Dexter's Beat Laboratory Vol. 117
Dexter’s Beat Laboratory is a weekly collection of songs from DA managing editor Robyn Dexter. With a taste that can only be described as eclectic—to say nothing of a name that lends itself to punnery—DA is happy to present a selection of tracks personally curated by Dexter for your listening pleasure.
Listen in playlist format here.
The Knocks released “Colors” in the final days of summer 2019, seeming to wish farewell to warm-weather days with the dreamy and bright single. A few months later, remixes for the tune have begun to trickle out, including this latest one from Robokid. The Los Angeles-based producer has kicked the song into a new key and injected it with energy. It’s infectious.
Scottish disco maestro Last Island has been on a roll in 2019, churning out more than a dozen tunes since February. Among them are his Sustain EP and an otherworldly rendition of Madeon‘s “All My Friends,” and he follows them up with a remix of Ellis and ILY‘s “Falling Through.” He’s infused the single with more electro and disco elements, giving it an entirely new feel.
Vancouver duo The Funk Hunters are back with another effortlessly funky masterpiece. They’ve tapped the talents of A.Skillz for “Body Move,” and the result is a piece that’s captivating both in its beats and in its vocals. It combines elements across the electronic music spectrum, encouraging listeners of all persuasions to embrace it in its entirety.
Friction‘s music is timeless, and his deep involvement in the drum ‘n’ bass community has led more than two decades worth of fans to embrace his artistry. The former BBC Radio 1 host takes to his own Elevate Records to release his newest tune: the much-anticipated “Good To Me.” Powerful female vocals lead the introduction, building steadily into the hefty drum ‘n’ bass rhythms the producer’s become so well-known for.
Side note: Only a snippet of “Good To Me” is available on SoundCloud, but you can find the full version here.
Camo & Krooked never shy away from pushing the drum ‘n’ bass envelope. Their incorporation of different styles of dnb make singles like their latest, “Set It Off,” make their music intriguing to the ear. American rapper Jeru The Damaja lends his fearless vocals to the verses, largely stepping back on the chorus to let the unique drop shine through.
