Roska Kicks & Snares At Juno Download

Review: Any naysayers believing that UK funky is in decline need look no further than Roska's Kicks & Snares imprint which continually delivers the goods in terms of vital, high quality material. Beyond The Sea is MA1's second release on the imprint, showing off his diverse production talents. The title track is a deep number with cavernous synth stabs, whilst "Rockstaa" has all the swagger its name suggests, rolling along with a tumbling bassline and razor sharp claps. "Circles" is a distinctly more soulful number whiles "Bassbox" uses a distinctly ravey, ruckus-rousing high pitched synth stab and building claps. Finally, Shox remixes "Beyond The Sea", stripping it right back to it barest components, using its melodic hook sparingly and adding some sawtooth bite.

Review: Having previously contributed two remixes for Roska's Kicks And Snares label, the UKF don gives the Rinse DJ a chance to flex out on his own with this ace new EP. Title tune "Battlestar" goes on a more techno-slanted voyage of dancing bleeps and thick 4/4 kicks, while "Hold Your Corner" punches in nicely on a funky/grime edge. Best of all though might be the upfront and bright "Pass Go", which recalls Funkystepz' kaleidoscopic arrangements but with a more Euro-friendly drive.