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Browse by Label: TECTONIC (UK)
Artist:
CYRUS (RANDOM TRIO)
Title:
From The Shadows
Label:
TECTONIC (UK)
Format:
CD
Price:
$14.50
Catalog #:
TEC 002CD
Emerging from the studio with perfect timing, Tectonic delivers the debut opus from UK-based
Random Trio
's
Cyrus
, one of the scene's most dangerously underrated talents. Since last year's
Random Trio
EP, Cyrus has been working on his studio tan, perfecting a true definition of dubstep with professor-like precision, rising up within the hallowed tutelage of
Hatcha
's dubplate box, and under the watchful eye of local Croydon peers
Digital Mystikz
and label head and stylistic brethren,
Pinch
. In this time, his production skills have improved immeasurably, resulting in the expertly studied rhythm and bass science of
From The Shadows
. From the kick-stepping and hard-skanking pressure of "Paradise Dub," the gauntlet is laid down to a scene of imitators and dilettantes, strutting onto the floor like a tempered hybrid of Pinch's moody Orientalism and
Mala
-style polyrhythmic kick drums patterns, this is some serious dancefloor material. Next we're dropped into "Gutter" with death-prodding atmospheres and fathoms of layered sub-bass demanding to be played loud. "Mind Games" pays debt to the rhythmic dub ingenuity of
Keith Hudson
or
Scientist
, updated with added subs for a 2007 shockout effect. "Dark Future" steps on it with shuffling whip-crack percussion and a strobing synth line direct from Babylon, while the title track "From The Shadows" brings some relief with lush pads and hollowed hardcore structures harking back to
A Guy Called Gerald
's seminal
Black Street Technology
album -- high praise indeed. "The Watcher" is an evolutionary stepper with a tempered restraint, holding back tons of bass pressure until it's required. "Dirt" explores the same blue moods as dubstep's other hero of dark soul,
Burial
, with mournful chords and echo chamber reverb adding abandoned warehouse space over a swung halfstep beat and next-level bass techniques. This is a remarkably immaculate document of dubstep for 2007 which fans of Burial's hallowed debut or
Digital Mystikz
will cherish highly.
Artist:
MOVING NINJA
Title:
Shellcode
Label:
TECTONIC (UK)
Format:
12"
Price:
$10.00
Catalog #:
TEC 002EP
"The second twelve on Bristol's freshest new imprint, Tectonic. 'Shellcode' opens with the sound of a droid being disinterred, slowly and with relish, to the sound of some very sizeable bass stabs. But the feeling is cooled by a swathe of bass which raises up this chilling futurescape into a thing of deep fascination. The groove is determinedly slowed, and therefore tougher and more substantial -- 'Murky' wades in with enough brutal bass -- there's tabla styled congas and an ethereal indo-inflected melody which winds through the tune, all sinewy and limber. There's a sense of continuity here with the berimbau of 'Alien Tongue' from the first Tectonic EP -- new directions for the beat, inside and outside the 'One'. 'Lost Tribe' seems to describe the otherworldly choral haunting which clouds the intro to this storming cut -- there's an ominous texture between the beats which seems to indicate this tune could have been recorded in some unnamed underworld region -- it's a dystopian vision -- confirmed by the righteous bass shockout which propels this heaving brutal dancefloor destroyer."
Artist:
PINCH
Title:
Underwater Dancehall
Label:
TECTONIC (UK)
Format:
2CD
Price:
$20.00
Catalog #:
TEC 003CD
This is the debut full-length release by Bristol's
Pinch
(
Rob Ellis
), head of the Tectonic imprint. The dubstep album: a concept still in its early days of existence. In a relatively new genre dominated by vinyl, many artists would not take the plunge into more ambitious territories and be lucky enough to have an outlet to support their endeavors: enter Pinch. Having already garnered a huge amount of success with CD releases in the past (namely the
Tectonic Plates
compilation and
Cyrus
artist album), the time was right for Ellis to turn the spotlight on himself for a full-length. But rather than simply string together a compilation of sold-out 12"s and re-edits, Pinch headed back into the studio, gathering vocalists around him and immersing himself in the idea of the album as a format, a concept, a complete vision. The results speak for themselves, setting the bar high and in the process taking dubstep to a whole new level -- leaving budding producers to simply tag along behind him. The first CD features vocal contributions by
Juakali
,
Yolanda
,
Rudey Lee
and
Indi Kaur
, while the second CD is devoted to instrumental tracks. For the limited edition double vinyl version, eight of the finest cuts are offered in a stripped-down instrumental form.
Artist:
LOEFAH & SKREAM
Title:
28g/Fearless
Label:
TECTONIC (UK)
Format:
12"
Price:
$10.00
Catalog #:
TEC 003EP
"The Dubstep Anthem of 2005. Already canned by Hatcha, 1xtra's Ras Kwame, Distinction, Youngsta included it to wide acclaim on the latest Tempa mix, Dubstep All Stars Volume 2, and this track just seems to keep cropping up all over the shop -- the blogs are alight at the prospect of this record. Props are in order to Bristol's Tectonics for bringing this music out -- breathtakingly simple, even minimal in its sense of detail, the bass is just so immense here, it fair pins you to the wall. Remorseless progression, with whacked out flanging extra bass over the top for good measure. The deployment of dub effects is kept sparing and as such is all the more effective. 'Fearless' on the flip is all about some advanced low-end science -- keeping it almost exclusively subsonic. Loefah is a central part of the whole Digital Mystikz / Dmz axis, widely regarded as the reigning dons of dubstep, Skream is surfing a huge wave of interest currently, after his Ital 12" brought this superb producer to a wider audience. His latest for Tempa, 'Midnight request line' has even even prompted Dizzee freestyles on Rinse FM, a true sign of how far this instrumental dub for steppas has come. Already enjoying classic tune status -- '28 grams' is the kind of record which leads you to reflect that, finally, we may be witnessing the blossoming of this exciting scene."
Artist:
2562
Title:
Aerial
Label:
TECTONIC (UK)
Format:
CD
Price:
$14.50
Catalog #:
TEC 004CD
This is the debut full-length release by
Dave Huismans
aka
2562
. After releasing two of the fastest-selling 12"s on Tectonic in 2007, it was a natural step to drop something truly stunning. If you can imagine a perfect marriage between
Benga
or
Skream
-style rhythm and bass with
Basic Channel
soundscapes -- you will realize why everyone is getting so excited about this album.
Aerial
follows the two-track vinyl teaser
Techno Dread/Enforcers
which are featured on the CD version, alongside the lead tracks "Channel Two" and "Kameleon," both drawn from the 2007 singles that found their way onto the decks of everyone from
Mary Anne Hobbs
, Skream,
Kode9
,
Laurent Garnier
, and anyone else with their ears primed for heavy bass, deep funk and sublime dub.
Aerial
ticks all the boxes for a varied, multi-faceted debut, melding genres with a distinctive production style that is smart, inventive and entirely futuristic. Dutch-born, Huismans borrows his name from his Hague home district code "2562" but takes his musical influence from further afield: Detroit, Kingston, Croydon, and Berlin. Huismans' previous incarnations have included the dubbed-out broken-beat of
Dogdaze
on the Flying High label and more recently as
A Made Up Sound
-- making serious moves in techno on
Shed
's Hardwax-affiliated Subsolo imprint. If 2007 was a year for
Burial
and
Pinch
, then summer 2008 surely has 2562 written all over it.
Artist:
RANDOM TRIO
Title:
Cyrus
Label:
TECTONIC (UK)
Format:
12"
Price:
$10.00
Catalog #:
TEC 004EP
"Emerging from under the patronage of the mighty Digital Mystikz, Random Trio have previously self-produced and distributed a white label dubplate style twelve, but here make their full release debut. Four tunes from the hands of the man Cyrus to tempt you here, and the sound that emerges convinces that these guys will definitely be ones to watch for the 2006. Expect further productions from this crew next year and some expansive manoeuvres from their hosts here, DJ Pinch's excellent Tectonic imprint. 'Bounty' is a steadfastly bassy, slow motion skank, leavened by a simple keyboard note and rockstone one-drop drums. 'Prophecy' steals the biscuits for us here, a fat sub-continental flute lays over a breaking drum, until enormous bass throbs, kode9 style arrive and deliver a supple, grooving piece of dub. 'Indian Stomp' further configures dubstep's infatuation with multicultural elements, here a beguiling Indian vocal weaves around the central motif, all rimshots and pent-up explosive energy. 'Troy' channels this force, into sustained almost drone-like notes over delicious continuous bass notes, which leave vapour trails in their wake."
