Xi At Juno Download

Review: Orca Recordings' fifth releases sees Canadian producer XI return to the label's fold. "Immunity" sees the producer confidently experimenting with a slower tempo than we've previously seen him attempt, with a track that combines a house groove with a UK garage swing, combining lush auburn tones and sinister bass in a way similar to countryman Kevin McPhee. "Squeeze" on the other hand is a quicker affair, combining crackly drums, booming bass and airy melodies that recall the lighter end of the Berghain sound. On the strength of this release XI is heading for big things, and is certainly one to keep an eye on in 2012.

Review: This debut release on Orca Records sees XI and Headhunter create some truly haunted and, well, ghostly beats on both XI's original and Headhunter's mix. With the original already receiving support from Radio 1, this is a must for fans of smart yet dirty techy dubstep - with oceanic textures nicely tempered by thick kicks and sliding subs, topped off with a slow-burning vocal hook. Bristol ace Headhunter is the perfect man to jump on the remix, and he gives it a minimal rerub complete with thick walls of low frequencies and twitchy chords to give an already spooked tune an awesomely sinister counterpart.