DgoHn is well-regarded by Aphex Twin amongst others and he shows just why with a mesmerising array of drums, words, cuts and effects on his remix of “Friday Nights With Heather”. A weighty sub-bass tempers the skittering percussives and the track progresses incorporating some of the brass sounds from the original track which eventually give way to a wistful synth-line. Breakbeat blues at its finest !

Buy from Subtle Audio

Nic TVG - Friday Nights With Heather (dgoHn Remix) :: SUBTLE018 12" Vinyl

“So many people out here who make different styles of music you know – this music is something that they feel”. The repeated mantra at the opening of 'Your Love's So Cold' prepares you for an altogether different experience to 'Meecha', the flip-side of this release. Made in 2009 but with a definite nod to the oldskool style, this is poignant, heartfelt D&amp;B at its very best. The arrangement deftly builds to a beautiful swell of echoed vocals, icey-atmospherics and rolling beats and bass. This one is certain to defy fashions and trends and will be just as moving in 2024.

Artist : Equinox
Release : SUBTLE015 Vinyl
Label : Subtle Audio

Tracklist :
A : Meecha
AA : Your Love's So Cold

Equinox - Your Love's So Cold :: SUBTLE015 (clip)

Artist : Nebula

Tracks : 1A – “ Encounters ”  
             1AA – “ Warm Currents ” 
             2A – “Astral Soul”
	     2AA1 – “Escapism”
	     2AA2 – “Hidden Oasis”

Catalog # : Subtle005EP
Format : 2x12” Vinyl (digital download to follow)
Release Date : April 18th 2011 (Distributed by ST Holdings)


Despite the fact that he hadn’t even reached his teenage years around the time of Jungle’s hey-day in the mid nineties, that’s the sound that still influences Nebula (aka Peter Saunders) the most to this day. 

The “Astral Soul” EP focusses on the atmospheric and meditiative side of Nebula’s production but the breakbeat manipulation and rumbling bass people best know him for are still to the fore. Rough and smooth, ethereal and brutal, fast and slow, the strength of this collection is in the finely balanced juxtapostion of these contrasting elements. 

While there there is a journey to be made within each track, there is another to be made in traversing the EP as a whole - you might just feel like you’ve reached some far away universe by the end !

Whether it’s the drifting atmosphere and acrobatic amens of “Encounters”, the lush pads and tough beats of “Warm Currents”, the glistening synths and crashing snare-step of “Astral Soul”, the machine-gun rhythms and strings of “Escapsim” or the trippy breakbeats leading you to the “Hidden Oasis”, this is an adventure where horizons are broadened and new discoveries made throughout.


Nebula - Astral Soul (clip)

Qant - Inner Shelter :: SUBTLED023

Mecca - Solar Ice (Scale Remix) :: SUBTLED024

Dub One - United In Strength :: SUBTLED025 (Nov 3rd 2022 Release)

Opius - 'Feeling' (Subtle Audio Digital) Nov 3rd Release

Opius & Shellz - 'Unbreakable' (Subtle Audio Digital) Nov 3rd Release

Opius - 'Truth In You' (Subtle Audio Digital) Nov 3rd Release

The 'Sepia Grooves' release pays tribute to the influence of jazz, funk and soul 
music on DnB / Jungle and to the players (most particularly the drummers) who have inspired so much of what we do today. The 3 tunes included on the release feature some of the biggest breaks in Drum & Bass, namely the Amen, the Apache and the Funky Drummer and there are photo's of each of the people responsible for the original rhythms on the sleeve and on the vinyl labels. Okay, so some of us that are close to the music know who's responsible for the foundational beats, but it still feels like people such as Gregory Coleman, Clyde Stubblefield, King Errisson and others haven't really gotten the respect and kudos they deserve to this day. This is our little way of saying thank you to these great people and of raising awareness about their contribution to the music we love so much.

