Probably the biggest and most successful Russian exporter of breaks returns with a double A single release from Beatman & Ludmilla’s Ayra Recordings label. So with a producer who releases absolute stormers, one of the best rising labels in the breakbeat scene along with the backing of the hottest duo since Krafty Kuts and A.Skillz released ‘Tricka Technology’, with the technological advancements and the fact that a lot of people like the deep, dark and naughty stuff, just how uncouth do we expect this release to be? The answer to that, is very.

The thing is though, the initial sound at the beginning to the first tune ‘Privacy’ you would be thinking that you are in the trance room with the echoing keyboard riffs progressing largely and layering above each other. Then there’s the break and in drops the filth with broken beats galore, roaring mids and sabulous bassline tearing up your ears. It is as if Swedish House Mafia did Breakbeat Russian style. This is what we would get.

The second track ‘Lust For Life’ beguns in the same fashion and has pretty much the same structure as well but with a variation of euphoric riffs, along with a change in the delirium of glitches and choppy bass patches. Big-room bouncing and severe epicness.

If you look at the ‘Related Posts’ below, you’ll hear how much he has progressed and also, how he can alter his sound from thunderous electro to the likes the more newer releases which are much more “trancier”. @AccessDeniedpr is definitely heading for much bigger things if he is going for the big-room sound like this. I wonder of Oakenfold is listening.

‘Privacy’ and ‘Lust For Life’ by Access Denied is released by Ayra Recordings and is out now.

Follow @accessdeniedpr

Whilst his reputation as a true party rocker has won him prime-time slots across the continents, DJ extraordinaire @A_Skillz has earned him fans from across the globe and they have voted him once again to be the best. One of the nicest gents in the UK Breakbeat scene takes a few minutes out to tell me about the up and coming Nick Thayer collaboration, using Serato and whether funk or filth is better.

Apparently you’ve done a gym induction recently. Is this part of a New Year’s Resolution?
Yeah it’s definitely time to finally work off all those christmas mince pies!

Have you any motivational tracks that you tend to listen to? ‘Eye Of The Tiger’ perhaps or even a cheeky remix of it?
It’s great to check out new promo’s this way, I throw them all on the iPod and see what keeps me running!

The last time I spoke to you was last August at the Strawberry Fields Festival in the dismal British Summertime and more recently you’ve been on the piste in the French Alps. Have you a preference for Sun or Snow?
It’s all good, I can’t complain either way. These are the awesome perks of the job but if I had to choose one, I’d say Sun.

You seem to have spent a load of time clocking up your Air Miles rather than Beatport sales. Do you deem yourself to be more of a DJ than a producer? We’ve not heard much in way of releases lately.
I’m both, that’s the problem. I can’t be in two places at once and I don’t have anyone else working on music in the studio whilst I’m touring, it’s all me. The last year has been mainly consumed with gigs hence, not so many releases.

Your tracklistings for your sets tend to be quite exhaustive, even for an 8 minute mini-mix. Do you prepare for your live gigs by doing track edits, taping a string of tracks together ready or do you just work on the fly?
No, I don’t ever have a string of tracks edited together. With Serato it’s pretty easy to cue up tracks and drop them quickly so there’s no really need to be editing tracks to mix themselves. I’ll have certain tracks that I know mix well into each other that I might line up at times but there always the oppotunity to drop something unplanned at any point during a set.

Your sets are of an eclectic sort from classic Hip-Hop going into Motown and then we hear the works of Bassnectar dropping in. Do you have moments when you feel more like listening to Filth rather than Funk?
I love it all! I find myself admiring the production quality of some of the heavier bass music that is out there but my original love is the funk/soul. I try to rep all the music I love in my sets.

After doing a good few bootlegs over time such as The Beatles, Marlena Shaw and the like, who would you love to have the thumbs up from Foreigner perhaps for ‘Cold As Ice’?
Yeah that would be nice. Me and Nick (Thayer) will unleash that one soon, it would be great if we could do it not as a bootleg. We are looking into it – 11:55 into the below mix which is downloadable for free.

