Review: Nurtured and raised by Sub Slayers; SKMA bull charges into 2017 with two sheet metal jungle slammers. "Conflict" hits with a heady vibe that sits between the grit of Renegade but the jumpy infection of Low Down Deep. A real bruiser with techy depths and demonic funk. "Over" continues the unrelenting industrial strength riffage but with more of an obvious tech twist and a clear message... Hibernation is over - the SKMA takeover starts now.
Review: Last spotted on Sub Slayers with bass veteran King Yoof, London singer/songwriter Rony Blue turns our frowns upside down with a velvet homage to lovers rock. Crisp delivery with all the right levels of emotion and delicacy, she's backed by a groove that's fat enough for a party but chill enough for any downtime. Remix-wise Potential Badboy gets his skank on twice with vocal and dub versions. Nothing to be sorry about here.
Review: Jay Cunning's Sub Slayers label has now reached the fifth instalment of the increasingly respected Sub Slayers Series. He's scored a real coup here, by signing up rising 21-year old producer Toronto Is Broken to both curate the tracklist and provide an exclusive mix too. The focus this time round is firmly on garage and bass, and there are 26 bleeding edge selections to explore. Highlights include the aquatic synth pads and bottom end rumbles of Sourkrush's "Giving Me Life (Dead Belly mix)", the haunted soul-step of "Laundry Time" by Atomic Drop and the grimey dancehall of "Twinkle" by Gella.
Review: FACT 1: Toronto isn't broken. It's a thriving city full of opportunities for the upwardly mobile. FACT 2: Toronto Is Broken isn't broken either. He's a thriving producer full of creative ideas and filthy rips for the upwardly energised. Case in point, these three beauties: "Voyager II" is a tearing masterpiece that's reminiscent of Grow Your Wings-era Original Sin, "Want You" is a crispy, deeper roller that sits somewhere between Enei and Dimension while "Breathe Clear VIP" adds a refreshing twist to one of the many highlights from his debut album Section 9 released last year. As they say in drum & bass: If it ain't broken, Toronto it.
Toronto Is Broken - "Field Of Poppies" (feat Nuala - Toronto Is Broken remix) - (7:41) 63 BPM
Jay Cunning - "Series 04 Bass" (continuous DJ mix) - (1:17:54) 175 BPM
Review: It's been a while since Sub Slayers last curated a Best Of Bass compendium but label boss Jay Cunning makes up for lost time with this rampant selection of cross-genre scudders. 23 tracks heavy ranging from future 140 tear-ups from legends old (Ed 209, King Yoof) and new (Toronto Is Broken, Dead Belly) to chest-tickling drum & bass from the likes of SKMA, Bladerunner and Salaryman, it's a detailed portrait of where the label is at in 2015. Expect classic ragga rave blasts (Tuff & Powa's "Highest Grade"), hypnotic tribal-tinted dubby breaks (King Yoof's "Badman Riddim"), glitchy neuro-flecked D&B (Toronto Is Broken - "Way Down") and everything in between. Gun fingers!
Review: Heavyweight combo: between the three parties on this joint you've got almost 100 years of old school knowledge, passion and authority. Yoof's trademark chop-slapping breaks, Ragga Twins' instant hype vocals and Dugs' Ribena feel good vibes... Everything is in place for a royal tear-up that will sit across all bass DJs' playlists. Remix-wise Marcus Visionary (yet another legend) flips the tempo switch for a rifle jungle work out that leaves you under no illusions of its badness. Raving yet?
Review: Jay Cunning's Sub Slayers get busy with a brand Bass Selection compendium. Giving the artist full artistic duties without compromise, King Yoof has taken the opportunity to amass some of his best soundsystem-tuned rolling skank-up bangers. From breaks to dubstep to D&B, the whole breakbeat spectrum is covered with special attention paid to dubwise and dancehall vocals. Highlights include a mid-zeros style electro-bass twist on Barrington Levy ("Murderer"), the stabby steppy paranoia of "Big Belly Riddim" and the evergreen harmoniousness of Aswad on Rhythm Riders' "Give Me A Sign". That's just three of 20 unmixed bullets ready for your playlist consumption. Get busy.
