloured releases for R&S that saw him surging towards the dancefloor like a toddler high on cheap orange squash, the producer once again flips the script on Reality Testing. The hardcore and rave influences of recent years have largely been abandoned in favour of smooth, head-nodding hip-hop beats, stargazing chords, twinkling melodies and far-sighted atmospherics. It is, in many ways, a return to his roots. More importantly, it's also very good, delivering synth-laden warmth and hazy, laidback grooves by the barrow load.
...Read more
out of stock $15.65
17
Cat: SWAMP 028. Rel: 05 May 14
 
Bass
Huff & Puff Bruk
Mo
Review: Making a welcome return to Swamp 81 after the Mean Streets pair of releases, Falty DL is on superlative form as ever with a pair of direct cuts that play on different sides of his production personality. "Huff & Puff Bruk" takes the fundamentals of 2-step and infuses it with lazy jazz and ethereal tones for a crisply funking, whimsical cut that should get all soulful spinners in a lather. On the flip things get edgier as "Mo" takes sharply looped vocal samples and works them around clattering slices of breaks to whip up the kind of frenzy that Tessela and co. inspire with their own rum choppery.
...Read more
out of stock $5.04
18
Cat: LDN 043. Rel: 10 Mar 14
 
Bass
Dizzee Rascal - "Strings Hoe" (Wen refix)
Wen - "Signal"
Review: With Wen's debut album Signals due on Keysound soon, the promising London grime producer serves up this tasty limited white label 12" to whet our collective appetites. The B-side sees standout album track "Signal" delivering the producer's signature blend of pirate radio samples, '03-era grime strings and suffocating subs, but it's all about the A-side for us. A refix of Dizzee Rascal's 2004 white label "Strings Hoe", it slows the original right down and steeps it in contemporary atmosphere. Don't sleep on these - they won't last long.
out of stock $7.42
19
Cat: HEK 023. Rel: 24 Feb 14
 
Bass
5 Wheels
Drop It On The One
Sing A Love Song
Doubles
Wet Wool
Strange Dreams
Hobthrush
Ion
Review: A rather underrated cornerstone of the the UK's nebulous bass and techno scenes for more than half a decade, Untold ushers in a debut album in the shape of Black Light Spiral and boy does it pack a punch. If you caught any of the online previews that have surfaced in the period preceding it's release, you will have some idea of what to expect but the Hemlock boss has genuinely delivered one of this year's most impressive albums thus far. The foreboding sirens of opening track "5 Wheels" set the tone for an album that delivers on Untold's mission to keep the people up and at it with rough tough music while confounding them with brilliantly executed improbabilities.
...Read more
out of stock $13.79
20
Cat: 1800 02. Rel: 21 Jul 14
 
Bass
Believe
Shekure
Shirin
Hundred Years
Review: It's been a while since we were last treated to a fresh release from Airhead, but now he's back with a four tracker for the 1800-Dinosaur imprint, which finds his wayward beat science spanning all kinds of moods and tempos. The lead track sports some house-orientated signifiers but there's still plenty of room for grubby bass and off-kilter percussion without sacrificing the groove. "Shirin" meanwhile flexes a grime attitude over some loose rolling drums with a hand played feel that offsets the plastic string stabs perfectly. "Shekure" has greater links to the earlier Airhead output, keeping things sparse and fractious while the tense atmosphere reins supreme, and then "Hundred Years" delivers another swerve loaded with powerful pads and tweaked out hip hop vocals.
...Read more
out of stock $8.48
21
Cat: PNX 001. Rel: 21 Apr 14
 
Bass
Throb
Cyanide
Time Relentless Time
Curious Paradox
Review: This 12" from Hotflush boss Paul Rose represents the first new Scuba material in over a year and is the first in a series of three records released under the curiously named Phenix banner. Described by Hotflush as "a bold new chapter in an already diverse career" the four tracks on this release find the Scuba sound moving away from the big room techno approach that defined his third album Personality. By his own admission the Phenix series is an attempt to find more space for mood and atmosphere in his productions, and that's clear from the subtle way opening track "Throb" unfolds. How Scuba chooses to let the series develop will be interesting to hear.
...Read more
out of stock $8.48
22
Cat: BBS 001. Rel: 15 Sep 14
 
Bass
The Callin'
Airtight
BBS Madness
Review: **REPRESS** Kicking off a self-motivated label as a vessel for his up-to-the-minute beats, Benton follows up releases for Box Clever and Black Box with this razor-sharp distillation of old skool rave touches and tight modern production. "The Callin" works around a tense break triggered at a teasing angle to keep the groove limber at all times, although unafraid to melt away into blissed out chords at the appropriate juncture. "Airtight" rides on a similar rhythmic roll, although the atmospherics spell this one out as an overall darker concern. "BBS Madness" lets a little techno bleed into the frame with an even more taut deployment of forthright drum hooks that cross neatly through a multitude of styles in what should make for a prime crossover cut.
...Read more
out of stock $8.22
23
Cat: HDB 084. Rel: 26 May 14
 
Bass
Girl U So Strong
Take Me Away
Review: It's been a little while since Kyle Hall dropped his album The Boat Party, but now the Detroit powerhouse is back on Hyperdub to indulge the freakier end of his studio output inline with his previous Kaychunk 12" for Kode 9's outpost. "Girl U So Strong" is a stirring beast of a track, starting in scattered fragments of bass patterns, vocal snippets and woodblock hits, gradually forming into a starlit stepper of the highest calibre. "Take Me Away" comes on like a Detroit take on the Purple phenomenon, all sticky synth lines and Mega Drive melodies but roughed up with ample grittiness.
...Read more
out of stock $5.58
24
Cat: LOB 009. Rel: 28 Apr 14
 
