A Track-By-Track Breakdown of Retraflex's "Logarithmic" Album

After the big drum & bass boom, there were a plethora of imprints that ended up being laid to pasture. While some great imprints were lost, the majori

retraflex presents logarithmic cover

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retraflex presents logarithmic cover

After the big drum & bass boom, there were a plethora of imprints that ended up being laid to pasture. While some great imprints were lost, the majority of them fizzled due to lack of originality. There was just too many imprints trying to cash in on popular sounds while neglecting what made dnb so powerful: originality. Flexout Audio is one of the labels that rose from the ashes and has forged ahead. Two years strong, Flexout is built on providing an outlet for the producers many might sleep on, and we're loving that Retraflex, aka the duo who runs Flexout, has finally given us an epic album-length project, Logarithmic.

On Logarithmic, we get treated to sounds from artists we've been following, like Need For Mirrors, Philth, Chromatic, and Facing Jinx, as well as bits from Hyroglifics, nScape, Trex, Soligen, and others who we're glad to finally get some tunes from. Instead of a regular question and answer bit about the project, or giving our own fanciful viewpoints on the album, we wanted to get right to the source. Tom Retraflex was happy to oblige, giving us the scoop on the 24-track project from top to bottom. You can purchase the album now, but make sure you preview these tunes and get the scoop about what was chosen, why it was placed after certain tracks, and so much more. Here's Tom breaking down what has to be a courageous moment in a label's existence: their first album.

Barefoot - "Darkling Sky"

barefoot

We chose to open up the compilation with this beautiful piece of emotional, though-provoking soundscape drum and bass from Barefoot. We wanted to show the full spectrum of drum and bass in this compilation and evolve from this very minimal, chilled out sound to the full on tear-out drum & bass towards the end of the compilation.

Dominic Ridgway - "Outsider"

dominic ridgeway

This is one of the first tracks we signed for the compilation and shows that drum & bass can be calming, it can be beautiful and it can be something that you listen to when your relaxing. It has a timeless feel to it and follows on nicely from Barefoot’s track.

Static & Retraflex - "Kicking Habits"

retraflex

Moving forward onto the track we collaborated with Static on called "Kicking Habits." This track picks up the pace through prominent kick drums, but still has a very minimal feel to it. We both made the track soon after giving up smoking and I think looking back now those feelings really translated nicely into this piece of music.

Soligen - "Imperfections"

soligen

When we first heard this tune we were blown away by the vocal, which was written and sung by Soligen himself. He has a really nice tone to his voice and a great understanding of music. We love how this tunes rolls out and the way that it picks up the pace and energy within the compilation with touches of grit and intricate percussion.

Dominic Ridgway - "Part Of Me"

dominic ridgeway

This is the first tune on the compilation that has a traditional drum & bass beat but it still feels light and effortless. The deep diving sub bass sounds continue the mood created by "Imperfections" and as this compilation was designed to be listened to from start to finish, we felt this track was a great way to move to 2-step dnb organically and progress through the spectrum a little bit further.

Facing Jinx - "Intentions"

facing jinx

Good friend of the label and owner of Peer Pressure (who we work closely with) Facing Jinx stepped up here to deliver a track which encapsulates everything he loves about drum & bass. As ever the track is full of emotion, snappy beats and big bass and when he sent it across we knew it would fit perfectly here within the logarithmic journey of the compilation.

Bayou - "Careless"

bayou

This is one of my personal favourites on the compilation; there is so much good stuff coming out of Italy at the moment and Bayou is definitely one to watch out for in the future. As soon as we heard this track (through fellow Italian and Flexout family member Neve) we snapped it up straight away and we have played it in every set we’ve played since we received it.

Chromatic - "Funkanova"

chromatic

After the success of their debut EP on Flexout (Physics Of Emotion), we asked Chromatic to make us a tune for this compilation and "Funkanova" was what we got. A perfect blend of old-school and new, I don’t think I’ve heard anything else like it. It really signals that the energy of the compilation is gaining and changes the mood and direction of the compilation.

Incognito - "Remember"

retraflex presents logarithmic cover

Continuing the fun, New Zealander Incognito (who has a four-track EP coming out on Flexout in a couple of months) brings a dancehall flavour to the compilation with ‘Remember’. Mixing the dancehall vibes with drum and bass is always something we’ve been thinking of (seeing as they are a similar BPM) and when we were sent this track we knew we had to include it on the compilation.

Hyroglifics - "Kodo"

hyroglifics

Close friend of the label Hyroglifics has two tracks on this compilation and will be releasing more on the label in the future. This halftime number has been getting played out by Om Unit and with that deeper than deep bassline and snappy halftime beats its obvious why this one made its way into his sets.

