STHoldings Ltd

Following on from the release of his ‘Symmetry’ LP, Break is set to raise the bar again this November with a second LP, ‘Resistance’, released on his own label ‘Symmetry Recordings’.

Break launched Symmetry Recordings in 2006, honing and refining his sound with a string of acclaimed singles before releasing ‘Symmetry’ in 2008. Featuring forays into ambient, dubstep, funk, hip hop, house and soul amongst an arsenal of sure-fire drum & bass, ‘Symmetry’ earned Break an army of new fans beyond D&B and saw tracks picked up by the likes of techno legends Laurent Garnier and Josh Wink, while tunes such as ‘Is This What You Want’ and ‘Traits’ have continued to remain staples in the sets of the D&B elite.

Two years on and Break is releasing his second long player; ‘Resistance’. Featuring collaborations with No U-Turn mastermind Nico, Bristol’s DJ Die, production super-duo Calyx & Teebee, DNAudio cohorts Silent Witness and Survival, Shogun Audio’s SpectraSoul and vocalists Kyo and SP:MC, the album offers a glorious journey through the spectrum of Break’s styles and influences, following in the same vein as its predecessor but pushing the envelope further still.

Break

With barely a third of the album unveiled it is already receiving heavy support from pioneers such as Goldie, Andy C and LTJ Bukem, ‘Resistance’ is shaping up to be one of the biggest releases yet this year.

DJ support: Andy C, Friction, Chase & Status, DJ Marky, Ed Rush, Optical, Calyx, Teebee, Bailey, DJ Die, Krust, TC, Spor, Noisia, John B, Total Science, SpectraSoul, Logistics, Nu:Tone, Randall, Fierce, Klute, Prolix, Lenzman, Rock- well, Phace, Flight, Craggz & Parallel.

SYMMCD002
Break
Resistance
01 Don’t Look Down (Feat. Calyx & Teebee)
02 Hold On Original Mix (Feat. Kyo)
03 All That’s Left
04 Scanner Dub (Feat. Kyo)
05 Martyr (Feat. Spectrasoul)
06 Too Much
07 Slow Down (Feat. Die)
08 Salvage (Feat. Nico)
09 Between the Lines (Feat. SP:MC)
10 Conference Call (Feat. Silent Witness & Survival)
11 Recycler
12 Heal Me
13 Time After Time
14 The Only Way
15 Hold On Club Mix (Feat. Kyo)
16 Everything Counts

Released on 29th November 2010 on the following formats:
1xCD / 4×12″ Gatefold Vinyl (Comes shrinkwrapped with CD) / Digital Download (iTunes pre-order: http://bit.ly/bISda6)

www.soundcloud.com/Symmetry-Recordings
www.facebook.com/pages/Symmetry-Recordings/123394124382212

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Introducing the new label ‘Footprints’ from Zero Tolerance set to launch in the next few months. Two big first releases to showcase, audio can be found below, first, over to Zero T to introduce the label…..

We at FOOTPRINTS are setting our stall out to provide something we feel has been missing from the zeitgeist for too long now….

That something is “90′s Music”…..yes folks, its been 10 years since the 90s and we for one miss it more than ever. It was a time when music metamorphasized into so many wonderful, radical, heartfelt and completely new forms. Unfortunately, life and culture moves in cycles and i think we can all agree that the “noughties” was a largely forgettable era for ALOT of reasons.

The complete dominance of consumerism in our world has , combined with the Net 2.0 revolution, sucked much the life out of this thing we call music. But every action has an equal and opposite reaction, and if Rage Against The Machine making the UK Christmas No.1 in 2009 is a signal of the backlash, the we at FOOTPRINTS hope to assist this return to an older Ethic:

Motivated from the Heart , not the Wallet.

So, in this new Decade we aim to regularly provide you with music made for your mind AND body, that will shake any building to its foundations but still stand alone as a piece of music, taking you to another place, time or mood when heard in its entirety.

We decided to start as we mean to go on…with a BANG!

