Review: Dusty Tonez is back to once again reclaim his crown as being the king of party breaks. The "Get Down" EP features three new jams - the breaky hip-house sample-fest "Got That Funk", the nu-funk sizzler "Get Down" and the drum-heavy Lady Marmalade rework "La Bounce".
Review: Hailing from Ireland, Johnny Pulse (of Stormtroopers of Love fame) launched his Bula Beats label back in 2005 with the release of his debut album, Funky 5 Years Ago. Since then he's established himself internationally as a top hip-hop/breaks producer. Here he has decided to reissue a newly remastered edition of his well-received 2009 long player, How Much For The Monkey. Originally only available on physical formats, now we can all get to shake it to fun big beat jams like "The Market St Hustle " and "Funky Time" digitally too!
Review: Irishman Johnnypluse has been rocking dancefloors the world over for the last 12 years. His history in one of Ireland's most exciting live bands (Johnypluse & The Storm Troopers of Love) toured for three years and made two groundbreaking albums as well. He heads up the Bulabeats imprint out of Trim and presents his new massive beat entitled "The Secret Weapon" (Part 2) which channels the vibe of classic big-beat while using some samples of hip-hop classics of the '90s. Second offering "Skanky Bitch" is a low slung funk attack that throws together dub/ragga samples, pan-pipes, disco loops.. and all sorts on this unusual mix.
Review: After a string of vibrant releases, we are very pleased to see Johnnypluse make his return to his home imprint of BulaBeats for another selection of witty, sample based explorations. We begin with the first of two creations which goes by the name of 'Back N Black Beatdown' setting itself as the centrifugal force pulling together a selection of classic slices. From here we move into track two which takes the name 'Loud People', infused with a more dubwise approach, slapping another collection of groovy hip hop and breaksy classics together.
Review: Ireland's king of the sample, Johnny Pluse is rarely heard without the backing of his Stormtroopers Of Love crew. Here however, he kicks off the year by bravely going it alone for solo album "Lasers 17". Heavily indebted to the early 90s hip hop stylings of Beastie Boys and/or Cypress Hill, tunes like "Don't' Be So Dramatic" and "Its Some Craic" charge out of the gates in a furious flurry of turntablist cuts and breaks. Elsewhere highlights include the electro attack of "We Need More Lasers" and the surprising feelgood anthem "Drinkin In The Sun".
Review: Irish breaks hero Johnnypluse returns to Bulabeats with a new release featuring a heavy '80s influence . The Liquid Gold EP features three electro disco infused dancefloor weapons that pay homage to the Blitz Kids, Steve Strange, Gary Newman, Duran Duran, Depeche Mode right through to Big Trouble In Little China and no homework on a Friday. From the neon-lit bounce of "Jack Burton" and its electrifying arpeggio, to the Beverly Hills Cop vibe of "Neon" and the cowbell driven nu-disco groove of the title track - which also comes with an extended remix.
Review: As ever with JohnnyPluse, we are in for a treat as he lands yet again onto BulaBeats for a phenomenal display in breakbeat brilliance across twenty incredibly well produced originals. There is something on this project for everyone, from the colourful landscaping and bouncing drums of 'You Are Home' to the more tribal percussive smacks of 'Eat Your Government' and junglist inspired arrangements of 'The Wiggle'. There are a couple of clear stand-outs across this twenty track bonanza, including the euphoric drum breaks of 'Fantastic' and the smooth harmonies of the disco edition of 'Liquid Gold'.
Review: Bula boss and his ever-dependable, consistently romantic Storm Troopers get their swing on with the ska-packed "Blast & Bounce". Igniting with a slow-burning bassline and a classic late 90s big beat riff, the riddim track is perfect for any MC chatter or acapella creativity you might want to apply. For something more instantly gratifying dive deep into Leygo's remix: With a hook that's straight out of the Two Tone play book and drums straight off the back of a three day non-stop carnival, it really will blast and bounce you to smithereens.
Review: The Stormtroopers Of Love were born kicking and screaming into this world when Johnny Pulse (boss of Ireland's Bulabeats Records) decided he needed a live band in his life. Described as being 'a live fusion of hip-hop, funk, dancehall and ska', Ape Panic delivers all this and more (especially here on our very own Juno Deluxe version). Highlights include the badass bottom end attack of "Rebel Bass", the nasty breaks jam ""In The Heat", the piano-led shuffle of "Pull The Cord" and the jump up DnB fun of Leygo's remix of "Blast & Blast". Proper good times music!
Review: Last year, Bulabeats founder Johnny Pluse released both a solo album and an album with his live band The Stormtroopers Of Love. He's presumably been touring both ever since, but now he's back with his band for this four track EP. The title track lives up to its title with "Skanky Town" fuelled by a speed up ska sample, a trippy fairground organ and a skippy garage beat. Elsewhere "The Nite Club" is dreamily delayed dub (which also appears in an even more dubbed-out "Dub Version") and "O Jesus Funk" - a bizarre electro-house/breaks mash up guaranteed to kick-off any self-respecting party.