Artist:
VA
Title:
Tectonic Plates Volume 2
Label:
TECTONIC (UK)
Format:
2CD
Price:
$20.00
Catalog #:
TEC 005CD
The second volume in the
Tectonic Plates
label compilation series by the Bristol-based Tectonic label. Following the spectacular run of 12"s released by Tectonic over the past year,
Tectonic Plates
volume 2 is a crowning 2CD collection -- the first disc comprises the entire imminent and as-yet unreleased four-part 12" vinyl
Plates
series in all its glory, the second CD is an exclusive mix from
Rob Ellis
aka
Pinch
, which brings together highlight cuts and unreleased tracks from the label's increasingly impressive roster. Tectonic's reputation as a pioneering force in the development of dubstep is no more apparent than here, spanning two discs of killer drops and massive productions from the likes of
Benga
,
Skream
,
Loefah
,
Digital Mystikz
,
Distance
,
Flying Lotus
,
2562
,
Martyn
,
RSD
,
Peverelist
,
Joker
, and much more. All of the previously-released tracks found in the mix are by now long sold-out, and are made available here on CD for the first time. Tectonic was started in 2004 by Pinch and is now widely considered to be one of the most renowned dubstep labels on the planet, right up there amongst Tempa, Hyperdub and DMZ. Maintaining from the outset a firm intent to push sound forward, the label's ongoing and rapid development has brought the styles of dubstep and dub-tech to global audiences with an authenticity that leaves many of its imitators lagging way behind. Recent incredible vinyl productions such as RSD's "Forward Youth," Pinch's "Joyride" rydim, and Skream's "Percression" are all thankfully included here -- not to mention the vinyl-only 2562 bonus killer "Greyscale," from 2008's massive
Aerial
(TEC 004CD/TEC 021LP) long-player, and for good measure, there's also a mighty
Shed
remix of Peverelist's "Junktion." Other artists include:
Moving Ninja
,
2nd II None
,
Mala & Sgt. Pokes
,
30Hz
,
Clue Kid
,
Jack Sparrow & Biggins
,
Deleted Scenes
,
Cyrus
,
Omen
,
MRK1
,
Yolanda
,
Skinz & I.D.
, and
Ginz
.
Artist:
OMEN
Title:
Rebellion EP
Label:
TECTONIC (UK)
Format:
12"
Price:
$10.00
Catalog #:
TEC 005EP
"So we now know 2006 is the year of dubstep. With Loefah and Skream's anthemic '28g' the scene had new champions, and Tectonic continue in real style with the debut 12" from Random Trio's Northern warrior Omen. This is dubstep as it was always meant to be, Photek inspired moody beatplay, stinging synth stabs straight out of Renegade Hardware's toolshed and the atmosphere of a violent Eastern movie. It really doesn't get much better than this -- lead track 'Rebellion' is without a doubt one of the dubstep tunes of the year, with a pace and drive to get those hotties nodding all night long. The flipside falls into faster territory, 'Frontline' uses an acidic pulsating bassline and drives it through aggressive snare hits like an 18-wheeler through a garden party, with closing track 'Aphrodite' making sure we realize the mood here is strictly dark with its distorted horror-movie mood and long deep drones."
Artist:
2562
Title:
Unbalance
Label:
TECTONIC (UK)
Format:
CD
Price:
$14.50
Catalog #:
TEC 006CD
This is the second full-length album by
Dave Huismans
aka
2562
, the follow-up to his roundly acclaimed debut,
Aerial
(TEC 004CD/021LP).
Unbalance
pushes both his creative talents, and the boundaries of dubstep, to another level entirely. This is an exceptional body of electronic music, and fully demonstrates 2562's adept ability to move through engaging soundscapes with both pin-point precision drum programming and innovative sample regeneration. 2562 is named after the postcode in The Hague, Netherlands where Huismans lives -- a city detached from the main epicenters of dubstep, thus bringing both cultural distance and a uniquely diverse sound to the project.
Unbalance
sees 2562's vision of dubstep moving forward into previously-unexplored areas. Warmer than its predecessor, innovation and experimentation is still as evident as ever, as the influence of
Theo Parrish
and
Flying Lotus
meet with the deep end of Bristol bass music. With productions drawing inspiration from garage, dubstep, house, techno and broken beats -- affiliations and collaborations have proliferated -- killer remixes and one-offs have cemented the Dutchman firmly in the "A" list of contemporary production talent.
Unbalance
is impeccably built, and accessibly disposed: sheer dancefloor carnage is guaranteed. With this new album, 2562 breaks new ground -- in moving away from the dub-techno associations of his earlier works, he creates a whole new world. From the outset, "Intro" and "Flashback" let fly some of the face cards in Huismans' deck -- the ample swell of swung garage informed by a new school sensibility, all grounded by that trademark giant bass presence. "Lost" reprises a familiar broken refrain in refixed mode, landing with a delightful low-end, almost junglist descent and a huge, mid-range melodic sustain -- absolutely killer stuff. With "Like A Dream," the album really motors -- squashed
Mr. Fingers
-style acid machinations inside wild bass and drum swing. Tear up the dub instructions, the diversity and breathtaking momentum of this fine album moves fleet of foot -- like
Usain Bolt
over Berlin.
Artist:
SKREAM/DISTANCE
Title:
Tectonic Plate 1
Label:
TECTONIC (UK)
Format:
10"
Price:
$10.00
Catalog #:
TEC 006EP
"Tectonic return to the fray with their most anticipated and limited release to date -- complete with ultra slick 10" redesign, housing heavyweight solids from Skream and Distance. Skream drops the soon-to-be-classic 'bahl fwd', a 24 carat O. Jones production with a droning 2 note bassline that even Sunn 0))) would be proud of, coupled with a trademark electro melody arpeggiated to Babylon and back. Distance wins the split though with a muscular riddim driven by powerful subs and a bleached halfstep snare crack punctuated with a lush sitar lick dripping with Eastern mysticism. As ever, Tectonic are truly keeping the standards to an absolute maximum, a must-have for all 'step heads and lovers of forward thinking bassisms."
Artist:
PINCH (FEAT. YOLANDA)
Title:
Get Up
Label:
TECTONIC (UK)
Format:
CD
Price:
$6.50
Catalog #:
TEC 007CD
UK dubstep producer and Tectonic head
Rob Ellis
aka
Pinch
presents a remix album of his hit track "Get Up" from his groundbreaking 2007 debut
Underwater Dancehall
(TEC 003CD/TEC 018LP). Since its inception, dubstep has endlessly reinvented itself, reflecting ten years and more of UK bass culture -- the anthemic quality of the original still stands more relevant than ever. Never one to do things by halves, Pinch has used the interim period wisely, securing the remix services of the finest producers out there.
RSD
has had a fantastic 2009 -- rocking shores stateside to Japan and at long last receiving due acclaim for his central role in shaping the Bristol sound.
Rob Smith
delivers a master class production, which has already been ruining audiences on dubplate.
Guido
brings an astonishing version and shows himself to be his own man -- by turns luxuriant and yet pared back to its limber essentials -- incorporating deep synth-funk and garage styles while still revealing a sizeable low-end all underpinning a show-stopping arrangement of futuristic soul.
Jack Sparrow
warms up with an early taste of the recent production form which has prompted Pinch to request a full Tectonic album from him in 2010 -- fabulous, low-slung killer vibes, a subtle and deeply meditative, thoughtful version primed for deeper dancefloors with a huge, deep funk coda to explore on the boards.
L.V.
brings the soulful vibes to an apex -- his easy moving, open form disco mix is reminiscent of classic
Sly & Robbie
Compass Point sides with
Grace Jones
-- in a word, timeless. An indisputable classic tune in optimum versions -- treasure them and play them loud.
