roska At Juno Download

Review: Having previously made a couple of fleeting appearances on Pinch and Ginz's Tectonic imprint, UK funky/bass music heavyweight Roska ("Roska, Roska, Roska!" etc) returns to the Bristol-based label with a formidable two-tracker. The accompanying press release describes the title track as "the soundtrack to a hunter chasing his prey through a humid jungle". While this is perhaps a little far-fetched, there's certainly something particularly tribal about the relentless 133 BPM UK funky rhythms and sweaty, foreboding backdrop. "Spearhead", on the other hand, sits somewhere between dubstep and his usual rhythmic flex, pushing forward on a swell of electronic pulses and low-end pressure.

Review: Back on Hot Flush (having recently joined FaltyDL, dBridge and Boxcutter on their excellent Back and 4th compilation), UKF's king of kings is on fine form with these two huge beats. "Error Code" is simply incredible - a tune that only a man at the peak of his game could make. Simple yet mesmerising, it rocks four huge, rhythmic chords that wash over the track like a wave while his trademark beats add bounce. It's relentless stuff. "Abrupt" is a little more on the subtle side, with a fleshed out electro kit backing a wispy, haunting melody that'll melt your ears in the nicest way possible.

Review: Big release here from Roska! The UK F don drops the six track Jackpot EP on the one and only Rinse. It's hard to look past the tough percussive riddims and killer "go!" vocal on the title track, but there's much to explore here, from the abrasive synths of "Roskallion" to the screeching mayhem of the brilliantly titled "Blame The Speakers". The Mujava-esque melodies of "Leapfrog" and "4th Blind Mouse" lead into the 8bit textures and heaving arpeggios of closer "Wie Alt Bist Du". More essential jams from the king of funky.

Review: Can it have only been in 2010 that Rinse dropped the debut album of UKF's imperial don? Of course, the man known from his aural signature as "R-R-R-Roska" hasn't been work-shy, with a huge weight of releases for his own Roska Kicks and Snares label constantly impressing. Here though, Roska deliberately spices up his methodology - going in less for beat-driven loops of endurance, more for a developing and lyrical sound. One listen the sloping funk of "OnRinseSinceYearZeroEight", the bleeped-out "Metric", or the crunch-step of "Eleven 45" will make you agree with us that he's pretty much nailed it. Like most things from the man, this comes highly recommended.

Review: Almost mystically unable to do no wrong at the moment, Roska delivers four more stone-cold classic beats on this second volume of Rinse rarities, further enhancing his title as king of UK underground house. "Squark" is undoubtedly the big tune here, a tune which has been bubbling under the surface for months now. Its cheeky use of siren squeals that drop solo every four bars is grimy and funky to the max. Elsewhere though, "Tomorrow Is Today" is impressively urgent while "Hey Cutie" is a bubbly and irresistible soca-house jam. After an appearance on the first EP, Jamie George is back in the vocal booth on "I Like You" which sparkles with string-stabs interweaving with George's tones. Yet another essential purchase from the man of the moment.