Review:
Coming out to play with Playaz this time around, D&B's very own elusive genius Break returns with his selection of unique bass stylings in this slick double header. Showing off his love for all things jazz and dub, "Strictly Entertainment" pits rolling dancefloor rhythms with huge subby bass to create a fresh cross-pollination of sounds. "Dulcid Tones" features a smooth bassline groove whipped up straight from the heart of the '90s, dropped right into a creamy whirlpool of distorted bass and general junglist mania (and some Eastern influences for good measure). It's borderline mental, it's loads of fun and it's Break. What more do you want?
Review:
A much loved figure across the D&B spectrum, Break brings us his next utterance on none other than Critical Music, who are enjoying their time in the limelight at the moment, following Kasra's recent Fabriclive mix. Here, we see Break doing what he does best in "Here We Go" as he goes in hard and fast, with pounding bass; those unmistakable Break er, breaks; and plenty of fury in the grinding synths which pepper this spectacular release. "Soundwaves", in some ways a slightly less intense cut, pairs a muffled reggae vocal, with almost impenetrable sub bass and low-end frequencies.
Review:
What can we say about Break that hasn't already been said? This man is D&B mythology - every producer namechecks, every DJ represents, every soldier on the dancefloor knows that Break equals neck-snapping quality of the highest order. Both tunes on this release are, it goes without saying, superb, but both come from different dark places. "Groove With it" is the stepper you want, "Soldier" is the heavy, bottomed-out, snare-flailing dangerzone you need. Drum and bass for the connoisseur who still likes to get messed up when it suits. Beautiful.
Review:
Ah Break... Will you ever cease to deliver genuinely unique grooves that echo with all corners, shades and styles of D&B? We truly hope not. "Moving On" instantly slaps with its distinctive snare rolls and fuzzy purring bassline. The second those trumpets, flutes and soft key dustings ooze gracefully into the mix, you're putty in Break's hands. "On The Off" shows the Bristol producer's darker command as we grind and grimace to an ugly, jaunty off-beat bassline and another solid set of perfectly produced drums. Naturally both kill it. You won't be moving on from these for a long, long time.
Review:
I don't think there's anyone in the world who is a good enough person to deserve the music Break gives us. We're all bad people compared to his tunes and his newest album - Another Way - is arguably his best work to date, a rip-roaring adventure through rolling beats, funk influences and UK dub culture. Featuring vocals from Cleveland Watkiss and Kyo and production features from Total Science and DLR, it's a whos-who of D&B as well as a masterclass in how to make it. 'Last Goodbye' with Celestine kicks off the LP with funk-based energy; 'Keepin It Raw' does just that; MC GQ whispers in your ear on 'Whispers in You Ear'; Total Science collab on possibly the highlight of the whole album with 'Dogs Dinner'; and 'Take Me Away' injects some lighter, liquid-based sanity. An absolutely stunning voyage through the best that D&B has to offer - Break has done it again.