FOOTPRINTS debut 12″ features label owner ZERO T and old friend BAILEY (BBC/METALHEADZ) combining to devastatin effect. “Wasp Factory” , as you may have guessed, is not a love song! Currently a favorite of everyone from Goldie, Ed Rush and Optical, Lemonde to Paradox and Loxy….Not for the feint-hearted!

On the flip of this comes a slice of paranoid funk from Belfasts mercurial Genius Calibre , alongside DnB legend ST Files of SOUL:R fame! “Devil Inside” has that familiar Signature/Soul;r roll to it, but the other elements may surprise a few: Dark gliding, filtered Reese bases undulate under a piano line to put a chill down your spine….something different from the norm!

Support from Hype, Fabio, Grooverider, Bryan G, Alix Perez, Spectrasoul, Commix etc..

Following hot on the heels of PRINT001 is PRINT002 :

ZERO T + MOSUS -”Shallow Grave” and BETA 2 – ” Cabin Phever”

ZT and his Kiwi buddy get a bit rowdy this time, with a heavy inspration from the early Virus sound of 1998-99. “Shallow Grave” sneaks in a kicks you in the gut and pounds you like Giant Haystacks!! as the vocal sample states….”.i roam when its dark, and take you to some secret place and bury you” Indeed!

Mr.T decided to keep it in the family , Irish-Style, for the 1st two 12″s. So after old cohort Calibre provided the 1st flip side, next up is Zero’s original colaborative partner BETA 2. Its now 10 years since the pair debuted on 4 HERO’s Reinforced, and a long awaited return to the game from BETA 2 looms large! ” CABIN PHEVER” is classic ‘Blue Note’ buisness, for those that know! Beta tickles the ivories with aplom, plucks the Double Bass and chops a break in a style remeniscent of that ginger Ninja , Rupert Parkes (aka Photek)..Two words:

FILM-NOIR

Heavy support from the likes of Marcus Intalex, Jubei, Ulterior Motive, Bailey, Loxy, Ed Rush etc.

PRINTS001
A) Zero T & Bailey – Wasp Factory:

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AA) Calibre & ST Files – Devil Inside:

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PRINTS002
A) Zero T & Mosus – Shallow Grave:

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AA) Beta 2 – Cabin Fever:

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Current Zero T DJ dates confirmed:

21 Jan 2010, 20:00 08:00 PM – Poland tour part 1, Warmińsko-Mazurskie Warsaw

21 Jan 2010, 20:00 08:00 PM – KLUB PEIKARNIA, WARSAW

23 Jan 2010, 20:00 08:00 PM – BRISTOL, Southwest BS1

30 Jan 2010, 20:00 08:00 PM – FOOTPRINTS LAUNCH @ HQ, London and South East OXFORD

05 Feb 2010, 20:00 08:00 PM – TWISTED PEPPER, Dublin D1

06 Feb 2010, 20:00 08:00 PM – KENT, London and South East KENT

12 Feb 2010, 20:00 08:00 PM – BERLIN

19 Feb 2010, 20:00 08:00 PM – FABRIC LIVE, London and South East EC1

07 Mar 2010, 20:00 08:00 PM – STINK @ 54 COMMERCIAL STREET, London and South East LONDON

12 Mar 2010, 20:00 08:00 PM – BUDAPEST

26 Mar 2010, 20:00 08:00 PM – BRISTOL, BS1

01 Apr 2010, 20:00 08:00 PM – EOC presents CIA @ GRAMAPHONE, London and South East

05 Apr 2010, 20:00 08:00 PM – SNOWBOMBING

30 Apr 2010, 20:00 08:00 PM – CRITICAL @ WIRE, Northwest LEEDS

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Largely considered two of the most progressive and interesting Drum & Bass labels in the world right now, Exit Records and Non Plus Records are proud to announce their upcoming and imminent releases from label boss dBridge and ASC.

