Archive for the ‘Dubstep’ Category

When it comes to the rapidly evolving landscape of fusion dubstep and the experimental electronic genre in the Asian scene, it’s difficult to look past these 2 artists, namely Sound Shikari (formally known as G Productions) and G-Ta for some of the most encouraging interpretations of such progressive production. Both have seen their hair-raising work receive airplay on the BBC Asian Network and we’re still reeling from G-Ta’s collaboration alongside Tigerstyle on the Kudi EP, which also happens to appears here in a VIP variety.

Having gone for the quite simply inspired, filmy-even, title Dishkyan for this collaborative offering, our intrigue only grew as we braced ourselves for a dubstep duel that would, without doubt, be packing substantial heat!

In essence, Dishkyan is an 11-track album that equally showcases the Middle-eastern based producers’ fine work thus far with one previously unheard joint remix that serves as a tribute to the late Kuldeep Manak ji. Sticking with the exclusive, Jhang Diya Kuriya is one to be filed under ‘Dubstep’ and features a set of pristine vocals accompanied by restrained percussion and radiating string pieces which delicately wrap it all together.

So, if you’ve been tracking the madcap pair’s movements closely over the last twelve months, the majority of the album will have already stamped its mark with tracks like the tremendous, snare-soaked Akhiya Dub (Surinder Kaur) and hypnotic Naina Lagey (Dubstep Remix) included. Nevertheless, we welcome the move to join forces and make their bone-shaking material freely accessible, which should do no harm in enhancing the profiles of these eye-catching experimentalists.

With speaker-wrecking dub rhythms at every turn, audacious bass drops and insane bass wobble galore, both Sound Shikari and G-Ta bombard us with knockout showings throughout but at the same time display sophistication amid the mayhem through their intricate, made-to-measure sampling such as is the case on Eyes Lit (Dilber Dubstep) and Kehna Hai Kya (Dubstep Remix). Add into the mix the somewhat muted, soulful snarler Rii with its devotional overtones, G-Ta’s impeccable reworking of Badmarsh & Shri’s Appa and even an enthralling dose of drum and bass courtesy of Sound Shikari’s Ishq Nachaya (Remix), and you have an album that will keep listeners at the edge of their seats and have us immediately craving for more.

Have a listen right now and be sure to grab the complete free download by clicking here!

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Indian producers Sound Avtar and Phoenyx team up once again to present their new “Vertigo” EP on the Rub A Duck imprint.

Sound Avtar, also known as Piyush Bhatnagar, is currently one of the hottest DJ/producers from India whose sound has often been hailed for its diverse drum patterns, heavy bass drops and -lines and a genius mix of grime and non-conventional melodies. For this EP, Sound Avtar teamed up with Phoenyx again following their successful collaboration on Phoenyx’s debut album Phase 1 which dropped late last year. Continuing to cause havoc on the eardrums, Mr Sound Avtar follows up after Top Gun EP and Filthline with this brand new scintillating 6 track EP.

This new Vertigo EP features the cuts “Symphonyx”, “Razor”, “Drop Dead”, “Phaze One” and the title track “Vertigo”. For Sound Avtar, the collaboration explored new grounds:

Producing this EP together with Phoenyx has been a wonderful experience. The idea behind the EP was to bring forward an attempt to establish a new sound involving elements of dubstep and drumstep as well bass heavy sounds fused seamlessly with progressive, melodic and orchestral elements.

All tracks completing the EP definitely bring forward killer dance floor material that reveals some serious production skills. As Sound Avtar explains it:

The idea was born from an attempt to make a “large” (epic/dramatic/cinematic) sound that would entice the audience into a “Vertigo” like emotional experience. The tracks are designed to be performed live in front of thousands of listeners, concert style with stunning visuals and music production.

And given the wall to wall powerhouse quality of all six tracks it won’t be long before DJs will do just that.

Click here to purchase the EP from BeatPort now!

Top Gun EP – Available to purchase via BeatPort

Filthline – Available for FREE download

Emanating from the shores of India, the beats of Sound Avtar first appeared when we heard the mind-blowing remix to the Panjabi track Aaja Sajana. Now a few months after the release and with the ripples from the remix yet to cease, the snare junkie, bass-line aficionado returns with two EP’s that will surely keep the whole head-nodding, bass-bombing, hi-hat tapping dubstep community pleased.

Whilst his name is still emerging, the intricacies and vision from this producer is quite astounding, accompany this with continued flawless mixing and production, we are pretty sure that this won’t be the last time we’ll be blogging about this energetic producer.

The first EP, Top Gun is available to purchase from Beatport as well as from Amazon and the second, FreeBass is available for free download.

