Okbron Vinyl & CDs

Review: Okbron Records welcome Atlantiq to the roster, and in so doing reccy an uncharted subaquatic terrain, in which drum & bass production requires specialist handling. Limited to just 350 copies, and bundled with the statement "No repress."- full stop duly noted - Okbron are implicitly aware of the (anti-)gravity of this release. 'M33' sounds as if its liquid jungle source deposits housed a yet undiscovered respiratory gas for an unidentified life-form; its all-to-easily recognised breakbeats are the only orthodox productive choice on the title track, whereupon every other element sounds born of a hidden underwater civilisation, not a mere synthesiser, and surrounds the mix as though we'd embarked on a serene coralline safari. B-sider 'Nothing To Lose' takes a seedier turn in terms of vibe, with sistrum rattles and brooding crime-drama basses hearing whackout breaks set to an otherwise ruminant sonic mystery.

Review: Moody drum & bass purveyors are back with a new one from veteran producer Big Bud, a new signee for the label and evident Argus Panaures for the intersection of halftime, liquid and "night bus" (if you want to call it that). The 'Kush Mush' EP blends mournful vocal cries with subtle dramaturgic sound FX, as if to portray the expositional scenes of a contemporary desert spaghetti western turned sci-fi thriller (if the moody gas station image on the inner label is iany indication, that is). The title track years for something hidden, "somewhere inside you", while 'Lucky7' strikes us with its swung break and similarly dreamy bloopage, echoing the nimble, nigh weightless high that follows a slot machine win.

Review: For whatever reason. Part 3 of this EP series from Bungle on Moscow's Okbron Records dropped before this one, Part 2. Either way the drum & bass veteran has won us over again with two of his signature laidback rollers. They come with nice synth sequences and silky smooth drum breaks that manage to be powerful but comforting, certainly on 'Memory Lane' which also has the hint of nostalgia you would expect. 'Sun Step' is more stripped back, with smeared chords and more frosty textures up top and low, booming bass down low. Both are high-quality cuts.

Review: "How about a trip to the outer rings?" "I've... always wanted to go there." Sampling obscure sci-fi of evasive origin is the order of the day here on new Okbron signee Chronicle's new EP, 'Outer Rings'. Spruce but meticulous jungle purveys a sense of cruising endlessly on a linearly projected shuttle, destined for the outer rings. 'Albedo' complements with a chordophonic dreamscape, similar to the opener but with sensual vocals to support the listener's rapid-eye side-to-sides.

Review: The functionally named Floor Filler tops up the Okbron repertoire with a succinct new 12" verging on hard jungle. As if to once again flaunt the technique and art of jungle as a science, 'Words' is as clean as tunes like this can get, with serene introductions and goosebumpy breath-synths providing a spine-tinglingly evocative exposition before a sheer drop into cold 808s and breaks-judders. 'You Got Me Up' adds some comparative sludge to the mix, but not without a dose of the 'ole wurlitzy electric.

Review: Furney, a UK producer with a distinct and recognizable sound, continues to impress with his ability to blend genres seamlessly into dance rhythms. His track 'Spyro Gyro,' a drum'n'bass reinterpretation of the 70s funk classic 'Masterpiece,' originally released digitally on DJ Nookie's Phuzion label, finally gets the vinyl treatment it deserves. The track is packed with energy, featuring bold horns and strings that give it the feel of an action movie soundtrack, all while maintaining a drum'n'bass pulse that keeps the momentum high. On the flip side, 'Just Fine' takes a more relaxed approach. Produced around 2003, this track combines acoustic guitar with summery background sounds, creating a laid-back vibe that's perfect for those chill moments. The rolling bassline adds depth, making it a versatile addition to any set. Together, these tracks showcase Furney's versatility and knack for drawing inspiration from a wide range of musical influences.

Review: Future Engineers finally drop their TMA-1 tune on Okbron, which is one that has already made its mark on the dance floor. It's a beautifully serene mix of crunchy drums and dreamy pads work all held together with starry-eyed melodies and fat bass. On the flip side is 'Implant' another classy drum & bass affair that sure will get dance floors moving but that also offers plenty of moments of beauty and introspection in the cosmic synths. Both are timeless tunes that bring the sort of lasting emotions that really stand out.