Artist:
MARK ONE/DQ1
Title:
Slang/Wear The Crown
Label:
TECTONIC (UK)
Format:
10"
Price:
$10.00
Catalog #:
TEC 007EP
Tectonic Plate 2. "The Tectonic Plate series continues to shift -- this time two contributions from Virus Syndicate mainman Mark One and Sheffield breakstep maestro DQ1. Mark turns out an acid-licked, monotone chunk of dubstep crust while DQ1 wins the battle with a restrained breakstep weapon, constantly threatening to break out into a Storming production-style romper, but holding back with ample dubstep tension."
Artist:
PURSUIT GROOVES
Title:
Fox Trot Mannerisms
Label:
TECTONIC (UK)
Format:
CD
Price:
$9.00
Catalog #:
TEC 008CD
This the debut full solo release by Brooklyn-based producer and MC
Vanese Smith
aka
Pursuit Grooves
, and her first for the Tectonic label. Unexpected, and yet somehow perfectly at home on Tectonic. Props to
Pinch
for his consummate A&R skill sets, though no doubt this would also bless labels such as Motown, Stones Throw, Hyperdub or even Rush Hour's
Beat Dimensions
series, where Ms. Grooves debuted. In these times of overhyped one-trick, nu-jacks it's a rare blessing indeed to discover such an accomplished and original artist with a vision and flow to ignite flames for all the true-school heads and still bring new ears to this stylish music. Altogether it makes the best soundtrack to midnight inner-city motoring, it will work brilliantly in beat-driven club situations with its effortless production science to the fore. "Pressure" drops like a lost
Erykah Badu
&
Madlib
collaboration, Miss Smith's vocal here is even a little reminiscent of Badu's considerable stylings, but watch out girlfriend, she flows with the best in a style somewhat similar to
Bahamadia
. "Start Somethin'" rocks the downtempo beat-down harder than most, and is the most electronic-feeling cut on this album -- vicious fuzz bass lines, filthy claps, oiled snares and block-rocking cut-up beats. Drop this in a DJ set and watch all crew get busy. If you had to pick a single highlight, then "Shabaps" might well be it. A heavyweight hip-hop roller, all luscious bass frequencies and cosmic synth drifts that keeps an upful tempo for maximum bugging fully on lockdown. "Whisper" dubs it heavy like a feather, all bubbling,
Mantronik
-style 808 beats with melting jazz piano drops and a sweetly mysterious, softly-spoken vocal. "Tweezers" adds a 2-step electro flex to an L.A./Detroit hip-hop feel -- mind-blowing stuff on headphones, only still built for the biggest systems. "Mister Softee" is perhaps the most traditional-sounding hip-hop cut -- turn out the lights, because the delivery here is world class '010 -- we reach the outro refreshed by a cooling breeze on a mad hot summer day. This album is big with
Kode9
and company already, so get on this soon!
Artist:
JACK SPARROW
Title:
Circadian
Label:
TECTONIC (UK)
Format:
CD
Price:
$14.50
Catalog #:
TEC 009CD
Rising Leeds star
Jack Sparrow
launches his debut album
Circadian
, following previous faultless Tectonic tribalistic anthems "The Chase" and "Terminal." Following in the footsteps of
2562
, label boss
Pinch
and
Cyrus
(
Random Trio
), Sparrow is one the few dubstep producers capable of making the leap from hard-hitting 12" dancefloor releases to full-length album. As the restrained 4/4 kick drum of opening track "Loveless" pounds in, warming chords rise up, and snatches of soulful vocal cuts chime in over building drum layers -- you already know you're headed for an involving journey with this album. Fans of
Mala
,
Martyn
,
Quest
and
Silkie
will feel at home with the vibe of the opening track, yet Sparrow takes things in his own direction with a sound that combines elements of deep house with a tribal side of dubstep. The vibe switches then for "Dread" -- a collaboration with fellow Leeds-based producer
Ruckspin
-- a dark, cold ragga-techno rhythm before Sparrow breathes new life into his original Tectonic tribal anthem, with a VIP version of "The Chase." "Salvation" continues with a voodoo-laden tribal theme, taking things into slightly more tech-y territories before we hear a fresh take on "Terminal." "Shoal" ventures into new territories as technology battles with organic sounds. Next up, the sweet sounds of vocalist
Indi Kaur
meet with Sparrow's adept production skills for a soulful meander in the endearing "Subterranean." "Dune" takes things back into a more sinister world, with its lunging half-step rhythm and earthquake sub-bass and ethno-decentralized atmospherics. "Relapse" kicks in at 160 bpm, Jack Sparrow demonstrating his prowess as a highly versatile producer with this "autonomic" take on his dubstep sounds -- highly rhythmical while pushing forward the technological boundaries of sound. "Regress" keeps with the uptempo bpm but steps back the pressure, allowing for memories of the early days of ambient jungle to seep in. "Exit" gently delivers you out of the
Circadian
journey. A unique track that warms your heart and chills your bones simultaneously, and lets you float off fully satisfied.
Artist:
ARMOUR/HIJAK
Title:
Tectonic Plate 4
Label:
TECTONIC (UK)
Format:
10"
Price:
$10.00
Catalog #:
TEC 009EP
This is the fourth in Tectonic's 10" plate series, featuring
Hijak
(
Inta Natty
) and
Armour
(
Vex'd
). Hijak is comfy with the break and lovely round drums spooked by nightmarish strings, with awesome bass dragged through the dirt. Huge tune. Flip for Armour, who shows that Bristolians are becoming even darker in their predilections. Increasingly drawn to the chaotic drone spaces and dark corners. The drums and feedback will stove your head in like
Wolf Eyes
in dub uptown -- probably the first doomstep record -- anyone?
Artist:
SCIENTIST
Title:
Scientist Launches Dubstep Into Outer Space
Label:
TECTONIC (UK)
Format:
2CD
Price:
$19.50
Catalog #:
TEC 010CD
Tectonic's most ambitious project to date, in which the influence of dub comes full circle,
Scientist Launches Dubstep Into Outer Space
sees legendary dub engineer
Scientist
version 12 exclusive and unreleased dubstep rhythms from the scene's top producers, including
Kode9
,
Shackleton
,
Pinch
and
Mala
. It's a vital and unprecedented move for dubstep; one year in the making, uniting roots and futurism in visionary style. In archetypal fashion, Scientist puts decades of tactile, hands-on experience to work, deftly transforming the killer originals -- many composed specifically for this project -- into living, breathing dub music with his most sacred of black arts. The effect is most radical when he reviews the ultra-modern surfaces of
Guido
's "Korg Back" or
Pinch
and
Emika
's prescient stepper "2012," realigning the dance's depth perception with the skill of an electro-acoustic mastermind. No less, when working with vocalists on
King Midas Sound
's "U" or the dread vibes of
Spaceape
on
Kode9
's "Abeng," he enhances their duppy potential tenfold. Perhaps most spooky of all is his version of
Shackleton
's "Hackney Marshes," morphing the original's
nyabinghi
-like percussion into a subtly spiritual and psychoactive slab of riddim minimalism. However, for many the highlights will be the dreadnaught overhauls of
Mala DMZ
's bass bin punishing "City Cycle," and
Loefah & Sgt. Pokes
' "Dog Money" respectively, realizing many dub-fiend's most feverish dreams in ultra-heavyweight fashion. Add to these the energetic Afro-house roll of
Jack Sparrow
,
RSD
's cultured roots, ominous cone-testing from
Armour
(aka
Roly Vex'd
),
Distance
's swelling atmospheres, and
Cyrus
(
Random Trio
)'s modernist update of broken-beats, and the result is a session that does as much to survey the contemporary map of bass ordinance as it does to provide a fertile source text for Scientist's first new studio project in the thick end of ten years.
Hopeton Brown
aka Scientist is one of Jamaica's most revered dub engineers. His career behind the mixing desk began in the mid '70s at
King Tubby
's Dromilly Road studios in Kingston, earning him the "Scientist" tag in a legendary conversation between
Bunny Lee
and King Tubby. By the early '80s, he was working at Tuff Gong studios and it was during this period that he created his seminal series of albums for Greensleeves including
Scientist Rids The World Of The Curse Of The Evil Vampires
and
Scientist Wins The World Cup
. In the tradition of
Lee "Scratch" Perry
, King Tubby, and
Prince Jammy
, Scientist developed a distinct style, manipulating reverb, delay and filters to create transient sonic dimensions which place him as one of the most distinguished dub engineers alive today.
