New releases this week: All genres

Notes: Updated version of Akai's excellent MPC One features increased storage, WiFi, Bluetooth and a striking new colour scheme. Full standalone beat creation masterpiece.

Supplier's Notes:
MPC One +

Standalone MPC with 7" touchscreen / WiFi & Bluetooth

Supercharge your beats

Standalone supercharged

The new MPC One+ brings a jolt of energy to the standalone workflow to enhance creative speed and efficiency. With MPC One+, beatmakers producers to live performers can enjoy the creative journey like never before.

Pure standalone power in your hands

At the heart of MPC One+ is the powerful multi-core processor, the same featured in the flagship MPC X. This isn't a scaled down little brother, but a production unit built with the same DNA for high-level music creation. Instruments, audio, MIDI, and effects processing to bring the music to life. With an upgraded 16GB of internal storage, create and store more of your inspired moments right in MPC One+ for immediate access and recall.

Wireless for the future

New Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity opens a new world of possibilities for your creative workflow. With Wi-Fi, you now have access to Ableton Link 3 to wirelessly connect and sync all your capable devices. Lock patterns and grooves for a mega creation without any cables or connections. Grab your Bluetooth enabled MIDI controller to lay down synths and melodies while your infectious rhythms have you vibing to the beat. Pair with a wireless QWERTY keyboard to search through folders and libraries accurately. With Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, your MPC One+ may be untethered but you are locked right into the music.

The centre of your creativity

MPC One+ is meant to be the focal point of your creative workspace. Whether you need compact, efficient beat-making or expanded interconnected production and composition, MPC One+ is versatile enough to accommodate any need. Connect your studio speakers to Stereo Outputs for accurate monitoring. A pair of Line Level Inputs are ready for keyboards, synths, instruments, hardware processors, and more. Expand your I/O with support for ClassCompliant Devices via a USB A host port. Connect your favorite plug-and-play USB MIDI Controllers, Audio Interface Devices, or removable storage drives, and take your production up another level with ease.

The workflow that sparks inspiration

MPC is the premier platform for all pattern-based music from EDM to Electro, Hip-Hop to House, and beyond. With 128 MIDI and 8 Audio Tracks per project, MPC One can capture any idea just as fast as you can think it. Browse thousands of MPC Plugin Instrument Presets to find that perfect sound to build melodies or shape harmonic phrases with massive sonics. Lay down serious drums and percussion with the signature MPC groove and precision. 16 Levels, Note Repeat, and Time Correct have defined the rhythmic feel for generations and continue to be the foundation for hit song after hit song. Use the pads in combination with Notes and Chords modes to unlock a completely new world of pad performance using the 16 velocity-sensitive RGB backlit pads.

One place for your sounds, samples, and songs

MPC One+ grows with you as you evolve on your music production journey. Update features, sounds, and samples wirelessly thanks to built-in Wi-Fi. When new MPC plugin instruments are available, you'll enjoy instant notifications as well as downloads and software authorizations right from your MPC One+. Browse and sync your curated Splice loops and samples and give your productions a breath of fresh inspiration whenever you need it. Keep all your sounds and instruments right within reach to instantly capture the most inspired moments anytime.

The next step of your MPC journey

MPC One+ is here for the producers and beatmakers ready to take the next step in the journey. Upgrade to MPC One+ from MPC Beats and load your old projects seamlessly on MPC One+. Your MPK mini or other class-compliant controller connects for powerful keyboard control of popular MPC plugin instruments like Hype, Mellotron, or Odyssey. For a limited time, receive a voucher for a free MPC Plugin instrument download from the MPC Store with the purchase and registration of a new MPC One+. MPC One+ has arrived and the musical possibilities ahead of you are endless with the power of its supercharged standalone workflow.

