Since its inception in 2008, Lowbit Records has grown from a small underground label set up by Swedish duo Bastards of Funk & Sonic Union to become one of the best known and most well-respected progressive and tech house labels on the scene. Renowned for its consistent top quality and incredible diversity of music, Lowbit has become the go-to label for some of the biggest DJ/producers and the hottest up and coming talent in the world. Regularly supported by the likes of Hernan Cattaneo, Above & Beyond, John Digweed and Dave Seaman, and with a label roster featuring the likes of Deepfunk, Cid Inc, Kobana & Yane3Dots, Nikko Z, Lank, Roland Klinkenberg, Soundprank and many more, its rapid rise to the top is no surprise.
Always and forever at the cutting edge of underground dance music and unearthing the freshest talent, it gives me great pleasure to congratulate one of my favourite labels in the world on reaching a hugely momentous milestone – their centennial release. To mark the occasion, label owner & manager Sonic Union has pulled together an incredible selection of brand new bombs from some of Lowbit’s biggest & most popular artists – and trust me when I say that Lowbit 100 is their biggest and best release to date! Showcasing Lowbit’s trademark diversity, there truly is something for everyone here – with the one common denominator being the sheer quality of each and every track. They’re so good that I couldn’t do them all justice without delving deep into each and every one, so my track by track review of Lowbit 100 follows.
Here’s to another 100 Lowbit releases and many more!
1. Deepfunk – ‘Living In A Forest’
Unmistakably Deepfunk, this track evokes dark, twisted techy grooves inextricably interwined with haunting percussive beats, dramatic drums and creepingly melancholic chords to create an intensely atmospheric track with a powerful pull.
2. Pete McCarthey – ‘Aphrodite’
Irresistibly uplifting right from the very first chords, this track is a glittering ray of pure sunshine with its shimmering sunkissed waves of beautifully blissed out synths and magic-infused melodies.
3. Rich Curtis – ‘P-Mots’
Tightly coiled techno grooves slink their way into your soul, commanding your attention with their insanely addictive bounce before crescendoing into a peak-time explosion of twisted euphoria that will infect your brain with an irresistible urge to dance.
4. Anthony Yarranton – ‘A Better Place Awaits’
Hooking you right from the start with its irresistible drive and magnificently magnetic energy, its uplifting bounce breaks down into swirling synths and mellifluous moving melodies that make you yearn for more. A polished piece of progno perfection.
5. Exoplanet – ‘Seamless Continuum’
A stripped back beat, quirky breaks and bleeps, slowly winding melodies weave you into a web of introspection and a dreamy state of blissed out, chilled out delirium. Typically atmospheric and endlessly ethereal.
6. Tash & Stage Van H – ‘Reunited’
Soaring synth arpeggios spearhead twisted techy beats and bass, while the warmth and irresistible infectious smile infused by the underlying melody will seep into you like the sun parting the clouds. Deliciously distinctive with a feel-good flavour all of its own.
7. Kobana & Yane3Dots – ‘Venus’
After a stripped-back start, this beauty builds from an infathomably deep bass and hypnotic percussive grooves to delve deep into your emotions with its driving bass, heartbreakingly bittersweet beats and hauntingly melancholic melodies that stir the depths of your soul to a sense of almost unbearable longing.
8. Verve – ‘Bliss’
Positively pulsating with an effortlessly euphoric energy, rippling with rhythmic prowess and sinously stalking you with its lithe and light synth work, this track’s intricately interwoven layers of masterful melodies and sheer soaring uplift combine to shine a light on your heart while stealing it away so smoothly you won’t notice until it’s too late.
9. Yan Lhert – ‘Mechanical Cloud’
Floaty light twinkling melodies cushioned in an atmospheric aura, underpinned by driving and dramatic drums and a blisteringly beautiful breakdown; ‘Mechanical Cloud’ will have you flying so high that you’ll be soaring among the stars and never want to come back down.
10. Danny Lloyd – ‘In The Monkeys Desert’
With its deliciously deep vibes, distinctive male vocals and luscious layers of warm sparkling melodies, this is a driving, grooving, dancefloor tour de force with a perfect peak-time pull.
11. Matt Fax – ‘Coda’
This track’s sunkissed and soaring synths and immense build-up make it instantly uplifting, while the beautifully summery vibes and old skool feel give it an evocative emotional pull, invoking an intense nostalgia for summer sunshine days.
12. Weepee – ‘Move2Groove’
Aptly named with its deep driving bassline, bouncy, uplifting groove and satisfyingly squelchy techy stabs. Soaring strings add atmosphere and emotion, while the underlying gritty grooves tug at your dancing feet.
13. Bastards of Funk & Sonic Union – ‘Proturbd’
Kicking off with a trademark Bof & SU deep bassline, the pulsating energetic rhythms, growling vocal hook, tight and edgy techy stabs have ‘Proturbd’ ready to pounce like a tiger. An atmospheric breakdown paints a picture of dark and twisted beauty, before exploding into a rush of relentlessly rhythmic euphoria.
14. Nikko Z – ‘La Moogica’
With its relentlessly intense synths, crisp drums, atmospheric percussive stabs and melancholic melody, this track is deeply, darkly hypnotic and will render you powerless to resist the dark spell it casts.
Lowbit 100 is released on 15th October on Lowbit Records.
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