I would say that you are hotly tipped to win Best DJ at this years Breakspoll, maybe you will, maybe you won’t, but other than yourself and perhaps other than last years winner, who do you rate as a spinner of tunes? I recall you saying that you were mesmerised by Kissy Sell Out working the mixer.
Yeah! I remember Kissy playing after me at the festival where I met you. He is a beast on the CDJs, not typically my kinda genre but still have to give him mad props! There are some awesome DJs from Canada that probably aren’t known so much in the UK yet; Bryx, Steve Neon, Wackutt, Sticky Buds. These are just some of the new guys on the scene. There’s an endless list of impressive DJs from all over the world I could list but I’d be here all day.

What’s happening with your label Jam City?
Lots of new thing happening this year, new album from ‘The CB’s’ is the focus right now, some really exiting collaborations to look out for on there.

What’s next for A. Skillz?
About to go on my biggest tour yet in Canada, 21 dates in 25 days, gonna be a monster! Then I’m taking 2 months off from gigs to make music.

One big tour. New tunes on the way. It certainly looks like it is going to be a big year for @A_SKILLZ and I can not wait.

Catch him at this years @Breakspoll Event at @CableLondon while you still can as extra tickets have just been announced after selling out after only a couple of short weeks. More information HERE.

Follow @A_SKILLZ

Drum and bass music has been around for quite sometime and some readers of this will be surprised to learn that @movingfusion have in fact been going for well over 16 years. As friends and colleagues they moved forward and eventually separated taking their own directions. Last year, they reformed and are now about to take 2012 by storm and return to their podium where they once stood so proudly.

On this three single EP we begin with ‘Attention’ and immediately ours is grabbed. A nice steady solid drum track begins with a few sinister effects creeping in and out, teasing us for the bassline bombardment we feel is about to ensue. The bass goes boom on the early drop bringing us full bore into a real roller of a tune. Occasionally some strategic wubs and wahs punch their way past the subs which are present along with the enchanting vocal samples. The beautiful and unique oriental-style string effects provided by a Chinese instrument called a Guzheng that drop in every now and then really give this track a wonderful dynamic. A top class touch. (And I hope I maybe right on the instrument too)

‘Mystery Stranger’ begins with more string effects and piano keys along with some wavy electronics shrouded by the progressive drum and mid tracks. This is very fresh and different and brilliant and more global sounds and patches are being used within the tune. A pipe often whistles in, again, give the track an excellent dynamic. Beautiful work.

Now ‘Tear Your Soul’ takes some of the loveliness away and brings in some grimy filth right from the start. The darkness returns on this calm yet relentless barrage of almost extraterrestrial depth. Bass tones that sound as if they could ravage the skin from your beating body, mids that sound like they are from a science fiction movie, Deep, dark, sinister and dirty. What more can we ask for, really?

To give the release a boost Moving Fusion has dished out this little free download for us all to consume to our hearts content. Click here to grab this majestic, warbling, bassline beauty titled ‘Electro Sound’.

If this is regarded as a return, then I welcome it with open arms. I am not one to wish time away but I want to hear more. I believe this is truly magical and yes, it has definitely got my attention.

The ‘Attention’ EP by Moving Fusion is released by Viper Recordings and is out on February 20th 2012.

Follow @movingfusion

The latest rolling, Electro House track from globally renowned producer @deadmau5 has floated about during various sets for sometime. Finally released today and will immediately go straight to the top of the EDM charts simply because, well, it is deadmau5 we are blessed to have such a man of talent in the world of electronica.

The head-honcho of @mau5traprcds – mau5trap Records – has created a progressive build from the beginning, building up layer upon layer. This beatific, big room number bounces off the walls, the ceiling and causes you to do the same. A huge, booming bassline thunders along as the mids grow up in scale and dips, and then grows, and then dips in a marvellously calculated manner. A proper rolling stomper.

