For those D&B fans who aren’t aware Digital and his seriously impressive canon work that goes back as far as 1993, now’s the time to get acquainted. In addition to having multiple classic releases on labels like Metalheadz, Renegade Hardware, V Recordings and Techinque, his own imprint Function Records has been active for most his long career. Dedicated to the deeper and darker spectrum drum & bass, to celebrate its 50th release Digital has put together a compilation LP called Shadows and due out November 8.
Shadows features exclusive darkstep and deep bass tracks from Digital himself, Total Science, Drumsound & Bassline Smith, Trace, Klute, Calibre and Jet Li just to name a few. Your EDM managed to get a hold the exclusive stream “Wasabi” by Seba & Jr. Vallo ahead the albums full release. Seba, like Digital, has a long and storied career and has kept the integrity their own style throughout the many phases D&B. He’s teamed up with relative newcomer Jr. Vallo recently on a number smooth yet deep tracks on Seba’s own label, Secret Operations, but “Wasabi” has taken their partnership to the next level.
All the tracks on Shadows hone in on the darkstep flavor that’s characterized Function lo these 19 years and “Wasabi” is no exception. With lots old school elements like a second snare that syncopates to every other kick, chopped up amen breaks at the phrase transitions and lots deep rolling sub bass as its synth, the track is really a classic darkstep vibe through-and-through and won’t be in any way mistaken as being part the current foghorn trend. It’s also got some high-pitched and minor key ambient synths that make the track sound even more eerie, dark and very original rave.
Digital hand-picked the artists for Shadows and asked them to produce their own take on the Function Records sound and each artist delivered. In the case “Wasabi,” it’s a classic darkstep track with modern engineering and Seba’s ultra-smooth touch. It doesn’t get much better than that for deep D&B lovers.
Shadows releases on November 8 for the Function50 project and can be pre-ordered in both digital and limited edition vinyl by clicking here.