Released on 16th November on Non Plus:

NONPLUS003
ASC
Porcelain / Focus Inwards

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Instra:mental welcome a new addition to the Nonplus+ camp who goes by the name of ASC. This producer is by no means new to making music, but recently his productions have become an essential addition to dBridge & Instra:mental’s Autonomic podcast series and also frequents their club sets.

‘Porcelain’ is a perfect illustration as to why Instra:mental have been paying ASC’s music so much attention. It begins with a glitchy yet groove-laden beat coupled with dramatic piano and fx stabs, then fills out with a warm drawing sub bass and smooth atmospheres. As the track progresses and you think it’s reached its climax, ASC cleverly layers an almost oriental sounding percussion stab to accompany the bass line and picks up the track to another level. This track is a prime example of being able to express the utmost with the minimum.

‘Focus Inwards’ is the deeper side of this 12” and as the title suggests, takes you on a journey into yourself. Fully charged with progressive chords and melodies alongside electric sounding drum fills and percussion, the arrangement, musical content and pure elegance of this track give us an insight into ASC’s compositional abilities and potential for the future.

Youtube Hype video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u0TAFidrE8o

Released on 7th December on Exit Records:

EXIT018
dBridge
Inner Disbelief / 5th Floor

Exit Records bring their busy 2009 release schedule to a close with this outstanding 12” from label owner dBridge, featuring two tracks that have been consistently played over the last few months by djs such as Goldie, Friction, Alix Perez, SpectraSoul, Fabio, Doc Scott and Marcus Intalex amongst others.

A 12” getting massive DJ support from across the scene. ‘Inner Disbelief’ is reminiscent of some of dBridge’s Gemini Principle LP tracks with a more dance floor friendly edge, but as usual without compromising quality control. It’s yet another example of dBridge using his vocal talent to compliment his productions and create his signature flavour of “aggressively beautiful” music. A re-arranged piano hook sample layered upon a moody bass line and driving beat provide the backing for this very catchy and listenable song.

On the flip we have another track from dBridge entitled ‘5th Floor’. What appears at first to be quite a sparse track slowly builds into an all out roller with its musical elements becoming more and more frequent and drums gradually layering up to create pace and energy. This track screams out classic dBridge in every sense with its clever use of musical stabs, eerie atmospheres and growling sub bass.

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Dom & Roland has been at the forefront of the Drum and Bass electronic music scene for over 15 years. Originally signed to No-U-Turn he moved to the scene leader Moving Shadow in 1995, he has released four critically acclaimed albums to date, over 100 singles, high profile electronic remixes as well as many collaborations with some of the scene’s most talented artists.

As one of the pioneers of the tech-step genre he is well known for his cinematic otherworldly soundscapes, It has often been suggested that he move into doing film soundtracks as his sound often conveys a strong visual element. Teamed with his sought after talent for producing dancefloor pounding rhythms, he has managed to stay at the pinnacle of the scene to this day.

In 2005 Dom started his own label Dom & Roland Productions releasing the creme de la creme of Drum and Bass collaborations, as well as being an outlet for his own work. An accomplished sound engineer, Dom is well known to have co-produced and mixed some of the classics of the drum and bass scene, including Subway with Ed Rush, Sonar with DJ Trace, appearing as guest producer alongside Optical on Grooveriders seminal Prototype Years album, as well as having enjoyed enormous success with many of his own tracks including the mighty Thunder, Imagination and Can’t Punish Me. The late John Peel a longtime fan, also approached Dom to commission a piece of work although sadly this dream was never realised.

Over the years Dom & Roland releases have been commissioned for several Playstation games and licensed to television in various countries including the BBC and Channel 4 in England. More recently Dom has continued his passion for pushing the boundaries of music technology, contributing from a producer’s standpoint, by being an advisor to various music software companies, including Native Instruments and Focusrite, taking studio tools to the next generation.

