Emilio Dimitri aka HLZ is one of our favourite up and coming producers.
A former member of the ingenious Need For Mirrors project, HLZ now operates as a solo artist. Hailing from Italy, HLZ has registered releases on some of the biggest labels in the Drum & Bass spectrum such as, Samurai Recordings, Spearhead Records and V Recordings.
Emilio’s style of drum & bass has brought the funk element back into drum & bass. HLZ has championed the art of combining old school flavours and infusing with his style of dishing out deep, funk driven rollers, without the tune losing their exclusivity.
For his first release of 2018, HLZ has delivered a sensational four track EP on Dispatch Recordings. Returning to Dispatch, this time as a solo artist, the Italian has delivered 4 sublime cuts with two digital bonus tunes, which we feel is his finest work yet.
The title track ‘Vectors’ takes us back to the good old days when neurofunk drum & bass was at its peak. Carrying a pulsating bassline, ‘Vectors’ is a deep punchy roller meant to destroy the dancefloor.
Next up is ‘Abracatabla’. Like ‘Vectors’, Abracatabla’ also involves some impressive drum with a mix of carefully arranged staccato hits which push the rhythm to a whole new level.
‘Clusters’ is pure drum & bass nostalgia which reminds us of the classic V Recordings outputs. Deep, dark rolling sounds all the way through.
Bonus track ‘Funk O’ Clock’ is exactly how the name suggests. Funky, deep and groovy. With soaring textures and a mind numbing bassline, ‘Funk O’ Clock’ is our personal favourite from the EP.
‘Kronos’ carries a growling synth and crisp drum pattern creating a certified dance-floor destroyer, as well as a testament of the Italian’s ever evolving style.
The entire EP is guaranteed nostalgia and the second bonus tune ‘Black Lodge’ explains why. The track is an uncompromising drum & bass roller which takes us back to the early Ed Rush & Optical days.
Grab your copy here.
