after first meeting stef smith aka lakosa at a birmingham warehouse rave back in 2010, the 2nd drop camp have been keeping an eye on this burgeoning talent, especially as he has popped music out on kerri chandlers madtech imprint among others. co-producer rick grant is 1/3 of take records and with releases on george fitzgeralds manmakemusic label, another key talent making moves this year. and despite having never met each other (they communicate via email and bass frequencies), it seems that when they collaborate the magic happens.

lakosa & io are third to grace the madtech roster with their dancefloor banger home early, which features remixes by west norwood cassette library and the 17 year old exceptionally talented experimental grime producer pedro 123. home early is a punchy house track weighted by bass and marching with the suave speed of 4/4 house. its sultry vocals and samples tease the determined beat that drops in and out developing a bold breakdown. the track sits nicely between house and uk bass, giving it the flexibility to sit within an array of styles in future sets and mixes. west norwood cassette librarys remix gives the original a disco tinge with the use of strings and vintage sounding samples. the vocal is scrunched and ricochets neatly off the carefully placed beats and samples. the pedro 123 remix gives the original a smack of grime and a refreshing sound. pedro stretches the vocal into a smooth echo that drifts over the top of his clipped punching bass line. a grime-tinged wobble and a bassy beat resonates beneath pedros impeccable percussive production.

rome is the new four-track ep from 22-year-old electronic producer kashii. his style resonates twangs of many current genres including uk bass, house, tech-house and garage. currently signed to southern fried, kashii is releasing an exclusive ep with madtech, with remixes from up-and-coming producers south london ordnance and lakosa.