LV and Okmalumkoolkat - Sebenza

Hyperdub signed trio LV have teamed up with South African MC talent to put out some serious heat. 'Sebenza' comes alive as a grime-styled track with Okmalumkoolkat dropping a dizzying amount of wordplay and pop-culture references (see: "I stay fly I I Peter Pan'a / I'm Peter Parker / Stay fly never land'a / I'll never die / Multiply, Highlander"). The accompanying video features Koolkat and his crew getting down in Johannesburg, loitering in style, doing doughnuts on the outskirts of town and busting out their best dance moves. Definitely give this track a listen and the video a watch.

Obey City - ↓ Down & Up ↑

Obey City first entered my life through Rustie's Radio 1 Essential Mix and I hope he doesn't leave any time soon. It's clear why Rustie has toured North America with Obey in recent weeks; he's got the Lucky Me sound down pat. Hip hop influenced percussion, chopped vocals and futuristic synths to the nines, Down & Up recalls shades of Hudson Mohawke, Machinedrum, and of course Rustie. Although the track doesn't necessarily bring anything unheard of to the style, it emulates it with deftness and savvy.

Vaun - Love and Learn

Smooth as silk production from relative newcomer Vaun; I can't get enough of this track right now. Ethereal vocals and warm synths flow effortlessly with a shifting sub to create what reminds me of a more soulful and spacious version of Icicle's 'Galactic Step'. You can also listen to a longer version of 'Love and Learn' uploaded to youtube here. It's worth the view to hear the song go double time on the third drop, it swings like a beast.

Mala - The Tunnel

I hadn't heard new work from Mala in a good while, so when I heard Mala In Cuba was up for release I was more than a bit ecstatic. As the title suggests, the Deep Medi label head has crafted 14 tracks infused with the vibrant and varied musical heritage of Cuba. Mala spares no opportunity to employ luscious acoustic instrumentation, lending the album a pervasive warmth and glow. The sound is refreshingly organic, eschewing the stylistic origins of dubstep (the industrial milieu of Croydon) for a rumba-tinged take on Mala's signature style. 'The Tunnel' is a heavy hitter showcasing exactly why I am so fond of this album already. Enjoy!

B.o.B. Feat. Lil Wayne - Strange Clouds (Big Dope P Remix)

I've had my eye on France's Big Dope P since I heard his remix of Canblaster and Berou's 'Kapongo Dance'    which caught my attention immediately with its unrelenting footwork beats and top-notch production quality. While typically I'm not the hugest fan of B.o.B or Weezy, Dope P has warped the track 'Strange Clouds' into a hyperactive dancefloor smasher that had me hooked from the first measure. The complimentary blend of hip-hop and juke is intensified with a pinch of electro and dubstep influence to keep things nice and crazy.

Al-Jabbah - نجمي الإسقاط (Astral Projection)

Middle Eastern percussion coupled with heavy bass is a marriage made in vibe heaven. Al-Jabbah of Ireland conjures a highly visceral yet atmospheric species of bass music that explores this combination and captivates thoroughly. Every track featured on Al-Jabbah's soundcloud including Astral Projection is crisply produced and rife with sonic texture. Put on some nice headphones or crank that sub, this is definitely worth a discerning listen.

MONGO SKATO - TRAI

Just recently I've noticed a trend of mine on this blog to focus more on established artists. Let's shake that up a bit with MONGO SKATO of New Zealand. In his track TRAI, Mongo exhibits raw talent and rhythm in a style that blends the fast, percussive bass hits of trap with steady melodic synth stabs reminiscent of house. Mongo's refined approach to footwork beats is addictive; here's hoping for a release sometime in the near future.

Flosstradamus - Rollup (Baauer Remix)

Whoops, its been a while, huh? The kids sure like their trap music these days. Chicago's Flosstradamus have poised themselves at the fore of this movement and they've got beats on beats to back them up. This remix by Brooklyn's Baauer gives "Rollup" more space to breathe than the original while keeping it dirt. Keep yo subs cranked.