In his latest album No Strings Attached, in addition to his latest solo work, Dom has teamed up with the current crop of big name producers to release a 12 track album, featuring collaborations with Amon Tobin of Ninja records, the trendy Dutch super producers Noisia, Violence label owner Hive, Audio, and last but by no means least Rob Playford, Dom’s old label boss, now close friend, also known as the co-producer and engineer of Goldie’s legendary timeless album. Doms latest album is one of his finest works to date and is due for release in late November on all formats.

DRPLP002CD
Dom & Roland
No Strings Attached (CD Format)

01. Mind Feeders
02. Tajitsu (Featuring Noisia)
03. Sylo (Featuring Amon Tobin)
04. Ice Age
05. Mammoth Hunt
06. Jungle Beast
07. 1134 (Featuring Hive)
08. Alternate Worlds (Featuring Rob Playford)
09. Hypnosis
10. Odd Job
11. Peace Keeper (Featuring Audio)
12. Jedi

DRPLP002T
Dom & Roland
No Strings Attached (4×12″ Vinyl Version)

a) Mindfeeders
b) Mammoth Hunt
c) Alternate Worlds (Featuring Rob Playford)
d) 1134 (Featuring Hive)
e) Tajitsu (Featuring Noisia)
f) Oddjob
g) Jungle Beast
h) Peacekeeper (Featuring Audio)

DRPLP002S
Dom & Roland
No Strings Attached Sampler

a) Sylo (Featuring Amon Tobin)
aa) Jedi

With the album release now imminent Dom has started a busy schedule touring the Uk and Europe until Christmas before doing Russia, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, and America early next year.

* Roland is not a person. Roland is the digital sampler made by Roland that Dom used to compose with! *

Media Reactions:

DJ Magazine: “Intros so futuristic and sci-fi George Lucas would cream himself if he heard them…”
ATM Mag: “Dom & Roland is both a production pioneer and legend in drum & bass…”
XLR8R: “One of the finest talents the genre had ever seen…”
Knowledge: “Dom has had a hand in some of the most influential drum & bass anthems of all time…”

Links:

www.domandroland.com
www.myspace.com/domdrp
www.myspace.com/domandrolandproductions

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Back in May of 2009, Blackdown posted an in-depth interview with Kryptic Minds and Loefah, breaking down how Loefah started his brand new label Swamp 81. They spoke at length about the parallels between DnB and dubstep, especially from a label-sound point. Well, at the end of this month, you can own what’s sure to be one of the scene’s more captivating releases to date.

“What I want to push with Swamp 81 is the gap that isn’t really being represented anymore. The roller, the halfstep… spacious“.

What Loefah heard in those first few Kryptic Minds beats is edgy, rolling, stripped back spacious dubstep that was spectacularly well made and also had its own identity – emotive, organic in places, very junglist in spirit – unlike the vast number of producers who tried to clone his sound in 2006, and failed. The first fruits of the partnership are Kryptic Mind’s “One of Us”, a deadly 12″ that encapsulates producers who understand the difference between edgy and too angry; that restraint often has more impact than chaotic release. This deft understanding of the tensions and contradictions buried within dubstep, and how you use them is played out yet further on their new album.

“I’m thinking Wax Doctor, Doc Scott, Goldie– that kind of thing. It’s that transitional phase between Reinforced and Headz that is in my heart” explains Loefah.

“That’s what I’d like to do with Swamp. And I don’t want it to be labelled as ‘the halfstep label.’ I want it to have that kind of tunnel vision Metalheadz had in 1996, that kind of ‘we’re going this way. I’m not watching what you’re doing – I’m going straight ahead“.

In that spirit, Kryptic Minds’ One of Us zooms in on edgy 140bpm halfstep, forcing the listener into a headspace where perfectly placed details come into vivid focus, like the hyper-real intensity of night adrenalin. Everything is tautly coiled, as if priming the listener for a flight-or-fight reflex. The tension is barely unleashed throughout the album.

