R-Hawk Label Showcase #1

As I’ve gone along collecting records, whenever a new Jungle D&B label has started up I’ve often found that I enjoy the first 3 releases as a standard.  Not sure if labels curate their releases this way to make sure they kick the label off with quality, or if it is a coincidence, or if I just subconsciously will myself to enjoy it that way!  Anyway, I’ve been wanting to catalogue some of this aspect of my collection on social media somehow, but I didn’t know quite where to start, as I didn’t necessarily want to do it in a chronological or alphabetical order.   The other day I was reminded of a particular label when I was playing Trainspottle and that has determined where I am going to start.  (I will elaborate on that in a footnote to this post, as it is a bit of a tangent, but worthy of inclusion!)

So the first label release trio is on Piranha Records, a label belonging to Jonny L that he began in 1999.  Jonny L is one of my favourite producers, from very early on (1992 to be precise) but from the mid to late 90s, his output always struck a chord for me as it felt that he stood out from the crowd.  So I always got excited when I saw new material from him.  After his last 2 albums on XL Recordings, Sawtooth in 1997 and Magnetic in 1998 - both of which got critical acclaim and didn’t leave my record bag for months, it was hard to guess in which direction he would go next.  But when Piranha appeared, with The Bells and Raise I wasn’t disappointed.

I’m not great at describing music, unlike some of my peers who do an excellent job of music journalism, but I’ll do my best!  I think that he manages to stamp his own sound on anything he does, even when his sound takes a different direction and these tunes definitely felt different to Sawtooth and Magnetic. With the first 3 releases on Piranha, there is an other worldly feel to them, quite minimal in some respects, lots of strange chord structures, subtle electronic melodies, vocals and fx and moody atmospherics, but always with a hard edge to them; the breaks are hard stepping, nearly 2 step, but with a bit more swing.  These tunes are designed for the dance floor.  When I bought them, I would combine them with stuff on 31, Virus, V, Dread, Ram, Dropping Science, Higher Education, Metalheadz - the kind of Drum & Bass that was prevalent at the time; but even amongst all of those label titans they felt like they stood out from the crowd and still do.

I’ve done a little mini-mix of these 3 records, 6 tunes in total so that you can hear them in all their glory.  T/L Raise / Running / Change / The Bells / Selecta / Spike

So, as I said earlier, the tangential genesis of this label choice was Trainspottle. For those of you who are not familiar, it is like Heardle, but for Jungle D&B - every day there is a new tune to guess.  And pretty much, in my experience, you either guess it after 1 second, or not at all.  Frustratingly, the site seems to have glitched in recent times and it plays the same songs over and over again.  It has become a running joke in my family that at least once a week, the tune will be Billion Dollar Gravy by London Elektricity (incidentally I only know this tune from this stupid game…).  The other annoying glitch is that it will only let you select the tune from a list, that appears as you gradually type in the artist or track name; but quite often the tune that is playing is not one that appears so you cannot choose it and therefore you lose!  On this one occasion, after the first drum hit, I said “It’s Jonny L - Selecta” but the list only offered Piper, or Hurt You So.  Very frustrating, when you have to skip through to be told it is exactly what you have said it is from the first go.  So you don’t get the little computer generated message telling you how great you are for guessing after one second. It is like being cheated out of dopamine.  Anyway, that’s what made me think of choosing Piranha.

R-Hawk Label Showcase #1 - Piranha Records

Vinyl & Digital preorder: https://backlashrecords.bandcamp.com/album/the-astral-ep

Introducing a new artist, DJ Paradise (NZ) lands on Backlash Records with his debut release, the "Astral EP," a four-tracker with tempos ranging from 163bpm to 170bpm, rooted firmly in the sonic soundscapes of yesteryear. The opening trio of tracks pays homage to the illustrious '90s jungle era, lovingly crafted with a hybrid hardware/software setup that seamlessly melds classic and contemporary production aesthetics. The final track on the EP is a love letter to the Y2K-era drum and bass, equipped with a tearing Reese bass, deadly arpeggio, and a nostalgic vocal sample that throws you right back into the underground basements where a stack of speakers, smoke machines and strobes ruled the dance.

Troubled Waters by DJ Paradise [vinyl/digital out now link inside]

SUBTLE025 marks a quarter century of 12 inch singles on Subtle Audio and the release comes in a special edition silver sleeve to mark the silver anniversary on the catalogue count.