Technical Specifications

Pads
(16) velocity- and pressure-sensitive pads, RGB-backlit
(8) banks accessible via 4 Pad Bank buttons

Knobs
(4) 360- touch-sensitive Q-Link knobs for parameter adjustment
(1) data encoder for value adjustment and selection via push

Buttons
(31) dedicated-function buttons

Display
7.0" / 177 mm (diagonal)
5.9" x 3.7" / 151 x 94 mm (width x height)
Full-colour LED-backlit display with touch interface

Memory
Processor: Quad-core ARMr processor
RAM: 2 GB
Storage: 16 GB (over 7.8 GB available for user storage)

Power via power adapter (12 V, 3.0 A, center-positive, included)

Connections
(2) 1/4" (6.35 mm) TRS inputs (1 stereo pair)
(2) 1/4" (6.35 mm) TRS outputs (1 stereo pair)
(1) 1/8" (3.5 mm) stereo headphone output
(1) 5-pin MIDI inputs
(1) 5-pin MIDI output
(4) 4 TRS CV/Gate Jacks, 8 Outputs Total
(1) USB Type-A port
(1) USB Type-B port
(1) SD Card slot
(1) Power Adapter input

Dimensions (width x depth x height)
10.7" x 10.7" x 2.1"
272 x 272 x 53 mm

Weight
4.7 lbs / 2.1 kg

Notes: A playground of sound

With sounds and tools for any genre and style, Komplete 14 Standard packs the best of NI into one powerful bundle. Explore flagship synths, expressive sampled instruments, and studio-grade effects, including latest releases Kontakt 7, Playbox, 40's Very Own Drums & Keys, and Session Guitarist - Electric Mint, plus fresh additions from iZotope, Plugin Alliance, and Brainworx.

What's new?

Check out the latest and greatest additions to Komplete 14 Standard.

Kontakt 7

The latest version of the world's favourite sampler, with a brand-new updated Factory Library, enhanced browsing, and improved instrument-building technology.

Playbox

Kickstart ideas and refresh your workflow with randomisation, chord generation, and sample layering.

Session Bassist - Prime Bass

The classic sound of a 70s-style single coil electric bass guitar, with over 350 patterns.

Session Guitarist - Electric Mint

The distinct and versatile sound of a 1960 solid-body USA-made electric guitar, with 222 patterns.

BX_Oberhausen

A powerful recreation of a 70's analogue synth legend, with full polyphony of up to 32 voices, created by Brainworx.


Ozone 10 Standard

Mastering made easy. The latest version of the industry's most comprehensive professional audio mastering software delivers AI-powered assistive technology that helps bring balance to your music.
Plugin Alliance effects

Plugin Alliance comes to Komplete 14, bringing all-new effects including Unfiltered Audio's LO-FI-AF, and Brainworx's bx_crispytuner.

Play Series Additions

Fresh Play Series additions, including 40's Very Own drums & keys, Deft Lines, Ignition Keys, Empire Breaks, Soul Sessions, Glaze, and Melted Vibes.

Added expansions

15 new Expansions, including Backyard Jams, Body Mechanik, Bumpin Flava, Mother Board and Neo Boogie, plus latest Massive X Expansions Kino, Wake, Fade, and more.

Specifications:

System requirements

macOS 10.15, 11 or 12 (latest update)

Windows 10 (64-bit, latest Service Pack) or Windows 11 (latest Service Pack)

Intel Core i5 or equivalent CPU, or Apple Silicon (using Rosetta 2), 4 GB RAM (6 GB recommended)

10 GB free disk space (260 GB for complete installation)

Graphics hardware support for OpenGL 2.1 or higher, and Direct 3D 11.1 or higher

An internet connection is required to install and activate the products in this collection. Once installed, all products can be used offline. Certain products may require additional free downloads.

MASSIVE X requires an AVX compatible CPU.

Supported interfaces

Supports ASIO, Core Audio, WASAPI

Runs in 64-bit VST, AU, AAX hosts

Product includes

Installation files, 25,00 € e-voucher for the Native Instruments web shop, and one "Buy any Plugin for $29.99" e-voucher for the Plugin Alliance web shop.

Additional info

Total download size is 230 GB. You don't have to download all products at once: Native Access allows you to download and install individual KOMPLETE products any time you want.

Required hard disk space depends on how many products/libraries you want to install. To install all products and libraries, 260 GB free disk space is required.

Please note: The installation process may temporarily require up to 80 GB of additional free disk space on your system-drive - even if you're installing KOMPLETE on an external hard drive. This number significantly decreases for smaller products, or if products are being installed one by one.

