Kasra’s After Hours Selections

From its origins in 2002 Critical Music has gone from strength to strength to become one of the most trusted labels in the world of drum n bass. Kasra, the brain behind the imprint, has stayed true to the label’s original vision over the years and esteemed producers such as Breakage, Calibre and Total Science have all graced its discography as well as a plethora of burgeoning new talent.

He’s also a fine DJ and producer in his own right with his talents behind the turntables being put to fine use on a Fabriclive mix recently and his productions picking up support from the great and the good.

The label have put out several brilliant compilations over the years alongside the barrage of top notch 12″s and their latest outing “Underground Sonics” sees them gather exclusive new material from some of drum n bass’s finest producers including Noisia, Stray, Dub Phizix and many more with Kasra himself making a couple of appearances also.

You can grab the album as two vinyl samplers (Part 1 / Part 2) or digital download over at Juno now.

As Kasra spends a fair amount of time providing music for packed dancefloors around the world, we caught up with him to find out about the tunes and albums he seeks out when it’s recovery time…

Kasra’s After Hours Selections

Gent Mason – Eden

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A new producer I discovered a few months ago. His music has a blissed out trippy RNB feel to it. Definitely one to watch for 2014.

Animal Collective – What Would I Want? Sky

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One of my favourite bands with a little gem, squirrelled away on an EP from a few years back. Nearly seven minutes split into two, starting off with 3 minutes of jangling mess then drifts into wonderful slack poetry.

Andy Stott – Sleepless

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My favourite cut from the last Andy Stott album, “Luxury Problems” which was one of my favourite albums of 2012. Looping, hypnotic and beautiful all at the same time.

I highly recommend you check this album out.

Arctic Monkeys – I Wanna Be Yours

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“I wanna be your vacuum cleaner, breathing in your dust” thats all I’m gonna say, from IMO the best album of 2013.

Grouper – Alien Observer

Grouper is a solo project from Liz Harris, an American musician and artist. I adore Grouper, its what I listen to when I get back from a hectic show or on a stressful flight.

Beautiful and captivating.

John Coltrane – A Love Supreme

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This is my Sunday afternoon, feet up, listening intently whilst roasting meat in the oven album. Always listen on vinyl, always. Just an incredible work of musicianship and feeling that is an experience.

Portishead – Dummy

This record still sounds as amazing now as the day I first heard it, an album that takes you to a cold and unsettling place but ultimately is such a rewarding and beautiful listen.

Calibre – The Way That You Move

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Arguably the greatest drum and bass producer ever and this track, for me, is one of his finest. A showcase of his deft use of samples and ability to capture a mood and feeling with ease.

All hail Calibre!

Get your ears around all the tracks from Underground Sonics below:

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Paul McFadyen