Two months ago, the emotional and deeply hooked Panchi Wangu surfaced on our screens to the delight of the fast emerging and growing D-Sarb fan base. Whilst we were all deliberating of what to do with our leftover Christmas turkey and spuds, D-Boy drops a special Boxing Day visual for his remix for Panchi Wangu which features the popular Raxstar and up and coming talents, KK and PW. Grab this dubstep, synth-filled, tabla-fied crazy remix now via the iTunes link below.

With the dust not even allowing to settle from the bass thumping Collision Course release, G-Ta cooks up an unadulterated 30 minute mix featuring slices of his own work accompanied with some tasty hard hitting dub bangers from the likes of Sukh Knight, Doctor P, Squarewave and Bandish Projekt. Favourite part for me has to be the seamless blend between Doctor P’s Sweet Shop and G-Ta’s own Collision Course (20:00 mins). One word of advice, it’s almost not worth listening unless you’re prepared to turn it up loud… REAL LOUD!

Click here for the tracklist

It seems Celt Islam is in a giving mood as he quickly follows up on the monumental Engine Grind with an additional dose of transnational dubstep as he likes to call it. There is no doubt about the boundaries further converging when it comes to his latest serving Bass Mantra, a full-on cranium-rattler with oodles of character with its Eastern ingredients coming to the fore!

The intense dubstep that juxtaposes the delicate sitar and tabla-pieces along with the dub take over in the second half of Bass Mantra makes for a genuinely captivating listen. Well what are you waiting for? Hit that play button!

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Whenever we discover new music that involves the names G-TA and Beatboxer Ekko we become all giddy with excitement — and rightfully so! Followers of our blog should be firmly acquainted with the talents these two artists possess and their ability to deliver non-stop FIRE! On this occasion, dub-box/mouth-step maestro Ekko alongside experimental Einstein G-TA have released the 4-track Collision Course EP that includes the immense Mixture Riddim VIP aka Collision Course and the dope dubstep overhauling of Lak 28, both of which wreaked havoc a little while back and are unlikely to cease anytime soon!

So it comes as no surprise the aforementioned damage is also applicable to tracks 3 and 4 as we are treated to a serious exhibition of eclectic sounds. G-TA is joined by Janaka Selekta, another major protagonist in the experimental world to pull-off a swashbuckling DNB remix on Chaiwalla’s Boombox. With its ominous bassline, use of authentic percussion and bi-lingual vocals they’ve fashioned a fantastic vibe… The shehnai (Indian oboe) combines so well with the underground characteristics and coupled with the dhol breakdown, creates a pretty special ambience. Journeystep is a classy, middle-eastern dubstep banger to savour with Ekko and G-TA going in over hypnotising oud (Middle-Eastern lute)-pieces and thumping percussion… And THEN the dubstep onslaught arrives in a big way but we dig the traditional instrumentation emanating throughout.

Collision Course is truly a fitting title for what has been achieved and especially by the very nature of how the diverse sounds have been united, with the resulting chemistry for all to witness… It’s a bonkers EP full stop! Experimental-enthusiasts don’t hesitate to add this to your collection via the BandCamp links above.

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After unleashing Ka Karoon Sajini a few days ago, we finally got our hands on the album Phase 1, by Phoenyx, released on Saregama records. Focusing heavily on electronic and dubstep, this album really excels in developing a perfect fusion of Panjabi vocals with some mindblowing dub sounds. I may be slightly premature but rating as a fusion album, this is up there with some of the finest, liked so much so that it got me reminiscing of great fusion artists of the past including TJ Rehmi, Tabla Beat Science and Talvin Singh to name but a few. As always, a selection of our favourites have been uploaded for your ears only, cop this thumping album via the iTunes button below.

Taken from an album titled Phase 1 by Phoenyx, there’s something that really makes me want to break the repeat button on this track. The soft and emotive vocals from Arijit Singh seems to take this track to a whole different place whilst complimenting the punchy (but not overdone) dubstep production so well. Released on the Saregama label, Phase 1 is an album we hope to get our grubby hands on, I already like what I’ve heard so far!

We last heard from this young sensation with his simply colossal Drum and Bass take on Garry Sandhu & GV’s Fresh. Now, Govind Bhachu has cooked up another scintillating storm that continues in the experimental mould. Vistaar begins in subtle fashion with Govind’s impeccable percussion accompanying a synth vibe, but as the track develops everything erupts as time and space seem to be warped by the sheer magnitude of the electronic transformation! Despite the carnage, the classical female harmonies provide a pleasant warmth to the track and give this snarling monster a soulful touch. Vistaar is available as a free download, just hit that arrow!

Follow me on Twitter @HarkBhambra