Bass
Bodywork
Electro Funk Massacre
Review: Last year's Lobster Boy 12" from Mak & Pasteman was a big statement of intent from the West Yorkshire pair, building on the promise shown with productions for Shifting Peaks, Senseless Records & Sounds of Sumo and proving to be one of the hottest sellers on Redlight's label. Aside from a remix of the 2004 Plastician classic "The Search", new produce from Mak & Pasteman has been thin on the ground so it's nice to see them back on Lobster Boy and on form too! Lead cut "Bodywork" is the sort of weighty house/bass music hybrid you can picture soundtracking the summer festival season on the Croatian coast, but "Electro Funk Massacre" will be the one many pull for!
...Read more
out of stock $8.22
25
Cat: BDOH 004. Rel: 03 Mar 14
 
Bass
Still Get On
Gloria East
1050
Deasel
Review: In terms of functional no-nonsense house music, few new labels last year enjoyed the widespread success that greeted the first three releases on the Australian label Untzz Twelve Inch. A fourth record and the first Untzz release of the year arrives and it provides a slight shift in focus away from the split nature of previous output in favour of granting two label mainstays the full platform to shine. Step forward Freddie Norwood and Dass whose Still Get On EP features four groove heavy collaborative productions, with the vacuum sealed boogie of B Side opener "1050" a personal favourite here at Juno HQ.
...Read more
out of stock $9.81
26
Cat: MACROM 38LP. Rel: 12 May 14
 
Bass
Dama
Summa Technologiae
Vodolaz
Sintezator
Source OF Uncertainty
Kakavida
Povreda
Tok
Teleport
Melodia
Tel
Kokiche Biography
Review: KiNK's technical prowess has long been a known trait of the Bulgarian producer's music, and here on Marco he gets to stretch-out his intellectual, avant garde-self more than what he's ever done for other labels like Burek, Ovum, Boe or liebe*detail. After a long career which, release-wise, dates back to 2005, he's delivered for the most-part straight up house and techno. But here, after all these years, his debut LP sees KiNK twist his synths and contort his grooves to sound, well, very Macro. Take the confused bleeps and brash drums of "Summa Technologiae" and "Kakavida" or the interdimesional electronics and Hare Krishna chinqs of "Povreda" for example. But for some real dancefloor toughness it's tracks like "Sintezator" and "Source OF Uncertainty" that do the trick, while for something a little more disco look out for the album's penultimate track "Tel". Go KiNK!
...Read more
out of stock $16.45
27
Cat: WOTEP 016. Rel: 28 Jul 14
 
Deep House
Bordeaux
Bordeaux (Kaidi Tatham remix)
Bordeaux (Glenn Astro & Imyrmind remix)
Hall Of Memories
out of stock $10.35
28
Cat: HES 027. Rel: 27 Oct 14
 
Bass
Not Stochastic
Trip
My Legs Wouldn''t Go Quick Enough
Review: After a stellar debut on Livity Sound's Dnuos Ytivil sub label, man like Bruce adds Hessle Audio to his prospering profile with the Not Stochastic 12". Representing the crucial UK label's first release of 2014, the standard of productions on show from Bruce demonstrates Hessle Audio's quality over quantity approach continues to pay dividends. The triplet also demonstrate Bruce has quite a few strings to his production bow, with the general vibe differing from the weighty swung techno of that excellent Dnuos Ytivil record. From the off, Bruce exudes a trippy style of sonics that bring to mind the work of Dynamo Dreesen or SVN.
...Read more
out of stock $7.17
29
Cat: MTRLS 001. Rel: 28 Jul 14
 
Bass
Jam One
Formation 131
Review: Roughly two years after they first surfaced with Do The Same on Shifting Peaks, UK bass duo Mak & Pasteman add their names to the long list of artists that run their own label. The reception to releases in the ensuing period for Lobster Boy and Naked Naked have proved that this West Yorkshire pair have a willing audience for such a move and it will be interesting to see if Materials is used solely as a platform for their own work or whether they'll use it to nurture new talent too. Naturally they helm the debut release which brandishes an upfront bass-tech-house hybrid on the A Side in "Jam One", whilst "Formation 131" sees M&P doff their hats to the sound of darkside jungle.
...Read more
out of stock $8.48
30
Cat: SUKI 016. Rel: 25 Aug 14
 
Bass
She Won't Let
Chicken Shop
Initial
Roots VIP
Review: Following his massive remix of Duke Dumont, Leeds-based Last Magpie continues to wear his heart on his sleeve with this beautiful four-piece that nods at so many pools of inspiration it's dizzying. The title track takes us back to the late 90s/early 2000s garage days via the Metalheadz express. Steppy, spacious and ominous, it's instant dark times! "Chicken Shop" takes us even further back to early Detroit and Chicago, all loop vocal shots and a kick that booms so hard it's almost toxic. "Initial" then soothes the blow with lush Apparat-style mournful soul. Finally we hit a serious VIP crescendo as his breakthrough murker "Roots" gets a rugged rudeboy amen polish. Heaviness, clarity, depth and a clear love for some of the best genres in the last 30 years... Last Magpie knows his stuff.
...Read more
out of stock $8.48
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