All products included within a single edition of a KOMPLETE 14 bundle are part of one user license and can only be used as a single entity. A maximum of three installations on three machines are allowed as long as only one installation is used at any given time. The individual products cannot be resold separately

Notes: Boxed version of NI's flagship software collection, including 21 orchestral and cinematic instruments, the Kontakt sampler, 18 soft synths and a wealth of other sounds.

Supplier's Notes:
Create without limits

Komplete 14 Ultimate packs a punch, with even more synths, sampled instruments, and studio-grade effects, as well as fresh additions from iZotope, Plugin Alliance, and Brainworx. Boasting new releases like East Asia, Sequis, and Picked Nylon, plus a range of premium orchestral and cinematic tools including Ashlight and Piano Colors, it's all you need to bring your ideas to life and polish them for release.

What's new?

Check out some of the top new additions to Komplete 14 Ultimate.

Kontakt 7

The latest version of the world's favourite sampler, with a brand-new updated Factory Library, enhanced browsing, and improved instrument-building technology.

Ashlight

A granular instrument specializing in immersive atmospheres, rhythmic textures, and evocative keys for cinematic sound design.

Sequis

An inspiring instrument that unites organic samples with intuitive sequencing to make a playground of acoustic patterns.

Piano Colors

Explore the limits of a grand piano's sonic capabilities with state-of-the-art modulation features.

Action Strings 2

The dramatic sound of a full string orchestra blending realism with creative control, with over 31 GB of dynamic phrases.

Session Guitarist - Picked Nylon

The pure, warm tone of a handcrafted nylon-stringed guitar, with over 200 inspiring patterns plus an additional melody instrument.

Session Guitarist - Electric Vintage

The unmistakable sound of a vintage 50s solid-body electric guitar. Over 230 patterns, and an additional melody instrument.

Spotlight Collection - East Asia

The authentic sound of traditional Chinese, Japanese, and Korean instruments, captured in an intuitive production tool.

Plugin Alliance Effects

Plugin Alliance comes to Komplete 14, bringing all-new effects including Unfiltered Audio's LO-FI-AF, and Brainworx's bx_console N, bx_limiter true peak, and bx_crispytuner.

Ozone 10 Standard

Mastering made easy. The latest version of the industry's most comprehensive professional audio mastering software delivers AI-powered assistive technology that helps bring balance to your music.

Play Series additions

40's Very Own Drums & Keys, Deft Lines, Ignition Keys, Empire Breaks, Soul Sessions, Glaze, and Melted Vibes.

Added Expansions

20 new Expansions, including Rhythm Source, Liquid Energy, Faded Reels, and Backyward Dreams, plus latest Massive X Expansions Fade, Kino, Wake, and more.

System requirements:

macOS 10.15, 11 or 12 (latest update)
Windows 10 (64-bit, latest Service Pack) or Windows 11 (latest Service Pack)
Intel Core i5 or equivalent CPU, or Apple Silicon (using Rosetta 2), 4 GB RAM (6 GB recommended)
20 GB free disk space (770 GB for complete installation)
Graphics hardware support for OpenGL 2.1 or higher, and Direct 3D 11.1 or higher
An internet connection is required to install and activate the products in this collection. Once installed, all products can be used offline. Certain products may require additional free downloads.
Massive X requires an AVX compatible CPU.

Supported interfaces:

Supports ASIO, Core Audio, WASAPI
Runs in 64-bit VST, AU, AAX hosts

Product includes:

Installation files, e-voucher for the Native Instruments web shop, and two "Buy any Plugin for $29.99" e-vouchers for the Plugin Alliance web shop.

Additional info

Total download size is 680 GB. You don't have to download all products at once: Native Access allows you to download and install individual Komplete products any time you want.

Required hard disk space depends on how many products/libraries you want to install. To install all products and libraries, 770 GB free disk space is required.

Please note: The installation process may temporarily require up to 120 GB of additional free disk space on your system-drive - even if you're installing Komplete on an external hard drive. This number significantly decreases for smaller products, or if products are being installed one by one.