Nothing really more to be said to be honest with you. The player below is just a snippet to the big bassy, elastic number.

The single ‘Maths’ by deadmau5 is out now released by mau5trap Records.

Follow @deadmau5

As more producers are jumping onto the Jungle Breaks band wagon, only a few of them are managing to pull it off. The multi-talented @BenJurassik has made this attempt dabbling in the 140 beats per minute realm and manages to create the rapturous ‘Confusion’.

Moving to the faster pace rather than the dazzling breakbeat bass music he is so fond of, this latest release has the essence of the frenetic Old Skool days. With fabulous rumbling bass tones that echo warmth and uplift, a drum beat that sends the crowd into a manic state of consciousness and the soft yet piercing vocal samples weaving within the rhythm of the track, it will make the veteran ravers reminisce and could very well introduce something new to the fans of the classic broken beat.

By adding further depth the Shakes‘ remix with the upping of the tempo brings a slightly different dimension to the original. This euphoric, dubbier breaks version is darker, faster but still has the class hands-in-the-air-and-reach-for-the-lasers vibe. Balanced wonderfully by the high tones of the vocals and the deep, encompassing bassline, there is nothing confusing as to whether this is a hit or not because it is a delight.

‘Confusion’ by Jurassik and The Shakes Remix is out now released by iBreaks Records.

Follow @BenJurassik

Moments after the release of the Breakspoll nominations and once again, securing another nomination for Best DJ as well as bouncing between Italy, Southampton, body-clock adjusting and pounding away the bass creating monsters in the studio, Krafty Kuts took a few moments out to answer a few questions on not being pushy a Father, creating a 17 track album and how Breaks can be a little underated.

You’ve been doing your thing for well over 17 years now, do you often think about selling records again in the store where you once worked rather than selling your own?
Wow! Is it that long!? To cut a long story short no, but I do miss it to a certain degree. It was quite a buzz as I was always very honest and made sure people got good quality music and would come back. It was great while it lasted but the next step was definitely to go and make my own music.

In a fashion, you’ve always been selling records in one way or another, would you encourage your children into the music industry or do you think they will take little persuasion doing so? Have either of the young ones hit the decks and had a go themselves?
I am not a pushy Father, as I want my kids to make their own choices. But obviously it would be good when the times right to see them carry on a bit of a legacy, and I will love to see them follow in my footsteps. When the times right I’ll take steps to teach them properly to use DJ equipment. One of the twins has already shown an enthusiasm to DJing whereas the other is more into singing and beatboxing. There’s definitely a musical background that seems to be loitering there. As for my little 2 year old he seems to have got the bug already, and as seen by many on my Facebook page there is been a video of him up there on the decks. He comes up to the studio for a play every day and seems to have taught himself how to use things already! I can definitely see him being into music. Whenever I go on the decks he is my little dancer, so my youngest is definitely keen as mustard to take after his Dad!

The album has had a little bit of a rough journey of late with the release date becoming an issue. What’s happening!? It managed to get onto the Breakspoll shortlist before the release so I assume that it has not quite gone to plan?
Yeah totally, everyone knows the album has been long overdue. I think I overstretched myself with the amount of tracks on there – 17! – making it very difficult to clear the samples and license and all the finer details that get the album to the finished stage. It’s taken 3 more months since it was actually finished to tie up the loose ends! It’s been stressful to say the least but come the end of March, it will all be sorted.

Despite these recent occurrences, are you happy with it?
Absolutely 100%. Without doubt, I feel it’s some of my finest work and some of the tracks represent me in my true form; funk, disco, hip hop, breaks and all things Krafty.

