DJ Chart: Dominic Petrie (Xplicit, Ingredients Records)

This month we dip into drum 'n' bass offerings courtesy of producer and resident of Edinburgh's Xplicit, Dominic Petrie

Feature by Ronan Martin | 07 May 2014

A consistent player in Edinburgh’s club scene over the last few years, Dominic Petrie has built a keen understanding of what it takes to keep crowds interested. As a resident at Xplicit, the city’s celebrated drum 'n' bass club, he has held his own alongside the likes of Calyx & Teebee, London Elektricity, Chase & Status and Spectrasoul. As a producer, his music has found its way on to a host labels such as Phuzion Digital, Sound Artillery and Nerve Recordings.

Petrie’s most recent release was last year’s Tomorrow Now EP, put out through Clive Broe’s Ingredients Recordings, home to the likes of Response and Dub Phizix. Tomorrow Now is a seven-track showcase for Petrie’s subtle and deeply immersive take on drum 'n' bass. At times calm and introspective, at others dark and brooding, this release shows the full extent of his progress as a producer so far.

As an introduction to the kind of cuts he regularly unleashes on Edinburgh crowds, and with an audio insight or two into the roots of his own music, Dominic kindly shared ten of his current top tracks for our consideration.

FIS – Preparations EP [Tri-Angle Records]
Enigmatic New Zealand producer FIS is right at the forefront of the experimental side of d'n'b at the minute. This EP is completely off the wall and almost impenetrable for the listener and DJ alike. Brilliant. 

Kid Drama – In Mind [Exit Records]
I’ve been playing this track out in the clubs for months now. One half of Instra:mental, Kid Drama played a big part in the Autonomic movement that kicked new life back into d'n'b in 2009. In Mind sums up the Autonomic ethos nicely. Real analogue synths and stripped back drum machine rhythms. 

Dominic Petrie – Exponent of Escape [Ingredients]
A sparse half time stepper off my Tomorrow Now EP released late last year on the Manchester-based Ingredients Records label. 

Overlook – Everything Counts [Narratives]
This recent 12" encapsulates why people are calling Narratives one of the best labels in d'n'b in 2014. Everything Counts is a real slow burner of a track that builds and grows throughout. 

Calibre – Fear of Letting Go (Feat. DRS) [Signature]
To call Calibre prolific is an understatement. Off his ninth solo album since 2001, this track is another in a long line of Calibre/DRS collaborations. The perfect partnership.  

Sam KDC – Survive Exist [Samurai Red Seal]
Sam KDC’s recent output on the New Zealand-based Samurai Red Seal label. Shuffled, lo-fi percussion mixed deep in the music that hints towards Burial. 

Ivy Lab – Live On Your Smile [Critical]
Sabre, Halogenix and Stray collectively known as Ivy Lab have been creating some of the most evocative music in d'n'b for a while now. This track is off their recent EP on Critical Music.

Thing – Future Roots [31 Recordings]
Blue Note-era legend Doc Scott has recently revived his 31 Records label with incredible music. This one is a stark half time track from Polish producer Thing that rolls along nicely.

Synkro & Robert Manos – In My Arms [Apollo]
Synkro and vocalist Robert Manos team up on this track off their recent Lost Here EP. Stripped back, soulful and perfectly executed. 

Alix Perez feat. DJ Rashad & DJ Spinn - Don't This Ish [Exit Records]
I can’t say I’ve been a huge fan of the whole footwork/d'n'b crossover that’s happened in recent months, but this one is on point. Alix Perez teaming up with Chicago juke veterans DJ Rashad & DJ Spinn on dBridge's Exit Records label.  

soundcloud.com/dominicpetrie http://dominicpetrie.com