All products included within a single edition of a Komplete 14 bundle are part of one user license and can only be used as a single entity. A maximum of three installations on three machines are allowed as long as only one installation is used at any given time. The individual products cannot be resold separately.

Notes: Part of Sonicware's Liven groovebox series, this time focussing on granular synthesis and effects processing. 128-step sequencer and shimmer reverb allow you to create grooves.

Supplier's Notes:
Sample, slice, transform and reconstruct audio to synthesize completely new sounds

The LIVEN Texture Lab offers a wide variety of sound textures ranging from beautifully lush ambient pads to chaotically aggressive experimental noise that will take you to new sonic frontiers.

The Texture Lab uses a granular processor that slices sounds into grains ranging from 2 ms to 1 second in length, then transforms and reconstructs them in a variety of ways, including manipulating grain shape, density, time warp, spatial position, and playback method to create entirely new sounds.

Granular synthesis parameters are easily accessed from 10 knobs and are designed for intuitive control

Granular synthesizer with granular effects processor mode

The LIVEN Texture Lab is a 4-voice polyphonic synthesizer that can record 32 samples of up to 6 seconds, generate grains from any part of a sample, and synthesize them using two modulations sources, an envelope generator, and process the sound through different filter types.

The Texture Lab can also be used as an effects processor for real-time granular processing of stereo signals from the line input. It is also possible to freeze the flowing sounds for 6 seconds to add granulated sound effects.

Shimmer reverb for fantastical and majestic sounding spaces

The LIVEN Texture Lab features six high-quality stereo reverb types. All reverb types have a shimmer parameter that allows you to layer reverb on top of reverb in octaves to create fantastical and majestic sounding spaces.

128-step sequencer with parameter locking

The LIVEN Texture Lab is equipped with a high-performance 128-step sequencer that has earned the LIVEN series a solid reputation. In addition to recording notes, it can also record changes in granular processing parameters over time.

You can record knob operations in real time or directly record parameters to specific steps allowing for more complex sound textures.

Specifications

[Granular processor]

Synthesizer mode
- Sampling up to 6 seconds per sample (16bit - 32kHz mono, Start/end point adjustment)
- Auto start sampling function with the input level (input level can be set)
- Internal resampling function
- 32 sample memory slots

Effects processor mode
- Real-time processing of stereo signals from the line inputs
- Freeze function


- Pitch: Pitch of the sample (i2 octaves)
- Position, Length/FB: The sample range for generating grains (with random position function)
- Speed, Direction: Playback speed, scan direction, and playback direction of the grains.
- Size, Shape: Size and shape of the grains (with random function)
- Timing, Jitter: Interval of generating grains (with our original LUSH setting)
- Density: Number of the grains (up to 64 grains in legato mode)
- Diffusion: Diffusion width of the grains
- Blend: Balance between the sample and the granular sound mix
- Modulation 1: LFO assignable to various parameters (with wave shape selection, start fade-in time, retrigger, and tempo sync)
- Modulation 2: LFO assignable to various parameters (with wave shape selection, retrigger, and tempo sync)


- Attack
- Release


- Low Pass
- High Pass
- Band Pass

Reverb effects
6 high-quality reverbs with Shimmer reverb parameters
- Hall
- Room
- Arena
- Plate
- Tunnel
- Infinity


- 4-note polyphonic mode (Up to 16 grains per voice, internal sequencer records up to 3 voices of polyphony)
- Mono mode (Up to 32 grains, adjustable glide time)
- Legato mode (Up to 64 grains, adjustable glide time)
- Arpeggiator modes (Up, Down, UpDown, DownUp, Up&Down, Down&Up, Up+1, Up+2, Down-1, Down-2, Random, Play Order)

[Sequencer]
- 1 track
- Up to 128 steps per pattern
- 128 patterns
- Step length can be set from 1/1 to 1/32
- Real-time recording
- Directly enter notes for each step when sequencer is on or off
- Enter longer notes (Tied notes)
- Metronome and pre-count function
- Undo/Redo function
- Transpose function
- Swing function
- Pattern BPM / Global BPM can be set
- Pattern chain function
- Parameter Lock function to record parameter settings for each step
- RANDOM function to play back steps in random order
- STUTTER function to play back only the step being pressed

[MIDI]
- Notes, control changes, clock input/output
- IMPORT/EXPORT of user data (Including samples) via Sysex
- Firmware update via Sysex

[Unit]

27 keys (with a hold function)


- 15 physical control knobs
- Optional LATCH function prevents jumps in value when knob position and parameter values do not match.
- One physical encoder for fine adjustments.
- LCD dot indicates when a parameter value matches the saved value, or when the value has been changed.