Your latest release ‘Pounding’ featuring Dynamite MC had a string of top names within the credits due to the remixes these artists brought to the table. Is it easy for you to get a top name to remix your material?
It’s all about timing. Sometimes it is easy to get certain DJs/producers to work with on remixes depending on availability. Electronic music is now going through a huge buzz. Dubstep, Electro House, Breaks and Drum & Bass have all become extremely popular. It can be hard to get the exact names you want and also with it being so popular the names you once craved are now money wise out of the question. Running an independant label can make this financially hard, thus saying a lot of the names/artists that I’m using for forthcoming releases on Instant Vibes are very talented, forward thinking, next-generation producers. I’m always looking for the next talented artist to represent the label, such as the incredible Jay Robinson – check out Jay’s Facebook page here.

Have you ever said that you didn’t like any of the remixes which someone has done for you?
Yes on the odd occasion, and things have had to be retweaked, but this is pretty normal for any remix. It’s all about getting things spot on to represent both your own and the remixers sound in the best possible way.

Your ‘Back To Mine’ LP Mixtape which came out just a little over 4 years ago now, that must have been a nice project to do. Being as you have your own label now, I’d've thought a little more clout too, would you consider doing something like that again or something along the same lines as ‘Tricka Technology’ due to the artists you worked with at that time?
The ‘Back to Mine’ CD is probably one of my favourite listening albums, simply as it has some of my favourite ever tracks all put together in a very effective manner, thus making it such an easy listening album and something that I wanted to do for a long time as I love the Back to Mine series. You can expect some very interesting developments in the next year. In particular the Tricka Technology 10th Anniversary thing coming up this Summer, which will see A Skillz – check his interview out sometime next week – Dynamite MC and Myself doing some wicked festivals show. There are definitely some very exciting things in the pipeline, watch this space!

Breakbeats are a part of many dance genres and with different countries being involved like Italian rocker breaks, French electro breaks, Hungarian and Russian etc and of course the Spanish, have you a preference to any particular style? Are you fond of the Psybreaks direction for example and would you “go there”?
I loves all genres and styles of breaks, and anyone being a fan of my music will know I like to push the boundaries a little further and try new flavours and new styles, but there are certain genres I won’t play as I just don’t like them. It’s great to see all these different countries having different styles though and after amazing recent shows in France, Hungary, Russia and Spain recently my sound has been extremely well received. It seems to be that throughout Europe, especially Eastern Europe, breaks really is an extremely popular form of music and a good artist can perform to 1000+ people in these countries. Sometimes breaks can be a bit underrated, but it’s never hard to sell out massive venues all around the world and it’s amazing to see breakbeat, in any form, doing so well internationally.

No doubt you’ll be hitting the festivals this Summer as per. Going to miss Glastonbury this year I’ve seen you several times at Pilton Farm, do you mind playing in tents?
I absolutely love playing in tents, there’s just a wonderful feeling in a British summer when everyone’s there to have a great time. I’ve had some of my best ever DJ sets in big and small tents around the world, especially Glastonbury. Nothing can beat playing a good festival in a tent with really good production, certainly something to look forward to every Summer whether in England or abroad.

Have we something other than your album release to look forward to? Something else from the studios of Instant Vibes perhaps?
Yes we certainly do. The next Instant Vibes release is by a very talented young American producer named Bird Peterson who calls himself ‘Horse Music’, which features remixes by myself, Rory Lyons, Jay Robinson, Bobby C Sound TV, and a new video and new Krafty remix of ‘Pounding’. Also, keep your eye out for videos of ‘Pounding’ and a new track from the Krafty album called ‘A Krafty Edge’. So, plenty of action from the Instant Vibes stable and loads more to come including new remixes from A Skillz, Freestylers and many more.

What have you got going on this month other than Breakspoll?
Getting music together for Miami and a Loopmasters sample CD, usual array of gigs – check Krafty’s gig listings here – it really seems like there are even more things to be done than ever!

