Review: It's been an interesting year for French Mexican Joakuim. He's appeared on Intrigue's on-point 16 year collection and even released a techno EP on Planet Rhythm. Now we see him return to Fokuz with a rich spread that covers his musical range. Both "Mandala" and "Party Outside" take us deep into dark rolling territory with a prominent techno feel. Dig deeper for the flip of his sonic sensibilities as "South West Road" rockets us up into the stars on a soaring emotional rocket while "Night" ends on a dubby reflective tip. No stones left unturned, Joakuim never fails.
Critical Event & Askel - "So In Love With You" - (4:27) 174 BPM
ALB - "Using Minds" - (5:29) 174 BPM
Calculon & Dave Owen - "Ben Carlos" (feat Christina Tamayo - Zero T remix) - (5:11) 58 BPM
Smote - "Just Come Back" - (5:20) 174 BPM
Joakuim - "8am Roller" - (4:30) 172 BPM
Drumcatcher - "Feelings" - (4:35) 172 BPM
Brainwork & Mnml - "Embrace" - (5:18) 172 BPM
Review: Fokuz Recordings consistently release some of the best compilation albums around. Their pool of artists is so diverse and so top quality that an assortment of their work is always going to be special, especially when they bring in outside talent like Break and Zero T. Collaborations 2 is what is says on the tin: remixes and other collaborative projects and blimey, it's good stuff. Joakuim's '8am Roller' is the perfect example, a deft piece of piano-based smoothness that rolls out to your heart's content with sultry results, an instant classic of liquid-sized proportions. The Break remix is a welcome addition, as is the steppy yet soulful Zero T remix of Ben Carlos. Another very, very good selection of cuts from the always sublime Fokuz crew.
Review: A surprising drum & bass smasher reaches our ears this week in the form of Command Strange and Joakuim's latest on Focuz. Putting these two together was no accident - both have a serious knack for twisting their imaginations into darkly perfect rollers. With a rolling, dirty vibe that whips the carpet out from under you, lead track "Vanilla Dream" doesn't stay mellow for long, smashing out a wicked winding bassline to cut the easy atmosphere courtesy of Flexout brother Soligen and Type-2. "Pecebaba" takes mysterious middle-eastern influences and runs with them over dark and dirty bass. A stunning release from artists you need to watch.
Review: Where would drum & bass be without the innovators? After so many years plugging away in the mid section of dance music between empty, glamorous house and low-end rumblings from the dubstep millions, the selection of individual talents within the genre has expanded unbelievably. Focuz Recordings have brought together some of the finest names in modern D&B, including the likes of Bcee, Hybrid Minds, Paul SG, Pennygiles and Shookz as well as upcoming talents Soligen, ChartStalker and Command Strange. Each track is an instant selection of where each artist is at this moment in time and the result is a very satisfying various artists LP with a lot of variety and stacks of soul. One for the heads.
Review: Dirty bass tinged with Brazilian flavours, "Believe" steps and snaps its way through jazz-infused piano and filthy lower end rumblings. Joakium's "Esperanza" steps crisp and fresh into the forefront of this release, with beautiful piano licks and warm bass straight from Innerground. The inspiration for this EP clearly lies with sun-tinged bass-masters Marky and S.P.Y as chilled, liquid vibes with a nasty bit of kick fall through layers of atmospheric samples. Finally, Pixel's addition "Mankind" brings to mind Cafe Del Mar as slow breaks begin, soon heating up to a swift, classy roller. Three strong tracks straight from Fokuz' top shelf. Well worth a listen.
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