LOCUS returns with its latest VA ‘LOCUS Trax Vol. 3’, welcoming label debuts from Jamahr, Mehlor, Project89, Manuel De Lorenzi and Giacomo Silvestri.

Now established as a standalone label in its own right, FUSE’s sister imprint LOCUS continues to prove itself as a go-to stop for forward-thinking and fresh house music with minimal-leaning influences from both established and emerging talent. Returning with the third instalment of its VA series ‘LOCUS Trax’, April brings five new names to the label as Captea boss Jamahr, Leeds-based DJ/producer Mehlor, and Dutch talent Project89 serve up fresh singles alongside a slick collaboration from Italian pairing Manuel De Lorenzi and Giacomo Silvestri.

Jamahr opens the package with an impactful combination of slick drums, resonant vocals and warped basslines across ‘Night Tales’, while Mehlor’s ‘BSOD’ offers up off-kilter electronics, skippy percussion and woozy low-ends. On the flip, Project89’s ‘What’s Going On’ delivers a peppy groove accented by atmospheric pads and spaced-out aesthetics, before closing via the tight, rolling grooves of Manuel De Lorenzi and Giacomo Silvestri’s ‘Sit Down’ as the two unveil a heads-down, hands-up terrance anthem.

LOCUS Trax Volume 3 drops on 26th May 2023 via digital and physical formats.

A master of his craft, Moscoman seamlessly mixes the old with the new in Can You Dig It as the classic Monkees track from their 1968 album Head is woven throughout - sampling at its best. "By infusing the Laurel Canyon vibes of The Monkees' 'Can You Dig It' into my new single, I wanted to pay homage to a timeless era and also to bring a fresh twist to it and make sure to get everyone diggin' it." Moscoman

When talking about Rob The Plants, Moscoman comments on how the EP “is a sonic journey through some charted, and also uncharted territories. By going to the edge of the sound ranges of my production I think I managed to find my centre." Opening the EP is Bouabre with an all encompassing and hypnotic bassline beaconing the listener to the dancefloor, whilst melding together a glitchy vocal in true Moscoman style. Title track Rob The Plants hones in on Moscoman’s ability to fuse together a range of techniques, culminating in a dance floor ready heavy hitter. An addictive and driving bassline plays on throughout, whilst a catchy vocal and warm guitar licks are intertwined. Gradually increasing in intensity and closing the EP Nishar Levad is an emotionally charged offering ladened with atmospheric synths, haunting guitar chords and an inviting groove.

CFCF returns with a glossy, euphoric and bright 150 BPM utopian shimmer and robotic vocal cooings courtesy of the mysteriously and adorably rendered vocaloid boy, “Troy”. First recorded in 2018, and blessed in 2020 with a pair of remixes from fellow Canadian dancefloor legends Priori & Ciel, the 9-minute-plus, 3/4 thump of “Never Going Home” has been a staple of CFCF DJ sets for the last few years. Montreal’s Priori’s mix brings a heady braindance crackle, with thick breaks, pinging signals and FM bass, while Toronto’s Ciel goes deep on a dubby and skittery ‘homesick bounce’. CFCF himself closes out the package with a wistful acoustic reprise suitable for a post-euphoria bittersweet sunrise.

Octave One's deep and downtempo album “Never on Sunday” arrives in late April 2023. Before that, they release a special reworking of the album single “The Bearer”. Injected with the spine-tinglingly vocal performance from Karina Mia, the Burden Brothers revisit the track with a stripped sultry production ready for dance floors and playlists alike. Leading up to their new collection of deep rhythmic journeys and thoughtful atmospheric material, the ‘Brother’s Burden Pt1’ mix is a soulful mid-tempo groove that introduces you to Octave One’s “Never on Sunday” album in fine style.

MC Fats was a beloved figure in the drum and bass community, known for his smooth vocals and infectious energy on the mic. With a career spanning over two decades, he collaborated with some of the biggest names in the genre, including DJ Hype, Calibre, Alix Perez, and of course the multi genre chart topping Chase & Status!

Sadly, MC Fats passed away in March 2023, leaving behind a legacy of incredible music and unforgettable performances. But his influence lives on, and his music continues to inspire and uplift fans around the world. One of MC Fats' final releases is a new single called Anytime, in collaboration with Drum and Bass legend and producer partner Cool Hand Flex.

As one of Suburban Base original artist roster we were delighted to welcome them ‘back home’, and Fats was excited to see the reaction and plays the Anytime was already gaining. Having discussed with Flex, his dear friend and long-time collaborator, we together feel that it's appropriate that this release goes ahead as a tribute to our brother.