Scientist Launches Dubstep Into Outer Space
is a 24-track 2CD, containing separate discs of original cuts and Scientist versions.
Artist:
MOVING NINJA
Title:
Formations
Label:
TECTONIC (UK)
Format:
12"
Price:
$10.00
Catalog #:
TEC 010EP
Australian duo
Moving Ninja
first came to dubstep prominence on
DJ Pinch
's Bristol-based Tectonic label. Today, dubstep now tries to be darker and harder than its rivals, and occasionally, much of the spacious, textural "edgy" sounds are being drowned out, with the prominent exception of
Burial
, who is a useful reference point for this release though it was recorded long before the Burial hype peaked. Of the four tracks, "Uranium" and "Kemancheh" are the pinnacle -- the kind of intricate excursions that would surely be forsaken if all dubstep were exclusively dancefloor-oriented.
Artist:
PURSUIT GROOVES
Title:
Frantically Hopeful
Label:
TECTONIC (UK)
Format:
CD
Price:
$16.50
Catalog #:
TEC 011CD
Pursuit Grooves
'
Frantically Hopeful
continues rhythmically where 2010's
Fox Trot Mannerisms
EP left off, but launches into a different head space with lyrics touching on current affairs and technological dependency. Juggling all angles from production, songwriting, MCing and singing, Pursuit Grooves continues what she does best, fusing elements of hip-hop, house and broken beats with sensual melodies and vocals. Armed with an analog four-track cassette recorder, drum machine and years of studying her grandmother and aunt on the piano, Pursuit Grooves began her first productions at the age of 16, and never looked back. A demo in the right hands landed her track "Push Up" on Rush Hour's
Beat Dimensions
collection, alongside some of the brightest up-and-coming electronic artists around the world, and following three mostly instrumental albums on her own What Rules label;
Fun Like Passion
,
Wild Art Forestry
, and
Sustainable Movements For A New Age
, she signed with Tectonic, releasing
Fox Trot Mannerisms
to great acclaim in 2010.
Artist:
CYRUS (RANDOM TRIO)
Title:
From The Shadows LP Disc 1
Label:
TECTONIC (UK)
Format:
12"
Price:
$10.00
Catalog #:
TEC 011EP
First of 3 12"'s which will make up the debut album from Cyrus (Random Trio). One of the substep scene's most dangerously underrated talents. Since last year's transmission on the Random Trio E.P Cyrus has been working on his studio tan, perfecting a true definition of dubstep with professor like precision, rising up within the hallowed tutelage of Hatcha's dubplate box, and under the watchful eye of local Croydon peers Digital Mystikz and label head or stylistic brethren, Pinch. In this time his production skills have improved immeasurably, resulting in the expertly studied rhythm and bass science of
From the Shadows
...the gauntlet is laid down to a scene of imitators and dilettantes, strutting onto the floor like a tempered hybrid of Pinch's moody orientalism and Mala style polyrhythmic kick drums patterns, this is some serious dancefloor material. Tracks on this 12": "Gutter" with deathprodding atmospheres and fathoms of layered subbass demanding to be played loud; "Mind games": pays debts to the rhythmic dub ingenuity of Keith Hudson or Scientist, updated with added subs for a 2007 shockout effect. This is a remarkably immaculate document of dubstep for 2007 which fans of Burial's hallowed debut or Digital Mystikz moody steppers bass weight will cherish highly.
Artist:
AUTHOR
Title:
Author
Label:
TECTONIC (UK)
Format:
CD
Price:
$16.50
Catalog #:
TEC 012CD
Author
is the brainchild of Leeds-based dubstep producers
Jack Sparrow
and
Ruckspin
. It may be a new name on the scene, but the production duo that constitutes Author are certainly no newbies in their own right. Both Ruckspin and Jack Sparrow have established themselves as highly gifted and hardworking producers, dedicated to engineering optimum quality sounds. Following their first collaboration, "Dread," which was included on
GetDarker Presents: This Is Dubstep 2011
(GD 005CD), they formed Author as a shared project. Removed from the pressure of the dancefloor,
Author
takes the baton from
Kruder & Dorfmeister's
K&D Sessions
,
The Cinematic Orchestra
, and those timeless early Mo' Wax recordings in exploring more spacious arrangements and sounds. It represents the opportunity to experiment within the context of dubstep, collaborating with live musicians and celebrating a wide source of musical influences. Features guests
Ben Glass
and
Ed Thomas
.
Artist:
CYRUS (RANDOM TRIO)
Title:
From The Shadows LP Disc 2
Label:
TECTONIC (UK)
Format:
12"
Price:
$10.00
Catalog #:
TEC 012EP
Second of 3 12"s which will make up the debut album from Cyrus (Random Trio).
Artist:
VA
Title:
Tectonic Plates Volume 3
Label:
TECTONIC (UK)
Format:
CD
Price:
$16.50
Catalog #:
TEC 013CD
The mighty Tectonic drop the third volume in their esteemed
Plates
series, compiling exclusive tracks from a selection of electronic music's leading and breaking artists. Since starting low frequency operations in 2005, the Bristol label has been a beacon for dubstep, bass and progressive electronic music fans, releasing music from artists of the calibre of
Skream
,
Loefah
,
2562
,
Peverlist
,
RSD
,
Flying Lotus
,
Joker
,
Addison Groove
,
Jack Sparrow
,
Photek
,
Benga
,
Digital Mystikz
, and label-boss
Pinch
. Over the past year, album projects with legendary Jamaican dub producer
Scientist
, NYC beat-experimentalist
Pursuit Grooves
and live dubstep duo
Author
has reflected a broadening of Tectonic's core sound, while remaining faithful to its roots. On
Tectonic Plates Volume 3
, the first half offerings range across classic 140 bpm tempi, including
Kryptic Minds
' haunting opening declaration "The Talisman," Pinch's deeply cinematic "Blow Out The Candle," "Evolution" by
Cluekid
, and the supersonic "Mach" by Japan's
Goth-Trad
. Tribal influences permeate through
Tunnidge
's "Universal" and rhythms also swerve towards funky with an appearance from
Roska
on "480 BC" and, shot through with an array of classic scratch DJ samples, "Phantom" by Addison Groove. Cardiff's
Monky
introduces the second movement with the transcendent breaks of "Float" before the heavy-prog-rock stomp of
Ginz
's "Chrome" body-slams events firmly back into place. Three breakout artists are featured with recent Red Bull Music Academy participant
Om Unit
,
Kevin McPhee
(named in
DJ
Magazine's "Ones To Watch" for 2012) and Manchester's
Illum Sphere
, whose set at
Radiohead
's remixes album launch for Boiler Room topped a fantastic year. The album's closing scene is the epic 10-minute "Rogue State" by 2562.
Artist:
CYRUS (RANDOM TRIO)
Title:
From The Shadows LP Disc 3
Label:
TECTONIC (UK)
Format:
12"
Price:
$10.00
Catalog #:
TEC 013EP
Third of 3 12"s which will make up the debut album from Cyrus (Random Trio). "Fans of serious bottom-end and darkside dub vibes will not be disappointed here, with Cyrus clearly making his defnition of dystopian dubstep apparent. 'Dark Future' rolls in laden with impending dread, utilising a nasty sci-fi techno riff to signify his intentions, before skanking out with a sweetly syncopated steppers beat while tight riffin subs carry the melody. Cyrus fully explores a more refinied darkside on the flip with the subtle jazz influence of 'Crying game' allowing a lonely sax line to creep into the mix alongside splashing hi-hats, before title track draws very reasonable comparisons to A.G.C.G's
Black Secret Technology
, by hollowing out the post hardcore/pre-jungle breaks but filling the vacuum with bass and the warmth of jazz optimism, walking a tight precipice between cheese and greatness but thankfully falling very much onto the right side for it's subtle restraint and application."
