We're back again with another instalment of Donation Dubs, sharing some of our favourite tracks found while digging online each month.
Like last month, there are two sections: one for free or pay-what-you-choose downloads and the other for releases that have a fixed price but that are an absolute bargain.
You can also check out our Donation Dubs 009 mix on SoundCloud, exclusively featuring tracks from this list, at the bottom of the page.
Have a scroll, have a listen, and support the artists who catch your ear!
Fixed Price Bargains:
Viral Punk – Viktory
Viral Punk’s Viktory EP is a taste of uncompromising, abrasive grime production. Each cut is built around a different punishing bassline: “Supa Dupa” sets the tone with a sound palette that wouldn’t be out of place on a riddim tune, “Violator” continues the same theme with the addition of startled string stabs, and “Viktory” brings a dancehall influence that quickly degenerates. Finally, “Global Meltdown” shifts into an unpredictable mashup of melodies and textures, topping off the destructive EP out on Op NationRecords.
Kami-O – Lightworks
Bristol’s Italdred can be relied upon to bring cutting-edge sounds on their releases, spanning across grime, dubstep, wave, RnG and more. On Lightworks,
Kami-O pays tribute to the clubnight of the same name that he used to run in
Glasgow. with a careful balance of heavyweight bass vibrations and elegant, unusual
melodies. Although the tracks share some aesthetic marks that tie the selection
together – lush strings, blends of organic and metallic hits, deep-shifting bass
vibrations – each has a distinct identity and place on the EP.
Birmingham producer Mr Skandal has come through with another
varied collection of instrumentals, taking different angles on grime and
showing the flexibility of the genre’s sound. “King of War” and “Tormented” are
both huge, grinding heavy-steppers, “Broken Dreams” relaxes with its plucked instrumentation, while “Presidential” and “Ambiguous”
are driven by warmer, brighter melodies that contrast with other more bass-centric
productions.
Laizu – Next Step LP
Working out of Nottingham, Laizu is another producer who can
capture a range of moods and styles within the grime spectrum, as his 10-track Next
Steps LP shows. “Like That” mashes a wobbling bassline with grimey strings
and vocal chops, “No Name” sucks you in
with its muted, bubbling energy, and “Up Front” combines a wide selection of
ear-catching samples into one non-stop joyride. To top off Next Steps, Laizu
includes a dub special from SBK, which the MC shells down as expected.
Hendubz’s sound is hard to define, with elements of garage
and grime filtered by an experimental approach to result in this 6-track EP. “Haryana”
is potent cut of sinogrime, and “Penso Diverso” is a drifting, hazy 2-step
number. “Always in Colour” puts garage rhythms behind bold bass sweeps and
blurred, overlapping harmonies to create a beat that fits with Trim’s characteristically
unusual vocal style. “Floating Borders” calms the mood with softer piano chords,
before “Bazaar Drip” finishes the project with atmospheric grime that rises and
falls with clattering stop-start beats and thick, indistinct sonic layers.
Filthy Gears is as on point as he is prolific, supplying
countless instrumentals for MCs to vocal and listeners to enjoy over the years
- that doesn’t change on Pure Filth Vol. 3. The aptly named “B.I.B.L.E” uses
an organ for the track’s foundation, as does “Barbed Wire”, but while the first
is restrained and tightly structured, the second is a off-beat melding of vast,
sliding organ chords and stern bass blares. Meanwhile, “Hunting” is unnerving but
still holds onto a playful edge, matching the uncanny feeling of stalking prey
under cover of darkness. By contrast, “Opium” is as smooth as it is
intoxicating, with a sweet, mellow sax that sits on a bed of string textures –
the result wouldn’t be out of place in a James Bond theme.
Free and Pay-What-You-Choose:
GLITCH – Run From War (GLITCHFIX)
South East London’s GLITCH has dropped a few strong releases
recently, with grime, dubstep, jungle and drill all included in his repertoire.
For this one, he takes an unmistakable Logan acapella and adds his own strain
of audio destruction. Stripped back to the necessities, the instrumental is upfront
in its delivery, with an incessant ticking beat that holds the track together and
bone-shaking bass impact that keeps the energy flowing along with Logan’s quickfire
deliveries.
Out on their imprint Tumble Audio’s fresh sister label Pay
What U Can Afford Music, Sergic and Lyka’s “Felt Nothing” is a double-dose of
punchy UK funky and grime power. Beginning with wavy synths and glitched
effects, the track grows with funky string rhythms before dropping in with fat,
subby kick and bass patterns. All money from the release will be split between
Black Live Matter UK and Reclaim The Block in Minneapolis, making this a perfect
Donation Dub to financially support and enjoy.
Max Profit – Calm
West London’s Max Profit has come through with his new single
“Calm”. Pairing a skilfully understated instrumental with a laidback lyrical delivery,
the track embodies the carefree, unfazed attitude that the title and hook
claim. The download package is completed with a remix from Filthy Gears, as
well as the original’s instrumental and an acapella of the vocals.
Remixing a bassline classic from Nastee Boi, Dorzi and DJ Connor
turn the bouncing original into sleek grime, laying the verses over steel pans,
buzzing low frequencies and a sample of the motif from Mike Jones’ “Still
Tippin’”, notably used by Plastician in his instrumental for Skepta’s “Back Then”.
This alternative version sharply contrasts with the vibe of the original
production, but still makes sure to hold the same brash, hyped energy.
Christo Frank – Pawnbroker feat. Killa P & Badness
Sampling Quincy Jones’ theme from classic film The
Pawnbroker and using it as a foundation for Killa P and Badness’ “Nuh Failer” lyrics,
this cut from Christo Frank feels classy and refined while still packing a
punch. The combination of the cinematic scale of the instrumental with the MCs’
emotive performances make “Pawnbroker” more than worthy of a download.
DV-US – All of the Lights
Refixing an iconic Yeezy instrumental, DV-US takes the brass
core of “All of the Lights” and adds his own flavour, swapping the frantic rhythms
of the original for bold marching patterns and fuzzy peripheral accents. “All
of the Lights” is the latest in ESC_’s series of free downloads, and the debut release
on the imprint for co-owner DV-US.
Listen to the Donation Dubs 009 mix on SoundCloud below: