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WHEELYDEALYCD 002
13 May 13
Review:
While the cover artwork may make Benton look like a moody former member of an R&B boy band, the music contained on Reflections is as robustly underground as you'd expect. Moving from Burial-ish paranoid atmospherics to deep dubstep-soul via a series of sparse, moody and emotion-rich soundscapes, it portrays the London-based producer as a man for whom the simple pleasures of form and function are just not enough. Along the way, there are growling, murky floorfillers (check the hissing "Herman's Hideout" and "Defect Mind"), dubwise steppers ("20/20 VIP") and occasional blasts of piano-laden beauty (the intricate "We're Both Lost").
RAT 001ALB
18 Feb 13
Played by: Hong Kong Ping Pong, DJ Aka (Funk Moguls), Juno Recommends Breakbeat, Juno Recommends Drum & Bass, Juno Recommends Brokenbeat/Nu Jazz, Juno Recommends Electro House, Badboe, Euphonique, Run Riot, Ragga Scum, Ez Icarus, Basement Freaks, S Man
Review:
Bang! There'd been hushed tones of this opus for well over a year, and at a whopping 29 tracks, it's been well worth the wait. Showcasing their widest repertoire, within the first trio of tracks we're already treated to Latino swing breaks, new jungle jiggery and dramatic dubstep. This wide-eared vibe embracement runs throughout consistently; "Hey Mr DJ" rattles a few electro-hop cages, "Countdown" is quintessential booty-bass heaven complete with delectable UK hip-hop rhymage, while "You Can Be My Night" shoots us up to planet D&B on a floaty carpet of rave heritage. A solid calling card to every party in town, it's time to get bouncing...
TERR 014
13 May 13
Played by: Highgrademuzik Aka Don D Selectah
Review:
A large serving of aggression with plates of euphoria and filth on the side, sir? Coming right up... The mysterious AWE has cooked up a five track menu that reveals, as EP title suggests, his most free-spirited fusions of funk and fire. From rifle-like trap grooves ("Rust Lung") to concentrated star-gazing halfstep euphoria ("YYY") via utter bass chaos ("Jurassic"), every meal is as tasty as the last.
EB 096
17 May 13
Review:
The always onpoint Echo Beach serve up a long overdue second edition of their Reggae Germany Downtown compilation. Some eighteen tracks deep, Echo Beach give a true representation of the Dub scene in Germany, pairing veteran artists like Felix Wolter (Dubvisionist, TVS), Seeed, and the Senior Allstars with rising talents such as Aldubb, Brain Theft, aDUBta, Symbiz sound and Chazzy Wezar (the son of Matthias Arfmann). Reggae Germany Downtown takes dub as it's starting point and veers in various musical directions so expect sub heavy dubstep (the Giotto remix of "Let There Be Dub" from Aldubb" is a highlight) downbeat skank, rude electronics and dancehall torch songs. Germany is Dubland"!
506500 2003621
13 May 13
Played by: Cosby (Car Crash Set)
Review:
Entering what seems like a new phase for Pinch's bastion of forward-thinking dubstep, Tectonic Plates reaches its fourth edition and brings in a raft of fresh producers and new angles on just what the genre might mean in these fractured times. Even the classic standard bearers such as Jakes are bringing curious 4/4 momentum in amidst the sparse, dread filled pressure, while Guido pivots off of the plush musicality of his album to create an utterly broken symphony on "State Of Joy". There are a lot of different ideas floating around the whole compilation, and yet everything holds together with the deep-rooted soundsystem mentality that has always defined Tectonic as a shining example of what dubstep has always meant.
TEMPA 076D
13 May 13
Played by: Alert
Review:
Some say the Devil's hands are manicured and sport the finest gemstones. Some say the Devil's hands have love/hate tattooed on them. Others - like us - say the "Devils Hands" are the epitome of beautifully deep, dark dubstep. "Devil's Hands" is a slurring, slab of haunted dub-soul while "I Belong" shows the trio at their softest, most emotional state with sexy subs and a purring vocal. Tempa nail it again? Ain't that the Truth!
OSMUK 029
06 May 13
Review:
One important thing to note here Flowdan is on mic duties. With such a distinctive tone and menacing lyrical style, his flow suits Kaiju's liquid, slime-like sonics so well, they were made for each other; it's joined by the more spacious, eerie soundscapes of "Snagglepuss". Cute title, dark groove. Kaiju are on fine form right now.
