Fruit & Veg is a hardcore collective from London and Bristol comprising of Martin Drake, Rich Williams, Dave Cridge and James Towler. With two white label releases to their name, differing members are responsible for each tune. These EPs are highly sought after on Discogs and change hands for high prices.
This EP is the first of their collaborative efforts and only 500 white labels were released and sold out the back of a van across London and the South West of England back in 1993. The are now brought to you on heavyweight green vinyl. More

Repress!

What a monster release... two total darkside classic by DJ Fokus and engineered by Pete Parsons at Monroe's. More

This record was originally released by us in 2019 on yellow vinyl, part of the Holy Quattro. Only 250 were pressed back then and sold out that year. We have done a limited repress of 150 units on 180g black vinyl. More

Chalke aka Life On Mars aka Forces Of Nature is a bit of a mystical legend in the drum & bass circles. An old school friend of LTJ Bukem, the two of them grew up together in North London and it is down to him that Bukem started to DJ, with Chalke as his original MC!

This is the second release Chalke has done with Vinyl Fanatiks – his first was VFS002 which has long since sold out and already a collectable repress on Discogs.
Chalke was so far ahead of the curve in his production and ability to create tracks that surprisingly these two tunes were written in 1993 and 1994 and pre-date the whole ‘intelligent’ drum and bass movement that took over the globe in the mid-90s!

Both tracks were never released and have sat on DAT for 30 years… until now. ‘Moonbase Alpha’ is a cult track in the drum and bass world as it was played by Bukem during the mid-90s, both in his sets and on his Kiss show. Deep, rolling and beautifully progressive for the era. ‘Quosh Up’ is equally as stunning, musical and rolling… like one of Bukem’s DJ sets during the Good Looking era.

Limited pressing on 180g heavyweight black vinyl, presented in a black inner sleeve with a Vinyl Fanatiks 3mm spined housebag. More

Brian Fenner, aka DJ Monita, first started to hit the clubs as a DJ in 1991, making his debut at the Paradise Club on a Thursday night, but when he first started to make his tapes, he didn’t have a DJ name and the tapes went out nameless, explaining why no one on the estate knew it was him behind the mixtapes. “An old girlfriend told me that I needed to sort myself out with a DJ name, so I did. Though I wasn’t very imaginative with it back then, I just named myself after monitor speakers!” Brian laughs “But I wish I didn’t change the spelling to Monita all those years ago as people keep thinking that I am a Spanish female DJ!”

This is was the 12th release that Monita put out on his Skeleton Recordings, released in 1994. Now remastered and repressed on heavyweight green vinyl. More

Originally released on Southampton label Adrenalin Records run by Stu J. Stu J was a big shaker in the south coast rave industry in the early 90’s and played at all the top clubs in the area including Sterns, Kevins House and Madisons. It was Madisons though that he had the biggest impact, leaving a long-lasting legacy to this day. It was at this venue that Stu J caned this 12” which would later become an anthem at raves up and down the country in 1991 and 1992.

KZ1 was from Eastleigh, just outside of Southampton and this was his only release, though he did remix 3rd Rail on Delirious Recordings the following year (repressed in 2019 Vinyl fanatiks – VFS008). At the same time, he was a writer for Blaze, Wax and Hit The Decks magazines as well as a reviewer of rave releases at Mixmag. On top of that, he was Fantazia’s official photographer during this era. But he then disappeared from the industry, leaving this handstamped white label release as his only legacy, until now.

Repressed on 180g heavyweight vinyl. Take a trip back to 1991 and the high energy that was the UK rave scene. More

We have done a small repress of this mega Ellis Dee release that came out originally on his CAT Label in 1994 and was repressed by us in 2021. This has been sold out for a very long time but the demand has built up, so we have decided to repress one more time. More

This is a very collectable EP within the breakbeat/hardcore scene with copies changing hands in excess of £350.00. Written by London born Mixmaster Max whose first step into public life was that of a breakdancer in the early 80’s when he was just a kid with a crew called The Back Street Warriors, showcasing his talents at the infamous Covent Garden jams of the same era. He then got into DJing and scratching and entered the DMC Championships and is credited as the inventor of the Topsy Turvey – stacking turntables on top of each other for a DJ routine!

As like many DJ’s around the late 80’s in London he gravitated out of hip hop and into the rave culture and from here he started to perform at many events such as Fantazia, The Pirate Club, Turnmills and the Hacienda in Manchester as well as a residency on a Friday night alongside John Saunderson - the General Manager of DMC - at Camden Palace. From his club work he started to play on the London pirates Kool FM and Centreforce and on legal stations Peoples Choice and Avenues FM.