Review: Okbron Records carry out the divine task of reformatting an early yet rare Micky Finn and Aphrodite tape cut onto vinyl. 'AWOL' is a clever pun, serving as an acronym for both the wartime connotations of the phrase "absent without leave", and the spiritual paths implied in the phrase A Way Of Life, which also happened to be a leading early jungle night that produced multiple Micky Finn tape packs recorded in East London. 'AWOL' and 'Dark Selector' have likely existed for decades, serving as lost tunes from the rough point in time when Finn and Aphrodite laid down their timeless Takeover Bid mix for Mixmag. Packed with funk licks and gulping basses, all tunes heat the dancefloor stovetop in no time.

Review: Mid 90s atmospheric d&b veterans Pariah have been enjoying something of a re-focus since linking up with Okbron in 2019. The prolific archival label has since invited them back again in 2021 and now they return for round three, and while we don't have the exact provenance of the tracks in question on this record, it hardly matters when the quality is so high. 'Lexicon (Final Mix)' is an aqueous beauty of a track, dealing in sweeping vistas of pads and a light-touch, rolling beat with that classic Pariah finish to it. 'Winds Of Pleasure' is a breezy affair with gossamer-light synth lines and a subtly Balearic feel which is just crying out for a drop at a daytime session this summer.

Review: South London d&b brothers Sean and Mark Roberts created Probe-One after growing up on pirate stations, inspiring Sean to buy a deck and mess around himself. It goes that the siblings were frustrated at the drip release of d&b cuts and took the initiative themselves. 'Aether' and 'Expanse' clock in at just over 15 minutes combined, the long and winding ambient buildups giving way to ginormous breaks on 'Aether', or receding into a more atmospheric direction circa the Playstation 1 'IDM' era. The A-Side is for the breakbeat inclined, filled with intensity and volume against its ethereal synth waves. Side B is for the late-night Pulse FM listeners, the gentle percussion of dawn breaking - it's almost relaxing if such a thing were possible.

Review: At this point Okbron is a byword for the best atmospheric d&b coming out these days and while they may have drawn people in with their archival and reissue offerings, they're just as vital for platforming new music. Response & Pliskin represent the best of Manchester's d&b scene, and they've delved into a particularly mellow sound world for this release. 'Soon Forgotten' is a dreamy, subtly haunting roller with a clean, crisp beat and fulsome subs you can just float on, while 'Mainstream' deals in more layered, evolving pad tones and diced up breaks without losing that light, airy feel you want from a proper atmospheric release.

Review: Okbron haven't slipped out any information about Theomega around this new release, but at this point the label's reputation is more than enough to draw you in for a listen. Curiosity will undoubtedly be piqued as soon as you hear 'Kaleidoscope' rolling out, but you'll be equally satisfied by how fresh it sounds. Somewhere past pure atmospheric chill and into dexterous backroom d&b, the programming is light as a feather and the mix is beautifully spacious, giving you ample room to marvel at all the angles from this hitherto unknown producer. 'Mystery Train' continues the trend on the B-side - even the flute samples are on point.

Review: OKBRON's 60th release brings a hidden gem from the North London producer Unknown Soldier, whose track 'Catatonia' was crafted in 1994 at the legendary Monroe studio with engineer Pete Parsons (Voyager). Originally intended for In Touch Records, the track remained largely unnoticed when it was included on a later compilation. Now, OKBRON presents 'Catatonia' as a standalone record, complete with 'Cyclic' on the B-sideia session companion from that pivotal jungle era, finally ready for the spotlight.

Review: After years of active work on the front of EP and white label releases, Okbron Records present their first various artists compilation on 4x12"LP, Will Of The Universe. The universe has indeed willed that Okbron output this incensory compilation, sure to befuddle and beguile any drum & bass listener with their head and gravity pack screwed on. Featuring eight previously unreleased tracks and exclusive mixes of tracks by Big Bud, Klute, Law, Nookie, Perfect Combination, PFM, Rantoul, Voyager and Wheeler, this is a compendium of cosmos-expanding proportions, spanning all from the most nebulaic and detailed of liquid ('Reminisce', 'The Rough With The Smooth') to the most guttered, curb-kicked jungle ('Meaner Streets'), representing everything Okbron has offered so far and continues to offer.