It has been confirmed, despite the varying thoughts about it, nightclubs are set to re-open. It seems at full capacity, with owners left to decide how much rules to place on safety. The main rule for DJs will be to draw big sounds. Here are five that are going to drop in the second half of July.
MAX WINTER – ONE THOUSAND LONELY PLACES
A release that may stand alone but doesn’t deserve to end up in one of these lonely places. A brave and intuitive collection built on ambience, brilliantly incorporating free Jazz style licks on electronic sound-scaping with occasional angelic vocals. One Thousand Lonely Places is both beautiful and inspiring. Max Winter has a background in composing Jazz and Classical pieces, naturally he injects a human and emotional element into his works. Out on Where To Now? Listen / Buy
ITMEK – HALO EP
This deep, dark and heavy EP drags you into a desolate abyss packed full of hidden dangers for which you would need the help of a Halo to escape. Birmingham born Itmek draws on his foundations of reggae, dub and drum and bass to create this ill-tempered EP. Check out the equally dark remix from Biome as well on this release by Foto Sounds Listen / Buy
DJ MANNY – SIGNALS IN MY HEAD
Footwork filled with beauty, Signals In My Head delicately tells stories of courage whilst going through pain in love. Although produced with a reassuring calm, this album is jammed with sounds and influence. There are moments of dubstep, acid and drum and bass that trigger the mind back to the origins. Chicago born Manny is a respected titan of Footwork, he is joined by DJs Chap and Phil for this mega release on Planet Mu Listen / Buy
GUCHON – TROPICAL PIZZA
Summertime footwork with looped chords, Miami skip beats and chopped samples. Good times music from Guchon who is well respected in the breaks and step scenes. The Japanese producer can be found dropping hot sets in various clubs and on radio stations, such as Rinse. It is well worth listening to some of his previous releases on Maltine Records, Chequered Wax, Kool Stitch Works and Trekkie Trax. This one is released on Moveltraxx Listen / Buy
THE HALLUCI NATION – ONE MORE SATURDAY NIGHT
Back in May we were looking forward to the release of Remember Part 1 featuring the voice of John Trudell who spent a lot of his life and career speaking up for human rights. Especially those of the Native Indian community. The end of July sees the release of the full album, One More Saturday Night which contains a part 2, 3 and 4 of Remember amongst many other great tracks. The Halluci Nation have great ability to capture the indigenous sound and essence, then work it into a future proof blend with electronic production. An act to be grateful for, especially as evidence of attempts to destroy the community continues to be unveiled on a weekly basis. 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.
