Instra Mental At Juno Download

Review: Have bass producers revitalised techno? It might seem like a strange question, but consider the evidence. Cosmin TRG has shifted gradually from dubstep and D&B, in the process releasing his best material for Rush Hour and 50 Weapons. Shifted used to be a drum'n'bass producer and now applies the looseness and low end expertise he picked up in his previous incarnation to ensure his current work doesn't fall foul of rigidity. To push this argument further, it is also true that the existence of bass music has inspired techno producers to make their grooves more stepping - witness everything from Kalon's "Born Against" through parts of the Frozen Border catalogue and Peter Van Hoesen's most recent single, "North 6th". This ongoing cross-fertilisation is audible on the latest [Naked Lunch] release, a label which, more than any other has inadvertently succeeded in muddying the waters. Boddika's "Grand Prix" bears some resemblance to the current wave of Chicago-inspired tracks but it's the woozy bass underscoring the arrangement that really makes it stand out. Accompanied by insidious bleeps and some deft break beats, it's like a breath of fresh air for those worn out by retro-tribute releases. It's not all one-way traffic though, and the label has recruited Skudge to remix Instra:mental's "Vicodin". Based on a similar structure to Boddika's contribution, this time swarming chords rather than the bass that has the requisite effect, as the Swedish duo dive bomb with menacing, swoops.

Review: Autonomic unleash two fierce collaborative drum & bass tracks on "Acacia Avenue". The title track is D'Bridge, Instramental and Skream all working together on a synth flip out that layers over deep, murmuring sub bass. "Detroid" is D'Bridge and Instramental nurturing a real monster out OF a baron sound field.

Review: Alex Green and Damon Kirkham's debut album has been a long time coming. It follows an action-packed decade that's seen them morph from drum & bass punishers to dubstep fusionists and, more recently, bass music experimentalists. With such experience behind them, it's perhaps no surprise that Resolution 653 is an eclectic set. What's more surprising is the expansiveness of their approach. Within the album's 13 tracks lies glass-clear electronic futurism, brain-warping acid tracks, murky dusbtep, slo-mo 4/4 sweetness, hard edged electro bounce, off-kilter IDM and, naturally, 140 BPM bass bangers. As a summary of where British bass music's at in 2011, it's unsurpassed.

Review: Nonplus allow us a peek at what the forthcoming Instra:mental album will sound like and on the evidence of these two tracks it's going to be quite rowdy indeed! "Thomp" was perhaps named in honour of the sensation that hits you as soon as the truly evil juke rhythm finds its place amidst the bass heavy industrial mist. Embellished by loose rackets of percussion, it is a thrilling example of how Instra:mental are always looking to flip the sonic script. Up next is 'When I Dip", a trip into the swift retro electro territory Addison Groove recently explored on Swamp 81, with a brilliant vocal sample battling it out with rough futurist vibes over crisp 808 rhythms.