Artist:
DISTAL
Title:
Civilization
Label:
TECTONIC (UK)
Format:
CD
Price:
$16.50
Catalog #:
TEC 014CD
This is the highly-anticipated debut album from Atlanta producer
Michael Rathbun
aka
Distal
. Releases and remixes for labels such as Soul Jazz Records, Grizzly, Fortified Audio, Trouble & Bass, Seclusiasis and Tectonic (not to mention his own imprint, Embassy Recordings, which he runs in tandem with old school friend
Ethan Anderson
aka
Mite
), and tours with
Pearson Sound
and
Africa Hi Tech
has seen his name on the lips of discerning electronic tastemakers worldwide. Before entering the world of production, Distal spent a few years researching a sensational auditory phenomenon called Synesthesia at Georgia State University. One day while digging through breakcore records, he stumbled upon a sound that would inspire him to launch his production career. This record, in a turn of complete serendipity, was
Punisher
, by Tectonic label-head
Pinch
. Using his newfound passion, traditional teachings and his scientific studies in unison, he ran head-first into the studio. Taking influences from his love of techno, jungle and hardcore, Distal's sound fluctuates between a wide array of moods, rhythms and tempos that veer between dubstep, juke, footwork, house, and, naturally being from Atlanta, Southern hip-hop. From popping 808 cowbells on opener "The Sun" to dancehall minimalism on "Rattlesnake" to the Balearic tribalism of "She Wears Pearls," these elements join the dots on Distal's map of
Civilization
.
Artist:
DQ1
Title:
Gud Money/Structive
Label:
TECTONIC (UK)
Format:
12"
Price:
$10.00
Catalog #:
TEC 014EP
Darqwan
is one of the founding figures of the dubstep scene. "Gud Money" should be familiar to those of you who've checked the mix accompanying the
Tectonic Plates
double CD set. This is a true bubblers tune with a mammoth low end, fashioned from essential elements. "Structive" has claps and luxuriant synth washes, topped with orgasmic sighs and electroid drops -- utilizing wide open dub space to amplify the infeasibly large, heavyweight bass threat you would expect from Tectonic.
Artist:
PINCH
Title:
Missing in Action -- A Collection of Selected Tracks, B Sides and Remixes from 2006-2010
Label:
TECTONIC (UK)
Format:
CD
Price:
$16.50
Catalog #:
TEC 015CD
A special collection of tracks and remixes originally released on different labels by Tectonic Recordings founder
Rob Ellis
, better-known as the DJ and producer
Pinch
. Although it has been some time since Pinch's debut artist album
Underwater Dancehall
(TEC 003CD/018LP), he has hardly been slacking off. This compilation brings together key moments, some better-known than others, hand-picked by Pinch and arranged chronologically by release date on labels such as Planet Mu, Six Degrees, Soul Jazz, Punch Drunk, Lot49, Tempa, 2Kings, Swamp81, and Ninja Tune. Releases for Planet Mu feature significantly, including the original deep VIP flip of one of the scene's defining tracks, "Qawwali." This is then neatly followed by a largely-overlooked remix by Pinch of the legendary Qawwali vocalist
Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan
, running at 116 bpm rather than the more typical dubstep tempo of 140 bpm. As the tracks progress through the time period of their release, trends form with periods of dark wobble, moving into more techno-inspired soundscapes and wonky beat-oriented rhythms. There is also space for Pinch's devastatingly effective remix of
Henry & Louis
"Rise Up" as well as
Emika
's "Double Edge." As an extra treat, hidden in the CD somewhere is Pinch's first-ever "dubstep" track, "Deserted Island," made available for the very first time since it was created back in 2004. The CD also features "Elements," the flipside to 2010's "Croydon House," taken from Swamp 81's vinyl-only catalog.
Artist:
2562
Title:
Channel Two/Circulate
Label:
TECTONIC (UK)
Format:
12"
Price:
$10.00
Catalog #:
TEC 015EP
After stealing the most praise away from veteran greats such as
Substance
and
Stephen Brown
on the last Soloaction remix EP, "A Made Up Sound," appears here as
2562
to resounding and stunning effect. Cleverly uniting elements from four/four
Moritz
-influenced dub techno, deep danceable dubstep and the less fractured end of broken beat, this 12" is already finding favor with all the usual suspects and further opens the gate for dubstep to finally achieve its innate rhythmic destiny. Killer.
Artist:
2562
Title:
Kameleon/Channel One
Label:
TECTONIC (UK)
Format:
12"
Price:
$10.00
Catalog #:
TEC 016EP
2562
has been creating great waves this summer, with not only his last and best-selling Tectonic 12"
Channel Two
, but also under the guise of
A Made Up Sound
on his recent SubSolo limited edition. Adroitly straddling techno and dubstep audiences, both tracks here are simply massive music for dancefloors everywhere. Killer.
Artist:
PINCH
Title:
One Blood, One Source/Trauma
Label:
TECTONIC (UK)
Format:
12"
Price:
$10.00
Catalog #:
TEC 017EP
The vinyl edition of
Pinch
's album
Underwater Dancehall
features instrumental versions only. This EP takes two tracks from the full-length, featuring vocal stylings by
Rudey Lee
and
Juakali
. This is your only chance to get these two vocal versions on vinyl!
Artist:
PINCH
Title:
Underwater Dancehall
Label:
TECTONIC (UK)
Format:
2LP
Price:
$18.00
Catalog #:
TEC 018LP
Limited repress on vinyl! For the limited edition double vinyl version of
Pinch
's groundbreaking debut album, the seminal
Underwater Dancehall
, eight of the finest cuts are offered in a stripped-down instrumental form. This is the debut full-length release by Bristol's
Pinch
(
Rob Ellis
), head of the Tectonic imprint. The dubstep album: a concept still in its early days of existence.
Artist:
PEVERELIST
Title:
Infinity Is Now/Junktion
Label:
TECTONIC (UK)
Format:
12"
Price:
$11.00
Catalog #:
TEC 019EP
West country boy
Peverelist
returns home to Bristol's forefront dubstep label. What has set Peverelist's productions and DJ sets aside is his adroit blend of deep Bristolian sound system heritage with a more European, specifically Berliner take on the question of bass weight. These are two bumping joints of bass line destruction, stepping lightly around the four-four and sounding like the perfect fusion of dub and techno. Support from all the usual suspects -- MASSIVE.
Artist:
2562
Title:
Techno Dread/Enforcers
Label:
TECTONIC (UK)
Format:
12"
Price:
$11.00
Catalog #:
TEC 020EP
2562
limbers up with a stellar 12". The galloping, Ritalin-infested skanker "Techno Dread" harnesses the exuberance of
Mala
's forays into four/four dancefloor ruffage, the depth and groove of recent Skull Disco and the smoked piquancy of Deepchord/Berlin dubness. "Enforcers" displays brittle but not-quite broken drums illustrating a new reign... a new strain of garridge reborn. Warmth comes in the shape of a full-force, endlessly inventive low-end line. Dubstep for dancing -- rush the floor!
Artist:
2562
Title:
Aerial
Label:
TECTONIC (UK)
Format:
2LP
Price:
$18.00
Catalog #:
TEC 021LP
Double LP version -- repressed. If you can imagine a perfect marriage between
Benga
or
Skream
-style rhythm and bass with
Basic Channel
soundscapes -- you will realize why everyone is getting so excited about this album.
Aerial
ticks all the boxes for a varied, multi-faceted debut, melding genres with a distinctive production style that is smart, inventive and entirely futuristic. Dutch-born, Huismans borrows his name from his Hague home district code "2562" but takes his musical influence from further afield: Detroit, Kingston, Croydon, and Berlin. Huismans' previous incarnations have included the dubbed-out broken-beat of
Dogdaze
on the Flying High label and more recently as
A Made Up Sound
-- making serious moves in techno on
Shed
's Hardwax-affiliated Subsolo imprint. If 2007 was a year for
Burial
and
Pinch
, then summer 2008 surely has 2562 written all over it.
Artist:
SKREAM
Title:
Hedd Banger/Percression
Label:
TECTONIC (UK)
Format:
12"
Price:
$11.00
Catalog #:
TEC 022EP
Dubstep maverick
Skream
returns to Tectonic. Although often associated with dancefloor wobble innovation, it can be easy to overlook the deeper side of Skream's sound. "Hedd Banger" is a heavily weighted track with dark, razor-like synths. "Percression" is an innovative little number, combining elements of techno and dub in a way that no one else could pull off. This is pure bounce, its 4/4 beat pounding throughout, skittish drums and expanding/contracting reverbs providing the "stagger factor" that keeps things swinging.
