Review: The CruCast wave continues here as they unveil an absolutely scorching collection of VIP mixes, showcasing their diverse roster and their creativity at the same time. From start to finish this project packs when hell of a punch, reworking some of the most popular CruCast drops into one explosive package, featuring the likes of Cajama, SpaceGat, MPH, Champion, Wittyboy, Dread MC and more. For us, the outstanding recordings on this one have to include the VIP mix of Francois and Louis Benton's 'Foolin', along with the explosive redesign of 'What's Going On' from Pelikann.
Review: It's always exciting to catch up with the 24hr Garage Girls imprint to see what they have been up to, with this latest drop proving to be a certified gem from the second it landed in our new releases box. They unveil a powerful new collection for their first compilation drop of 2021, including music from heavyweight garage faces such as Champion, MPH, Tuff Culture, Vital Techniques and more, whilst also introducing some of the most exciting new faces in Hans Glader, Oppidan & Zefer. The nine-track selection is seriously impressive, with Shosh's own 'Stick It Up' original proving to be one of the initial highlights, alongside the super colourful melodic slides and scatty drum work of 'Guard The Barrier' from Breaksmiths. Incredible stuff from an incredible team.
Review: Bomb Strikes continue their quite frankly untouchable run with this latest release as they unveil the fourth edition of their 'Bass Funk' compilation series, showcasing some of the most forward thinking bass music about right now. As a compilation, it covers a lot of ground, from the tearout D&B stylings of Featurecast's 'Trigger Finger', to the futuristic post dubstep designs of 'Flexx' from Stylust. Other highlights for us include Kenny Beeper with his groove-infused scratch masterpiece 'Crown Jewels', the long awaited 'Back To The Flow VIP' from Krafty Kuts and of course, Champion's high profile appearance alongside the unmistakable vocal presence of Dread MC on 'One Time'.
Review: As one of the most consistent releasers across the UK for bass music in general, it always a pleasure to see a new Champion drop appear on the shelves, especially when it's alongside the legendary RKAS imprint! We begin with the sliding bass tones and vibrant rhythms of 'Expensive', which sees Champion seriously excel at showcasing his funky roots. On the flip, 'Medium Drink' switches up the flavour with a moogy approach, focussing on the intense rhythmic syncopation of the percussive lines, bringing classic Champion energy to a very well decorated table!
Review: Has bassline ever been more influential than it is currently across the UK? I think most people would struggle to argue otherwise. To celebrate this, bassline heavyweights DJQ, Jamie Duggan, Skepsis and Darkzy join forces for an allstar compilation album, including a selection of full tracks and exclusive mixes. The full project includes exclusive drops from the likes of Champion, Shanti, DJQ, Flava D, TQD, Preditah, Bushbaby, Darkzy, Bru-C and many more. You are going to struggle to find a more comprehensive bassline selection this year!
Review: Champion feels so good he wants you to feel like a winner, too. This has been the way since he emerged eight years ago and proceeded to tear a hole out of the UK funky game. Flexing a sharp 4x4 feel with some deliciously manipulated bass designs and stacks of space between the elements to create a suspended state of funk and groove, every track makes you feel like a champ; the molten toxic bass of "One Time", the pure swamp-bass evil of "Drill", the chugging bassline/grime hybrid "Kill All Dem", the breath-taking textures on the Four Tet collabo "World" and the raw truth of "Young Raiden", the list goes on. This is how you do a debut album in 2017. Champion sound.
Review: AC Slater's Los Angeles-based Night Bass label has been turning the US on its head what with all the real UK bass flavours they've been serving up. They've now made it to the fourth instalment of the mighty This Is Night Bass series, and once again it's sizzling with energy. There are eight tracks this time including the heavy stomp of Aussie Yolanda Be Cool & Wongo's "Roosevelt", Sinden's gloriously dark "God" and the deep jackin' grooves of Bijou's "Cant' See Us". Night Bass then, bringing quality to the masses.
Review: They say that if people's early fears of the effects of video games were correct then we'd all be in dark rooms, listening to bleeps and munching pills like Pacman. This retro arcade game themed single by Champion sounds nothing like anything anyone could've imagined music of the future would sound like. "Arcade" mixes nostalgic 8-bit melodies and doomy post-apocalyptic soundscapes punctuated by clattering metallic beats. "Chrome" meanwhile fuses a staccato bass-step edge with moody depth.
Review: Champion by name, Champion by nature... Fusing UK funky with grime, bass and just a touch of two-step, the rather cheekily titled "Crystal Meth" is an MC's dream, waiting for some serious flowage to lick over the darkness. As good fortune would have it, it's also nowhere near as deadly as its druggy namesake (although it is pretty addictive). Meanwhile on the flip "Speed" is a strange affair with beats the rolls and tickles with snake-like percussion before dropping into a screw face one-finger bassline. With little to no kick drum this is a serious DJ tool to be used and abused at your leisure. Champion sound!
Review: It's grime o'clock at Hyperdub HQ as Terror Danjah and Champion square-off with some midrange baiting badness as cheeky and rude as you would expect from two masters of the art. Danjah's "Glide" actually struts on a peppy 4/4 rhythm, but the synths keep things dutty whilst there are plenty of quirks stitched into the beat. Champion's template on "Bowser's Castle" is broader, with fulsome melodies and a dextrous switch between ring modulating bassline throw downs and glossy synth refrains. In both instances the collaborations between the two bring a more hectic style full of clattering percussion and urgent tempos, clearly fed on the energy of shared studio time.
Review: Champion is the boss of Formula records, currently riding high following the success of their recent f=BASS compilation and the launch of new digital imprint F2. Now as a kind of post-coital musical cigarette, Formula leans back and sparks up three new sizzlers from his stockpile of musical ammo. Both "Execution" and "Bowsers Castle" tracks gets his own VIP treatment, with the former getting a sleek digi-dub makeover and the latter turned into an 8-bit wobble attack. Dismantle also tackles "Cannon", delivering a carnival-tinged apocalypse of a remix.
Review: Champion's Formula fam come correct on this expertly curated 15-track exploration into the future realms of bottom heavy music. With exclusive cuts and versions firing from all the label's most consistent contributors, it covers all relative corners creatively; from Killjoy's gameshow grime "Turnt Ones VIP" to the chiselled, sinewy two-steps of Terror Danjah & Zed Bias's "Telepathy" via the sheet metal snares on Flava D's "Break", this collection goes further than representing a forward-thinking imprint but also documents exactly where bass music is heading in the future. Grand prix business.
Review: Liquicity proudly presents Voyage 1, a journey into the heart of the music that makes this crowd tick, courtesy of some of their favourite players. First up to share their delights is Champion and as "What I Need" takes off hard into the stratosphere after a strong intro featuring powerful vocals and souped-up synths he sets his sights on becoming D&B royalty. Fracus & Darwin roll up next, driving "Succeed" forward with lyrics from Mark Slammer and restrained percussion and pads fighting it out in a tight space of experimental production. It's a real mid-release treat. "Closer" acts as respite as Hugh Hardie plays with inspiring samples, retro sounds and soaring strings. Finally, Feint slams some serious dancefloor vibes into the mix, stabbing those synths and dropping the chorus hard. It's a right old mixture, you'll love it.
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