Kasra

Kasra is an integral part of and prominent figure in the UK underground scene. Using his own label, Critical, as a vehicle for musical expression Kasra has been responsible for rooting out, guiding and nurturing high quality, pioneering drum and bass. In the past five years, Kasra has created in Critical a unique identity that is respected the world over and has ultimately left an indelible mark on the drum and bass scene.

Started at a time when new labels were popping up every day and failing after three months, Kasra put heart and soul into Critical and stood firm. The label's success is a testament to his ability to rise above the sometimes negative context in Drum n Bass and turn what seemed like inevitable failure into a highly respected success.

In 2005 Kasra unleashed his first production venture, the dancefloor smash Babylon with Austrian producer Dkay (Brigand Records). The track was a firm favourite with DJs across the board with Fabio declaring his allegiance to it on Radio 1 and labels across the scene bidding to have it released under their banner. Further collaborations, such as Outer Limits with Cyantific and Spider - again with D.Kay - were equally hot property. Kasra's latest production triumph, Warrior with Lomax, will be showcased on the new Critical Sound Vol 1 EP out this September.

With the rise in profile of the label, Kasra's DJ-ing has taken off with gigs all over Europe from Berlin to Brussels, Zurich to Zagreb. Kasra has headlined numerous nights across the world, with highlights including the massive Bon Bon in Shanghai and the awesome Flex in Vienna. With a Critical night on the cards as well as the Critical tour for the second All Sounds Electric album in October 2008, this side of the label continues to grow apace. With gigs reaching further afield the label boss looks to use his varied and cultured sets to showcase the talent currently associated with Critical as well as his own spinning skills.

Kasra's uncompromising attitude to the tunes Critical releases has won him praise from all sides of DnB journalism, figures and fans and this year the label shows no signs of slowing down or diluting this pure sound. With gigs in Asia and Europe already under his belt, the first ever Critical EP (Critical Sound) due for release in September and the brand new All Sounds Electric 2 album and tour set for Autumn, Kasra's all set to take his place in the drum n bass history books, no arguments.

Sabre

Hailing from North London, 27 year old DJ turned Producer ‘Sabre’ has slowly been risen through the ranks of the global electronic music fraternity, securing as he goes a reputation as a twisted yet soulful thinker, bringing a grittier sound to the deeper spectrum of the drum and bass and experimental electronica.

After having spent his earliest years in the Seychelles, Sabre moved to the UK in 1989. Reaching his early teens, he found a passion for Hip-Hop and turntablism, and equipped himself as a bedroom DJ. The subsequent vinyl addiction was cemented by the arrival of Jungle Era, and overwhelmed by the richness of the music, Sabre started to purchase the occasional release, and eventually switched focus away from Hip-Hop entirely in the late 90’s with the arrival of more futuristic, industrial sounding drum and bass, from artists like Future Forces, Photek, Teebee and DJ Trace.

By the millennium, pirate and internet radio stations such as UK Rumble and Rude FM had began supporting the young DJ, and with hopeful ambitions emerging on a career in music, the inevitable experimentation with music production had begun, with artists of the day such as Jonny L, Ed Rush & Optical and Kemal all providing a blueprint to work to. But parallel to modern techstep influences came the borrowed ‘sampling ethic’ of the Hip-Hop greats such as Premier, Diamond D, RZA and DJ Muggs .

A course in music technology followed and now armed with a firm grasp of studio technique; the first releases came in 2002 under the guise of the collaborative ‘Intimidation Collective’ project, a two man, self-driven enterprise selling white label music from car boots straight to the shops. The profile was growing at grass roots level in the underground, and now approaching 2004, small and mid sized labels started picking up on the ‘techy/soulful’ mix of dancefloor drum and bass being produced by the newcomer. The first throws at starting a brand within music came the year after with the launch of London Zu, the now retired drum and bass clubnight formerly held at Londons’ La Scala venue.

In the years since those first opportunities, Sabre’s grown to emerge as a global DJ with residencies across Europe, and secured releases and remix work for labels including Metalheadz, Renegade Hardware, Critical and Shogun. Spanning many styles, this initially dancefloor-orientated catalog has since evolved itself towards a more minimal and experimental outlook, resulting in 2007 with a commission from Capitol films to contribute toward the film score for the Tony Kaye feature ‘Black water Transit’.

The view looking to the future is spread across the musical and multimedia spectrum, with a long-term production and DJ relationship emerging with Alix Perez, intentions to build on a much-ignored film making and video performance project, and the creation of his long pondered debut album, recently entitled ‘A wandering Journal’, due to be released in early 2010.

Rockwell

Now residing in North London via Bristol and Cardiff, Rockwell has become prolific in a very short amount of time due to a series of strong productions, each taking a fresh and different approach to the drum and bass blueprint. With releases scheduled for some of the scenes largest labels: Digital Soundboy, Critical, and Shogun, 2010 will see Rockwell become one of the leading new producers in the scene. With wide reaching support from Djs such as Andy C, Shy Fx, Friction, Noisia and Hype, to Alix Perez, Icicle, Spectrasoul, Breakage and even Radio 1’s Gilles Peterson, Rockwell is one of an increasingly rare breed of producers whose tunes are suited to both the big raves and small intimate dances.