The ‘Let’s Ride’ album is ready to touch down at the tail end of March featuring artists such as Mike G from Jungle Brothers, Tim Deluxe, DJ Assault, Nick Thayer and my long time collaborator Dynamite MC. Plus collaborations with Deekline, Featurecast and A Skillz plus lots more Krafty Kuts material.

Follow @Krafty_Kuts

A new and exclusive mix from @BeatAssassins but currently one man down. As Wooz concentrates on his DnB project as Sigma, Jimmy Mofo continues with the moniker and continues with some urban, electro-breaks.

It is a little bit of a promo mix as it does feature some brand spankers forthcoming from the Assassins in the very near future and in the mix with them we have also got a couple of fresh beats and one or two classics.

It has been an absence for some time and I must say, it is nice to know that there is an imminent return and also, it’s great to see Freefall Collective included within the mix too. One fantastic act to hear live.

It’s up as a free download so snatch it quickly right here or press the button within the player, and of course, the tracklist is below.

Follow @BeatAssassins

1. BEAT ASSASSINS / Ace is back / Mofo recordings
2. DEEKLINE & DUSTIN HULTON ft SPORTY 0 & YO MAJESTY / I like girls / Rat Records
3. BEAT ASSASSINS / Living Good / Mofo Recordings
4. THE SLEEPOVER & PRENDII / Bitch please (TONIC Remix) / Club Cartel
5. BEAT ASSASSINS / Rip Up Da Riddim / Mofo Recordings
6. BEAT ASSASSINS / Vowla / Mofo Recordings
7. ED SOLO & DEEKLINE ft DJ ASSAULT / Gimme / Rat Records
8. BEAT ASSASSINS / Inhale Exhale / Mofo Recordings
9. DEEKLINE & DUSTIN HULTON ft KIDD MONEY & SPORT 0 / Whip it / AC SLATER remix / Rat Records
10. GARY GECKO & PIGBWOY ft FERAL / Cantankerous / DOGTOWN CLASH Remix / Gecko
11. FREEFALL COLLECTIVE / Ganja Man / BEAT ASSASSINS Speed Garage Remix

The breakbeat producer Kidda who creates dance music which radiates positivity and emits all round good vibes lifts his next single from his recent album ‘Hotel Radio’. The track ‘Together Again’ features the vocal talent from Lee Baker who delightfully delivered ‘Strong Together’ which was taken from Kidda’s first album ‘Going Up’.

There is absolutely nothing anyone can do to fight off the almost overwhelming goodness that dispenses from Kidda’s upbeat material. ‘Together Again’ with it’s rolling drum track covered with soft string effects and echoing vocals along with the warm, booming bassline and pace of rhythm makes this a perfect example of a great “feel-good” record. Even the small electronic solo in the midst of the record is subtly epic. I say that because I feel that whenever a @iamkidda tune is played, you immediately have that feeling of being thankful for what you have, where ever you are, right there and then.

I was positively surprised by the @iamdetboi remix as this has turned out to be quite a bizarre assortment of beats. Having striking similarities one minute to the work of classic DnB living legend, Goldie because of the alluring vocal harmonies, and then sounding proper up-to-date with the synthetic effects of modern 21st Century bass music. The smouldering bass tones that mingle with the samples taken from the original turns this into a refined tribal drum and bass remix. Marvellous, it is.

Whilst the original comes across as being very strong throughout, this remix by Black Dots has been stripped back a small touch and that’s pretty much about it. If you feel that the original is a bit on the overwhelming side for you then this version is more likely to be preferred. It still dishes out the same vibes just not as much of them.

The Destruction remix of Kidda’s track ‘Hangin’ Around’ is absolute quality. A few of the mids have been peeled away revealing bass tones that have a more dirty disco aura about them. Left behind now are characteristics of 80′s electro with the addition of some hip hop flavoured lyrics, this now becomes a new record entirely. This is now more of a naughty discotheque version and this cracking remix is available for download right here or by clicking the button within the player.