Code's 'Sunday Jazz' features Funky Drummer inspired beats accompanied by double bass, melancholic rhodes keys, drifty synths and Polynesian vocal refrains that all combine to evoke a hazy, smoky jazz vibe. There's a switch-up after the breakdown half-way through when the drums roll-out more and the double-bass patterns open out to enter a call and response routine with some heavier, darker bass sounds.

Limited edition 300 copies.
Mastered by Beau Thomas at Ten Eight Seven.
Photo collage by Conor O’Dwyer.
Artwork / Design by John Slade.

SUBTLE024

Sunday Jazz

Code - Sunday Jazz :: SUBTLE024 12" Vinyl - OUT NOW !

The 'Sepia Grooves' release pays tribute to the influence of jazz, funk and soul 
music on DnB / Jungle and to the players (most particularly the drummers) who have inspired so much of what we do today. The 3 tunes included on the release feature some of the biggest breaks in Drum & Bass, namely the Amen, the Apache and the Funky Drummer and there are photo's of each of the people responsible for the original rhythms on the sleeve and on the vinyl labels. Okay, so some of us that are close to the music know who's responsible for the foundational beats, but it still feels like people such as Gregory Coleman, Clyde Stubblefield, King Errisson and others haven't really gotten the respect and kudos they deserve to this day. This is our little way of saying thank you to these great people and of raising awareness about their contribution to the music we love so much.

Greenleaf's 'Slow Funk' is a homage to several luminaries from the perussive world of yesteryear - featuring percussives from the hands of King Errisson (Incredible Bongo Band), Jabo Starks (who drummed for James Brown) and Yogi Horton (80's session drummer for Aretha Franklin & Diana Ross) who you'll hear professing his unwavering devotion to 'slow funk'  just before the drop. The rhythms are expertly manipulated and sculpted to fit around piano keys, guitar and sax to create a deep, drummy jazz work-out. 

Mastered by Beau Thomas at Ten Eight Seven.
Photo collage by Conor O’Dwyer.
Artwork / Design by John Slade.

Sepia Grooves

Greenleaf - Slow Funk :: SUBTLE024 12" Vinyl - OUT NOW !

The 'Sepia Grooves' release pays tribute to the influence of jazz, funk and soul 
music on DnB / Jungle and to the players (most particularly the drummers) who have inspired so much of what we do today. The 3 tunes included on the release feature some of the biggest breaks in Drum & Bass, namely the Amen, the Apache and the Funky Drummer and there are photo's of each of the people responsible for the original rhythms on the sleeve and on the vinyl labels. Okay, so some of us that are close to the music know who's responsible for the foundational beats, but it still feels like people such as Gregory Coleman, Clyde Stubblefield, King Errisson and others haven't really gotten the respect and kudos they deserve to this day. This is our little way of saying thank you to these great people and of raising awareness about their contribution to the music we love so much.

'State Of Life' from German artist Scale opens with drifty Rhodes keys and punchy breaks before the 1st drop brings a deep, pulsing bass to the mix. Further breaks sneak in and out of the arrangement until, half way through, the bassline pattern gets more involved and the infamous amen break begins to snake gradually out of the speakers and then this tune really kicks into overdrive! Eventually it's 3 different breakbeats layered simultaneously and the momentum is irresistible - if this doesn't make you boogie, then were you even alive to begin with ?? ! 

Mastered by Beau Thomas at Ten Eight Seven.
Photo collage by Conor O’Dwyer.
Artwork / Design by John Slade.

Scale - State Of Life :: SUBTLE024 12" Vinyl - OUT NOW !

Description ??… your ears are going to do this for you, press play ;-)

Buy from Boomkat

Nebula - Untitled Jazz :: Subtle Audio Vol III, 2x12" Vinyl

DJ Trax, Naibu and Becki Biggins on vocals - for us here at Subtle Audio, this is a kind of D&B dream-team! "All Is Silent" begins with an ethereal vocal-led intro which promptly gives way to a slightly sordid bass sound. The drums roll in and the bass gets progressively nastier, initially simmering, eventually seething and then it slips away temporarily before rising once more. The breakdown returns us to the calming vocals and synth washes of the intro before an anthemic piano motif introduces the return of the drums and a somewhat friendlier bass sound for a thrilling climax.