Artist:
RSD
Title:
Over It/Forward Youth
Label:
TECTONIC (UK)
Format:
12"
Price:
$11.00
Catalog #:
TEC 023EP
As one half of
Smith & Mighty
in the 1980s and '90s,
Rob Smith
(aka
RSD
) was a key influence on the Bristol sound. "Over It" has a sub heavy, dark house vibe, intricate percussion work and a technoid twist. If reggae met techno with a heart salute and a jungle b-line, you'd get a good idea where "Forward Youth" is coming from. RSD is a heavy hitter on any occasion.
Artist:
PINCH
Title:
Midnight Oil/Joyride
Label:
TECTONIC (UK)
Format:
12"
Price:
$11.00
Catalog #:
TEC 024EP
Tectonic hails a welcome return from the label's dubmaster,
Pinch
. "Midnight Oil" is just sick -- its gorgeous, ethereal, pitched-up string loop giving way to a pummeling, syncopated kick drum. "Joyride" is a suspense-laden groove, its tuned percussion and plucky, reverberating sound stabs seem to constantly build and morph in and out of phase. Textured and laid-back, the
Midnight Oil
12" is sure to sell out fast and will no doubt put those "in the know" on edge.
Artist:
MARTYN/2562
Title:
Tectonic Plates Volume 2
Label:
TECTONIC (UK)
Format:
12"
Price:
$11.00
Catalog #:
TEC 025EP
Tectonic's first release in the long-awaited second volume of the
Tectonic Plates
series, featuring offerings from dubstep dons
Martyn
and
2562
. Martyn's "Yet" is on point with warm, padded stabs and a heavy bass line. Dubstep on a
Theo Parrish
-meets-
Marcus Intalex
tip that's not to be missed. 2562's "Kontrol" is a restrained excursion into the land of fine-tuned 808 hits and pummeling sub-bass -- absolute perfection with minimal execution. Featuring a sample from
Dan Bell
's "Losing Control," it's a room-shaker.
Artist:
SKREAM/BENGA
Title:
Tectonic Plates Volume 2.2
Label:
TECTONIC (UK)
Format:
12"
Price:
$11.00
Catalog #:
TEC 026EP
The second release in volume 2 of the
Tectonic Plates
series, featuring more big shit from the Croydon massive.
Skream
's "Trapped In A Dark Bubble" is finally getting a release after breaking ribs for so long, right alongside
Benga
's curiously-named "Technocal." This release is big like a dinosaur.
Artist:
FLYING LOTUS/JOKER
Title:
Tectonic Plates Volume 2.3
Label:
TECTONIC (UK)
Format:
12"
Price:
$11.00
Catalog #:
TEC 027EP
The Tectonic label pitches together two of the foremost exponents of "wonky" for the third installment in the second
Plates
series.
Flying Lotus
makes apparent his abiding love affair with the UK underground; "Glendale Galleria" is a dark garage cut, rivaling
Burial
and
2562
. Currently in massive demand for remix work, and poised on the verge of becoming the next producer to blow up in 2009,
Joker
brings yet another massive production. This one is a must.
Artist:
PINCH & MOVING NINJA/PEVERELIST
Title:
Tectonic Plates Volume 2 - False Flag/Junktion (Shed Remix)
Label:
TECTONIC (UK)
Format:
12"
Price:
$11.00
Catalog #:
TEC 028EP
Leading dubstep exponent and Tectonic founder
Pinch
never fails to impress with his forward-thinking productions, and his latest collaboration with
Moving Ninja
is no exception -- a slow-building intro leads into a super-tight break, a low-end presence, and a minimal drop. Droning background screeches climb and dip, making this into an effortless team-up, full of friction and bristling with invention.
Shed
's remix of
Peverelist
's "Junktion" features a killer synth hook and a 2-step groove as dubstep merges with pure techno. Limited edition plate.
Artist:
2562
Title:
Love In Outer Space/Third Wave
Label:
TECTONIC (UK)
Format:
12"
Price:
$11.00
Catalog #:
TEC 029EP
This 12" marks a significant return by
2562
to Tectonic with the first plate to touch down since his highly-acclaimed
Aerial
. "Love In Outer Space" is one sneaky manoeuvre -- a warped synth hook rattles your skull in a woozy, intergalactic machine-funk trip that is as groundbreaking and disorienting as
2001: A Space Odyssey
. "Third Wave" is a more accessible 4/4 roller. Heavily spun by
Martyn
,
Appleblim
,
Peverelist
, and many others, this energizing rhythm sounds like
Herbie Hancock
hitting a dubstep fix.
Artist:
JACK SPARROW
Title:
The Chase/The Fullest
Label:
TECTONIC (UK)
Format:
12"
Price:
$11.00
Catalog #:
TEC 030EP
This is the debut Tectonic release for
Jack Sparrow
. "The Chase" begins with a dissonant chord -- rising, evolving and building the tension slowly before energized hats come crashing in. Raging subs and a tribal conga pattern will have you skanking the moment you hear it. "The Fullest" features
Biggins
alongside him on the buttons, with a more relaxed vibe, the galloping kick pattern rolling with smooth chords in a deep house style. Breezy dubstep for groovers.
Artist:
CYRUS (RANDOM TRIO)
Title:
Space Cadet/Junk Yard
Label:
TECTONIC (UK)
Format:
12"
Price:
$11.00
Catalog #:
TEC 031EP
Random Trio
's
Cyrus
returns to Tectonic with two minimal stepper riddims. "Space Cadet" takes the stripped-down minimal approach to an extreme. Once the otherworldly atmospherics and fizzing hi-hats drift away, the beat comes rolling in -- rock solid and uncompromising. Kick, hat, snare and, of course -- stomach-shaking subs that lay low down and heavy. "Junk Yard" features a relentless, double-time bass while strange, atmospheric stabs emerge like alien beasts lurking just beneath the surface. More quality bass weight.
Artist:
KRYPTIC MINDS
Title:
768
Label:
TECTONIC (UK)
Format:
12"
Price:
$11.00
Catalog #:
TEC 032EP
With many a drum and bass producer jumping on the dubstep bandwagon only to get it embarrassingly wrong, it's refreshing to see darkside jungle pioneers
Kryptic Minds
side-stepping such issues, delivering only the finest quality rolling
Metalheadz
-vibe, dark-side, subbed-out 'steppers with an innovative twist of their own. Kryptic Minds have tailored a sound that makes it to the very the heart of half-step itself. Includes a Kryptic Minds remix of
Pinch & Moving Ninja
's track "False."
Artist:
2562
Title:
Unbalance
Label:
TECTONIC (UK)
Format:
3LP
Price:
$23.50
Catalog #:
TEC 034LP
3LP version.
Artist:
PURSUIT GROOVES
Title:
Fox Trot Mannerisms
Label:
TECTONIC (UK)
Format:
12"
Price:
$14.50
Catalog #:
TEC 038EP
12" EP version. This the debut full solo release by Brooklyn-based producer and MC
Vanese Smith
aka
Pursuit Grooves
, and her first for the Tectonic label. Unexpected, and yet somehow perfectly at home on Tectonic. Props to
Pinch
for his consummate A&R skill sets, though no doubt this would also bless labels such as Motown, Stones Throw, Hyperdub or even Rush Hour's
Beat Dimensions
series, where Ms. Grooves debuted. In these times of overhyped one-trick, nu-jacks it's a rare blessing indeed to discover such an accomplished and original artist with a vision and flow to ignite flames for all the true-school heads and still bring new ears to this stylish music. Altogether it makes the best soundtrack to midnight inner-city motoring, it will work brilliantly in beat-driven club situations with its effortless production science to the fore. "Pressure" drops like a lost
Erykah Badu
&
Madlib
collaboration, Miss Smith's vocal here is even a little reminiscent of Badu's considerable stylings, but watch out girlfriend, she flows with the best in a style somewhat similar to
Bahamadia
. "Start Somethin'" rocks the downtempo beat-down harder than most, and is the most electronic-feeling cut on this album -- vicious fuzz bass lines, filthy claps, oiled snares and block-rocking cut-up beats. Drop this in a DJ set and watch all crew get busy. If you had to pick a single highlight, then "Shabaps" might well be it. A heavyweight hip-hop roller, all luscious bass frequencies and cosmic synth drifts that keeps an upful tempo for maximum bugging fully on lockdown. "Whisper" dubs it heavy like a feather, all bubbling,
Mantronik
-style 808 beats with melting jazz piano drops and a sweetly mysterious, softly-spoken vocal. "Tweezers" adds a 2-step electro flex to an L.A./Detroit hip-hop feel -- mind-blowing stuff on headphones, only still built for the biggest systems. "Mister Softee" is perhaps the most traditional-sounding hip-hop cut -- turn out the lights, because the delivery here is world class '010 -- we reach the outro refreshed by a cooling breeze on a mad hot summer day. This album is big with
Kode9
and company already, so get on this soon!
