To godspeed the release of two massive new releases from Mr. Beatnik and Benjamin Semtek on the Don’t Be Afraid imprint (check the music below if you still don’t know), there’ll be a big, bad and ugly party that’s definitely not for the meek, the incontinent or dudes with bad breath. It’s happening this Friday 27th May at Visions Banqueting Suite aka Visions Video Bar in Dalston. The DBA posse will be in full effect, as will the Portuguese duo Photonz, and the London-based artist Architeq. Also appearing on the night will be some local friends of the label from One-Handed Music – Paul White, Bullion and Alex Chase.

DBA004 & DBA005 Official Launch Party

Friday May 27th.
9pm-4am
Tickets £3 / £5 from Resident Advisor

Visions Video Bar
588 Kingsland Rd.
E8 4AH

DBA004 Semtek – West Acyd Shelter
Release Date: 20 / 05 / 2011

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

The fourth release on Don’t Be Afraid “West Acyd Shelter” takes one of the most important jazz funk records of the 1970’s as its starting point. Semtek rebuilds the legendary hook from scratch over a disorienting range of acid, broken and techno accoutrements leaving a tweaked out bassline stepper. Photonz bring their unique Lisbon via Essex style to the proceedings with an “I can’t believe it’s not garage” take on Semtek’s beat, proving yet again that they are a force to be reckoned with in 2011. The B-side “East Acyd Shelter” is a sparse analogue workout that would be at home as much in legendary and much missed Kings Cross hangout The Key, as it would in a James Bond soundtrack of the Timothy Dalton era.

DBA005 Mr. Beatnick – Synthetes EP
Release Date: 6 / 06 / 2011

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

Synthetes EP is the long-awaited new release from Mr. Beatnick. In development for over a year, it plots a fresh trajectory from hip hop to house to disco. The title track drives forward with bass and strings, “Don’t Walk Away…” weaves keys and vocal snips into a fine tapestry, “Casio Romance” is slower and contemplative, while Architeq imparts his own switching breakbeats to Synthetes in conclusion. The EP has already received plays from Gilles Peterson on his Radio 1 Worldwide show (twice in consecutive weeks), from Braiden on Rinse FM and from Darksky on NTS.