Review: Despite living in the quaint Southern Irish countryside, Johnny Pluse releases a consistent stream of internationally flavoured urban breakbeat. He's released both solo albums and albums with his band, the Stormtroopers Of Love over the past few years and little did we know that the latter's recent The Skanky Town EP was actually a taster for yet another LP! Well here it is, Dos Tonas, and its boasting 16 party jams to enjoy. Beyond the EPs earlier tracks highlights include the Fatboy-goes-to-Kingston vibes of "Talking About The!" and the speedy DnB skank of "All The Best Now".
Review: They might share the same title, but each of these four versions is an individual tune in its own right... The original riddim mix is a warm-skank packer, the jungle mix is all about the classic rifle amens and sneaky drop into "Under Me Sleng Teng", Leygo's remix takes the riddim and fits it snugly in bright coloured tropical swimming trunks while Frankee More gets busy on a treacle-thick glitch fix. Serious monkey business.
Review: Feel your pulse: check. Feel the love: check. Johnny and the lover troopers ride the archives and combine the ultimate 'best of' compendium having announced that this summer's album Dos Tonas will be their final long player together. Smashing the last three years and grabbing their wiliest, wittiest and funkiest jams Storm Troopin For Life is the sound of an Irish collective getting deep into the groove and creating their own unique party-smashing sound. Fused with punk-like spirit and sense of mischief, there's no filler whatsoever... Just drop the sunny-side skanks of "Dos Tonas" and watch the damage for yourselves. Essential for all modern day funk aficionados.
Review: This is such a cute and happy track, the pleasingly whiney American vocal reminds us of Darwin Deez and Vampire Weekend's beer soaked college escapes, singing of short skirts, unemployment and free houses evoke happy sunkissed blurry images. Syncopated guitars and robotic sirens bring the breakdown to different places. 'The Breaks Mix' is very similar to the original however the breaks are a lot more prominent. While Ewan Hoozami remix brings a different vibe completely, keeping the happy go lucky vocal, but adding a weird, twisted, candy floss glossing. The bounciness is amplified and sounds of fairground are added as well a ragga samples and a dubbier sub.
Review: The Irish breakbeat giants Bulabeats make their start to 2018 in fantastic form with this high energy collaboration between label founder JohnnyPulse and renowned Leeds based MC Coppa. The duo combine for a classic sounding UK hip hop arrangement entitled 'Never Get Old' which takes us through the day to day story of an average person overcoming obstacles and having a good time. This release comes complete with JohnnyPulse's dubbed out riddim version and a very exciting ska infused rethink entitled the 'Maars Reskank'.
Review: Funky Irish all-rounder Johnny Pluse and his The Storm Troopers Of Love moniker, is well known for party-fuelled attitude. Here they return with Rebel Bass, their first new track since March, and they're bringing some serious fire to the table too! "Rebel Bass" is an effervescent anthem fusing hip-hop, pop and rock for a hands-in-the-air hit. Dusty Tonez also appears to provide a tougher electro-funk rework, whilst Barry Krishna recasts the tune as an awesome exotic disco groover. An instrumental and raw samples are also on hand for all those budding remixers out there too!
Review: Johnny Pluse and The Stormtroopers Of Love get straight down to business with this tasty four-tracker for the incorrigible, and pretty much unstoppable, Bulabeats label. This is proper breakbeat fire all-round, starting with the greezy, mutant bass of "In The Heat", followed by the piano-laden pseudo house of "Pull The Cord". "The Beat Is Rockin" offers a little but of old-school hip-hop charm, blended seamlessly with a few rave tones, leaving "In The Heat Riddim" to work that same swamp bass further into oblivion.
Review: Irish bass and breaks fanatic Johnnypluse teams up with The Stormtroopers Of Love for another wicked episode of Bulabeats, this time turning in something significantly different from their usual array of offerings. We have a special, tailor-made Juno VIP version of "Talkin About The!", a slow, lo-fi groove that's infused with everything from reggae influences to Motown soul - the result is something utterly hummable and just on the right side of cheesy. "I Got 2 Moves" is a different sort of beast altogether; the breakbeats are out and in full motion, while the vocals pay respect to early era hip-hop rather than Detroit funk. PARTEEY!!
Review: From his inevitably glitzy abode in Poland, Tomasz Ochman aka Loop Maffia, has been running his soulful hip-hop family with some seriously tough love (rumours of horses' heads in the beds of detractors can't be verified at this time). Here he drops the OG Krush EP, and although we've no idea as to the significance of the title, we certainly understand his silky beats. There are two tracks two choose from - the deliciously sumptuous orchestrated loops of "Analogue" and the deeper stop-start jazzy soul vibes of the title track. Once again the don's come heavy!
Review: Poland's Loop Maffia has been running his family for a good 15 years now, keeping people in check with his badass beats. Here he delivers the sleazy blues-funk cut up montage of "Follow". On the digital flipside is "The Smell" a real headnodder of stop-start hip-hop breaks and clever orchestral samples. This guy is still the Don.
Review: Bulabeats are back on it with this new compilation of high-powered Ska & Dub, taking us through the entire reggae wheel, and landing on some pretty unexpected territories along the way. Johnnypulse, Mo Matic and JPSTOL get together and fill us with heartical delights from start to finish, but their tunes aren't limimted to a dub tempo per se. On the contrary, a dubwise feel is added to slamming jungle beats, raucous d&b breaks, and even a little grime sensitivity for the South London massive. If you're into all things 'dubby', then this is certainly one to check. Big up, Bulabeats!