CIRCLP 002
13 May 13
Review:
Doctor P and Flux Pavilion hand over the selection duties to familiar label faces Funtcase and Cookie Monsta for the second Circus set. A 25-strong banger compendium balanced between classics and exclusives, it oozes the perfect blend of bare-faced bass attitude and tongue-in-cheek humour. From Roksonix string-soaked jig jamboree "Music In Me" to Brown & Gammon's emotional audio rainbow "Dark Matter", the Circus sound is represented at its boldest, most characterful and, above all, fun. Not a dull moment in sight - check this and remember why we all got into dubstep in the first place.
BLACKBOX 032
08 Apr 13
Played by: Juno Recommends Dubstep, Blind Prophet (South Fork Sound), Alert, Highgrademuzik Aka Don D Selectah
Review:
Chameleonic Bristolian Kahn continues his peerless run of releases with a killer self-titled release for the Blackbox label that's filed alongside his Deep Medi and Hotline transmissions in our affections. The immediate standout track is undoubtedly "Badman City" which features the incomparable vocals of Flowdan, the Bug collaborator who was sampled on Kahn & Neek's superb "Percy". Whilst Flowdan's delivery on that Bandulu cut was lifted roughly from his barrelling live MCing, here he's in notably more menacing form. Rider Shafique and fellow Young Echo acolyte Jabu also provide vocals with the latter's delivery on "Snake Eyes" sounding somewhat akin to Tricky aping Mike Skinner. A bold release from one of the UK's most impressive talents.
MEDI 069
13 May 13
Review:
Making for a matching with hard-to-imagine results, Mala gets the remix treatment from James Blake in his Harmonimix guise and issues it forth on his own Deep Medi imprint. It's a bold treatment from Blake, who teases the track to life on a twee arrangement of music box chimes and tones, while a central vocal coos out the dominant melody. There's a mid-section with the only discernible slither of beat which sounds like familiar Blake territory, not least through the bluesy keys vibe that it carries. However, it's the monolithic brass-aping clarion call which comes steaming in to steal the show, trumping out its orders in a suitably epic fashion which is nothing if not rousing.
IM 018
06 May 13
Played by: Commodore 69 (Hot N Heavy)
Review:
When 123MRK's Noname EP dropped in 2011 creating waves all around the dubstep and bass music scene. Moulding the sound of his generation into a style all his own, the Frenchman suddenly found himself held aloft as an innovator as well as simply a producer of sounds. This remixed release of his seminal EP was a lofty undertaking and the finished item features remixes from some of the future dubstep scene's brightest young stars alongside long-time innovators. From Liar's metalic, lo-fi flavours to Troy Gunner's understated clicks and swirls; ViLLAGE's heart-pounding house remodelling to Heblank's old-school twist, even the likes of Pixelord and ReSketch play their garage-influenced hands to create an all-new modern-day canvas of what exactly bass music is right at this moment. It can never be truly defined, but this is a pretty good encyclopedia.
BDDNL 226
06 May 13
Review:
Entitled simply Grime 2.0, this mammoth release sees grime originators sit next to a new breed of artists, all compiled by Big Dada label boss Will Ashon and journalist Joe Muggs. Documenting grime's continued development over the past ten years, its track selections also demonstrate that it's still a vibrant and flourishing genre. Some 35 tracks deep, the compilation sees Ashon and Muggs securing exclusive, previously unheard material, with notable grime figureheads such as Youngstar, Wiley and MRK1 contributing alongside current stars in Royal T and Preditah as well as an international cast of emergent new talent, with Local Action artist and Grimetapes documenter Slackk featuring too. Essential!
TEMPA 075D
22 Apr 13
Review:
No other MC has made the transition from performer to producer as well as SP:MC. Hinting promise since his early forays with Breakage almost eight years ago, he's shown the utmost versatility and creativity. Back to the future and his skills are still more than evident. Ranging from icy, sheet metal beats ("Declassified") to skippy, steppy minimalism ("Kenshin"), this is one of SP's broadest, most accomplished EPs to date.
RS 1008
07 May 13
Review:
North Welsh producer Feonix is pushing dubstep to its very extremes with this wonderfully dynamic ode to archaic bone-bashing riddims. Clicking and whistling through myriad found sounds, this is truly unique (a term that really can't be used very often in such an over crowded scene). "Night Creatures" is equally as immersive with breathy pads, heartbeat kicks and spacious clicks that build into an abyss-level sub drop and funky - if a little warped - two-step. One (Jurassic) step beyond...
TRUDD 074
08 Apr 13
Played by: Nice Up! Soundsystem, Johnnypluse(Bulabeats Records), Gabriel, Juno Recommends Drum & Bass, Juno Recommends Dancehall/Ragga, Juno Recommends Dub, The Funk Hunters, Euphonique, Good News Boppers, Highgrademuzik Aka Don D Selectah, Mo' Matic
Review:
Wrongtom Meets Deemas J's album In East London was met with some serious levels of hype when it arrived on the reggae scene last September. "The strongest modern reggae set to emerge from the UK for many years" said The Wire. High praise indeed. So "Superteng", the second single to be released from the roots-inspired LP, is a toned-down affair, groove-driven and minimal, letting the lyrics do the talking. Featuring a cool and collected remix by Scoop & Alter Ego & Rico and the bonus addition of jungle mashup "Jump + Move + Rock" remixed by the one and only Benny Page, you can't mistake the top quality of this release. If you're a fan, buy the LP too, it's a modern reggae masterpiece.
TEC 069
15 Mar 13
Review:
With the ripples emanating from their bass music concoctions spreading ever wider, dynamic trio Dark Sky make the move to Tectonic to nudge that very label's remit into new territory. With their previous form on 50 Weapons and Black Acre amongst others, "Confunktion" sounds like a logical next step in limber but deadly accurate electro stylings. They don't lean on obvious tropes of the genre, bringing a more modern bass music slant to the synths and fully employing studio skills to make for an addictive, head-snapping beast of a track. "Double U" heads into a freakier domain defined by globulous synth drops and a tribal groove as fruity as it is funky.
FSLAB 012
15 May 13
Review:
Russian producer Ishome has been bubbling away for years, checking in on myriad genres from dub to prog to techno. Here we find her in full dub mode, serving up some of her most sensual sonics to date. Flicking with finesse from cut n' paste starlight delight ("Adam") to swampier, more pensive pieces ("Sad Family") via ambient space baroque ("It Exists"), she shows maturity and rich depths throughout the full album. This should appeal to everyone from Trentemoller fans to Kokeshi lovers.
505578 1514173
11 May 13
EB 095
15 Apr 13
Review:
If you don't understand why Dubmatix has been named 'Canada's dread at the controls' by none other than Don Letts, just look at the list of vocalists on board this project... Eek A Mouse, Horace Andy, Tenor Fly, U-Roy and Cornell Campbell. Did someone just say 'legends'? Naturally, the beats back up the headline name-dropping. Stretching from the rugged dubsteppery of "Black Market War Dub" to the more classical, dub positivity of tracks like "Free Up" and "She's In Love", this is a comprehensive picture of dub's many shades AND a great calling card for Canada's 'dread at the controls'.
KAP 010
12 Apr 13
Played by: Juno Recommends Dubstep
Review:
Dropping that purple funk like only he knows how, Joker is back on Kapsize for another bout of pimped out steppers laden with synths and a strong whiff of boogie. Opening track "Zim Zimma" proudly rips out some hair metal guitar licks over dramatic piano stabs, and even chucks a jungle break into the mix towards the end of the tune. "Gully Side" is more devoutly aggressive in its demeanour, grinding on a mid-range buzz and a slimline beat of just a few key parts sharply honed for guaranteed floor-flattening. "Handz Up" has a cheeky dose of trance worked into the emotive chord progressions, while the beat even sneaks into 4/4 in places before switching back into a steppy stance. "Newham Generals" rounds off the EP with the most lairy of all the tracks, channelling all the strengths of the previous tracks into one bold and bashy beast of a track.
ARTKL 007D
08 Apr 13
Review:
Sleeper makes his debut on the UK's Artikal Music with one of the most diverse and intense dubstep EPs we've heard in while. Title track "Ritual" really does feel like a spellbinding affair, where winding basslines meet repetitive shots of tribal drums and slithering snares for a fight to the death. "Tidal" has similar visual appeal, its blistering waves of low frequencies wrapping you up for all-out sonic warfare, packed with enough drum shots to have you swimming to shore in pure fear; "Quadrant" is the biggest surprise on the menu however, and whilst its speed is blatantly on the dubstep range, its different harmonics and whirlpools of sound give a clear shout-out to the UK's jungle dynasty - recommended!
505548 9272573
10 May 13
SREP 011
06 May 13
Played by: Kial
Review:
Californian sound scientist Kial continues his experiments in the fields of ambience and dub with this mesmerisingly deep package. The title track rumbles and wafts with such far-away focus, it sounds like an old Orb B-side beefed with contemporary production values. "Konstruct 9" is much more dancefloor-focussed with its swampy halfstep and metallic layers of razor-sharp bass. "Laido" follows with a stumbling, trippy kickdrum and startling flashes of light that flicker of the menacing groove.
ARE 008
13 May 13
Played by: Be-1ne
Review:
To do "Disrepresentation" a disrepresentation would be to call it a happy, feel-good track. To do it further disrepresentation would be to call it a banger. No siree, we're talking moody, cold, subby and dark. The bass drones with a slight hollow timbre, giving all the drama it needs through understated means. "Data Touch" is a little more upbeat thanks to some very nifty double kicks but the vibe is still as icy and unforgiving as you want it to be. Don't do yourself a disrepresentation... Jump on this today.
SYSTM 001
25 Mar 13
Review:
Could "Asteroids" be the most perfect name for a tune that sounds like it was made in out of space? Blast off with that first sonar blip and gracefully float away, dodging the soft rhythmic asteroids as you bob freely. Interestingly "Over My Head" is the same beat but with the cosmic yearning of Mel Dymond. With a far-away, distracted delivery she's not far off "Protection" era Massive Attack. For added trippiness and a gorgeous building slo-mo stomp flip for Om Unit's remix. Wow.
GR 028
07 May 13
DRUMSOUND/BASSLINE SMITH feat FLEUR
885012 017228
05 May 13
Review:
Drumsound and Bassline Smith's mainstream D&B assault is well worth watching. Applying catchy pop sensibilities to their tonked-out bottom-heavy technique, they're nipping at Fresh and Sub Focus's heels with real determination. Remix-wise we see Northern Lights throwing down a big dubstep vibe that sizzles and snarls with metallic menace while Tantrum Desire switches up for a speedy spliced and diced technicolour D&B version. Big.
CHST 026D
29 Apr 13
Review:
If you're looking for a lesson in how to totally murder it with a single vocal loop then look no further than "Transmission". Tripped out, tight and mind-boggling, it builds up with a guttural, industrial riff to chaotic effect. "LV-223" is more your techno flavoured slice of steppery. Dungeon depths and slimy subs; this is for the most tribal of tear-ups, while "Antidote" flips back to the genre's halfstep roots. Spacious and engaging with a series of well textured bass leads, it rolls and develops with production panache; "Kraken" ends with fitting gusto. If you're looking for a lesson in how to totally murder it with a dramatic orchestral sample then look no further.
TEMPABD 002
07 May 13
Review:
No other label can rep dubstep like Tempa. Many would argue it was the first label to truly herald and nourish the sound. Here they explore their vaults and dust off some of the most genre-defining, idiosyncratic tracks that have helped shape the phenomenon we know today. From SPMC's paranoid murker from 2008 "Trust Nobody" to a whole series of Skream sessions such as "WTF", "Wibbler" and "Vacillate", the collection is a reminder of how influential Tempa has been, how talented their roster has always been and, most importantly, how slamming and stimulating dubstep can be when nourished and developed by the right label. Recognise.
FSR 0033CD
07 May 13
GRDLP 007
29 Mar 13
BBEATS 003
25 Mar 13
Review:
Croydon lad Kutz has lived up to his razor sharp name since his early releases on Soul Jazz, and this Benga Beats debut is certainly no exception. If anything it's his most diverse release to date: "Rock N Rolla" is an all-out bass-ravaged half-step moshfest while "Big N Bad" is almost techno-like in its slamming 4/4 presentation. Elsewhere we find ourselves swaying to a textured series of metallic basslines on "Canonical" and getting all warped, jacking and housey on "Yellow Bear". With nods towards the widest spectrum of influences, Kutz has laid down a template for future bass music right here.
PPRO 18D
06 May 13
Review:
Last year's album Ku:Palm just keeps on giving. Rich production with more depth than a fracking factory, every listen provides a new narrative. Here Photek's picked one of the biggest highlights; "Pyramids" rolls with captivating live jazz drums that sparkle and splash on every delicate brush. Laced with far away twangs, big dub bass and cosmic undertones, it lends itself well to both home ears and heartfelt floors. For the remix, Beneath steps up with an intriguing rub of "Oshun". Loaded with tripped out reverse textures and well tempered, spacious drum work, this guarantees seriously bent minds whenever you drop it. We're all searching for that all important 'one', seems like it was Photek all along.
SUBT5.5
13 May 13
Review:
Variety is the name of the game as Berlin's Tim Eliot unleashes a quad of uncompromising bass compositions. It all kicks off with "So Loud", a glittering, wafty, dreamer of groove with warm kicks and psychedelic twists. Things get much darker from here on: "Experiment" is a crunchy, industrial halfstepper while "Go Offline" is fractured and more fearless again, sounding akin to an alien invasion circa Hollywood late 60s. "Gear Up" ends us on a more of a classic metallic stabby bass style. Loud, gritty and nasty: just how we like it.
BASSERK 00079
13 May 13
UA 003
11 Mar 13
JIM 002
06 May 13
Review:
Space soul superstar Deft defies the assumption that all Croydon boys are gnarly dubstep champions with this startling exercise in genre defying. "Let's Hook Up" is a warped and weirded out love song with spooky processed vocals and a well textured, off-beat groove. "Lucid/Overline" is a dreamy, sludgy 4/4 slug-out while "Loqux & Past" rides roughshod on some very trippy drum works. Going through the motions? Then cheer yourself up and go through "The Motions".
RNF 001
08 Apr 13
TEC 070
12 Apr 13
Review:
After pairing up for the "Paranormal Activity" release back in 2011, the Tectonic main man and one of the most dynamic producers to come out of the UK funky scene team up for another round. "Shoulda Rolla" is an impeccable, unfussy dubstep groover with classic icy textures, snappy percussion and an anchoring bass wobble that was born to work the dance without any showboating tactics. Roska goes it alone on "Asbestos" with an equally moody slice of rhythmic function that cruises at 140 while the synths come in blasts of robotic weirdness. Like so many of the great Tectonic 12"s, you're presented with a pair of club-focused stompers that keep the dubstep dream alive.
FGR 083
19 Mar 13
FGR 080
22 Jan 13
Played by: Mooqee, All Good Funk Alliance, Borgie, Juno Recommends Electro House, Utah Saints, Winter, Freemasons, Martin Solveig, Mat Zo, Moonbeam, Fed Conti, Nick Warren, Sister Bliss
Review:
Oliver - An LA outfit comprising two gents called Oliver. Introductions over, let's get acquainted with the music. "MYB" is a satisfyingly simple and understated groove that instantly reminds you of Homework era Daft Punk and 2020 Soundsystem. "Night Is On My Mind", meanwhile, takes us into a much deeper, cosmic field that tips a nod at the likes of Terje and Lindstrom. "Control" is a brighter, breezier affair that glistens with a timeless synth sound and an utterly positive chord structure, while the title track brings us to a dramatic crescendo with anthemic slo-mo sassiness. Refreshing electro sounds throughout, Oliver have got real potential.
TBD 079
18 Sep 12
Review:
Rinse FM's dark dubstep/grime and garage hero returns with a new seven tracker on Trouble & Bass, "Bad Like Us" is pure SL-2 'On A Ragga Tip" retro hardcore rave featuring MC Doctor. "Senate" couldn't be more different: being a cool and slick orchestral hip-hop number. "Pwnd" goes darker and slower: featuring buzzy bass drones and sparse beats. Finally MC Doctor returns to wrap things up with "Rebel Music" which is a synthy lighters-in-air anthem.
OSMUK 027EP
25 Mar 13
Review:
Ever committed to bleak and moody extrapolations on bass music since the early days of dubstep, Kryptic Minds are back with more icy science to inspire over-the-shoulder glances and fidgety dancing. "Nebula" heads into Autonomic realms with dissected D&B snarls and snagging beat arrangements, while "To Feel" opens up marvellously with a spacious and menacing half-step funk. "Badman VIP" moves back into a more familiar rhythmical roll as the fluid mid-range growls come on cool and deadly over a measured dispersal of 140 principles. "Namaste" continues that them but ups the ante in the effects department, contorting the synths and creating a more twisted kind of soundscape to dark out to.
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