His much lauded new album has been gathering rave reviews from industry insiders, his label Hotflush is going from strength to strength with a string of quality releases and his new EP “The Hope” is garnering airplay across an eclectic mix of radio stations.

It’s a good time to be Scuba. He’s come a long way from his early days going to jungle and house nights in London before moving his production sound towards the fledgling dubstep scene.

From there it has slowly developed towards house and techno with this new EP demonstrating a mature sound and highlighting his exceptional production skills.

It’s only January and this is already a candidate for one of the best tunes of 2012. Released on Feb 6th and available at Boomkat.

We just can’t get enough of Scuba or his Hotflush imprint at the moment. Starting 2012 off with a flyer in the shape of the Locked Groove EP, Scuba also recorded mix out for Mary Anne Hobbs amazing XFM show.

It offers a taster of some amazing new tracks due to drop in the coming months, including the new EP and album from Scuba himself.

It already looks like Hotflush will be at the top of the label tree yet again come the end of the year.

While Scuba and his Hotflush imprint are working their way to the top of many people’s end of year list, the mysterious producer Close looks likely to be making a huge mark on 2012 with his/her forthcoming debut album.

While the identity of the producer remains a closely kept secret, several remixes and tasters have appeared from their studio. The best of which so far is this tasty rework of Scuba’s “Never”.

Free download courtesy of XLR8R.

Scuba – Never (Close rmx)

There is much love for Scuba at Phuturelabs. His productions under both his own name as well as SCB are always top quality. Lets not forget, however that he (Paul Rose) also runs one of our favourite labels (more of that later!). He also recently curated a DJ Kicks mix for !K7 which is on repeat in the headphone at the moment.

When we got new he was coming to Glasgow, the excitement was palpable. The guys bringing him to the city are the brains behind the amazing video lead site EQTV. If you haven’t checked it out yet, we highly recommend you do as its crammed full of amazing club videos and interviews with more top DJ’s than I care to mention.

They have lined up the excellent new venue Chambre 69 for the evening of the 9th for what is sure to be an outstanding party. For the chance to win two tickets just send an e mail to competitions@phuturelabs.com with Scuba in the title and answer the following question.

“What is the name of Scuba’s record label?”

Check out the excellent promo video below and also click on the Facebook page for further details of the evening. You can also click here for ticket sales as you don’t want to miss out.

While we are at it, pin your ears to this excellent mix from Sonar this year courtesy of the guys at Warm.

I’ve been down in Manchester this week and as this was where I first discovered the glorious Krispy Kreme doughnut, I always make sure to bring some back with me whenever I venture that way.

So if you’re lucky enough to live in a city where you can buy these – get some down your neck along with these free tunes…and why oh why is there no Krispy Kreme in Glasgow!?

Kicking things off this week we’ve got a fantastic Machinedrum remix of Scuba’s “M.A.R.S.” courtesy of XLR8R. The original can only be found on Scuba’s Dj Kicks album and this rework is a lovely slab of moody beats.

Scuba – M.A.R.S. (Machinedrum rmx)

Next up we’ve got a deep dnb roller from Mako & Mute courtesy of Mixmag.

Mute and Mako – Dubbed Out by Mixmag

With a new album about to drop and a tour underway Apparat is a busy boy. What a nice gesture then to give this tune away for free. Grab it now!

Apparat / Goodbye (Instrumental) by apparat

Aussie producer Dro Carey is on the rise. To celebrate his forthcoming release for Ramp Recordings we have for you the free track “Promothug”. He also has a new mix for FACT worth some ear time.

Dro Carey – Promothug ~ free download by RAMP Recordings / PTN

We first encountered Ifan Dafydd a few months ago and played a tune of his on our radio show. Lovely synth tones and snappy percussion and complimented with warped vocal that bring comparisons to early James Blake. Respect to NME and XLR8R.

Ifan Dafydd – Miranda

Last one today comes from Salva and we change into our boogie clothes for this one. His new EP “Yellobone” is due in 2 weeks and this freebie wets the appetite nicely.

Salva – Obsession (feat. B. Bravo)

Any new work from Scuba is always welcomed with open arms here at the Labs. When we hear that it’s his most dancefloor focused track to date we’re all ears.

Once again Hotflush come up with the goods. We love the more melodic aspect of the b side tracks but its all about the title track “Adrenalin”

Available now for pre-order at the Hotflush shop.

Scuba – Adrenalin EP [HF030] by Hotflush

SCB is the house/techno alter ego of Paul Rose, better known as UK bass pioneer and Hotflush Recordings owner Scuba. With masses of quality releases under his belt, his new EP “Loss / FutureUnknown”, on Will Saul’s imprint Aus Music , is the first original SCB material to surface outside of Rose’s own circle of labels.

“Loss” opens with a spaced out vibe complimented by chopped up vocals before building up to become a dancefloor stomper. “Future Unknown” on the flip is a darker more atmospheric cut that finishes with a more euphoric feel.

Both tracks are top quality and you can pick this up on 12″ now at Chemical and Rubadub. Also available digitally at the usual outlets.

SCB – Loss

SCB – Future Unknown

Exit Records launched in 2003 with the label’s initial output coming from label owner dBridge himself. Over the past 6 years and nearly 30 releases however, artists such as Instra:mental, Survival, Genotype, Goldie/Rufige Kru and many more have made their mark on the label. As well as 12″ vinyl, there have been five album projects and several limited edition 10″ releases and the label has built itself a reputation as being at the forefront of the more cutting edge elements within the drum n bass scene.

The end of January sees them unveil their latest and by far most ambitious project – Mosaic Volume One. Spread over two CDs, the album features material from names you’ll know such as Skream, Scuba and Distance and also a few new names such as Stray and Mode that you’ll want to keep an eye on for the future.

While the album could be defined as drum n bass by the respective BPM’s of the material, most of the music contained easily shakes off any misguided preconceptions that you might have of the genre. From experimental, atmospheric led pieces such as Dan Habarnam’s “Nu Este Roz” and Consequence’s “Splinter” to electro tinged works like Distance’s “Fading” and dBridge’s “Rendezvous” right through to more straight up dnb tracks like Skream’s “Motorway” this is a phenomenal collection of material.

I’ve picked out a few tasters below to give you a flavour of the album (from dBridge’s Soundcloud), two vinyl samplers are available and the full double CD release is on the 31st of January.

Skream – Motorway by dBridge

Dan HabarNam – Nu Este Roz by dBridge

Scuba – In_2_ by dBridge

Hotflush are maybe one of the most underrated labels of 2010. While not big on the number of releases, the quality is always very high.

To kick off 2011 they have George FitzGerald back with the “Don’t You” EP. Its 2 step and garage leanings intertwined with a high synth repeat is combined with a low soulful vocal edit to create a strangely hypnotic brew. The flip side has a more upfront beat by SCB while still retaining the atmosphere of the original.

George FitzGerald – Don’t You

After the release of his massive album earlier this year “Triangulations” which we covered here, Scuba has been gathering remix support of all who are hot news in electronic music for the rework business. Just released on Hotflush is a double CD with the original tracks on one and remixes on the other.

With the likes of Deadboy, Deadbeat, Falty DL and Will Saul it can’t fail to be an amazing record. We wanted to share the Deadboy mix of “Before” and encourage you to buy this EP. Lovely stuttering drums and sharp synths are overlaid expertly over the atmospheric original track. You can get it at Boomkat.

Scuba – Before (Deadboy Remix)

You can also check out a little mini mix of the whole EP below.

Scuba – Triangulation (Interpretations) by Hotflush