Selections: Om Unit
In this series, Selections, we invite DJs, producers and label heads to dig into their digital crates and share the contents of their Bandcamp collections. This week, as he releases his new album ‘Acid Dub Studies’, Bristol’s Om Unit digs deep for bass, breaks and space
In this series, Selections, we invite DJs, producers and label heads to dig into their digital crates and share the contents of their Bandcamp collections. While hearing new music played out by your favourite selectors has been put on hold as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, it’s never been easier, or more important, to support the artists and imprints releasing tracks, albums, EPs and comps in the midst of all the madness. In lieu of opportunities to discover new records on the dancefloor, Selections will give you the chance to nab sounds from the crates of tastemakers, and support the people behind them while you’re at it. Win-win, right?
This week, as he marks the release of his new album ‘Acid Dub Studies’, Bristol’s Om Unit digs deep for bass, breaks and space, sharing cuts from Coldtron, Impey, The Bug, Al Wootton, and more. The Cosmic Bridge don’s Selections are as varied as his own sound, which has over the years stretched across the spectrum of drum & bass into spheres of hip-hop, dubstep, footwork and beyond.
‘Acid Dub Studies’ finds Om Unit venturing into new territory once more, concocting a hypnotic fusion of dub reggae and 303 acid goodness. An adventure into murky sonic fog and spaced-out rhythms, it’s a deep, atmospheric collection you’ll find yourself nestling into again and again. Smoke-doused chill out room vibes set to the nines. You can check it out here.
Check out Om Unit’s Selections below.
“I don’t check for much ‘UK Hiphop’ to be fair, but this transcends all of the norms that are often associated with that tag. These guys are coming with something really honest, unphased by norms, most likely because they are all eclectic in their own solo ventures. Fresh! And one for the introverted.”
“Impey is one of those music producers I feel a sense of kinship with. He isn’t scared to do different things under one moniker. This EP is very solid. Lots of varied styles but all well-realised, well-mixed and convincing. ‘Peppered’ is my tip, techno dancehall with vibes!”
“I have a growing collection of ambient vinyl and this one is the latest addition. There is so much great ambient music being released all the time that I feel gets almost no coverage, which is really sad because artists like these guys, as well as people like Ulla Strauss, Evan Caminiti, Broshuda etc. are really crafting these great textures which personally speak to me often far more than the music I play in clubs! (Bring back the chill out room and book me for 5 hours please)”
“I had to grab this one as it’s a fine example of dubbed out acid (something I’ve explored recently in my latest album). The 303 really suits being blasted into space and this album presents that in an impressive way. It’s kinda throwback classic acid techno for the headphones, drum machine – 303 – reverb, let’s go.”
“Original-intention dub techno that would not sound out of place in a 1996 Chain Reaction compilation, but with arguably updated sonics. My choice cut off this is Deadbeat’s mix of Appleblim’s ‘Bladed Shogun’. Lush meandering sonics for the cerebral crew.”
“Dubmonger’s ‘Sample Pack Label’ has some totally slept on sample packs full of seriously, seriously good sounds – really processed and usable stuff for music producers. I love the democratic nature of Bandcamp and how you can sell stuff like this. My own packs have really helped me out financially during lockdowns and I know have helped music producers to expand their sound palette.”
“Futuristic dancehall filth. The Bug’s dancehall stuff I feel often doesn’t get the coverage it deserves somehow – people often lazily associating his name with early dubstep perhaps? Who knows. He’s a prolific evergreen for me and just keeps dropping notable releases (his recent with dis fig is dreamy AF) – Check vol. 2 for even more dirt.”
“Minimalistic, dubbed-out percussive garage action. I love most of Al’s stuff to be honest, most notably his recent ‘Holy Tongue’ project which isn’t dissimilar in essence to this, combining the tricked-out percussion with a garage flavour, kind of like early Shackleton but perhaps more ‘body’ if that’s a thing? Fuck knows - vibey anyway.”
“Amazing jungle. Dub-One makes the coldest amen tunes of all time, no contest. He’s known as ‘The Butcher’ for good reason. His tunes are just perfection when it comes to absolutely tearing the speakers to pieces and have the perfect mix of euphoria and shape cutting in the edits. If you have ever been to Rupture at Corsica you know. Slaughter.”
“Utterly slept on beats from How Du, aka Simiah, a known Bristol face who delivered this rare slice of really convincing downtempo textural lo-fi goodness back in December. Really solid two-tracker here for the after-hours. Smoked out goodness!”