Antagonist - "Virus"

antagonist

Entering the futuristic syncopated sounds from Antagonist, for us  "Virus" brings a dark dungeon feel to the LP and again this one has really got to be heard in a club to be understood fully. This tune shows great understanding of drum & bass and evolves nicely from the halftime beats of "Kodo." Its always a pleasure to give lesser known producers a platform for their sound and again Antagonist is another one to look out for in the future.

nScape - "Argument"

retraflex presents logarithmic cover

When we first heard the riddims from Ukranian producer nScape we were immediately interested in getting a track for the compilation, and what we love about this tune is the composition of the beat and the clarity of it. We love the way it rolls with a brilliantly simple bassline and lovely little fills. This ones got the groove!

Dekko - "Shook"

dekko

Another one of our personal favourites on the compilation, "Shook" by Dekko sounds massive on a big sound system and has been getting a lot of love. 10 points to anyone who can name the sample! This tune really needs to be heard in a club to be understood fully. You will hear it in the Retraflex sets for a long time to come.

Philth & Dubz D - "The Sign"

PHILTH

Flexout favourite Philth teams up once again with Dubz D; I still find it funny that Dubz D is one of Phil’s students! I just love the way these two work together and their sounds really compliment one another’s style. Look out for "Cold VIP" by these two as well, which we are giving away free from our Facebook page.

Hyroglifics - "Capricious"

hyroglifics

This is the second tune from Hyroglifics on the LP. "Capricious" has tonnes of energy and always gets me playing the ‘air drums’ whenever I hear it! To be honest we’ve never heard a track from Hyroglifics that we haven’t wanted to sign! I really don’t think it will be too long before you’ll be seeing him on big drum and bass line-ups all over the world and its great to have him involved in Flexout. 

Trex - "Evolve"

trex

Trex has got tunes for days! A couple of them will be released on Flexout later this year, but this one (which we found was a real grower) fits nicely within the compilation and signals the start of the harder, dirtier side of drum & bass that we begin to delve into. Trex is definitely one to look out for in the future.

Need For Mirrors - "Dead Wood"

need for mirrors fisheye

We have always been big fans of Need For Mirrors and they always play out at our parties, this tune has got real substance and for us optimizes the Need For Mirrors sound. It’s an honour to have them involved in the project and its great to have their full support for what we’re doing. 

Ben Fawce & P Fine - "Boiler Room"

ben fawce

Flexout residents Ben Fawce and P Fine return to Flexout showcasing their new deeper, darker sound. This tune is full of strong imagery and concept through both word and sound and as usual the boys deliver with a pure roller from the depths of the boiler room!

Protocol - "Veksd"

protocol wall

We are always keen to introduce new names to the world of drum & bass and when we were sent "Veksd" by Protocol we knew we wanted to be the label to harbour the first release from this exciting new London based producer. This techy roller has a hypnotizing sub bassline that sounds huge on a sound system.

Fade - "Inspired By Insane"

retraflex presents logarithmic cover

After the release of his single "Handmade Rage" on Flexout, Fade is back with this weighty roller that once again needs to be heard on a big sound system to be understood fully. We are huge fans of Fade and have been for a while now so its been great to have him involved in this project and wicked to have his full support on what we’re doing.

One87 - "Impact Winter"

one87

We were introduced to One87 through mutual friends Need For Mirrors, his production has real weight to it and he has a great understanding of the music. With previous releases on Critical and plenty more unreleased tunes under his belt, One87 is one to look out for. We only recently found out that he is also owner and resident at the biggest drum & bass night in Europe, Starwarz, in his home country of Belgium – a true drum & bass pionner!

Philth - "Shadows"

PHILTH

Philth’s second tune on the compilation comes in the form of "Shadows," and as we come towards the end of the compilation things really start to get dark and nasty! This has been a staple part of our sets for well over a year now and its great for it to finally see the light of day!

Neve & Mastaba Audio - "Quadra"

retraflex presents logarithmic cover

Never a man to shy away from a collaboration, Flexout’s Neve returns after the success of his first single "All Spark" with fellow Italian Mastaba Audio. This tune has a wicked introduction and a weighty drop that rolls really nicely. We are really excited about Neve’s debut EP on Flexout coming out later this year, with support from the likes of Nymfo & Reso he really is one to watch out for! 

Andy Pain & Z Connection - "Monster"

andypain zconnection

What else can be said about these two young Russians that have made a massive impact on the drum & bass scene? This tune sums them up for us; with snappy beats and a rowdy bassline, this is definitely a tune that we will draw for in clubs for a long time coming. It's worth mentioning that their new LP forthcoming on Hustle Audio is pretty special too and we are really happy that they got involved in this project and close the compilation.

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