Another wonderful, Motown influenced record by an artist who should be in everyones music collection. Nice not to hear any dubstep remixes for a change.

‘Together Again’ by Kidda is released on February 27th 2012 by Skint Records.

Follow @iamkidda

I think it is quite unfortunate not to hear enough material coming from @dylanrhymes because as far as I am concerned, the man is filth. I mean that of course in a pleasant way, Dylan. The tunes that do come out from his Lot49 studios nowadays mainly tend to be electro house rather than breaks, but that isn’t a bad thing, and the reason why it is not too bad? Because the man is filth.

His latest release ‘Sex Shun’ is a very modest one track single package – but also includes three intros to be used for DJ Tools when purchased from Beatport. This is the first outing for a few months and in typical fashion, he returns with a real stomper. This clean and crisp piece of electronic art is tighter than a Nun’s, cheekier than a pubescent fourteen year old and as I may have mentioned, is pure filth. Full of vibrancy with plenty of gutsy mids, rumbling bass tones and masterful production.

Standard Electro House really. Lot49 style.

‘Sex Shun’ by Dylan Rhymes is out now released by Lot49 Records.

Follow @dylanrhymes

The music label of psychedelic breakbeat and technological funksters, Broken Robot Records like up and coming talent, and next week we see a debut double AA single EP from their new signing Bad Tango who seems to be able to deliver exactly the kind of psybreaks head-honcho Neurodriver appreciates. This is part of his Frontier Science series.

Kicking off this musical influx of frenetic, synthetic tweaks and bleeps ‘Arecibo Spank’ begins with solid and sinister drum track with a disturbing bass tone bobbing onwards with a medley of carefully calculated choppy, glitch effects appearing to be in total disarray. They come together building up the main groove of the track, and when it does we feel that we have “now landed”. Soon there is a break and we get into a progressive moment. All of the light and dark frequencies scatter at a distance like an explosion in space. The drums clash, the waves build and then the sounds mingle together dropping an extraterrestrial smack in the face, leaving us with a tech-funk bonanza.

The second track pretty much carries on from where the first finishes off. ‘Check Point’ with it’s leccy bassline has a touch of jazz in the bounce and once more an abundance of quivering, electronic pulses braiding with the groove up until middle of the track where we have the broken beat, glitch gala.

To celebrate the forthcoming release Bad Tango has compiled his first ever promo mix which features these tracks and lots of new ones from almost every exclusive artist on the Broken Robot roster including the recent collaboration with Breakspoll 2011 winner, Hedflux. It is up as a free download so grab it by clicking here or snatch it up from the download button within the music player below.

Also for your perusal, being as this is part of the BRR ‘Frontier Science’ I’ve also included the previous volumes in the players below where we have Big Mistake, LuQas & Triple Agent and Peak & Broken Eye consecutively.

‘Arecibo Spank/Check Point’ by Bad Tango will be released on Monday 13th February 2012 by Broken Robot Records.

1. Slack Baba – We Have The Technology [Blue Hour Sounds]
2. Elite force – No Turning Back (Hedflux Remix) [U&A]
3. Bad Tango – Check Point [Broken Robot]
4. 48k – Barb Wired (Bad Tango Remix) [Yellow Finger]
5. Too Dusty – Welcome To The Future (Bad Tango Remix) [Hard & Hits]
6. Bad Tango – Analogue Hedgehog [Logariddim]
7. Hedflux & Bad Tango – Slippery Triplet [Broken Robot]
8. Snook – The Signal [Broken Robot]
9. Bad Tango – Arecibo Spank [Broken Robot]
10. Broken Eye & LuQas – Black Hole [Broken Robot]
11. Abdomen Burst – Epinephrine (Hedflux Remix) [Scarcity]

Plus! If you like the artwork that has been developed for these releases, check out Jalapeno Creative on Facebook where you can get contacts and further ideas for you own perhaps?