Grime is on it’s way up, has been for some time, and is reaching the ears of the bass music massive thanks to the hard work of a couple of labels, artists and most notably – in my humble American opinion – the change in sound. It may not be a change, so much as a refinement, keeping it dirty but adding more funk per pound than a Colombian drug lord. The music has simply become more musical. In a time where producers are making it wobble faster and harder, Enter Butterz.

The label based out of East London is pushing grime and the permutations spawned in the wake of advancements in technology and an acceleration in the funkiness of the world. Their business model is most intriguing – they give away a lot of their releases, lots of remixes and bootlegs, yet the press vinyl and have solid digital distribution. Their artists are seemingly on a relentless tour schedule and their marketing hustle is hard to beat. As they say, “Butterz is the label”.

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Terror Danjah‘s music, influence and drive has been the leading factor, other than the sonic changes, in the progression and projection of the music. His releases on Planet-Mu last year injected his name into the minds of audiences that would have never considered listening to grime, but suddenly were mixing it into their dubstep, breaks and electro sets. Once I started following Mr. Danjah, I realized that there was this whole movement bubbling of new music that really satisfied my appetite for bass music in a way that predictability of dubstep just wasn’t doing it any more.

Download -Terror Danjah – Sidechain (D.O.K Remix)

Download – Terror Danjah – Creepy Crawler RIP

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Another hit maker from 2010 is Royal T., who’s “Orangeade” tune made waves and produced a number of remixes and bootlegs sampling the ear piercing lead synth. My favorite tune of his is “Music Please”, an upbeat grime number that you can listen to and download below.

Also check out the 130 BPM funky house rendition of “Orangeade”, which is a free download below as well.

Download – Royal T – “Music Please”

Download – Royal T – “Orangeade” (Walton 130 Edit)

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Another big, big name from the label is Swindle. His style is so musical it’s on the verge of jazz. Listen to the sound of the upright bass “Mood Swings VIP”, coupled with the keyboards. This is baby making music, for the dancefloor.

My favorite tune from Swindle, which I don’t think is on Butterz (sorry to get off topic!) is “Playground”. All of his music is fire, get to know him and know him well.

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Now, I could sit here all day and post my favorite tunes from the zips I’ve received over the last few months, talk about why I like each artist and their music and all of that, but I think that this is what you’re looking for – the zips. Just about every month (but not for May 2011, unfortunately, from what the Butterz newsletter informs me) the label sends out the zips, which contain original tunes, remixes, bootlegs and some surprises and encourage the distribution of these funk packets. Me being the music hoarder that I am, I’ve held them down in secret, keeping certain big riddims as my secret weapons for the club. But it’s a new year, I’m a new dude and it’s time to share the wealth.

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January – http://www.sendspace.com/file/gbe3bm
February – http://www.sendspace.com/file/e6uyvr
March – http://www.sendspace.com/file/pjxgwp
April – http://www.sendspace.com/file/x9st36

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If you are feeling the tunes and able to, please purchase them. They release a lot of this stuff on limited edition vinyl, have shirts for sale and tour relentlessly, so support the Butterz sound!

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Tour dates:

Royal T – FWD>> – 21st April @ Plastic People – LDN
Terror Danjah – 21st April @ Urban Nerds – LDN
Terror Danjah – 30th April @ Twisted Pepper Dublin – Ireland
Terror Danjah – 13th May @ Innovation – Plymouth
Elijah & Skilliam + Champion – 14th May @ Rhythm Factory – LDN
Butterz Trinity: Swindle, Elijah & Skilliam – 20th May – Berne – Switzerland
Royal T – May 20th @ Crash Mansion – Bristol
Royal T – 27th May @ Faux Pas – Monkey – Swansea – Wales
Terror Danjah – 27th May @ Dub All Or Nothing @ Cable – LDN
Elijah & Skilliam – 28th May – Urban Nerds Scala – LDN
Butterz Trinity: Swindle, Elijah & Skilliam – 2nd June – Koko – LDN
Elijah & Skilliam – 4th June – We The People Festival – Bristol
Royal T – 10th June @ Blue Mountain – Bristol
Butterz @ Fabric Part 2 Feat: Elijah & Skilliam, Royal T, TRC, DJ Q & TRIM!- 17th June – LDN