Review: It's always an exciting moment to see a new compilation from the Black Marble Collective, who return to their super-successful 'Ravetools' compilation for a dazzling second edition, exploring the space between bass music and footwork with twelve explosive originals. From the intense synthetic flicks and twists of 'Pulverturm 160' from DJ Ends to the super choppy, almost post-jungle intricacies of HomeSick's 'Petrol Safety', we see such a wide range of sounds and styles being covered, that it's difficult to ever guess where we as listeners will end up next! This is a real journey of a collection, pulled together with masterful arrangement skills, with our favourites including JTRA's emotional overload in 'The Melancholy Dance', the junglist-based nostalgia of 'THE UNDERGROUND' from PUFF Magic and the emphatic half-time drum bounces of 'Get It Right' from Alexandre. Lovely work.
Review: Now, this latest project from Dev79 goes by the name of 'Can't Fit In A Box', and we really feel that despite it being exactly what is says on the tin, Black Marble Collective have swapped boxes with Pandora as carnage in unleashed. This one kicks of with 'You & I Is Us', which features additional vocal work from MC Elixir, layering his potent vocals over a jukey, breaks hybrid, destined to damage dances. This is then followed strongly by the energetic vocal stabs of '215 Alive' and the hardcore nostalgia contained within the arrangement of 'Emerald Tree Boa'. finally, 'Where Kings Are Bred' strips everything back to cool bass sounds and breakbeats, rounding every up with a dash of finesse.
Review: 10 years of US/UK grime feedback: Slit Jockey celebrate a decade of dirt with this extensive collection of classics, currents and previously unheard cuts. There might be 10 years between some of the tracks but you'd never tell; such is the solid signature and high quality control of the label. Every track is a highlight but cuts like Lenkemz savage club shredder "Can't See U", Blak Twang & Conrank's midnight murker "Go Getter" and Mr Mitch's eerie moon-bouncing trapisms are essential staples for any grime and bass connoisseur's collection. Here's to another 10 years.
Review: One listen to Dev79's Boom Boom Down EP and you'll understand why the Philly artist gave it that name. The title track is a quick shifting, 4/4 bass riddim that puts extra emphasis on the down-beat, while there's also signs of electro house, rave and footwork throughout. "Thunk About It" is a little more reserved, mixing hip hop rhythms with industrial techno-strength beats. David Lux provides a disgruntled and cartoonish remake to "Boom Boom Down" while Tanner Caldwell uses vocals as the main element in his remix. Max Klaw then recasts "Thunk About It" into something that's more like a deep version of dubstep than bass for what might be this EP's standout production.
Review: Founded on importing the UK bass sounds to the US while embracing their own native bass techniques, Slit Jockey have developed a unique motif over the years. The annual Choice Cuts series is one of the best ways of experiencing their well chiselled sound, and this is one of their best compendiums to date. Whether you start studying for a degree in star-gazing to Ill-Esha's "Galactic Halo", play the air steel drums to Strooly & Swimwear's neon-tribal hypnosis session "Chemtrails" or lose your mind to the unique fusion of hardcore and trap on Wonder's "RaveT", one thing is certain - Slit Jockey will leave you feeling more than satisfied.
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