2021 is already off to a flyer with great Bass releases coming at you from across the globe. Here are just five of the essential picks for late January.
Kessler – Ambivalent
Northern Irish producer lands on Shall Not Fade for the first time. Kessler brings a six-track, Bass driven, club dance floor release to the fore. Much of which is deep and solitary. Make sure you check out Old Wives Tale, a haunting garage step with vocal rifts on a wonderfully sparse backdrop. Eclectic producer Kessler had a history of self-releasing music but now, residing in Rotterdam, has the world as his oyster. Listen / Buy
The Untouchables – Culture Clash EP
The Culture Clash EP has five tracks which all sound battle hardened with choices for selection varying, depending on the setting. Audacity, the opening track, packs so much punch that it holds the ability to dent any armour. A relentless onslaught, stompy with dark, piercing kicks that the Belgian duo have become known for. Releasing for their first time with Brighton based label DNO, this is a must have for any selector heading for a sound clash. Listen / Buy
Soukah – Illusionist EP
Eat My Beat welcome German producer, Soukah to their roster and he does not disappoint with this grime edged debut. Illusionist is an uplifting teaser, combining cleverly placed vocal samples of a hype man creating the vibe over a building grungy beat. Check out the other Grime edged tracks and the remixes on the release as well. Kahter delivering a another version of Illusionist. Listen / Buy
DJ Swagger X DJ Ædidias – Speed Limit EP
Garage nostalgia kicks in on the latest offering from Bristol based label Time Is Now. Old friends DJ Swagger and DJ Ædidias join forces to pay homage to the scene with Speed Limit EP which is a feel good garage reel. The tracks are reminiscent of different aspects of garage whilst simultaneously remaining future proof. Don’t Call Me is a lovely throwback towards the classic sounds of the late 90’s. It’s Jazz edged with strings and vocal stabs which pitch from natural to high. A top tip for any heads. Listen / Buy
Client_03 – User Viewpoint
Adding onto three previous successful releases on Astrophonica, Client_03 releases User Viewpoint. A further extension to the creative experimental experience that Client_03 continues to put forward. The closing track of the four-piece record is Love Or Hate Trigger. It’s an emotive Techno roller with a huge amount of flair, build and bounce. Listen / Buy
Blemish spent 2020 reviewing Bass music releases by picking a highlight each week. His video reviews carried much needed uplifting messages which was a precursor to him playing a Bass heavy guest mix during the Heartless Crew’s show on BBC 1Xtra as a feel good set during the first lockdown. In addition, Blemish hosted some well watched interviews with future thinking producers such as DJ Eggs Legs, Kamran and turntablist Kypski. Blemish is excited about joining the UKBM team and endeavours to highlight new Bass releases to watch out for in a new feature, The Bass Drop.