These tracks are precursors to the soon to blossom jungle scene and highlight Max’s musical history with his creative sample play. You won’t find much more authentic hardcore than this EP, which really highlights the sound of London back in 1993. More

Minds At Large comprise of Zak and Hoj from Watford, North London who were active between 1992 – 1997, releasing on their label Choicest Music. Most of their releases were white label only releases, some handwritten, others stickered. Each release was a limited pressing and since they debuted over 30 years ago, they have become hugely popular and collectable.

Here is out first release with the group – 4 tracks of hardcore/early jungle.

Only 350 pressed on an incredible marbled vinyl. More

This record was on our radar for quite some time, but we didn’t know who the artist actually was as it was incorrectly credited on Discogs. But as luck would have it, whilst speaking about this release to our artwork guy at the label, Diplomat, he said that he knew them! So, a few emails and phonecalls later and we had arranged this repress.

Originally this only came out as a white label in 1993 on Dance Bass Records out of Essex which was part owned by Battery 03! A highly sought after EP like all releases on Vinyl Fanatiks, these four tracks perfectly encapsulate the sound of the early 90’s Essex scene.

Only 350 pressed on an incredible marbled vinyl. More

The Rave Doctor – a pseudonym of Dave Wallace, who had a huge input and impact in the UK rave, hardcore, jungle and drum & bass scenes under numerous names such as Mad Dog, Fugitive as well as Aquasky, plus many, many others!

This is the second EP under his Rave Doctor alias that was originally released in 1993 on the Southampton label Adrenalin Records, that was run by Stu J (who also had a release on Vinyl Fanatiks a few years back). Featuring the track ‘Ruff In The Jungle’ that went on to become an anthem in Tenerife where 10,000 ravers will all throw their hands up and cheer when its dropped at a festival. I am reliably told that the track is bigger than Liquid’s ‘Sweet Harmony’ over there which came as quite a surprise to Dave who only recently found this out.

All four tunes are anthemic party tracks with that Dave Wallace melodic midas touch. If you like this, then grab a copy of The Rave Doctor ‘Lost In Bass’ EP which is still available via Sequence. More

Spirits From An Urban Jungle – A group consisting of JMJ & Richie (Moving Shadow/Good Looking) and Tekniq (Moving Shadow/Formation) who released two EPs on Whitehouse Records in 1994 and a recent, quickly sold out, EP on Vinyl Fanatiks sister label – Amen brother.

Their first release on Whitehouse was repressed by Vinyl Fanatiks in 2020 on red vinyl and sold out. This is a limited run on blue vinyl and is some deeper, Bukem styled tracks that pre-dated the ‘intelligent’ drum & bass sound that went stratospheric the following year.

Rolling in da shadows… More

One of the most imaginative, creative EP’s we have ever put out on Vinyl Fanatiks. Originally released on Three Scar Records in 1993, Silver Fox’s own label, hailing from Wolverhampton. Back in 2019 it was repressed on Vinyl Fanatiks on orange vinyl but sold out before it got to distribution, so grab a copy while you can.

This EP has incredible sample usage and amazing depth and texture for a hardcore release, I do not think there is another release like it from that era. Silver Fox use to rent a flat with Goldie when they lived in the city as they were both on a printing course. Silver Fox stayed in the Wolverhampton and put his printing course to good use, making rave t-shirts which he would sell at Club Kinetic and Quest in Wolverhampton – two rave clubs that were renowned across the UK at that time. He now runs Ricochet Print and does all the merch for Vinyl Fanatiks.

This is an EP you can listen from start to finish and be taken on a trip to a time when Akai samplers were being brutalised and Cubase was the king of the rollers.

Only 140 have been pressed on 180g pink marbled vinyl. More

This is the third of the Mad Dog releases – and is often cited as the best release they did back in the day. Pure hardcore jungle flavours written in 1994 in sunny Bournemouth by Dave ‘Aquasky’ Wallace and Shaun ‘Aurora’ O’Hara.

Originally released by Olly on Underdog Recordings, who shared a house with Dave and also Brent from Aquasky. A hub of hardcore – the studio was on the ground floor, the bedrooms on the second floor and the top floor was the record label and pirate radio that ran for a while!

Around the same time this record was made, Dave was also producing as Fugitive and engineering for Kieron Aquasky’s various drum and bass tracks. On top of that he was making happy hardcore as Rebel Alliance and engineering hip hop for Brent Aquasky. A very busy guy who is still producing in 2024!

