Review: Paradox is one of the most consistent jungle producers around and we've been loving his output across the many years of his production history. His latest single is quintessential Paradox: spacious, atmospheric breaks music with a focus on sophistication that doesn't sacrifice grit. This is one for the true heads and if you like your music dumbed down with frills attached, then this probably isn't for you. 'Decagon' summarises this perfectly, with its booming snare drum as the centrepiece, each percussive hit precisely engineered around it to create the overall vibe of deep roughness. Quality single as per usual.
Review: Second time around for Gremlinz "Frankie Gunns", an atmospheric, early morning jungle roller that first appeared on Renegade Hardware's compilation style Deadpan EP way back in 2009. Here, the hazy, head-in-the-clouds original - a wonderful combination of slowly shifting ambient chords, hedgerow field records, rambunctious jungle breakbeats and booming sub-bass - comes accompanied by a fresh rework by Paradox, AKA 1990s drum and bass survivor Dev Pandya. His rework is, arguably, even better than Gremlinz fine original version, with deliciously dreamy ambient chords seemingly drifting in and out of a backing track rich in punchy D&B beats, stabbing riffs and rumbling bass. When Pandya ratchets up the ruffneck riddims midway through, the hairs on your arms and neck will leap to attention.
Review: Few producer / vocalist partnerships in drum & bass have been as enduring or iconic as Seba and Robert Manos. Even though they both work autonomously with other artists, you can really feel it when they work together. Mystical, moving, soulful but heavier than lead boots, it's been this way since 2005's "Make Peace" and their work keeps getting better; "Etherall" is a hurricane break-based piece with fluttering pianos and dynamic breakaways that let Robert and his earnest, heart breaking lyrics shine through while "Always" shakes with more of a jazzy, cosmic energy where Manos's vocals provide just as much texture as they do soul. Timeless.
Review: The break professor returns! Biting down on 2018 like it's one of your mum's best brownies, once again he makes everything sound so spacious, effortless and natural. The roomy dynamism on the drums and sudden drop into strange cosmic space slop on "The Bolide" are guaranteed to grab you by the cohones while "Dioxan" throes down a b-boy dual with its bubbling sub funk, twisted bass variations, classic samples and minimal rhythm make-up. Classic Paradox.
Review: Canadian minimalist Gremlinz returns to Paradox with two leaner, meaner stepping machines. Teaming up with Jesta for "The Axe", it's an all-out drum frenzy as a classic step break is peppered with thundering hang drum insistency and chilling pads. "White Dove", meanwhile, takes us back to the source with a wonderfully Headzy detuned synth refrain buried deep beneath a more rolling drum arrangement. Impressive.
Review: Drumfunk doyen, break dismantler, all-round jungle legend, not a month goes by without Dev Paradox hitting us with another break. Literally in this case; the tuned snare rolls and rifle kicks are all built up around a vocal sample explaining exactly what he does on a monthly basis. "Kickdat" takes us deeper down the break rabbit hole with a slower investigation of mid to late 80s hip-hop. As always with Paradox, this is nothing short of essential.
Review: A tried and tested threesome formation; Seba and Paradox have worked with vocalist Robert Manos several times over the last 10 years... And the three-way partnership is still as strong as ever with both cuts right here; "Because" is bulbous ball of rolling soul, drenched in aquatic pads and Manos's faraway yearns. "Lie To Me" is a lighter, twinkling piece of work. Reminiscent of Commix's earlier work, it could have easily been released at any point in the last 20 years... And sound relevant and razor sharp on every occasion.
Review: Timeless drum and bass is what Paradox Music is all about and Paradox returns to the scene in his own renegade b-boy style with "Rockdown". Bringing back that old school taste for low and mean bass paired with necksnapping breaks and chopped hip-hop, there's a lot to take in here. How can the past still sound this good? "Divination" takes more inspiration from the present day despite those Paradox give-away beats, opting for deep, dangerous bass and minimal stylings culminating in a dark and deadly masterclass in underground drum and bass.
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