“To me the album – and this may be really gushy,” enthuses Loefah, “it’s like a night out. Leaving the house or wherever you are, going through the night and the last track is morning. The sun’s come up and it’s time for bed“.
“I think the Kryptic Minds album and the 12“, concludes Loefah, “it’s just making a bit of a statement. We’re saying ‘you know what? It’s not this, it’s not that, we’re right in the middle and we’re headstrong with it“.

SWAMPCD001
Kryptic Minds – One Of Us (CD x 1 / Digital)
Release Date: 28th September 2009.

01. Intro
02. One Of Us
03. Generation Dub
04. Stepping Stone
05. Something To Nothing
06. Six Degrees
07. Three Views Of A Secret
08. Secure Lost
09. Dissolved
10. Chosen Few
11. Organic
12. Distant Dawn

Also out now, SWAMP001:

SWAMP001
Kryptic Minds – One Of Us / Six Degrees LTD 12″

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Keep your ears to the floor for up coming Swamp 81 releases, the next release (SWAMP002) will be a two track 12″ from the man Skream….

Links:
http://www.myspace.com/swamp81
http://swamp81.blogspot.com
http://www.myspace.com/krypticminds1
http://www.myspace.com/loefah

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Ingredients Records is an independent Drum & Bass label set-up and ran by DJ Psylence, he will be releasing Drum & Bass on both vinyl & digital formats from up & coming artists, alongside established producers but all with one thing in common – deep vibes.

Ingredients stands for what he believes to be the “Ingredients that make up the true Drum & Bass sound”. But as a unique twist to the idea, every vinyl release will come with a free recipe card from the producer, for you to try out at home!

OUT NOW on Ingredients Records:

RECIPE001
Sato
A) Barn (Break Remix)
B) Barn (Original)

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Released 21st September 2009 on 12″ Vinyl / Digital:

RECIPE002
Jubei / Jubei & Cern
A) The Path
B) Black Hole

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Ingredients Records are back with their 2nd instalment of quality beats and a new recipe!
Rising star Jubei takes the reigns with the much talked about “The Path” – a deep, dark
stepper that fuses a low reece bassline with guitar feedback & jungle breaks, mesmerising stuff.

Flip over to find Jubei teaming up with New Zealand’s star Cern with the equally excellent “Black Hole”.
With a host of leading labels on the case of these two, be sure to check this 12” for quality drum & bass and a great recipe to boot. DJ support – Goldie, Instra:Mental, Commix, Flight, Cern, Jubei, Zero T to name but a few…

Ingredients Records Links:
http://www.myspace.com/ingredientsrecords
http://www.youtube.com/Ingredients75
http://soundcloud.com/ingredients

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Coming very soon, distributed exclusively by S.T. Holdings:

Inneractive Music Presents:

INNA029
Spirit / Jubei, Sato & Treez
A) Splinter
B) Trident

Spirit – Splinter / Jubei, Sato & Treez – Trident (INNA029) from S.T. Holdings

The first in a short series of releases featuring label head and founder Spirit pairing up with a new signing sees Jubei, Sato & Treez joining the fold with ʻTridentʼ, a mean and moody, dubbed-out roller speckled with echoing vocal licks, growling stabs and deep, pulsating subs. Championed by the likes of Marcus Intalex, Raiden, Survival, Phobia and a host of others, these guys are one to watch having between them scheduled releases for the likes of Metalheadz, Creative Source, Coded Music, Ingredients and CIA Deepkut.

Spirit needs no introduction and ʻSplinterʼ has been on heavy rotation from the likes of Goldie, C4C, Storm, Bailey and Raiden, having already featured on DJ Frictionʼs recently released ʻAssassin Volume 1ʼ mix CD. Enjoy!

More Info: www.inneractivemusic.co.uk

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Following on from the recent Survival album on Exit Records comes this brand new Sampler and Album from Consequence entitled ‘Live For Never’.

