Review: Network Records was based in Birmingham during the late 80's and early to mid 90's. It was owned by Neil Rushton and Dave Barker. In 1996, they signed a deal with Avex to release music and was one of the defining labels of early rave. They present more classics from their back catalogue on Network Rave Relics - Report To The Dancefloor, such as The 10th Planet's version of Derrick May's Detroit techno anthem "Strings Of Life" (Ashley Beedle remix), Altern 8's seminal "Move My Body" getting a mental breaks-driven remix by NYC legend Joey Beltram, as well as the true zeitgeist of rave on the uplifting "Give It To Me Baby" by Love Revolution and the deep bleep journey of Nexus 21's "Real Love" with its sensual vocal.
Review: Between 1990 and '92, Nottingham's Mark Gamble and Leroy Crawford released a series of Bleep-influenced cuts that have since become classics. This expansive EP gathers together some of their most potent cuts, throwing in a few lesser-known tracks for good measure. The key cut is 'Take Me Back', an excitable mixture of Unique 3 style raw bleeps, rumbling sub-bass, shuffling drums and rave-igniting synth stabs. Gamble's 2020 update is tastefully done and arguably even more potent than the original mix, while the 1990 'Bass-Head' mix and sub-heavy Rob Gordon Edit are both essential. Elsewhere, 'Frequency' joins the dots between bleep and dreamy Italian house; 'Wind Me Up' is simultaneously sleazy and rush-inducing; 'Night People' is deliciously low-slung; and 'Splat' a successful exercise in deep, melodious Bleep & Bass.
Review: His third album in as many decades, Unique 3's influence and clout in electronic music is still wholly relevant, forward-thinking and commendably genre-smashing as it was when he unleashed "The Theme" in 1990. 17 tracks wide, the whole album weighs in at almost two hours with each track tickling a different corner of dance music's underbelly. From the stunning Orbtialesque opener "Broke My Dream" to the slippery subby D&B skips of "Daddy Ain't Around" via the lush acid house bubbles and rushy synth washes of "SIP 9", we're switched and flipped from style to style with due consistency and clarity. Other highlights include the dreamy breakbeat wobbles and ripples of "Alteratio", the chop-slapping big room house of "Memories Inside My Head" and the epic mesmerisation of the 11 minute finale "Flam Flam". Picture perfect.
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