In terms of releases, both Appleblim and his label Applepips have been fairly quiet the last six months – one slow jacked house release in collaboration with fellow producer October, and two prime dubtech steppers from Orphan 101 back in January. Despite the relatively low key appearances, these two records both ended up completely sold out on many online distributors and went on to soundtrack a lot of DJ’s’ and producers’ sets. It’s this conservative approach and careful planning of each release, that has ended up branding Applepips as one of the most seminal labels of the ever evolving sound of Dubstep, Techno and House. Six months on from the Orphan 101 drop and they’re proud to drop a much anticipated release from another talented Bristolian named Arkist, who has slowly been bubbling up with a number of releases on Immerse, Deca Rhythm and a collab with Komonazmuk on If Symptoms Persist.
On the A side ‘Rendezvous’ will most likely be the track that gets the crowd downing their drink at the bar and making a swift excursion to what we assume will be a very busy dance floor. At 136 BPM, the track opens up with a long opened pad and tinkling synth droplets that subtly increase as the bass slowly develops in a timely chorded progression. This is all stripped back for the lavishing drop, rolling in with the punchy 2-step drum pattern, melodic bassline and some voluptuous vocal sampling. Every now and then an alluring 4 note synth line comes breathing in an almost dream like shot of fresh air over the main rhythm. What’s also amazing, even if not originally intended by Arkist, is if pitched down right down to 124, you can see how similar the track is rhythmically structured to artists such as Danny Daze, Jamie Jones and other house artists with that deep prominent housey bassline. Obviously we prefer you to play it at the original BPM but it’s a real insight to how Applepips music is so well engineered to appeal to people outside the usual circles.
Arkist changes things up for the B-Side, taking a more melodic and collected approach with a track named ‘Fill My Coffee’ that one could describe as the perfect flip. Again, opening with subtle synth trickles the track then track commences its first onslaught with a half time pattern, and funked out bassline. The second of space before this bassline comes in from the first kick is literally sublime and should see a barrage of people boogieing down in an array of libidinous movements. Not to outdo itself in the very first two minutes, the synth trickles slowly make their way in again as the main synth line carves an awe inspiring crescendo. What follows next is pure bliss. A real headphone day groover, as well as one for the club.