Pressed by the mighty Phil ‘The Vinylman’ East on 180g heavyweight vinyl. This release is a bespoke product as no one record is the same. Designed to look like the planet Neptune and part of a 4 vinyl Cosmik series.

OMG! More

Aquasky are a trio that formed in Bournemouth in 1995, inspired by the likes of LTJ Bukem, DJ Krust and Roni Size. They were signed to Moving Shadow for a three-single deal by the strength of the first two tracks that they made together. But the label had a heavy release schedule back then, so it took 2 years for the 3 releases to come out. During that time though they wrote more music for R&S and Reinforced as well as untold remixes.

These two tracks were written whilst signed to Moving Shadow but were not released at the time as drum and bass was progressing in style and tempo. So, they were put to DAT and forgotten about until 2015 when the band put out a 20 year compilation, finding the tracks on one of their many DAT tapes.

The music will take you right back to the mid-90’s when the music was deep and rolling and there were no hard and fat rules on how to make drum & bass.

This release has a close connection to Vinyl Fanatiks as the label is run by Brent from Aquasky.

Pressed by the mighty Phil ‘The Vinylman’ East on 180g heavyweight vinyl. This release is a bespoke product as no one record is the same. Designed to look like the planet Mars and part of a 4 vinyl Cosmik series.

Keep em rollin’ More

Digging back into the Vinyl Fanatiks catalogue, we travel back to 2019. One of the most popular groups that we release on Vinyl Fanatiks – Mad Dog – which is comprised of Dave Wallace from Aquasky and Shaun O’Hara from Aurora. The repress of this EP was funded by a Kickstarter campaign and each copy was hand stamped and numbered. Due to its popularity, this never went into distribution back then.

Originally released in 1993 on Underdog Recordings out of Bournemouth, this was a big Bukem track from that time, played twice in his Dreamscape New Years Eve set as midnight struck! Created in the Avon Studios in Charminster, Bournemouth, where two thirds of Aquasky lived and Underdog Recordings was based. There was even a pirate radio being broadcast from the attic too! The House Of Rave as we all use to call it.

This studio was also responsible for the Fugitive releases, the early Moving Shadow Aquasky releases as well as the home of Stormtrooper Recordings – a UK Happy Hardcore label featuring The Rebel Alliance (which was also Dave and Shaun!) Who would know Bournemouth was responsible for so much of the UK’s dance history!

Only 140 have been pressed on 180g pink marbled vinyl. More

*Limited to 150 copies worldwide*

Dave Wallace and Shaun O’Hara created Mad Dog as their first collaboration project back in 1992, later to go on and also form Fugitive – both projects being released in the early 90’s by Bournemouth based Underdog Recordings.

In 2018 Vinyl Fanatiks repressed their first EP and in 2019 Mad Dog 2 was re-released. This 7” is the 7” edits of Mad Dog 2 – a huge release back in the day and more recently for us, selling out in a few months.

This jukebox holed release is one for the collectors and those who like to drop 7” selections in their sets.

King of the mini platters… More

*Limited to 150 copies worldwide*

Two tracks that were lost for nearly 30 years on ¼ tape but rediscovered by Void Acoustics head honcho Roger – who also wrote the music back in 92! Originally pressed in 2019 on yellow vinyl by Vinyl Fanatiks – the tracks have had the 7” edit treatment by Rog, creating a unique collectors item for the hardcore heads out there.

Back to attack! More

Aquasky are a trio that formed in Bournemouth in 1995, inspired by the likes of LTJ Bukem, DJ Krust and Roni Size. They were signed to Moving Shadow for a three-single deal by the strength of the first two tracks that they made together. But the label had a heavy release schedule back then, so it took 2 years for the 3 releases to come out. During that time though they wrote more music for R&S and Reinforced as well as untold remixes.

These two tracks were written whilst signed to Moving Shadow but were not released at the time as drum and bass was progressing in style and tempo. So, they were put to DAT and forgotten about until 2015 when the band put out a 20 year compilation, finding the tracks on one of their many DAT tapes.

The music will take you right back to the mid-90’s when the music was deep and rolling and there were no hard and fat rules on how to make drum & bass.

This release has a close connection to Vinyl Fanatiks as the label is run by Brent from Aquasky.

Pressed by the mighty Phil ‘The Vinylman’ East on 180g heavyweight vinyl. This release is a bespoke product as no one record is the same. Designed to look like the planet Mars and part of a 4 vinyl Cosmik series.

Keep em rollin’ More

Following on from their Fabric presents mix compilation and a busy summer of touring, including 2x sold out All Night Long shows in London - Chaos In The CBD return with 'Outdoor Limit’ to complete the 'Sirena Deep’ EP on their much loved In Dust We Trust imprint.