DJ Trax, Naibu & Becki Biggins - All Is Silent :: Subtle Audio Vol III, 2x12" Vinyl

dgoHn - iuoi9o :: Subtle Audio Vol III, 3xCD

Macc & dgoHn "Some Shit Saaink" 
digital download re-release details
SUBTLED002CD

Trackisting :
1. "7C 1020"
2. "Long Tall Sally"
3. "Bamba"
4. "Sun Days"
5. "Mustard Greens"
6. "Empathy Bottle"
7. "Gever"
8. "Forget Stuff"
9. "Yut"
10. "Ascorbic 403"
11. "Things Go Brown"
12. "July 39th"
13. "Leg Taps"
14. "Recnad"
15. "You Will Be"


Subtle Audio 2x12" Vinyl + Digital Download Bundle special offer available here ---> http://www.subtleaudiorecordings.com/shop/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=SUBTLED002CD&x=0&y=0


Originally released as a 4 track 2x12" vinyl on Subtle Audio in 2009, a very limited 10 track Subtle Audio CD version followed in 2010 before a licensing deal with Rephlex Records saw the CD widely distributed along with 3 (digital only) bonus tracks. Now that the licensing term with Rephlex has come to an end, we're releasing all 15 tracks from the 3 different formats in one digital download. Seems fitting to do it now, seeing as we are celebrating Subtle Audio's 10th Birthday this year and it's 5 years since the original release of this album. 

Here's the original press release ...

"Time to enter the insane, weird, drum-centric world of Macc & dgoHn as the Subtle Audio camp proudly delivers its first album long player by this pair of not altogether insane East Londoners.

Subtle Audio has been pushing Drum & Bass with a slighly different slant since 2005 and this album could well be presented as their mission statement, it sums up the distinctive sound of the label perfectly.

Macc & dgoHn favour a breakbeat driven style and they incorporate their beats into ever shifting cinematic arrangements brim full of attitude and experimentation. Individually, their sounds have travelled far beyond the Drum & Bass microcosm and their work has been aired by the likes of Zane Lowe and Mary Anne Hobbs on BBC Radio 1. Aphex Twin is also an admirer and his festival playlists have contained Macc or dgoHn on more than one occasion. Now they unleash a volley of material from their collaborative archive which is set to disarm critics who thought Drum & Bass had run out of rhythms, arrangements and silly album titles. No fear on that, 'Some Shit Saaink' is here!"


Macc & dgoHn - Long Tall Sally :: Some Shit Saaink Album :: Digital Download re-release

Macc & dgoHn - Bamba :: Some Shit Saaink Album :: Digital Download re-release

Alpha Omega's "Know How" was the track that kicked it all off for us in 2005 ! And now, as part of our 'Decade In Breakbeat' celebrations we bring you the remix version ! It's a miracle this remix even happened - all the original parts were lost and we had to find someone willing (and able!) to recreate some of the sounds and patterns to make the remix viable. Luckily we have the very talented (and dedicated) Aroma Nice on our books who even went out and bought a 2nd hand Roland 606 so he could get the drum sounds he needed !! Earl Grey provided some mixdown finesse and a few crafty edits here and there and we couldn't be happier with the end result - an 11 minute epic that starts out leisurely but suddenly descends into an all-out assault ! The breakdown morphs into some atmospheric techno before the breakbeat insanity returns !! Have a listen and hear for yerself ;-)

A Decade In Breakbeat

Alpha Omega - Know How (Aroma Nice & Earl Grey Rmx) :: A Decade In Breakbeat (SUBTLE001LP) 3x12"

NCQL's "Breath of the Eve" marries clipped vocals, soaring atmospherics and a driving amen for a track that has become a Subtle Audio anthem since it's digital release back in 2013. After numerous requests we've eventually bowed to the pressure and given it a vinyl press on our the 'Decade In Breakbeat' release.

