Craggz and Parallel exploded onto the scene in 2005 with the Anthemic Fizzy Piglets.
The track was quickly picked up by Dillinja and Lemon D’s prestigous Valve Recordings and become an instant hit gaining huge support across the board from the Drum and Bass elite to Radio 1′s Zane Lowe and Annie Mac. The track went straight to the top of the national dance, independent and Drum and Bass charts on its release firmly establishing Craggz and Parallel as an outfit to look out for.

An exclusive album deal for Valve quickly followed and the guys relocated from they’re home town Newcastle to London to begin working on the debut LP. At this time they also decided to set up their own label ‘Product Recordings’ to allow them to experiment with different styles. In the space of a year the label released three 12′s which all hit the top of the Drum & Bass charts. Tracks like ‘Flatfoot’ ‘Red Octopus’ and ‘Train Track’ showed their flexibility as producers. Their next release for Valve ‘Love Insane’ was their first number 1 in the Drum & Bass charts and went on to reach numbers 6 and 11 in the National Dance and Independent charts respectively.

Amidst all of this they were becoming an in demand remix outfit producing no less than 13 remixes in an 18-month period for some of the scenes biggest labels. They remixed Roni Size for V Recordings, Marky & XRS for Innerground, Total Science for C.I.A, London Elektricity for Hospital and Jenna G for Bingo, to name but a few.

The album ‘Northern Soul’ Including a bonus live CD engineered by Dillinja was released on Valve Recordings at the end of 2006. It received rave reviews across the music press, their sound was coined “the Drum & Bass equivalent of Nu Yorican Soul” The record also achieved album of the month in most dance music publications. It reached number 6 in IDJ’s top 100 albums of the year and Mixmag hailed it as “exceptional”.

As DJ’s they have toured the world extensively from London to Japan gaining a reputation for high impact party sets blending all styles of Drum & Bass past present and future alongside a healthy serving of their own latest exclusives straight from the studio.

After the release of the album the guys were keen to create something new and innovative, they took their time to experiment and develop a new sound, a strong electronic theme began to emerge in their productions. The first 12” that encapsulated this new direction was ‘Shake the Disease/Magnetise’ released on their own Product imprint in early 2009. The support this time around came from a different selection of DJ’s, grabbing the attention of Goldie, Marcus Intalex and D-Bridge amongst others. The decision to commence work on their second album was made, the aptly titled ‘Turn the Page’.
A decision was made to avoid sampling to create a new and original sound, even the majority of drum sounds were triggered from classic drum machines. A diverse selection of vocalists provided the project with an exciting vocal palette. Tough Hip Hop battle rhymes from DRS, 80’s tinged Dépêche Mode style vocals provided by Warren Dite and the Techno influenced spoken word of Winterman. The end result was an album that varies in mood and tempo, from deep and minimal Electronica to tough and growling dance floor riddims for Drum & Bass heads and lovers of Electronic music alike. 

The album again won critical acclaim receiving album of the week in the Independent newspaper as well as the the title track ‘Turn The Page’ being snapped up by Andy C to open his most recent installment of the hugely popular night life series on Ram Records.

After releasing two remixes from the album by two of scenes hottest producers Jubei and Need For Mirrors towards the end of last year Craggz and Parallel are ready once again to unleash a whole host of fresh material in 2012.
Where will the sound go next? Watch this space…….

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UfLfqzYuFC0

You can pre order the album on itunes now

http://itunes.apple.com/gb/preorder/hospitality-summer-drum-bass/id526534430

For all DJ bookings in the UK and Europe we are now represented by Evolution Artists.

 
Check out what Data Transmission had to say about the latest release on Product Recordings.

www.datatransmission.co.uk

Click to buy www.surus.co.uk

Kmag invite us to to take you inside the studio where we reveal some trade secrets and top tips for improving your production.

Click the link below:

www.kmag.co.uk

Out on Product Recordings

Future Shock (Jubei remix) / Turn The Page (Need For Mirrors remix).

Available to buy from all the usual shops online and in the real world.

Buy the 12″ limited vinyl from the Product shop and get the MP3′s for free!