Sirena Deep
This classy Deep House track has a warm and deep rolling bass line and beautifully layered keys. Washed over with a stunning flute accompaniment from long-term collaborator and legendary jazz musician Nathan Haines which adds the extra magic to this outstanding production.

Outdoor Limit
On the B-side the boys deliver a slightly darker, mischievous and moody roller with ‘Outdoor Limit’ - an 8 minute journey through minimal grooves, in what feels like the perfect soundscape for getting lost in a dark room in the small hours. More

Sold out on preorder - Repress lands beginning of may!!

With an intrigue for a particular niche of old UK hardcore which takes cues from Sheffield bleep ambience, heady rave futurism and soft, almost new age synth pads, Blank Mind presents ‘Lost Paradise: Blissed Out Hardcore 91-94’. Though the records gathered for the compilation span a short three-year period and bridge the gap between scenes, the collection manages to find a sweet spot where the influence of Warp’s Artificial Intelligence, back room chill out sonics and the nascent jungle boom meet with elements of Italian piano house and slower breakbeat cuts.

Opting to focus on atmosphere to highlight shared connections; in this case the duality of often serene and calming soundscapes with frenzied breaks and bass (see Hedgehog Affair’s ‘Parameters’ and Luxury’s ‘Twirl’ respectively); Lost Paradise is a formidable collection of tracks plucked from a thriving time for British dance music experimentation. The general themes of ascension and escapism channelled through digital samplers are also inescapably linked to a turbulent time in politics, beginning in the post-Thatcher years and culminating in the year the harshest anti-rave Criminal Justice Act came into force.

Initially building the compilation around DJ Mayhem’s track ‘Inesse’, Blank Mind label founder Sam Purcell and Amsterdam based producer Tammo Hesselink began a process of swapping favourites and deep cuts to spread across this 2x12” doublepack. The compilation avoids any obvious centrepieces through masterful sequencing, allowing for moments of refrain and tempo changes in a way that helps add to their overall vision of what this music is and can be; “We wanted to frame hardcore in a different light, looking at this idea of ecstasy through the traditional meaning of the word and exploring that symbolism”. By drawing from what some might consider the softer edges of the movement, the pair offer a look into the relevance of these tracks in the contemporary era, where the past years have seen both an explosion in popularity of old ambient/new-age music and a certified jungle revival.

Additional notes:

All tracks licensed to Blank Mind by licence holders

All tracks remastered from original DATs, with the exception of Sleepwalker (A1) which has been professionally ripped and cleaned More

The final volume of this mammoth collection of music from Bristolian electronic music pioneer Krust is finally upon us, and like the previous parts of this collection it boasts an assemblage of music of different energies, vibes and feelings. The music contained within spans decades yet somehow refuses to be locked to one 'era' or 'style'. This is what makes this release unmissable for the hardcore fan, newcomer or completist.

'Irrational Numbers' is a meticulously curated collection of five parts, available on both vinyl and digital formats. The compilation is a treasure trove of hand-picked records and archival gems from Krust's extensive discography, thoughtfully remastered and presented anew for both devoted fans and newcomers.

'Irrational Numbers' features a dizzying array of self-released 12" cuts, exclusive unreleased VIPs and dub-plates, alongside epic major label widescreen classics. It's an unmissable journey through the sonic output of one of the UK's most distinctive and forward-looking producers.

Featured on part 5 are some groundbreaking entries into Krust's massive back catalogue. The live bass driven jazz inflected 'Second Movement' from his acclaimed 'Coded Language' LP jostles alongside the speaker smashing machine funk of 'Break Ya Neck' as well as a couple of more recent productions including the sleek and sinister 'The Portal', which is undeniably the man at his best, in full electronic stealth mode.

For longtime Krust enthusiasts, this project serves as a fond reminder of the boundless creativity and originality that flourished during the early 1990s and beyond. For those new to his work, it presents an enthralling introduction to innovative electronic music that has comfortably set the tone for generations to come. Get ready to experience the evolution of sound and immerse yourself in the visionary artistry of Krust. More

Outrage debuts on Over/Shadow with Goodbye and In the Dark. 2 awesome cuts that perfectly display Andrews unique ability to dip into jungle and DnB with both finesse and dance floor killers. More

The next chapter in Axis Expressionist Series, A collection of vinyl and limited digital releases, curated by Millsart, an alias of Jeff Mills, of his most eclectic and transcendent compositions that derive from his Every Dog Has Its Day project aswell as new unreleased works.



