Review: Irish wobble-maestros Dirty Dubsters continue their relentless assault on the junodownload charts, unveiling "Girls Pon Mi Mind" a eminently carnival ready collaboration with Champion UK Deejay Top Cat, which comes backed with some switch em up remixes. The original version pays equal attention to the chunked out beats as it does the authentic dubbed out skank riddims that shift in and out of focus along with some vintage JA horns, whilst Top Cat's distinctive delivery rides the circa 140bpm bump with aplomb. Those wanting something a bit rowdier will no doubt be satisfied by the accompanying remixes from Liondub and Spenda C which flip "Girls Pon Mi Mind"in a vintage jungle stylee and main room dumbstep way respectively.
Review: The latest six-tracker from Run Tingz Recordings is a six-tracker from Jinx, a producer whose jungle and jump-up credentials are firmly established and whom is on top form here once more. Title track 'Bed Of Roses' is certainly aptly named as it combines both an alluring prettiness with sharp edges, in part thanks to the slick vocal work from Texxus Red, who sounds especially good on the loping, hip-hop influenced introduction that perfectly sets the scene. This track also sets the scene for the rest of the release, an excellent piece of work from the Run Tingz team.
Review: Allow jungle revival pioneers and Jungle Cakes bosses Ed Solo & Deekline to present the much anticipated follow up to "Welcome To The Jungle". On this second edition of "Welcome To The Jungle", Ed Solo & Deekline delve deeper into their roots, and influences with a heady brew of jungle cuts old and new. From stone cold classics like Ray Keith - Chopper and DJ Hype ft. MC Fats - Peace, Love & Unity, also featured are remixes from Chase & Status, and Sigma. Mixed live by Ed Solo & Deekline over 2 continuous mixes, and crammed with 28 upfront exclusives, VIP mixes, classics, and fresh cuts from Jungle Cakes, Welcome To The Jungle Vol. 2 is all you need.
Review: For anyone who likes their beats hard and their samples nasty, this LP is an essential purchase. Spanning the ranks of Serial Killaz themselves, Rebel MC, Run Tingz Cru, Top Cat & Tenor Fly and Tribe of Issachar as well as some very special guests, this is a hard dance treat for anybody with fire in their shoes. Those in the know will already expect blazing jump up stylings from the Serial Killaz crew but that's only the start of it. From beginning to end there's no let up - you step hard, or you go home. The choice is yours.
Review: Given the recent upsurge in interest in the back catalogue of seminal Chicago label Dance Mania - particularly the ghetto booty side of their output - it seems fitting that Strut have finally given the label the retrospective treatment it so richly deserves. The whole story is here, from the early jack tracks of Hercules, The Housemaster Boyz and Victor Romero, to the stomping rhythms of DJ Funk, Dj Deeon and Robert Armani (whose ghetto-meets-acid jam "Ambulance" is a riotous highlight). Along the way, there are classics aplenty, alongside lesser-known gems from the vaults (see Parris Mitchell Project's ace "Ghetto Shout Out (feat Wax Master)" and Paul Johnson's thrilling "Feel My MF Bass"). Whether you're a Chicago house connoisseur or not, this should be essential listening.