Review: .Naples-based Afro house label MoBlack returns with the fifth edition in its various artist series titled Gold, tapping some of the scene's heavy hitters for their unique style of contributions to the catalogue. ACN opens up with the entrancing spiritualism of 'Creatures' on the A-side, followed by some of Emanuele Esposito's hypnotic polyrhythms on 'Tuwani' (feat Mavhungu). Over on the flip, Eden Shalev will elevate you with the truly life-affirming vibes of 'Cantos De Dennadon' (feat Cantos Des Baobab) and finally Simo Moumen treads deeper into moodier territory on the heady 'Samsara'.

Review: Alessandro Alessandroni is a library music legend who set the blueprint for the genre early on and then managed to get even more famous because of providing the iconic whistle on famous spaghetti western 'A Fistful of Dollars'. The influential composer and musician had a big say in the world of soundtracks during the 60s and 70sFour Flies have often released his work or covers of it. The tunes on this 7" are taken from an obscure 1975 Italian film by Elio Bartolini. They walk the thin line between disco and funk and jazz-funk with big horn and rhythm sections. Both might have been lost forever if it weren't for the fact that this label put them on the now modern classic and hard to find compilations Esterno Notte and Esterno Giorno.

Review: Akshin Alizadeh is Azerbaijan's foremost hip-hop production star, blending infectiously dynamic beats with slick vocal samplework and original instrumental acoutrements. All laid down to solid 7" wax, 'Reasons' is his latest to do so. The track hears Alizadeh flourish and melismate away on the higher end of the piano and the lower end of the guitar, all while creatively making use of a vocal sample from First Choice's 1974 r&b hit, 'Let Him Go', for its sampled chorus.

Review: Hello to Nine Teas, a new label making its debut on these pages. And we couldn't be happier about that as Ambrose cooks up some quality deep house sounds on this sizzling Nothing's Gonna Make Me Stop EP. The title track is a loose jumble of warm summer chords and funk breaks, with perfect vocal samples up top. What's not to like? After a dub with plenty of jazz infection comes the steamier and more direct 'Summer Haze'. It's still rough around the edges and high on dusty soul, but is one to get the floor going early doors. The 12" Mix ups the party feels to close out a winning EP.

Review: The seemingly ever-present underground stalwart that is Ellen Allien's Bpitch Control welcomes Berlin-based artist ASEC for a new EP that is inspired by "the indecision, the fear and the finality of making difficult choices. Heavy stuff for sure, and opener 'Crossing The Rubicon' sure is a dark and moody piece but also utterly danceable. The title track has a blunt, powerful kick and whirring machine percussion then 'Our Light In Momentary Troubles' gets a little more dubby, with fat bass and chunky drums. Last of all is 'Bleep Test (Tool Mix)' which is a brain-boggling and loopy techno cut with fizzing synth textures.

Review: Those with even a basic knowledge of Italian dance music will have come across Alex Neri productions before; during the 1990s, he recorded loads of house (and less frequently, techno), under a wide variety of aliases. In 1991, he donned the Axe Corner alias (alongside studio buddies Adriana Dodici, Marco Baroni and Pietro Peretti) and delivered Tortuga, an EP of moody blends of house and techno that now sound surprisingly far-sighted. A-sides 'OUT-SLD' and 'IN-SLD' are both forthright but funky techno outings whose bleeping lead lines and thickset grooves pay tribute to the then-massive bleep & bass sound (albeit without the colossal sub-bass and dub reggae influences that style was famous for), while flip-side cuts 'BAD-SLD' and 'SLD-Effects' deliver tougher, late-night takes on the organ-rich Italo-house sound.