The track features MC Fats' signature soulful vocals, layered over Flex's classic jungle beats and modern production techniques. The single also includes an incredible remix from up-and-coming producer FreezeUK, adding a stunning version to the package which is already gaining maximum play nationwide.

Anytime is a testament to MC Fats' enduring talent and passion for Drum and Bass music. It's a reminder of the joy and energy he brought to the scene, and a tribute to his unforgettable voice and spirit. As we mourn the loss of MC Fats, we celebrate his incredible legacy and the impact he had on the Drum and Bass community.

His music will live on, inspiring new generations of artists and fans alike. Don't miss your chance to own this essential piece of Drum and Bass history - pre-order your copy of ‘Anytime’ now, and join us in celebrating the life and music of MC Fats.

ANYTIME will be released on vinyl & digital formats April 2023

RAVETRX is back on SHERELLE & NAINA’s Hooversound imprint, and it’s a real headturner. If the UK artist’s first contribution to the label was unapologetically ‘90s-facing, ‘14 Down The Dip’ is practically legging it back into a muddy field somewhere along the UK’s growing network of motorways. One thing’s for sure—we’re gonna be here all night.

RAVETRX sets the stage with sounds of a single airhorn and distant crowd before launching into a pounding groove. The title track snapshots a rave well underway: fresh off the M1 and checking out the usual suspects: speedfreaks stepping to white-noise kicks, teens screwfacing to rascally rave synths, and someone swaying wide-eyed to those happy hardcore piano lines.

‘Ruff Enuff Stuff’ goes out to the system heads, rolling the EP into jungle tekno via Patois vocals, crisp breaks and subs. But don’t be fooled by these warmer frequencies—on the flip, RAVETRX jumps back into rave mayhem with ‘On A Mission’, amens going head to head with a snarling bassline. And just when you thought it couldn’t get any heavier, Hooversound label-mate Nova Cheq finishes up the EP with a merciless gabber rework of ‘On A Mission’, sizzling with twitchy acid that’ll speak to the restless and underslept.

An essential cop for the hardcore junglists out there!

Birds chirp through a tape-hiss breeze atop a bed of airy pads, and a cleareyed, forlorn guitar springs forth: this is the beginning of the debut album from Sans Merit, a new rock project from Griffin James, otherwise known as Francis Inferno Orchestra.

For over a decade, the Melbourne-raised—and now L.A.-based—producer has been indulging his indie and alt interests, and this fuzzed-out bedroom janglepop and shoegaze LP, Early Grave, is his first extensive deliverance.

The album represents a gestalt of sorts: years of approaching different genres and songwriting styles, and producing not “in the box,” with soft synths and
samples, but with live instruments (and sometimes a band), has led to this focused and succinct thirteen-track musical journey.

In pursuit of a pure and low-key aesthetic, James recorded demos on phones and chose to rely heavily on budget instruments, clapped-out synths, and
crappy amps, and would often cut tapes live in bedrooms, lay down vocal takes in closets and put microphones to broken speakers, all in part of the quest of using limited resources to create a truthful body of work. The finishing touch is a thick coating of nostalgia ooze; soundbites from internet clips flitter throughout the record, and goofy sound effects flicker above like dying incandescent bulbs.

A dream-pop album for our times: its lyrics are off-kilter romantic musings, sarcastic self-loathing mumbles, reflections on the unrealness of real life.

Aptly titled, ‘Welcome’ is the debut album from Don Glori. A kaleidoscopic free dive into his world, featuring 8 recordings of revolving jazz, Brazilian, soul and funk inspired compositions spinning together and blurring into a genre bending slew of new music.

There is an intangible element of joy and connection sitting just outside the grasp of description or definition that can be felt throughout this album. Each song on this album captures the spirit and irrepressible energy that underpins the core of the Don Glori project.

Imperfections are captured along with the moments of transcendence. Layers of vocal harmonies oscillate next to pulsating samba rhythms while spiritual overtones permeate throughout. Congas and percussion form a holy union with the drum kit, co-piloted by Don Glori’s own bass lines.

Saxophones, horns and flutes flutter in between the musical canyons carved out by the piano and vibraphone. When you press all of these forces together you can start to feel the intangible; the intrinsic human elements existing in the creases. The sweat, excitement and willingness of each musician to dedicate their spirit and take risks on every track of this album.

It’s clear from the outset that this is an expansive body of work, from the spiritual jazz opener ‘Maiden Waters’ to the bubbling street party that is ‘Dlareme’, and ending on the unashamedly seductive ‘Commodore’. This is the kind of record that will translate equally well to both the dance floor and the lounge room rug.