It’s another jam-packed issue this month — no summer slacking for us lot. As you’ve probably already noticed, we’ve heroed Kode9’s great Hyperdub label this issue with a superb-looking gatefold cover. Hyperdub’s futuristic vision has been a cornerstone of the UK bass scene since its inception 15 years ago, introducing us to Burial, footwork, gqom and more over the years, continuing onwards despite the tragic deaths of two key members of the crew.
Their strictly underground ethos has brought Hyperdub a legion of dedicated fans who lap up their merch, releases and lovingly curated nights, and it’s a privilege to be able to celebrate them here in this special issue (page 33 onwards). Elsewhere in the mag we meet Colleen ‘Cosmo’ Murphy (p51), a disciple of dance music pioneer David Mancuso who’s been bringing her version of The Loft parties to the UK and enriching the scene with her Classic Album Sundays events and eclectic DJ sets. We spend some time at home with Hot Since 82 (p58), one of the UK’s biggest DJs these days; chat to boundary-traversing house star Jayda G about her environmental activism and latest album for Ninja Tune (p64); and get renowned US DJ Garth to talk us through the overarching influence of West Coast free party soundsystems on the Californian scene (p90).
We also round-up this year’s amazing Glastonbury Festival (p69), which was certainly one of the greatest I’ve ever attended. Of course, with 85+ stages of entertainment and all the rest of it, it’s impossible to catch even one-hundredth of what’s going on, but it’s safe to say that our scene was represented in its full glory like never before. With Stormzy ruling the Pyramid Stage, a whole load of grime artists on the bill, and the cream of the dance scene playing at Silver Hayes, Block9, The Glade and Shangri-La, and all manner of other weird and wonderful little tents, stages and temporary eco-structures, it was a fantastic long weekend.
Whatever you’re up to, hope you’re having a great summer!
CARL LOBEN
Editor