Review: Picnic tends towards flaunting the eclecticism of the British underground, standing in stark opposition to conformity. B Love, Rokko, Mathijs Smit and Herra come through for their latest V/A here, each with their own unique style and flavour to the four-way table - whether they work in deep house, techno, or the cheekier side of speed-garage-ambient. As 'Thumb Milk' says in the pre-drop moment of pause: "do what you feel, when you feel like it". Such is the exact feel of this EP, from the idyllic chordwork of Rock's 'Sunset Frequency' to the organic organry of 'Going Backwards'.

Review: From the dedicated Neopolitan archivists Periodica comes a holy grail reissue of a deep cover, highly coveted release from 1983. The groove on Tonino Balsamo's 'Sta Guagliona Mo Dda' is an absolute neck-snapper, with the toughest drum machine beat carrying slinky b-lines and slick synth lines alike while Balsamo flows in a semi-rap style over the top. It's a monster given a fresh master to cut it with any modern jam you care to throw its way in the mix, and the instrumental is on hand for those who want to zero in on that throbbing arpeggio. Also watch out for the dirty beatdown 'Voglia E Mare', which lays the synths on even thicker.

Review: With a career reaching back some 20 years, Bart Skils has remained committed to the art of the techno 12", with not a single album to his name. Instead, his focus has been on a staggering hit list of legendary labels from Pure Plastic to 100% Pure, Break New Soil, and since 2012, primarily Drumcode. As part of Adam Beyer's core contingent he's played a major part in shaping the sound of the label, and so he continues on this exemplary two-tracker. 'Roll The Dice' is a muscular yet lean workout for the bigger kinds of spaces, playing around with some monotonal vocal threads and laying down the b-line throb you expect from a Drumcode A side. The flip offers something a little different as 'Into The Clouds' takes some looped guitar licks as a vessel for transcendence, atop a steady trucking techno undercarriage, of course.

Review: Gavin Harris, otherwise known as Eli Brown, has been on the fast track to the premier league, big-budget stadium tech over the past five years, snapped up by Skream on Of Unsound Mind, Toolroom Records, Moon Harbour, Alan Fitzpatrick's We Are The Brave, Lee Foss' Repopulate Mars - the list goes on. After delivering a four-track EP to techno industrial mega complex Drumcode last year, he's back with a not-so-subtle reinterpretation of LFO's iconic bleep techno 'Freak', originally released in 2003 on Warp. If you're craving a smoothed out, reliably rolling version of Mark Bell's masterful, mind-twisting original, look no further.

Review: N4 is back with another blinding EP, this time from Pete Cannon who has already had some of these tunes played by the likes of Bicep. 'In My Soul' is full-throttle drum & bass with raved-up sirens and crashing breaks to get the floor in a spin. The Sumgii 160 remix brings elements of footwork rhythms, loopy and cut-up sequences that explode and implode endlessly. 'Tek Riser' is a bubbling and gurgling world of slamming drums and rubbery bass for big room action and last of all is a Shadowchild remix that brings some light with celestial synths and a more slow and pronounced rhythm.

Review: Before his untimely death in 2002, Drexciya member James Stinson recorded a number of killer solo records. Hyperspace Soundlab, initially released in 1991 and credited to Clarence G, is undoubtedly one of his best. It's long been something of an in-demand gem, with copies changing hands for several hundred pounds. Here, Clone have done us all a favour and given it a much-needed reissuevia their Aqualung series dedicated to all things Drexciyan. As you'd perhaps expect, all four tracks explore the Detroit elecro sound Stinson did much to develop, with the producer adding his own rap vocals to the killer "Clarence G's Club", and the ghetto-influenced bounce of "Cause I Said It Right". Elsewhere, "Turbine" is an exercise in industrial-tinged drum machine abuse, while "Data Transfer" sees Stinson doffing a cap to classic Chicago acid.