Review: "Wanderers" is an epic, natural history lesson of a tune featuring one of the best uses of a documentary sample in a long time. Swooping and soaring, there's something majestic about the simple bassline in this that plays out under a delicate riff and punched out beats. "Exodus Blue" swaps huge rolling sounds for a touch of trip-hop as a slow and scratchily-recorded drum kit etches out a hip hop beat, quickly swapping to a jungle rhythm once the beat kicks in. Odd in all the best ways, this is a standout release, and having been backed by the likes of Dub Phizix and Kenny Ken, you're going to hear more from this rather experimental chap in 2015.
Review: Experimental. It's a word used and used again when describing music that's a little off-the-wall but in the case of southern lad Toronto Is Broken, it's not a lazy adjective. There's a bit of an art to creating heavy, high energy D&B that's also deeply ridden with blockbuster theatrics and when it comes to pushing an atmosphere of widescreen tension and fast-paced action, he's got it down. Eerie samples pulled from places deep inside TIB's mind scatter the surface of each track, giving more texture to what could be lost as 'another' heavy drum & bass release. Don't be fooled - this one is different.
Review: Experimental. It's a word used and used again when describing music that's a little off-the-wall but in the case of southern lad Toronto Is Broken, it's not a lazy adjective. There's a bit of an art to creating heavy, high energy D&B that's also deeply ridden with blockbuster theatrics and when it comes to pushing an atmosphere of widescreen tension and fast-paced action, he's got it down. Eerie samples pulled from places deep inside TIB's mind scatter the surface of each track, giving more texture to what could be lost as 'another' heavy drum & bass release. Don't be fooled - this one is different.
Review: Inspired by the sad death of one of his close friends, Anodyne Industries has set himself the incredible task of creating an emotionally raw, dancefloor-driven, hard-edged drum and bass EP. Intro track "LH1013" is as powerful as you'd expect, building to a heart-vibrating crescendo of neuro snares and claps, soaring synth arrangements and crystalline vocal samples. Moving on, "Reach Within Strike Out" powers through after that emotional introduction with hard-hitting drumstep charges of pure energy with "She Breathes Moonlight" the emotional tipping point. It'll knock the breath out of everyone.
Review: Inspired by the sad death of one of his close friends, Anodyne Industries has set himself the incredible task of creating an emotionally raw, dancefloor-driven, hard-edged drum and bass EP. Intro track "LH1013" is as powerful as you'd expect, building to a heart-vibrating crescendo of neuro snares and claps, soaring synth arrangements and crystalline vocal samples. Moving on, "Reach Within Strike Out" powers through after that emotional introduction with hard-hitting drumstep charges of pure energy with "She Breathes Moonlight" the emotional tipping point. It'll knock the breath out of everyone.
Review: TIB continues to tease us with the imminent release of his debut album Section Nine. "Rekall" is pure savagery as his monstrous bass rips and tears across the mix with unfettered ugliness. Ably backed up with BBK's surefire spits, it's instant carnage material. Remix-wise Sub Slayers have left no stone unturned; Naiive conjures up a ripsnorting D&B tear-out session, Roughmath throws down the bro vibes with Datsik-level aggression, 601 tease us with spacey rave elements before dropping into the foulest breakbeat shred set-up and INF1N1TE closes the show with a half-tempo D&B slammer. No product recalls here - bring on the album already!
Various Artists - "Sub Slayers: Series 03 - Dubstep" (continuous DJ mix by Schema) - (46:24) 140 BPM
Review: Jay Cunning's Sub Slayers imprint has been developing a seriously strong repertoire across all discerning bass genres over the last four years. With a roll-call that ranges from Aswad to Ellis Dee, it's a repertoire with real roots and heritage, too. Here we find the label's third official mix collection. Dedicated to dubstep and curated by Schema, it's an investigative tour of every creative corner the genre has to offer; from the rolling, breakbeaty grooves of Jinx In Dub's "Shaka Sonics" to the muddy modern jungle nastiness of ID's "Tell Ya" and Serial Killaz "Man A Talk" via the more conventional savage midrange riff drop of Rack N Ruin's "Selecta Dub", all shades and styles of the scene are repped in full colour. Naturally, each one is guaranteed to slay all floors...