Artist:
JAKES/DARQWAN
Title:
Time Ends/JahWan
Label:
TECTONIC (UK)
Format:
12"
Price:
$11.00
Catalog #:
TEC 039EP
Two big names share one plate for Tectonic as dark garage/2-step legend
Oris Jay
, appearing here as
Darqwan
, goes face-to-face with Bristol don and Hench head-honcho
Jakes
. Both tracks roll it out cold and hard with a no-compromise attitude and all the quality levels you've come to expect from the usual Tectonic output. Support from
Mary Anne Hobbs
,
Pinch
,
Starkey
,
Appleblim
,
Ben UFO
,
Reso
,
Tayo
,
Rossi B
, and
Freq Nasty
, to name but a few. A massive summer plate.
Artist:
PINCH/DARQWAN
Title:
The Boxer
Label:
TECTONIC (UK)
Format:
12"
Price:
$11.00
Catalog #:
TEC 040EP
Pinch
is back with a heavy-hitting, dancefloor-punishing beast of a track, "The Boxer." Ethereal sounds emerge from another dimension as a filtered conga pattern charges up, leading us to the punchline... POW! It's a full fist in the jaw. Flip for darkside garage legend
Darqwan
's version as he mangles the original into something that sounds like metal being torn apart by big machines. Huge support from
Skream
,
Mala
,
Joker
,
Distance
,
Plastician
,
Mary-Anne Hobbs
,
Ramadanman
,
Appleblim
, and many more.
Artist:
JACK SPARROW
Title:
Loveless/Dread (feat. Ruckspin)
Label:
TECTONIC (UK)
Format:
12"
Price:
$11.00
Catalog #:
TEC 041.1EP
Jack Sparrow
presents two tracks off of his
Circadian
album (TEC 009CD/LP). As the restrained 4/4 kick drum of "Loveless" pounds in, fans of
Mala
,
Martyn
,
Quest
and
Silkie
will feel right at home. The vibe switches then for "Dread" -- a collaboration with fellow Leeds-based producer
Ruckspin
-- a dark, cold ragga-techno rhythm which should please fans of
Headhunter
,
F
and
2562
.
Artist:
ILLUM SPHERE
Title:
Dreamstealin'
Label:
TECTONIC (UK)
Format:
12"
Price:
$11.00
Catalog #:
TEC 047EP
Manchester's
Illum Sphere
makes his debut for Tectonic with two killer cuts that set new directions for the post-dubstep generation. "Dreamstealin'" is a powerful, twisted track that soundtracks enormous alien machinery grinding into action. "Blood Music" features silky melodic lines over heavily grooved, rolling beats with a friendly nod to
Burial
with its post-club come-down.
Indigo
's remix pushes into a ghostly new incarnation with swooping bass and more broken, fragile beats. DJ support from
Pinch
,
Martyn
,
Distance
,
Appleblim
and many more.
Artist:
PINCH & LOEFAH/PINCH & ROSKA
Title:
Broken/Paranormal Activity
Label:
TECTONIC (UK)
Format:
12"
Price:
$11.00
Catalog #:
TEC 048EP
Tectonic presents a collaborative effort between
Pinch & Loefah
and Pinch and
Roska
. Roska is known more for his 130 bpm funky productions, but this collaboration takes the tempo up to 140 bpm for an exercise in rhythmical maximality. Meticulous drum programming is layered with dark, reverbed sonics, spooky pads and a gut-wrenching sub bass line. "Paranormal Activity" will summon ancient spirits, so be careful where you drop it. An essential purchase for true fans of the original dubstep vibe.
Artist:
ADDISON GROOVE
Title:
This Is It/Make Um Bounce
Label:
TECTONIC (UK)
Format:
12"
Price:
$11.00
Catalog #:
TEC 049EP
Massive new Tectonic 12" from Bristol's very own
Tony Williams
aka
Addison Groove
. Taking in elements of the Chicago juke/footwork scene and bringing in bass-heavy dubstep production, Addison Groove has made a huge impression on dance music. "This Is It" is a 138bpm dancefloor banger, blending bass science with original Chicago attitude. "Make Um Bounce" is bass-heavy and full of booty-bouncing badness! DJ support from
Kode9
,
Skream
,
Pinch
,
Loefah
,
James Zabiela
,
Jackmaster
,
Boddika
,
Martyn
,
2562
and many more!
Artist:
PHOTEK
Title:
Closer
Label:
TECTONIC (UK)
Format:
12"
Price:
$11.00
Catalog #:
TEC 050EP
In celebration of their 50th 12" vinyl release, Tectonic presents a rare new outing from the legendary
Photek
. Gracing Tectonic with the soulful 120bpm "Closer," Photek has turned a corner with his style and sound since the d&b days, keeping things fresh and upfront. Label boss
Pinch
flips the vibe back to 140bpm dubstep territories with his remix. Full picture sleeve and the first 1,000 copies come with a free download code for digital versions of both tracks.
Artist:
DISTAL
Title:
Angry Acid/French Science
Label:
TECTONIC (UK)
Format:
12"
Price:
$11.00
Catalog #:
TEC 051EP
Tectonic moves straight into bold new territories, introducing a new artist to the label:
Distal
from Atlanta, USA, who injects plenty of energy and dancefloor savvy throughout his productions. "Angry Acid" is more like a 140bpm warehouse acid track than anything "dubstep" as we know it, sounding like some lost collaboration between
Aphex Twin
and
Drexciya
. "French Science" is less frantic and more sexy -- grooving instead at a more restrained 125bpm. Big, bright, synthy -- full of charm and alien seduction.
Artist:
AUTHOR
Title:
The City/Teacher
Label:
TECTONIC (UK)
Format:
12"
Price:
$11.00
Catalog #:
TEC 052EP
Author
's first single features deep melodic music with real instrumentation. The producer duo are no newbies, either.
Ryan Gath
aka
Jack Sparrow
has a slew of deep-dubstep dancefloor killers under his belt and
Dom Howard
is known for his
Ruckspin
dubstep production moniker as well as being a key member and producer for the live dubstep super-group
Submotion Orchestra
. "The City" is an energetic future-garage riddim while "Teacher" captures the essence of the original 2004-2005 dubstep vibe while updating the production levels for 2011.
Artist:
DISTANCE
Title:
Reboot/Bazurk
Label:
TECTONIC (UK)
Format:
12"
Price:
$11.00
Catalog #:
TEC 054EP
Tectonic is very happy to welcome
Distance
back. Restrained but ruff-neck, "Reboot" has been tearing up clubs over the latter part of 2011. Chiming in with a riff that sounds like a demented modem being fed through a hungry distortion pedal, the track features a charging rhythm with a deadly purpose. Big support from
Youngsta
,
Mala
,
Pinch
and many more. "Bazurk" swings into action with a chattering, wonky hi-hat line, ripping the clothing from its chest and letting out a deafening metallic roar.
Artist:
DISTAL & HXDB
Title:
Booyant/Amphibian
Label:
TECTONIC (UK)
Format:
12"
Price:
$11.00
Catalog #:
TEC 055EP
Atlanta producer
Distal
teams up with Vancouver's
HxdB
for "Booyant," an absolutely killer collaboration. Taking a 136bpm tempo and bridging dubstep with a cutting-edge, bass-heavy house vibe, the duo pull together an intimate dancefloor bubbler that fans of Night Slugs and Swamp 81 will enjoy. Flip to side B for Distal's solo effort "Amphibian," an excellent piece of 140 bpm machine music, Experimental dubstep pressure for the open-minded, guaranteed future-proof.