Although being introduced to Drum and Bass quite late when attending University in Bristol, Rockwell’s musical background enabled him to pick up Djing quite quickly. Earning his Djing stripes playing week in week out as a resident of renowned Cardiff night Aperture, now he sees himself sharing lineups with many of his peers in London clubs such as Fabric and receiving bookings as far away as St Petersburg.

Progressing into production after becoming hooked on Djing, the six years of hard work are beginning to pay off, with collaborations with Icicle, Zero T and Stapleton receiving regular rotation, and with high profile remixes for Sabre, C4C and others outside of the drum and bass scene on the cards for 2010, Rockwell’s’ future is looking bright.

Silent Witness

A devoted follower of techno-influenced drum & bass, Silent Witness adds a new edge & attitude, combining elements of the deep & uplifting within his tear-out dance floor productions.

First surfacing as Brainiac on breakbeat label Stratosphere Recordings, his powerful sound soon caught the attentions of many including The Plump DJs who included 'Neuro' (2001), his acid-tinged debut on their Urban Underground (INCredible) mix and Sony who licensed the track for the soundtrack to the video game Wipeout Fusion (Playstation 2). The second Brainiac single, 'Bass Jump' / 'Bionic' (2002) was greeted with similar acclaim and it became clear a serious talent was emerging.

Infamous producer and No U-Turn Records boss, Nico picked up on Brainiac and unearthed a budding drum & bass producer. He quickly signed 'Contact' in 2002 and released two more singles, 'Higher Rates' and 'Invasion' (both collaborations with studio partner Break) in quick succession.

Over the next three years, releases on Metalheadz, Commercial Suicide, Quarantine, Violence, DSCi4, Critical, Obscene and DNAudio; the label he established with co-conspirator Squire in 2003, alongside collaborations with the likes of Break, Ercola, Klute, Hive, Gridlok & D-Bridge have established Silent Witness as a musical tour de force. DJ bookings have taken him around the USA, Europe, Asutralia and the Middle East and include regular appearances at top UK nights including Metalheadz, Therapy Sessions, Traffic and Carbon.

Never one to be stick to a genre, Silent Witness has recently branched out into the house scene joining forces with Dropkick to establish the M3 Project. Their debut 'A Better Man' EP is due for a summer release on Silicone Soul's Darkroom Dubs and has received airplay from BBC Radio 1's Annie Nightingale & Fergie amongst others.

Break

Acquiring a love for the breakbeat through jazz and funk records, Break took to the drums at a young age, learning piano along the way and taking to the turntables at the age of fourteen.

A talented musician with a wide range of influences, Break looks to push the barriers in whatever he’s doing. Crisp breaks, heavy bass and strong melody are stable marks of his productions making him a firm favourite with a variety of the scenes top DJs.

Break hooked up with the DNAudio crew back in 2001 after meeting Squire through mutual friends. Since then he has played an important role in the label’s expansion, working closely with Silent Witness in developing a fresh & devastating new sound.
DJ A-Sides was quick to sign Break’s debut, Cocktail for the ‘East Side Jamz 2’ LP and wasted no time releasing his first solo twelve, ‘Sticky Situation’, the ‘Breakout EP’ and a string of other singles. His partnership with Silent Witness lead to releases on No U Turn and since then Break hasn’t looked back. As one of the most prolific producers in the scene, long hours in the studio have lead to outings on East Side, Fuze, Commercial Suicide, Quarantine, Critical, Invaderz, Explicit, Subtitles, Metalheadz, Levitated, Shadow Law and DNAudio; all building on Break’s reputation as one of the drum & bass’ hottest new talents.

As well as now working closely with Fierce and with singer Kyo in the studio, Break's busy DJ schedule sees him play across the UK and Europe several times a month, with every set being crammed full of killer fresh dubs blended seamlessly with underground classics.

Spectrasoul

The last 12 months has seen SpectraSoul rise as one of the most exciting new talents within the drum and bass scene, and they continue to ride the crest of the wave of new producers. 

Having spent the last year defining and refining their musical techniques, SpectraSoul have gained a reputation for bridging the gap between light & dark, hard & smooth, both in the studio and within their DJ sets. Last year saw the release of highly acclaimed "III Note Soul" and "Cherry Smoke" on Shogun:LTD, with both tracks gaining support from all the main players in the game and securing their place on the d&b map.

Arguably the duo's pinnacle thus far was last years single for Critical – Alibi bw Dark Hour. 2 brooding monsters that set the floors on fire across the globe and was one of the picks of the year for the discerning drum and bass head.

Showcasing their talents on the turntables at some of the most prestigious venues throughout the UK and Europe, SpectraSoul have gained residencies at Shogun events in both London and Brighton, and prove to be a popular choice for promoters across the globe with an ever-growing booking schedule for 2008. Having gained solid DJ support from the likes of Friction, Fabio, DJ Marky, Klute, Logistics, Commix, Break and D-Bridge amongst others, the duo’s sound has echoed around dance floors worldwide.

Look out for the Break remix of Alibi and the stepping wonder of Organiser in early 09.