Pangaea At Juno Download

Review: Pangaea is perhaps the least feted of the Hessle Audio triumvate, given Ben UFO's status as one of the best selectors in the game and David Kennedy's all conquering cross label endeavours. That's no smear on his talent at production however, which most recently saw him contribute a highlight of that excellent Hessle compilation 116 & Rising. Further attempts to redress the balance in his favour are most certainly successful on this, his debut on Untold's Hemlock imprint with two jerking darkside manoeuvres. Described to a tee as the "spirit of 92? via Plastic People", lead track "Hex" burrows a similar path to "Runout", Pangaea's contribution to the aforementioned Hessle compilation. Its release will no doubt please attentive listeners of Rinse FM as it's been soundtracking many a show in recent months. "Fatalist" screwballs even further into rave dementia, as cockney gasps of "Alright? Listen. Listen. Listen" preface the descent into abrasive tones and jerkily nervous percussion.

Review: Now if there's a name that is on pretty much every bass music fan's lips at the moment, it's that of Hessle Audio. Home to the ineffable Ramadanman (a.k.a Pearson Sound), who heads up the label, alongside Ben UFO and Pangaea himself, the label cemented its reputation as one of the leading lights in UK bass music throughout 2010 and continues to do so in 2011. Pangaea, otherwise known as Kevin McAuley, clearly leads by example, masterfully blending dubstep, house, techno, dark electronica and all shades of bass music to widespread critical acclaim. "Inna Daze", to us at least, immediately conjures images of reggae-laced jungle riddims, and there is a slight hint of that in the echoing SFX, hollow drum kicks and flummoxing chirrups of the intro. The tribal pattering, anguished yelps and distant wailing atmospheric tones send you deep into another head space. Up next, Pangaea tunes in to an altogether different vibe in "Won't Hurt". A tense intro is filled with primeval humming and speaker-shattering sub bass. After a full two minutes, slightly discordant, strained strings herald a progression into amore explorative passage before it falls back into the bass heavy section, rumbling away beautifully. This is a sterling release from Pangaea which once again affirms his considerable credentials as a producer.