Artist:
DISTAL
Title:
Civilization
Label:
TECTONIC (UK)
Format:
2LP
Price:
$19.50
Catalog #:
TEC 060LP
Double LP version.
Artist:
KRYPTIC MINDS
Title:
Aksum/When Two Paths Cross
Label:
TECTONIC (UK)
Format:
12"
Price:
$11.00
Catalog #:
TEC 061EP
Kryptic Minds
return to Tectonic with two deep, samurai-sword-sharp cuts. "Aksum" visits a rolling tribal rhythm full of techno sensibilities and crossover potential, while "When Two Paths Cross" steps back in pace to allow otherworldly sounds to breath in plenty of space. Unmissable music for deep dubstep heads.
Artist:
GRENIER
Title:
Uncertain/Vendetta
Label:
TECTONIC (UK)
Format:
12"
Price:
$11.00
Catalog #:
TEC 062EP
San Francisco's
Dean J. Grenier
moves into fresher pastures, announcing his new alias as
Grenier
. Grenier takes a dark jungle and classic dubstep-inspired perspective on the currently favored 128bpm house tempo. "Uncertain" features tough bass stabs in the intro before wheeling backwards and slamming into a hard, almost 4/4 rhythm, fully-charged with a weighted sub. "Vendetta" sticks again with the 128bpm tempo but takes a heavy, dark wobble sound -- a simple and effective rhythmic weapon of choice.
Artist:
DECIBEL
Title:
Decibel EP
Label:
TECTONIC (UK)
Format:
12"
Price:
$11.00
Catalog #:
TEC 063EP
Jay Fontaine
aka
Decibel
is a producer with broad musical tastes and influences. Over these four excellent EP tracks, Decibel shows a winning ability to cherry-pick the bits he likes from hip-hop, crunk, dubstep, juke, hardcore, electro, pop, glitch and electronica and absorb them into his own world. DJ and radio support from the likes of
Sinden
,
Mistajam
,
Benji B
,
Doorly
and
Toddla T
.
Artist:
V.I.V.E.K
Title:
Against the Tide/Trinity
Label:
TECTONIC (UK)
Format:
12"
Price:
$11.00
Catalog #:
TEC 064EP
Keeping faith with the original spirit of UK dubstep,
V.I.V.E.K.
uses his sense of space to thoughtfully pace out his powerful sonic blows to maximum effect. "Against the Tide" builds initially with old school Metalheadz-style pads and neatly clipped soulful vocal cuts before suddenly unleashing the full weight of bass. Similar sonic flavors are echoed in "Trinity," which takes the momentum of "Against the Tide" into darker territories, letting some of V.I.V.E.K.'s more jungle-istic influences shine through in the process. Bass-weight-dubstep-purism. Undiluted.
Artist:
GEMMY
Title:
Warrior/The Dome
Label:
TECTONIC (UK)
Format:
12"
Price:
$11.00
Catalog #:
TEC 067EP
Purple pioneer
Gemmy
lines up his first release for Tectonic. Gemmy is known for his grime-influenced dancefloor and synth-licked cuts for the likes of Planet Mu, Punch Drunk, Roska Kicks & Snares, and his own W.O.W imprint. Taking things deeper and more tribal than with his previous releases, Gemmy finds a new ground to explore with punchy roller "Warrior." "The Dome" sees Gemmy in more familiar territory, dropping a heavy 808-based rhythm and smashing it to bits with a filthy, grimey B-line.
Artist:
BENEATH
Title:
Duty/Texers
Label:
TECTONIC (UK)
Format:
12"
Price:
$11.00
Catalog #:
TEC 068EP
Beneath
has been amassing support for his unique take on the 120-130 bpm tempo range with releases on Keysound and his own No Symbols imprint. Starting with a UK funky-inspired rhythmic backbone, Beneath moves things deep, dark, rolling and tribal with a sound palette that touches very much on the early aesthetic of dubstep circa 2003-2005. "Duty" is pure sonic warfare, condensed into 125 bpm and charged with system-punching weight. "Texers" continues the theme with a no-compromise approach and bags of attitude.
Artist:
DARK SKY
Title:
Confunktion/Double U
Label:
TECTONIC (UK)
Format:
12"
Price:
$11.00
Catalog #:
TEC 069EP
Tectonic welcomes
Dark Sky
to the fold with two killer tracks. "Confunktion" builds from a background of subtle atmospherics, rising slowly before eventually leaping out, ambush-style. Sculptured tech-bass sounds carve their way through the 130 bpm, 4/4 rhythmic backbone, building and dropping down before re-emerging again fuller, with emotive charge. "Double U" takes a more playful stance with rhythmic builds and mischievous intent -- bleeping, popping like a bongo drum full of electronic popping-corn. Pounding sub bass pulls everything together.
Artist:
PINCH & ROSKA
Title:
Shoulda Roll/Asbestos
Label:
TECTONIC (UK)
Format:
12"
Price:
$11.00
Catalog #:
TEC 070EP
"Shoulda Rolla" is the product of an almighty collaboration between Tectonic head-honcho
Pinch
and Rinse FM's
Roska
. The pair have come up with something that sounds both familiar and fresh in equal measure, revitalizing many ghosts of grime and dubstep past with brain-bending atmospherics, precision drum programming and a full, engaging tribal momentum. Packed with enough sub-bass weight to shake a soundsystem to pieces and a demented mid-range sound that emulates an enraged robotic elephant, "Asbestos" is one for the deeper heads.
Artist:
SCIENTIST
Title:
Scientist Launches Dubstep Into Outer Space
Label:
TECTONIC (UK)
Format:
4LP
Price:
$31.00
Catalog #:
TECPAK 001LP
Strictly-limited 4LP set of the 12 dubstep productions from Tectonic's most ambitious project to date,
Scientist Launches Dubstep Into Outer Space
. This 4LP version features the 12 unmixed original cuts featured on the first CD of the double CD version (TEC 010CD). Artists:
Pinch & Emika
,
Armour
,
Roly Vex'd
,
Guido
,
Shackleton
,
King Midas Sound
,
ASBO
,
Loefah & Sgt. Pokes
,
Distance
,
RSD
,
Prince Jamo
,
Jack Sparrow
,
Mala
(
Digital Mystikz
),
Kode9 & Spaceape
and
Cyrus
(
Random Trio
).
Artist:
VA
Title:
Tectonic Plates Volume 3
Label:
TECTONIC (UK)
Format:
4LP
Price:
$36.50
Catalog #:
TECPAK 002LP
4LP version. The special limited-run vinyl version of
Tectonic Plates Volume 3
is comprised of four individual plates, each cut and pressed to the same high DJ-tooled standard as a regular Tectonic 12" single, housed in a wide-spine heavyweight card sleeve with eye-catching metallic artwork. The mighty Tectonic drop the third volume in their esteemed
Plates
series, compiling exclusive tracks from a selection of electronic music's leading and breaking artists. Since starting low frequency operations in 2005, the Bristol label has been a beacon for dubstep, bass and progressive electronic music fans. On
Tectonic Plates Volume 3
, the first half offerings range across classic 140 bpm tempi, including
Kryptic Minds
' haunting opening declaration "The Talisman," Pinch's deeply cinematic "Blow Out The Candle," "Evolution" by
Cluekid
, and the supersonic "Mach" by Japan's
Goth-Trad
. Tribal influences permeate through
Tunnidge
's "Universal" and rhythms also swerve towards funky with an appearance from
Roska
on "480 BC" and, shot through with an array of classic scratch DJ samples, "Phantom" by Addison Groove. Cardiff's
Monky
introduces the second movement with the transcendent breaks of "Float" before the heavy-prog-rock stomp of
Ginz
's "Chrome" body-slams events firmly back into place. Three breakout artists are featured with recent Red Bull Music Academy participant
Om Unit
,
Kevin McPhee
(named in
DJ
Magazine's "Ones To Watch" for 2012) and Manchester's
Illum Sphere
, whose set at
Radiohead
's remixes album launch for Boiler Room topped a fantastic year. The album's closing scene is the epic 10-minute "Rogue State" by 2562.
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