Buy now

www.surus.co.uk

Beatport asked us to pick a few tracks for their Weekend Weapons feature. Check the link to see the tunes that we selected. Guaranteed to smash up any dancefloor!

www.beatport.com

To celebrate the launch of our next product release we’ve invited some special guests to spin at our monthly event 4 Points at East Village.

BASEMENT 10>3 DRUM & BASS / JUNGLE

KRUST (REBEL INSTINCT)

FLIGHT (PLAY:MUSIK / RINSE / METALHEADZ)

NEED FOR MIRRORS

CRAGGZ & PARALLEL

SIREN (VICIOUS CIRCLE & UNIVERSAL PROJECT)

MCs: MANTMAST & MESSY MC

9>11 ECLECTIC SELECTION

EVESON & SAM KDC

East Village

89 Great Eastern Street

London EC2A 3HX

Jubei jumps up to add his take on ‘Future Shock’…and what a job he does. The intro is sick, the drop is sick and the tough drums are just….sick! Bass stabs and surges into the mix like a precision swordsman as the track gets to work demolishing those who bare witness. An awesome dropout ensues and we’re back into it right up to the end. Big bad and very, very heavy.

The lovely people at DOA asked us some questions & we supplied them with an exclusive mix full of freshness – av a listen & enjoy

www.dogsonacid.com

Mixmag

Having been a big favourite with the A-list in its original form (even opening Andy C’s latest Nightlife mix album), the title track ‘Turn The Page’ was already a heavy slab of D&B but Need For Mirrors have managed to draw it deeper still. The eerie intro elements remain along with a solid two-step break and that spoken vocal, then it’s left up to some classic Full Cycle inspired bass work to rock the speakers for a naughty but oh so nice re-lick from the NFM duo. As far as remix 12’s go they don’t come much better than this.

 
Four labels bring you their four perspectives in music.

BASEMENT11>2 DRUM & BASS / JUNGLE

CRAGGZ & PARALLEL

NEED FOR MIRRORS

SIREN (VICIOUS CIRCLE & UNIVERSAL PROJECT)

PLUS GUESTS:

9>11 ECLECTIC SELECTION

EVESON & SAM KDC

East Village

89 Great Eastern Street

London EC2A 3HX

FREE ENTRY

Click here for more info

‎’Future Shock’ taken from our forthcoming album, Fabio’s rewind track on Radio 1, av a listen

Out today on Product Recordings

Release B/W The Sleeper

Available to buy from all the usual shops online and in the real world.

Buy the 12″ limited vinyl from the Product shop and get the MP3′s for free!

Buy now

www.surus.com

Who would of thought it!!! We got Album of the week in the Independent today Boh!

Turn the page marks a new beginning for Craggz and Parallel, not only in a change of name and lineup, it also showcases a new sound and direction in their work.

After the success of the critically acclaimed debut album ‘Northern Soul’ released on Valve Recordings in late 2006, one half of Parallel Forces decided to pursue other avenues. Over night the trio became a duo, with the change in line up came a change in the working dynamic. The duo had to regroup and find a new way of working, both felt that a new direction and sound had to be carved out to represent their individual influences. They made a conscious decision to move away from the sound and identity they had developed previously.

Keen to create something new and innovative, they took their time to experiment and develop a new sound, a strong electronic theme began to emerge in their productions. The first 12” that encapsulated this new direction was ‘Shake the Disease/Magnetise’ released on their own Product imprint in early 2009. Having reached a point again where the duo felt they had something to say musically the decision to commence work on their second album was made, the aptly titled ‘Turn The Page’.

Drawing on influences from electronic music, past and present, from early Techno and 80’s Synth Pop through to the myriad of contemporary dance music genres, a unique approach to the production was required. Having worked previously with a completely software based setup the duo decided to combine analogue synthesis with modern production techniques. The key ingredient in this approach was the reintroduction of classic analogue synths in the recording process. This saw the duo jamming in the studio and recording synth lines in real time into the arrangements as they developed.

A decision was made to steer clear of samples in an effort to create a new and original sound, even the majority of drum sounds were triggered from classic drum machines. A diverse roster of vocalists feature throughout the LP. Tough Hip Hop battle rhymes from DRS, 80’s tinged Dépêche Mode style vocals provided by Warren Dite and the Techno influenced spoken word stylings of Winterman provide the project with an exciting vocal palette. The end result is an album that varies in mood and tempo, from deep and minimal Electronica to tough and growling dance floor riddims for Drum & Bass heads and lovers of Electronic music alike.

