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Next Level

Having first emerged as Rukus back in 2017, both Nico and Jon have been embroiled in the music scene for decades in various different forms. Natives of Bristol, the pair have a deep and long-standing love of dance music in all of its forms, such is the wide reaching arms of the city - embracing all within its rich musical history. From radio shows to promoting parties, from festivals to clubs and all point between, their teenage years spent in the 80s and 90s has left an indelible mark on their influences - a lot of which can be found on this, their debut album.


Born out of the roots of soundsystem culture, the early 90s boom of rave music and free parties soon found its way into their ears via mixtapes and pirate stations, then ultimately clubs. The deep cavernous basslines and frantic sped up breakbeats of hardcore drew instant influence and often direct samples from the 70s and 80s reggae, dub and dancehall emanating from Jamaica - just a quick look at some of the biggest tunes of that time can find the roots of soundsystem running deep in the rave - SL2 "Way In My Brain", Meat Beat Manifesto "Radio Babylon" and Lennie De Ice's anthemic "We Are IE". Finding themselves drawn to the original elements, Rukus soon developed a deeper love of dancehall and bashment, retaining that raw energy but moving closer to the source. Retracing their steps, the duo have created an album that not only shows the link between Jamaican music and the UK, but gives tribute to the many legendary tracks that were born out of it.

Parallels is about reverse engineering some of their favourite rave and jungle tunes, extracting the DNA and mutating it to develop something new - taking the rave back to the dancehall. Wearing their influences proudly on their sleeves you should be able to recognise some of the most loved classics such as Adam F's "Circles" and Dance Conspiracy's "Dub War" replayed in a new setting, but there's also some lesser known, but just as loved gems in there.

Adding vocals was a big part of the plan, once again the pair wanted to find MCs and vocalists that echoed the same symbiotic vibe. First up, Jamaica's Shanique Marie (who is known for her work with Equiknoxx) teams up with London's Trigganom for "Ride Or Die", opening the album with scorching intent. Elsewhere up and coming JA superstar Blvk H3ro blesses "Venomous" alongside Bristolian veteran Buggsy. Grime was never too far from the conversation, so up steps Roll Deep legend Killa P for an intense vocal on "Fallen" and Italian bashment don XL Mad on "Darkness". Another Equiknoxx cohort Kemikal crops up on "We Real", his lively chat riding the beat perfectly. On other tracks they've let the music do the talking, letting the genius of the original compositions shine through, but giving them that Rukus tweak.

In short, Parallels is a love letter to rave, skewed through a dancehall lens - giving a knowing nod to the past, but with it's eye firmly on the future.

Dub War (Chapter 6) - Rukus

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Between the time you wake and the time you sleep, an exceptional moment waits in between.

A time not to understand, nor to rest.

It is a decision your mindless body makes.

Exceptional

“Lumen” is my first track where I dared to combine drum & bass, progressive house, and chill deep house into one sound a world I’ve never created before. I didn’t follow rules or formulas; I let my feelings guide me. Every beat, every melody, every drop carries what I felt in that moment the quiet sparks of joy, the tension, the restlessness, the flashes of clarity, the shadows of doubt.

This track is raw, honest, and completely personal. It’s me experimenting, observing, and translating life and emotions into music for the first time.

Next Level

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