We are very excited to welcome DJ QGB to the All Centre fold for ACEN057. After releasing two exceptional LPs in 2018 and 2022, he steps out from his own label Present Tense for the first time to explore a club-ready approach to his singularly intricate sound. Across the four tracks, he strips his work down to basics and chases “expensive sounds”.
Kicking things off in a wonky half-time groove, Animus Type Beat guides the listener through a heady, dubbed-out soundscape with forceful, stuttering kicks. Mechanical vocal chops and dub sirens give way to a tense, urgent melody which sounds and then submerges back into the track’s compelling percussive explorations.
The Truth, featuring Freesound uploader Roses1401, takes on classic UKG ideas and transposes them firmly into the future with intricate, optimising sound design. Heavily swung drums hold down a hypnotic groove while subsonic basslines dive below. Meanwhile, haunting vocal samples and powerful string swells add a dramatic edge to the track.
Powpowpoww lives up to its name with a rushing, high-energy groove punctuated by synth swoops and oddball percussive sounds. An understated bassline makes its way to the fore with the addition of a glitched-out M1 organ patch, which plays out a haunting harmony to the addictive sub pattern.
QGB closes the EP with Halloween Track, a tense, kickless excursion. A stuttering, percussive melody lays the groundwork for the track, whilst manic samples and percussion build the tension to increasingly strained levels. The arrangement gives way to a heavy reese-bass breakdown before simmering out with repeated vocal chops.
Expensive Sounds is available across all digital platforms from March 8th.
credits
released March 8, 2024
Written & Produced by DJ QGB
Artwork by Bette Blanchard
Mastered by Robert Venning
supported by 11 fans who also own “Expensive Sounds”
My whole body agrees with the pace of this short but solid track list. A generous helping of acoustic rhythm samples ignited by breakbeats add extra attention to full range movement on the dancefloor. Not a beat wasted. cherub420
supported by 10 fans who also own “Expensive Sounds”
All the tracks are great but Stepper is the standout for me! pounding syncopated kicks, rolling handdrums and playful sample work, dancefloor destroyer. Jack G.
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