The album again won critical acclaim receiving album of the week in the Independent newspaper as well as the the title track ‘Turn The Page’ being snapped up by Andy C to open his most recent installment of the hugely popular night life series on Ram Records.

After releasing two remixes from the album by two of scenes hottest producers Jubei and Need For Mirrors towards the end of last year Craggz and Parallel are ready once again to unleash a whole host of fresh material in 2012.
Where will the sound go next? Watch this space…….

Finished copies of Product009 ‘Turn The Page’ B/W ‘Chamber’ & Product010 ‘Release’ B/W ‘The Sleeper’ Vinyl arrived today looking as sleek as.

Available from iTunes / Beatport / Juno & all other digital outlets.

Out today on Product Recordings

Future Shock B/W Metroplex

Available to buy from all the usual shops online and in the real world.

Buy the 12″ limited vinyl from the Product shop and get the MP3′s for free!

Buy now

www.surus.co.uk

The first release on Craggz and Parallel’s newly formed Product Recordings was an instant hit, shooting straight to the top of the Drum & Bass charts on it’s release. ‘Flatfoot’ was a firm favourite of DJ Marky and was featured on his mix CD for Zinc’s Bingo Beats series that same year.

Product 02 – Red Octopus / Call It A Day

The second release, ‘Red Octopus’ b/w ‘Call It A Day’ continued to build momentum, again getting support from all corners of the scene. It showed their versatility as producers, including a hidden vocal talent! This single saw them return to the top of the Drum & Bass charts and showcased their first collaboration with their good friend, DJ Flight.

Product 03 – Train Track / Bride of Funkenstein

Switching the sound once again ‘Train Track’ & ‘Bride of Funkenstein’ showed another side to their instantly recognisable yet ever-evolving sound. ‘Bride of Funkenstein’ paid homage to the P Funk of George Clinton and Parliament with its distinctive double bass riff. ‘Train Track’ sampled the original reece bass sound from Kevin Saunderson’s classic track ‘Just Want Another Chance’, adding a moodier darker vibe to their sound palette. ‘Train Track’ was subsequently licensed for use on the popular ITV drama ‘The Fixer’.
Product 04 – Dusk / Lost in Translation

This fourth release featured two tracks from their debut album ‘Northern Soul’ and received heavy support from the likes of Fabio and Bryan G. ‘Dusk’ blended lush orchestral string arrangements with emotive diva vocals and rolling amens. On the flipside, ‘Lost in Translation’ incorporated their own live bassline and went on to become a staple in the Craggz and Parallel Forces live showcase.

Product 05 – Strike / Sand Dancer

Another two tracks featured on ‘Northern Soul’, these were two of the first written for the album, around the time of the hit ‘Love Insane’. Produced in their now characteristic tough beats and bass, meets live instrumentation style, ‘Sand Dancer’ once more made use of their own vocal talents. The flipside ‘Strike’ featured long time friend and UK Hip-Hop Star Stig of the Dump.

Product 06 – Boogie Down / Mercury Tears

This release saw the first signs of a serious move away from the Valve sound, towards a more techy, experimental style. It also featured two up-and-coming artists – S.P.Y and Mosus. ‘Boogie Down’, written in collaboration with DJ Mosus (aka Need For Mirrors), is a deep Detroit-influenced techy roller. The flipside ‘Mercury Tears’ by S.P.Y and Mosus was the first non-Craggz and Parallel track to appear on Product.

Product 07 ………. M.I.A ??????

Product 08 – Shake The Disease / Magnetise

The first 12” that encapsulated their new direction; ‘Shake the Disease’ b/w ‘Magnetise’ was released in early 2009. The support this time around came from a a different selection of DJ’s, grabbing the attention of Goldie, Marcus Intalex, dBridge and others. This proved to be the catalyst for the creation of the second Craggz and Parallel album – ‘Turn The Page’.

Product 09 – Turn The Page / Chamber

The first single to be taken from the new album is currently creating a storm in and out of the Drum &Bass scene with huge support from the likes of Breakage, Andy C and others. This is the first public preview of the newly formed Craggz and Parallel.