Heroes of 2011: Number 11

Label of the year for me has to have released only 100% hits. This year with two eps from label boss Semtek and the first release by Northern By Nature favourite Mr Beatnick in over a year, Don't Be Afraid are the deserving receprecants.

Not only were they producing some amazing material themselves, their choices of remixers; BNJMN, Architeq, Photonz and DJ 3000, plus they are great djs and deep diggers right across the board and just generally nice guys. Sickening isn't it?

Semtek - Pizza (DJ 3000 Remix)
Mr Beatnick - Sythetes

Mr Beatnick VS Semtek : DBA Launch Mix by Don't Be Afraid on Mixcloud

Don’t Be Afraid

A little follow up to yesterday's post of the Semtek Space Invader Mix, today comes the promo's for his label's next two releases. Don't Be Afraid.


Semtek delivers another quality techno / house / acid production to add to his growing catalogue of gems but it is his choice of remixers which always particularly interest me. He always seems to get great people in to work with, such as Mr G and Mr Beatnick, and with Portugal's Photonz he delivers once again.


 
DBA004 Semtek - West Acyd Shelter EP (W / Photonz Remix) by Semtek


Mr Beatnick had been a bit quiet of late with just a couple of remixes released in the last year so The Synthetes EP is a very welcomed return.  Check a rip of the title track below. On first listen it appears to be a bit of a departure from his usual beats sound to a more house / disco influenced, string laden vibe, but just watch out for the drop. Heavy.


Finally, Beatnick's debut show on NTS radio starts tonight, 8-10pm, and is obviously going to be essential listening. http://www.ntslive.co.uk/


 
Synthetes - ripped off BBC Radio 1 Gilles Peterson show by mrbeatnick


To launch the releases, the label is taking over Visions Video Bar, Dalston on Friday 27th May with both Semtek and Mr Beatnick being joined by the remixers on each of their tracks; Photonz and Architeq and One Handed Music's Paul White, Bullion and Alex Chase. Tickets