It felt fitting to revisit some of the most significant tunes from over the years on the label and have them remixed by some of our favourite artists, so NCQL's 'Breath of the Eve' gets an exhilarating re-style by Earl Grey and then one of our earliest releases 'All Over' by Senses gets a wicked rolling atmospheric remix by Enjoy.

Here's to the next 25 !

Buy from Subtle Audio

Senses - All Over (Enjoy Remix) :: SUBTLE025 12" Vinyl - OUT NOW !

CODEDUB001 - Limited Lathe Cut 10" Dubplate

Codename: RCRDS are proud to present the first in a series of limited edition 10" lathe cut dubplates. 

Our dubplates are locally sourced and cut to order on 2mm black lathe in a white cardboard sleeve and shipped in a resealable plastic sleeve.  

Both mixes of 'Dark Future' have been tearing the roof off at our Codename: Amen events at some time now, and we felt it was only right for them to take their place as a special dubplate release.  Both versions can easily work in the same set, as they bring a unique atmospheric jungle techno fusion to the dancefloor:

A - Moakz - Dark Future (Mineral Remix)
AA - Moakz - Dark Future (Original Mix)

Pre-order will be available until 29th February 2024.  Dubs will be cut post order until this date and then shipped early March 2024 as soon as the run is completed.

Soundclips are taken from wav masters

https://codenamercrds.bandcamp.com/album/codedub001-moakz-a-dark-future-original-mix-mineral-remix-limited-dubplate

CODEDUB001 (Moakz - Dark Future b/w Mineral Remix) 10" Dubplate - Sound Clips

The second track in the freebie series, if you haven't checked the first track in the series you can find it here:
atlasksuper.bandcamp.com/track/k-super-high-tides

If the download limit on Soundcloud has been reached, the track is also available on a 'Name Your Price' option over on Bandcamp for free or if you wanna throw something in for it your a absolute diamond, much love to you!

https://atlasksuper.bandcamp.com/track/k-super-basic-understanding

K x

Mastered by Kemix at Dark Art Mastering
www.facebook.com/drkartmastering

www.soundcloud.com/k-super
www.facebook.com/atlasksuper
@ksuperkayleigh

K Super - Basic Understanding [FREE DOWNLOAD - INFO IN DESCRIPTION]

Welcome to episode 526 of the Everyday Junglist Podcast!

Thank you KLYNCH for your mix on episode 525!

Episode 526 brings us a mix from the MPC whiz, uber-talented, BADMON, Neekeetone!!

Before we get to the mix, I'd like to highlight 5 Neekeetone tunes, that should get, so get em: 16423A, Nonsense, What U Gwaan Do?, Bells, and Play Me!

Neekeetone's mix features a taste of hardcore, footwork, and lots and lots of jungle!! Tracks in the mix are Neekeetone's own, remixes, or reworks of various tracks! So much great music in this one and tons of amens!! A smasher!!

Let's meet our dj for this mix, Neekeetone:

1. Tell us about upcoming releases you have:

I have an upcoming EP on Hardcore Energy very soon.
Also I'll drop something on my bandcamp page in February.
And remixes and sample packs are still regular:)

2. What gear do you use to make your tunes?

I am using Ableton for production and Akai MPC Live 2 for finger drumming, but sometimes I'm starting a tune on MPC.

3. Why do some people put round pizzas in round boxes?

Round pizzas in round boxes are because of Tibetan Buddhism and mandalas.

For more music from Neekeetone and to purchase his music, please click the links below:

https://neekeetone.bandcamp.com/music
linktr.ee/neekeetoneselecta
Instagram@neekeetone
https://soundcloud.com/neekeetone
https://www.youtube.com/@NeeKeeTone

Enjoy the sounds of Neekeetone! Everyday Junglist Podcast!

Tracklist:

Neekeetone - U Givin
Neekeetone - Supashotz
DJ Hybrid - Soundsystem Dub (Neekeetone Remix)
Neekeetone - Warship
Sunship ft. Anita Kelsey - Try Me Out (Let Me Lick It) (Neekeetone Jungle Re-Lick)
Gentleman’s Dub Club - High Grade (Neekeetone Jungle Rework)
Neekeetone - 
Neekeetone - Watch And Move
Head Space - F*ck The Beat Up (Neekeetone Jungle Rework)
Neekeetone - Chase
Neekeetone - Turbosoundbwoi
OH91 ft. Kwam - Talkin’ About (Neekeetone 160 Rework)
TC, Caspa - Where’s My Money (Neekeetone Jungle Rework)
Sir Spyro, Teddy Bruckshot, Lady Chann & Killa P - Topper Top (Neekeetone Jungle Rework)
Ternion Sound - Ukandu Ikandu (Neekeetone 160 Refix)
Breakage ft. Newham Generals - Hard (Neekeetone Jungle Rework)
Chase & Status - Eastern Jam (Neekeetone 160 Rework)
Fat Freddy’s Drop - Cay’s Crays (Neekeetone 160 Rework)
DJ Zinc - 138 Trek (Neekeetone 160 Rework)
Rebound X - Rhythm & Gash (Neekeetone 160 Rework)
Soloman, Dizzee Rascal ft. Bun B - Bokeh, Where’s Da G’s (Neekeetone 160 Rework)
Wiley - Icemaster (Neekeetone Jungle Rework)
Benga - 26 Basslines (Neekeetone Jungle Rework)
Rusko - Whistle Crew (Neekeetone 160 Rework)
Lamont ft. Kwam - Ships (Neekeetone 160 Rework)
Ruff Sqwad - Together (Neekeetone 160 Flip)
Zed Bias - Neighbourhood (Neekeetone Jungle Flip)
Egoless - Like A Nuclear Bomb (Neekeetone Jungle Rework)
MJ Cole - Crazy Love (Neekeetone Jungle Rework)
Neekeetone - Fresher Than This 
Neekeetone - Abyssal
Neekeetone - Reachin Out 
Neekeetone - Youths
The Prodigy - We Eat Rhythm (Neekeetone Dub Mix)
Neekeetone - Between The Brandy
Neekeetone - All We Got
Neekeetone - Ragga Sorry
Neekeetone - Soul Chamber
Neekeetone - 16423A
Coubo - Bubblehead (Neekeetone Remix)
Neekeetone - Junglist Champion
Neekeetone - Murderer
Neekeetone - Badman
Neekeetone - No Nice
Neekeetone - Your Name 
Neekeetone - Neva Trouble
Neekeetone - Bells
Babe Roots - It A Come (Neekeetone Jungle Rework)
Neekeetone - Give Me Some
Neekeetone - The Latest 
Neekeetone - Dreamin 
Neekeetone - Sometimes Our Going 
Neekeetone - Tomorrow

Neekeetone - Everyday Junglist Podcast-Episode 526

J Majik - Red Moon (Msymiakos Remix)

Codename: RCRDS bring the stunning ‘Distant’ trilogy to a close with ‘Distant Voices EP’.

The EP opens finding Codename regular NonRev in great form with ‘Tapes’, where gorgeous keys and deep strings entwine with rolling breaks and evocative vocals.  This is a great 2024 opener for this talented artist who will be featuring heavily on the label throughout the year.

Arcologies has been an artist we have long been keen to feature on the label, and he moves things into a deeper direction with his debut track ‘Starless Night’, a beautiful deep roller with dreamlike qualities which instantly transport you to another place and realm – destination uncertain.

Another debutant, the talented Data B makes his first appearance with ‘Cocktail’, with deep pads and deep key tones sitting alongside its rumbling bass and rolling breaks.  

The EP closes with Fortune & Chance’s ‘Enchant Code’, with haunting guitars and vocals dovetailing with rolling synth basslines, bringing the release and the series to a close beautifully.

ABOUT CODENAME: RCRDS (Label) / CODENAME: AMEN (Events)
We are a South-coast UK-based label & DJ collective pushing upfront and classic Jungle, 160 & Atmos sounds.

Label
https://linktr.ee/codenamercrds

Events
https://linktr.ee/codenameamen

Label Playlist (All Releases)
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6nY4OYqjR7tuBdzX5tQEmm?si=08cfa291217a4532

Soundcloud (Release / Mixes / Podcasts)
https://soundcloud.com/codenameamen

CODERCRDS017 - Various Artists - Distant Voices EP (OUT 09/02/24)

Rumbleton - Technical Advancement  [Sci Limited, SCILTD010]

LQ - Jungle Archaeology VIII

Everybody Ready 192kbps DEMO CLIP.mp3

UK-based Record Label (RCRDS) and event (Amen) - Jungle, 160 and Atmospheric Drum & Bass.
Radio: JungleTrain.net Saturdays 17.30 GMT, Infrared 19:00 GMT, Underground Bass 14:30 Bi-weekly
Next Event: Friday 8th March, Cafe Parfait, Southampton

CODEDUB001 (Moakz - Dark Future b/w Mineral Remix) 10" Dubplate - Sound Clips

Codename: RCRDS

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