NCQL - Breath Of The Eve :: A Decade In Breakbeat (SUBTLE001LP) 3x12" Vinyl

Dissident has contributed so many finely crafted tunes to the Subtle Audio project over the years and "Overself Archipelago" is no different. Searching pads and wistful brass notes spread over restrained breaks and electronic snarls to create a thick atmosphere. Serenity has never been so tense !

Dissident - Overself Archipelago :: A Decade In Breakbeat (SUBTLE007CD)

D&B can be all so serious sometimes and at the other extreme overly brash and over zealous, so it's great when an artist can make some positive, riff lead beats without it all sounding too cheesey and overdone. That's exactly what NCQL has achieved with "Nocturalist".  Snappy Funky Mule breaks and a pulsing bassline are accompanied by some gorgeous pads, appegiated chords and a strangely wistful synth riff. This is an anthem Subtle Audio style ;)

NCQL - Nocturnalist :: A Decade In Breakbeat (SUBTLE007CD)

Relapse returns to the Subtle Audio fold with an irresistible drumfunk juggernaut. A mish-mash of Indian / Asian style atmospherics, breakbeats and folk-y guitars all held together by a throbbing bassline. It's the way these diverging influences are coerced into unity that makes this such an impressive piece of work. Press play and hear for yourself ! 

Relapse - Break Through :: A Decade In Breakbeat (SUBTLE007CD)

Mecca is fast becoming king of the epic and 'Solar Ice' is another demonstration of why. The track opens with filtered synths, deep pads, tech-y beats and a b-line that worms it's way around. It's pure sunshine and light until the sudden twist into darker territory half-way through - this 2nd drop goes harder and heavier with an extra layer of drums rumbling away underneath the primary rhythm. There's still time for one more switch before the end though, the clouds roll back and the sunshine of the opening returns for the finale. Epic ! 

Mecca - Solar Ice :: A Decade In Breakbeat (SUBTLE007CD)

Kodama announces his arrival to the Subtle Audio roster with a blistering remix of Parallel's 'Organic Patterns' tune (the original was released on the CD version of Subtle Audio Vol III). He deftly chops some Funky Mule and Amen into the original mix of metallic drumfunk beats to give this one a real dancefloor edge.

Mastered by Bob Macc @ Subvert Mastering.

SUBTLED020

Organic Patterns (Kodama Remix)

Buy from Bandcamp

Parallel - Organic Patterns (Kodama Remix) :: SUBTLED020 (clip)

SUBTLE021

Dub One - Taken From This World :: SUBTLE021 12" Vinyl

Dub One & MDR - The Weak Never Forgive :: SUBTLE021 12" Vinyl

Artist : dgoHn

Tracks :
A – “ Hang Nail ”
AA1 – “ 4.37445 Yards ”
AA2 - “ Be Gentle ”

Format : 12" Vinyl (Digital Download to follow)
Promo Release Date : March 12th 2012

dgoHn is one of the artists that best encapsulates the Subtle Audio sound. He offsets heavy breakbeats with an array of smooth keys, strings and vocals, while his arrangements always carry the listener on a journey that is never quite certain but always interesting. These are qualities that have ensured Aphex Twin regularly plays his music at festivals around the world and that dgoHn himself gets booked to play at the most esoteric Drum & Bass nights like Technicality and IChiOne aswell as at eclectic events such as Bangface.

“Hang Nail” employs the ubqitious amen but with a crunch and a twist that only dgoHn could provide. The incessant nature of the drums is tempered by a wistful repetitive synth-line and some kind of weird voice and pipe symbosis (we did say it would be interesting).
The title of the next track prepares you for the slightly obtuse nature of the music - “4.377445 Yards” has an abundance of melody and some nice male vocals that would be considered overtly saccharin elsewhere but not alongside dgoHn’s railroading breaks and menacing basslines. The off-kilter redeployment of different elements as the tune progresses and the general rhythmical deviancy also ensure that this is no Sunday stroll!