Die For You (feat Reeson - Anodyne Industries remix) - (5:46) 58 BPM
Die For You (feat Reeson - Rain City Riot remix) - (5:29) 191 BPM
Die For You (feat Reeson - instrumental) - (4:43) 144 BPM
Engineers - (5:41) 174 BPM
Review: Already supported by the likes of Sub Focus, Netsky and Benga, 21 year old producer Toronto Is Broken is already on a roll. Here we have the first sonic glimpse of forthcoming debut album "Section Nine". Although usually known for harder sounds, "Die For You" is straight up trancey pop-step - all rolling beats and giant synths. "Engineers" though redresses the balance by delivering D&B style beats, full bottom end and some dubsteppy bass. Elsewhere Anodyne Industries add some well needed darkness to the lead track, while Rain City Riot turn it into big and bouncy electro-house.
Review: Sonz Of Mecha co-creator King Yoof has contributed to the breaks and bass scene since its earliest stages of formation. Proving he's still got the punch he slapped with back in the day, here he teams up with soul-stirring vocalist Ronnie Blue and tip-top toaster Mr Williamz for an emphatic, sing-along D&B sermon that skips and sizzles with sun-kissed charm. Remix-wise all styles are covered: dubby house skankage (Gold Dubs & Nushu), slamming D&B (Toronto Is Broken), jacking 4/4 garage (Capitol 1212), heads down tech bubbles (Oscar Luweez) and dub-flecked dancehall stompage (King Yoof's own Stepper version). Each soundboy has nailed their remix with precision - show them some love today.
Various Artists - "Sub Slayers: Series 02 - Jungle (Mixed By Gold Dubs)" (Gold Dubs continuous DJ mix) - (49:52) 140 BPM
Review: Breaks veteran Jay Cunning (a former resident at Kiss FM) started Sub Slayers in back in 2009 and ever since he has seen the label's popularity go through the roof. He reckons it's due to the imprint's militant manifesto of 140bpm+ bass and who can argue? Here label regulars Gold Dubs are entrusted to take us through a 50-minute mix of the best jungle orientated releases in the Sub Slayers back catalogue. It's a typically explosive release featuring reggae vibes on "Back 2 Hackney", hyper urgent breaks "Separation" and the laser infused old skool attack of "Unreal".
Review: Two D&B legends together on one massive tune. They couldn't leave it at that, could they? Thankfully not, as this massive track sees not one, not two, not even three but four remixes from some of the scene's finest beatmakers. First up the original sets the pace, bringing addictive, hip-swinging bass alongside playful pads with no hint of the carnage to come. Toronto Is Broken take charge on the remix switching the pace to a clean, bone-chilling techy roof-raiser, Gella's remix channels Leftfield and dubbed out dancefloor footwork, Jinx takes a dubby stance and Atomic Drop destroys what's left with a huge dubstep refix patched up with ravey wobbles. Don't wait about - you need this in your life.
Review: Whether you love it roaring and tearing or lush and dreamy, Sub Slayers have put together a winning remix package right here. The meaty side of this platter comes from none other than Ed 209. One of the tear-out genre's most respected producers, he's been silent for over four years. Returning with this screaming, sizzling chop-slapper, it's clear he's still got the power under his production bonnet. Meanwhile, for the deep heads, Sub Slayers stalwart Toronto Is Broken lays down a much softer, soothing, star-gazing cut that lets the vocal breathe seductively throughout. One for peak time, one for the after party, Sub Slayers have smashed this one.
Review: Usually known for their trademark contemporary jungle joints, Serial Killaz flip the switch and move over to the 140 pastures. "Dutty Sound" is unrelenting insanity that's not far off an old squat party techno record, "Feel It" dives deep into bashment town with added amen licks and a rich warbling bass melody while "Pop The Style" balances the rush-riddled synth blasts of early rave, pummelling percussion and the distinctive patter of the Ragga Twins. "Man A Talk" finalises the deal with a more traditional dubstep vibe, all stuttering hi-hats, groaning bass and a cool vocal sample that promises to show us 'a real badman'. Dutty, deadly and dangerous, this is a very special release.
Review: TIB might not yet be a household name, but Christian Hoffman has been working on his sound for some time now. Unleashing it in this mammoth six track EP after receiving Radio 1 airplay he challenges drum & bass to a stand off between neuro, dubstep, metal, breakbeat and jungle and his results are intriguing, occasionally challenging and made for the dancefloor. Stressy pads, crisp beats and horror film FX all lead to a collection of darkly menacing tunes capable of bringing the house down. You want to keep an eye on this one.
