Review: John Rolodex was one of the premier beat merchants of the Noughties, with a string of hit EPs on both Metalheadz and his Machinist imprint. It's been a decade since then, but his recent revival has brought new music to first his own label and now Headz, with The Rainmaker EP reminding all of us just how talented this man is. It's classic Headz and classic Rolodex, as underground percussion collides head-on with subterranean, low frequency shudders. The title tune sets the tone; a fractious, junglist construction that sees tumbling breaks raucously clash below a juxtaposedly smooth vocal hook, a proper crossover breaks number that reminds us of Goldie's previous work. The other tunes stretch things out a bit, as 'Unadorned' bounces through the shadows with an-almost foghorn approach; 'La Bodega' growls its choppy melody; and 'Opulence' clicks in the percussion and snarls in the bassline.
Review: Bringing the pain to d&b back in the glory days of the early 00s and releasing on Dread, Metalheadz and Tech Itch has stood John Rolodex in good stead for his continuing campaign to create intelligent d&b with his own brand of techy influences. Joining T Power to bring one of this year's most infectious jungle tinted drum & bass tracks to V Recordings, there's also sounds of R &B thanks to Khadija's smooth vocals. Chromium opens up Rolodex's techy past to reveal a still beating old school heart at the soul of his music. Two completely different tracks, one d&b legend. Don't miss it.