Finally “Be Gentle” rounds off proceedings by abandoning the traditional Drum & Bass 4/4 time signature and the unconventional rhythmic structure allows for a unique interplay between the beats, bass and melodics. But then what did you expect from someone called ‘dgoHn’ ???

dgoHn - Hang Nail :: SUBTLE017 (clip)

SUBTLE022

Drummotive - Cluster :: SUBTLE022 12" Vinyl

Drummotive - She Comes In Colour :: SUBTLE022 12" Vinyl

Drummotive - Ensnared :: SUBTLE022 12" Vinyl

Ever since Kyam sent his track 'NOLA' through, we knew he'd be an artist to watch and now a few years after it's release on the 'Decade In Breakbeat' compilation we're following up with a 3 track solo 12".

'Sigh' kicks things off with it's wistful guitar notes counterpointed by some heavy hitting beats. Kyam rolls it back to his band playing days on this one, also jamming on a bass guitar to compliment the lead lick. Things really kick off during the breakdown - a wailing, distorted guitar sound coming to the fore, and once the beats drop back in, we're into overdrive !! The main motif later combines with the edgy riffs to give a bitter / sweet ending to this unique piece of D&B. Imagine The Prodigy's 'Voodoo People' crossed with Photek's remix of Therapy? ... it's kinda like that (!)

The flip side is probably more what you would expect from our camp - 'Fernweh' combines a snappy drumfunk style with a wicked bouncing b-line. Pitched chimes and airy drawn out atmospherics add to the vibe before a darker brass sound leads a more introspective 2nd drop. Dancefloor business Subtle Audio style !

'Trinket' is definitely the most frenetic of the 3 tracks here, featuring all manner of edits, filters, echoes, cuts n chops. The drum acrobatics are kept in check by a booming bassline, a soothing, repeated refrain and some dubbed out sonics. It all builds up to a swell of strings n synths at the end which seem to be the perfect ending to both the track and the release as a whole.

SUBTLE023

Kyam - Trinket :: SUBTLE023 12" Vinyl - OUT NOW !

Subtle Audio and Opposide Records proudly presents the ‘Ecstatic Gloom’ collaboration release which revels in a dark, murky and eerie other-world. Featuring Dissident’s classic ‘Universe Eat Universe’ from the Subtle Audio back-catalog and also ‘Dark Nights’ by Code from Opposide’s ‘Double Your Displeasure’ CD release, both tracks have been re-mastered by Macc and given the 45rpm 12″ vinyl treatment they never had previously.

You can pre-order the vinyl here : https://www.subtleaudiorecordings.com/product/dissident-code-ecstatic-gloom-subtle-audio-opposide-subside001-12%E2%80%B3-pre-order-ships-nov-18th

And, if you'd like to order the brand new Kyam release on Subtle Audio, we have a discounted Bundle Offer for both new releases : https://www.subtleaudiorecordings.com/product/subtle023-subside001-2-x-12-vinyl-bundle-pre-order-shipping-nov-18th

You can check out an excellent video for Dissident’s track here : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJ94pTPChr4

SUBSIDE001

Ecstatic Gloom

Dissident - Universe Eat Universe :: Ecstatic Gloom, Subtle Audio / Opposide 12" (SUBSIDE001)

The Subtle Audio 'A Decade In Breakbeat' compilation 3x12" + CD is available to pre-order right now!! Only from the Subtle Audio website ---> https://www.subtleaudiorecordings.com/product/a-decade-in-breakbeat-bundle-3x12-vinyl-cd-bonus-download-poster/ ... We expect to be shipping orders on July 1st 2016. The release will then be distributed worldwide by Unearthed distribution on Monday July 25th.

Vinyl / Digital / CD releases are available from http://www.subtleaudiorecordings.com/shop/

SUBTLE AUDIO is an outlet for Drum and Bass in it's most expressive form, music that works your mind as hard as your feet. 
The label has changed conceptions of what Drum and Bass is supposed to be about with it's experimental and varied output since 2005. If you like breakbeat manipulation, deep bass sounds and atmosphere then listen up!



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