Review: Plastik People boss Mark Cotterell keeps up the good form he sowed in 2022 with his first EP of 2023. It comes on Rhythm Vibe and features two more of his well-designed and well-swung garage-house groovers. 'Take You For A Ride' has choppy drums and hits with fresh piano stabs and soulful vocals and 'Move To The Groove' then gets a little deeper but with similar ingredients. A Ross Couch mix takes it into more airy and floaty territory while Mike Millrain's mix of 'Take You For A Ride' brings the 90s vibes.

Review: Deep house doesn't get any better than when it's from scene-pioneer Chez Damier. The US legend has been finding the most sensuous and emotive sounds for decades, not only as a producer but also as a label boss. His House of Chez label cooks up some more goodness here with his own collab with H2H opening up with mystic Middle Eastern melodies drifting over smooth beats. Damian Rausch's remix then brings something more heavy and El Kazed heads off to the stars on waves of cosmic synth lushness. Last of all is Italo legend Giorgio Morderer with the gloriously soulful 'Engery.'

Review: .Back to 94! Vinyl Fanatiks have unearthed more gold on Krome & Time's Tearin Vinyl imprint as they reissue the label's earliest signings for the very first time. While Exodus and Head Pressure only went on to have a few more singles, both 'Rude Boy Dem' and 'Glass Pipe Fury' showed great promise as they captured that wild jungle energy and freedom. The former goes big on the breaks and focuses everything on the drums and subs, the latter brings in a darker, more tense vibe with the pads and switches. Blueprint business.

Review: DJ Kawasaki went big on love performances with his last album One World back in 2021 and the resulting tunes mixed up fine house vibrations infused with immaculate jazz-funk instrumentation. He is back now and in top-notch form with a new 7" for At Home Sound in Japan. There is more of a disco feel to this one with the cosmically minded 'It's Your World' kick off on the a-side and then the just as good but differently groovy 'Step Out' taking care of the b-side.

Review: 10 years in, Spandangle continues to bring a high grade of jungle to wax for the real heads. On this twenty-second volume in the series, we're treated to a team-up from Huddersfield producer Duburban and the mysterious Galvatron, two die-hards who know how to bring the absolute ruffage to the plates. 'Cremation' is a proper sound clash destroyer with a ragga toasting sample to die for before the drop. Don't be fooled by 'Lovely', which sneaks in on some mellow intro business before collapsing into a mess of amen mashing brilliance. 'Eleusis' takes things in a more reliably mellow direction without losing that gritty sonic finish, and 'Somebody Else' goes in on the soul licks to stunning effect. A record of two halves, no doubt.

Review: Dynamic Forces are in beast mode for his new EP on Kazerne. The duo is rather new to the scene with only a few releases to their name in the last year or so, but they have already got a fully formed sound that makes your eyes water and your inner ear tingle. 'Born' kicks off with caustic breakbeat loops that scrap along a dirty factory floor and ensure a vocal cry in their midst. 'Glory Heat' is a bouncing banger with unresolved loops to fry your brain and 'Wise' brings edgy, paranoid energy over slamming kicks. There are dub chords in 'Enfant Prodige' but layered up with distorted layers of scuzzy sound, and closer 'Doomsday' then offers an eerie ambient soundscape.

Review: Riddim Tuffa's Echoboy follows up releases on Moonshine and Solway Dub with this exceptional triplet of soundsystem jams on Soul Ex Machina. Cosmic, meditative but kicking like a sub-loaded mule, there's a gentle progression throughout the EP. 'Roots Of Dub' immerses us like a Smith & Mighty blueprint, 'We Lock Down The Block' is a little more dancefloor focused but still heavily restrained and pared back (similar to Tipper at his deepest and most star-gazey) while finally 'Chords Trip' closes on a much more traditional digi dub tip. Beautiful.

Review: Japanese producer ENA is a master of deep electronic soundscapes and has always operated in an in between area that blurs ht lines between half tempo drum & bass and magic ambient trips. He does that again here with five unique cuts starting with the misty and grey sound world of 'Pulse2' with its barely there rhythm. '5.5' has deft sine waves and another suggestive rhythm that comes from heavily muffled and muted synth modulations and soft drum pads. 'The Brick' is movie-like deep space scene setting and 'The Worm Turns' is an ambient collage before 'Alter' closes out this artful experiment in texture and timbre.