"Tear Drop Nebula" (A1): a different version Tear Drop Nebula (The Octagon Mix)) was released in Every Dog Has Its Day vol. 7 in 2020 (digital at Axisrecords.com only).

"Rationalizing our place amongst the Stars is a referendum. A mandate in the scale of a space-time continuum, which is a task that might seem infinitely cavernous to most, but a lifelong mandate to others. As nature's allowance of time just isn't favorable to an average human lifespan of a 100 years, this task must be inherited and handed down in the method of an acoustical trust. Rhythm considered as a safe depository.

Neo Tantric Parts is about high premium thought processes about simplicity and oneness. Diagnostic in the way it blends time, rhythm and harmony together as a proposal to consider placement in this moment of time". - Millsart



Tracklist



A1. Millsart - Tear Drop Nebula (Reworked Mix)

A2. Millsart - The Phonetic World

B1. Millsart - Neptunian Landing

B2. Millsart - Unidentified More

Tracklisting
A1 Aural Imbalance - Spacewaves
A2 Aural Imbalance - Tranquil Sea
B1 Aural Imbalance - Concordia
B2 Aural Imbalance - Fading Fields

Sales Note
A1 - Spacewaves
Opening the EP in thunderous style, Aural Imbalance chops impeccable, clean amen breaks, rolling sublimely into a chorus of fluid, delicate keys. The track whisks the listener atop the crest of wavy edits before a quietly turbulent assortment of blips and notes punctuate a bass-heavy breakdown. The latter half combines the elements in surreal harmony for a triump hant crescendo, buoyed by the truly vibrant breaks.
A2 - Tranquil Sea
A masterclass in subsurface ambience introduces Tranquil Sea, glistening melodies cascade into punchy breakbeats, setting the pace. Brimming with sunken off-key 808 bass resonating unpredictably with the spirit of the ocean, Aural Imbalance gently builds the vibe with soothing waves of mesmerising soundscapes as the beats rumble on, inviting you to dance amidst the swirling currents of his inimitable sound.
AA1 - Concordia
Old school analogue breaks take center stage as Aural Imbalance rewinds the clock for a great dancefloor-friendly slice of history with a modern Spatial twist. Quiet plinky keys bubble underneath long, whooshing ripples of the sea, echoed hi hats and a distinctive classic bassline intertwine perfectly, carrying you to uncharted sonic territories that will linger in the recesses of your mind long after the needle is lifted.
AA2 - Fading Fields
Delicate cymbal work and stirring pads combine deliciously before the listener is lifted to blissful serenity with a sumptuous tapestry of synths and micro melodies set to an immense, head nodding break pattern. The noteworthy kickdrum delivers a classic analogue stomp while the drums joyously encircle them
in their droves, showcasing further the variety and density Aural Imbalance offers. More

Tracklisting
A1 ASC - Synergy
A2 ASC - Suspended Animation
B1 ASC - Repetition
B2 ASC - Pharaoh

Sales Note
A1 - Synergy
A long-awaited release for seasoned fans of the label familiar with ASC's DJ sets since creating Spatial, Synergy has been requested for release many times and is finally here - and it hasn't aged a bit. A track which lifts you gradually through a true journey of escalating, dynamic atmospheric soundscapes with crisp detailed break patterns that ebb and flow to an intricate collage of synths, keys and vocal hits to an inquisitive melody. A
stunning piece which somehow has something new to offer each time you hear it.

A2 - Suspended Animation
Conjuring an ethereal feeling with grand atmospheric backdrops reminiscent of early Intense, Suspended Animation is a calming yet suspenseful track which slowly builds with expressive break patterns and minimal kickdrums as subtle basslines rumble below. Long echoing effects and melodies gently nudge the proceedings forward, ASC once again showcasing the diversity of his production toolset.

AA1 - Repetition
It's been a while since a pure two-step drum loop has had this much impact - make no mistake - the breaks of Repetition will bore their way into your brain like Pulp Fiction did in the mid 90's with a thumping kickdrum and stabbing snare tweaked to perfection. While the beats drive the track along, a collage of audio texture surrounds them with a signature female vocal sample closing out phrases filled with finely tuned synthwork.

AA2 - Pharaoh
Landing with immediate impact and building the mood with a subdued urgency, the Hot Pants breaks of Pharaoh surf the dunes of sound to an abundance of sheer atmosphere as ASC crafts a stunningly evocative track which is aptly titled, transporting the listener to mystical Egyptian sands, the synths and horns whispering like the echoes of of a bygone era demanding their timely reprise through the medium of Spatial.
Epic.

Words by Chris Hayes. More