January 26th, 2011

Grime Vinyl

It looks like the resurgence of Grime vinyl is going to continue throughout 2011 with a strong release schedule lined up on No Hats No Hoods, Butterz, Hardrive and my label Oil Gang. There should be a few more labels starting up this year as well which will help get more Grime out there and in the record shops.

SpookymistayifDarq E FreakerSplurt – Quadrant EP (Oil Gang)

Ok, I know this is my label but I wouldn’t have signed the tunes if I didn’t rate them highly. The EP kicks off with Spooky’s ‘Over Capacity’, a classic DJ Oddz influenced track that I signed within minutes of it arriving in my email. Also included are the intense chopped up ‘Rhythm & Slags’ by Next Hype producer Darq E Freaker, the orchestral ‘Fortress Riddim’ by newcomer mistayif and South London’s Splurt who wraps up the EP with the frantic ‘The Return VIP (Mega Refix)’. Described by no less than Starkey as “how grime should be”, this is the most aggressive grime instrumental to be released in some time and has been getting a lot of support from Starkey, Mosca, Mumdance, Melé & Martelo.

Have a listen to Starkey wheeling ‘The Return VIP (Mega Refix)’ twice on his Sub FM show:

Royal-T – Orangeade (Butterz)

Royal-T has developed his own distinct sound over the last two years and following on from 2010’s Damn It! EP comes his new release on Butterz which features three high grade instrumentals all designed to smash up raves. Look out for Royal-T’s amazing remix of TRC’s – Oo Aa Ee which is getting a lot of plays on radio and in the clubs.

S-X – Woooo Riddim – DJ Q Remix (Butterz)

The two Grime instrumentals that got the biggest reaction last year were Spooky’s‘Spartan’ and the ‘Woooo Riddim’ by S-X. Originally it was only released as an mp3 but Butterz signed it up, got it pressed on 10″ purple vinyl and it has been flying out of the shops. I have been playing the quality remix by DJ Q a lot recently and that version is only available on the flip of this record.


Joker & Terror Danjah – Gully Goon Estate (Hardrive)

Finally we have an amazing refix of Joker’s ‘Gully Brook Lane’ done by Joker himself along with Grime legend Terror Danjah. Not exactly sure who has done what here but who cares when it sounds this good. Grab a copy of DOK’s Golden Axe EP on the same label to get the incredible Missing Step.

Forthcoming:
The releases lined up for February are quality as well so look out for Swindle’s Playground EP forthcoming on Rwina, Swindle – Mood Swings on Butterz and EPs from Nu-Klea & Teeza on Logan Sama’s Earth 616 label.