Artist: Random Movment / Squash
A. Random Movement - Scotch Bonnet
AA. Squash - P-Style
Cat no: Intrigue004. Digital release date: 02.12.09

Intrigue Music is on a roll. Although only launched at the beginning of the year, this latest release from US stalwart Random Movement and fresh UK talent Squash is already the fourth for Ben Soundscape’s lovingly curated imprint.

Scotch Bonnet’ is classic Random Movement: a laidback roller with a soulful swagger that’s alive with lush musicality and riddled with detail. Set to a groove of natural breaks, the warm bass and lazy keys are set afire by a delightful, crooning Jazz vocal. This is a slice of proper ‘liquid funk’ brought bang up to date – a rarity in today’s increasingly minimal D&B soundscape.

With ‘P Style’, Intrigue is proud to introduce the awesome talents of Squash, vivaciously marking the beginning of what’s set to be an exciting year for this London-based producer. Impressively fusing the most modern sounding of bass-led grooves with a reassuringly familiar piano leadline, Squash flaunts his studio skills and sonic insight. Relentlessly interesting and inherently progressive, this is a remarkable debut that refuses to settle in any pigeon-hole.

This latest pair of tracks to come thundering from the Intrigue stable is doing serious damage on dancefloors worldwide.

Artist: The Insiders
A. Meltdown (featuring Ayah)
AA. Cold Steel
Cat no: Intrigue003. Digital release date: 27.05.09

After setting the standard with a critically lauded first release, and then securing the talents of no less than Break and Survival for the second, label bosses The Insiders step things up another level for Intrigue Music with this colossal 12”.

The Insiders have been in the drum & bass game longer than most, with releases on legendary imprints such as 31 Records, Creative Source and Defunked already beneath their belts and over six years tirelessly pushing the deeper shades of D&B in their home city of Bristol at Ben Soundsape's Intrigue club nights.

And yet, 2009 is set to be The Insiders’ biggest year yet.

Meltdown is of such quality and possesses a sound so completely timeless, that it’s no surprise it was originally snapped up by Goldie for Metalheadz’s ‘Drum & Bass Headhunterz’ long-player in 2006. Now, what has become The Insider’s signature track gets a natural second home and deserved vinyl release on Intrigue. Led by the swooning vocals of Ayah, and with its use of an enduring palette of jungle/D&B bass and breaks and sublime sonic textures, Meltdown sounds as fresh now as it ever did, but benefits from a new found relevance within the increasingly distinct deeper side of D&B.

Cold Steel is more than a match for its illustrious flipside; a glorious cacophony of classic drum breaks and distorted, shamelessly moody bass with a twisted progression that refuses to relent. Stripping back to pensive amen-filled grooves with a tint of Detroit, before building the intensity to feverish peaks once more, Cold Steel is a pure, percussive groove with real punch.

With this release The Insiders stay true to Intrigue’s ethos of pushing the deeper, more leftfield sides of D&B, but inject a floor-filling energy that will no doubt surprise many and simply delight dancefloors.

Both tracks have featured in the sets of Goldie, Storm, Bailey, D-Bridge, A.I. and Digital.

Artist: Break / Survival
A. Break - Out of Nowhere
AA. Survival - Cross Fire
Cat no: Intrigue002. Digital release date: 16.04.09

Hot on the heels of its widely-acclaimed inaugural 12” from The Insiders, Intrigue returns with a second release that boldly proclaims the nascent Bristol-based label’s ambitious intent.

Delivering a track each from two of D&B’s most credible and respected talents, the mighty Break and Survival, Intrigue further enforces its mandate for delivering and supporting only the very best, most thoughtful music that D&B has to offer.

Having really established his name with releases on labels such as Quarantine and DNAudio, the release last year of Break’s critically-lauded debut LP proved his talents run far deeper than solely the teched-out, twisted grooves for which he had become notorious.

And for his first track of 2009, Break continues to demonstrate this versatility with the sumptuously soulful, dub-heavy vibes of Out Of Nowhere. Positively bristling with rhythm and dripping in funk, this sublime track has recently been heard in the sets of Die, The Insiders and Marcus Intalex.

Following an outstanding year of releasing music on elite imprints such as Shogun and Quarantine, Survival takes time out from working on his debut album for D-Bridge’s Exit label to deliver the captivating, cinematic sounds of Cross Fire.

Survival’s unique, dreamy soundscapes fuse faultlessly with booming subs, distorted snarling bass and a militant, rolling groove. Laden with the deepest of vibes, the undulating depth of this track forces your head down and your eyes shut as you succumb to its irresistible swaying rhythm and unshakable atmospheres. Currently receiving plays from D-Bridge, Break and The Insiders amongst others.