Review: A very special release from Jay Cunning's Sub Slayers here; '80s reggae legends Aswad appear to have found their inner raver and formed a super group with Renegade Soundwave. The end result is a unique fusion of classic harmonic reggae and powerful contemporary bass. Remixes abound, covering every possible taste. Highlights include the amen intricacies of King Yoof's version, the rub-a-dub D&B skankage of Aries & Gold's remix, DJ Madd's stunning deep dubstep wobbles and Mr Benn's cheeky horn homage to The Revolutionaries' "Kunta Kinte". Feel the love.
Come With The Love (6blocc & Marcus Visionary remix) - (5:17) 150 BPM
Come With The Love (King Yoof remix) - (5:54) 140 BPM
Come With The Love (Aries & Gold remix) - (4:05) 131 BPM
Come With The Love (Scott Garcia remix) - (5:26) 130 BPM
Come With The Love (DJ Madd remix) - (4:42) 140 BPM
Come With The Love (Toronto Is Broken remix) - (4:34) 138 BPM
Come With The Love (Mr Benn remix - feat Parly B) - (3:51) 140 BPM
Come With The Love (Roommate remix) - (4:09) 131 BPM
Come With The Love (Terry Hooligan & Mafia Kiss remix) - (5:00) 130 BPM
Come With The Love (Jinx In dub remix) - (4:45) 130 BPM
Review: A very special release from Jay Cunning's Sub Slayers here; '80s reggae legends Aswad appear to have found their inner raver and formed a super group with Renegade Soundwave. The end result is a unique fusion of classic harmonic reggae and powerful contemporary bass. Remixes abound, covering every possible taste. Highlights include the amen intricacies of King Yoof's version, the rub-a-dub D&B skankage of Aries & Gold's remix, DJ Madd's stunning deep dubstep wobbles and Mr Benn's cheeky horn homage to The Revolutionaries' "Kunta Kinte". Feel the love.
Review: Conjuring the heady rave vibes of breakbeat's golden tear-out days, "Mind Control" is a Botchit-level ripsnorter of a track with layers of bowel-tugging saw tooth basses and party-hyping vocals from two of the biggest toasters in the game. "Phenomenon One" is more contemporary with rhythm switches, shocking bass glitches and pummelling drumsteppy kicks. Laced with yet more premier vocals, watch out for the mad switch up after the build. Remix-wise Benny Page shows his more savage side with a firing roller that comes coated in a fine selection of old skooly motifs.
Review: Benny Kane and Dr Specs hook up with one of dancehall's most distinctive vocalists Daddy Freddy. The result? A dark, near-menacing stepper with a heavy, ominous vibe. Remix-wise every bass base is covered: Benny Kane adds a tropical hollow-bass stomp, 6BLOCC cause 808 meltdown on their Trapped Out rub, Skanx sharpens his rave breaks so much they can cut your ears from 50 paces, Black & White up the tempo for a hectic laser-puncher of "Tarantula" proportions and Rebel Sonix outlays two different versions; one laden with bleeps, the other laden with jaunty skanks and high end screams. Immense.
Review: Destination "Afrika" via LA... Here we find Sub Slayer Skanx delving deep into jungle heritage with a muddy roller that packs the same foggy, radar-ridden breakbeat punch as the Meat Beat Manifesto's "Radio Babylon". For a more contemporary dub twist head for 6BLOCC's remix; stripping things back to a nagging 4/4 sub thump, it's the perfect blend of trad dub and stark future-minded bass music. Elsewhere we don the white gloves for the rave-tastic "Boom" while Eek-A-Mouse goes under the sample scalpel on the swashbuckling "Dub War". The junglist massive are on fine form right here.
Review: This one is a bit of a whopper. With 43 unmixed tracks to choose from and two bonus DJ mixes from curator Jay Cunning, there's plenty for fans of 140 BPM plus bass music to sink their teeth into. The tracklist reads like a who's who of the breaks, jungle and breakbeat garage scene, with stalwarts Ellis Dee, I.D, High Rankin and DJ Twista joined by a welter of lesser-known artists (601, Aries, Gella) for an all-out assault on the senses. From hardcore revivalism and early jungle roughness to bhangra-flecked beats and electro-breaks madness, Bass Selection Volume 1 has it all - if you're looking for speaker-shaking heaviness, you really can't go wrong.