12″ Sampler
Cat No: EXIT017
A) Pseudo Echo Audio Link
B1) Feeling Like We Do
B2) Short Lived

CD Album
Cat No: EXITCD004
1. Long Lies Audio Link
2. From A Distance (Ft. ASC)
3. Feeling Like We Do
4. Life Is Timing (Ft. dBridge)
5. Pseudo Echo
6. 11 Circles
7. Lime Green
8. Reflex Reaction (Ft. Instra:mental)
9. Fog
10. Short Lived
11. Farewell
12. Flashes
13. A Man and A Woman

Vinyl
Cat No: EXITLP004
A) Fog
B) 11 Circles
C) A Man and A Woman
D) Life Is Timing (Ft. dBridge)
E) Lime Green Audio Link
F) From A Distance (Ft. ASC)
G1) Flashes
G2) Farewell
H) Reflex Reaction (Ft. Instra:mental)

The only way I remember being able to express my feelings, as a child growing up in Canada, was to play on my old Casio keyboard. Even though I was so young, in those moments I realised music was always going to be the way I expressed myself.

After years of experimenting I realised I had to find my own sound, the most crucial part of being a musician. I don’t see the point of trying to imitate other people’s sound. I cant imagine ever feeling satisfied knowing it wasn’t really my expression, but me trying to impersonate someone else.

My real passion for music developed when I moved to New Zealand and I started my first band aged 11. Some of my fondest memories are of the lunchtime concerts I would put on with my friends, jamming on the guitar never felt better. I found my greatest influences including Radiohead, Massive Attack and the Red Hot Chilli Peppers.

Fast forward a few years and I discovered Drum and Bass, in particular the early sounds of Goldie, LTJ Bukem and Krust. I experimented with the art of mixing, a passion that has only grown. There’s something special about seeing a room full of people moving to music that I love. This pushed me into production, I figured why not try making the music that makes people move.

My initial plan for creating the album was to have no plan. I wanted to experiment with different techniques to see what I could create. This meant that the album was never going to be a straight up Drum and Bass LP.  My vision of the music progressed into wanting to make something people would want to listen to at home or on their headphones as they go to work in the mornings. At the same time it had to translate to the club environment.

I aimed to create music that doesn’t fit the usual mould of Drum and Bass, yet has its ties and influences from it. When listening to the LP in its entirety, I hope that listeners will be given an insight into the way I see my surroundings. Maybe people can relate, everyone shares certain similarities in the way they feel about their life and what makes them feel certain emotions.

The title ‘’Live for Never’’ came to me when I was thinking about how human nature has developed into people feeling they can get away with anything, that our lifestyles will remain constant no matter what we do. To me this is false, the world seems to be getting darker and darker by the day, people will realise this only once it’s too late.

Nothing lasts forever and nothing lives forever.

The collaborations with dBridge, Instra:mental and ASC were natural, we share similar insights to where we feel music should be heading and what we listen to. I feel privileged to be working with these guys. In my opinion it has given ‘’Live for Never’’ a wider appeal and it opened myself up to new musical possibilities.

The music on my debut album was written to express many things at once, some of it is happiness crossed with feelings of angst, love songs and regret, but you can be the judge of whether it moves you.

Consequence was introduced to d-Bridge via mutual friends whilst touring  New Zealand and after listening to some of his music, dbridge knew that he had found an artist with the potential to create an album suited to the labels ethos of writing music from the heart and not necessarily directed at the dancefloor.
d-Bridge had just started his Autonomic podcast series alongside Instra:mental with the intention of showcasing and developing artists who were thinking outside of the conventional Drum & Bass box. Consequence has become a core member of this crew who have gone on to secure an Autonomic residency at the world famous Fabric night-club and turn many heads from outside the genre such as Laurent Garnier, Skream and Actress to name a few.
The album contains collaborations with fellow Autonomic artists Instra:mental, ASC and d-Bridge and is a good representation of the versatility which Autonomic is becoming renowned for.
Each track is a piece of music in its own right, but the whole album is best listened to as one long piece that flows harmonically from start to finish through different emotions and  atmospheres.

www.myspace.com/consequencenz
www.soundcloud.com/consequence
www.myspace.com/exitrecords
www.club-autonomic.com

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