Review:
Brazilian super-duo Level 2 and The Chap collide once again with two more disarming damagers: "Aftermath" pumps with a soft-but-insistent two-step and lavish filtered chords wheezing and teasing around a faraway vocal sample. "Oxygen", meanwhile, rolls with more of a timeless edge. Referencing all the classic V hallmarks - jazzy tones, subtle-but-scratchy bass and a heads-down funk feeling and well positioned vocal samples. Avuncular funk.
Review:
Level 2 and DJ Chap need no introduction. Right at the front of Sao Paulo's new wave of D&B talent, their Alibi project has been damaging dancefloors (and hogging our playlists) for several years now. Enough years, in fact, to hone their stripped back dark soul signature to an album level. And here it is... Said & Done is a powerful document that cements the duo's skills and position in the game. Ranging from the subtle piano laced opener "Debris" to solid sure fire stinkers like "Through The City" (with Serum & T.R.A.C) via sci fi junglised steppers like the gently fluctuating "Recycle", this Level 2 and DJ Chap at their most widescreen; leaping from delicate ("Grace" with vocalist OG Cleveland Watkiss) to deadly (the venomous creeper "Said & Done" with MC king DRS) this is a seriously on point debut album. That moment when Said & Done is all...
Review:
Level 2 and DJ Chap continue to demolish the dance with their currently-spotless Alibi project; "Trunk" is a conga-weaving roller with all the hallmark ingredients of a timeless classic heads-down roller; tight percussion, creeping basses and subtle bars from Coppa, everything about it is deep, dark and dangerous. "No Escape", featuring fellow Sao Paulo artist Nitri, is more of a late night fast lane stepper. Laced with techy textures but driven by a precision groove break and heaps of space, it's a smack back to the darker sounds of the early 2000s before everything went hyper. Extremely well played.
Review:
Astronauts and astronomers alike have been searching for the paradise planet known as Planet V but only one man knows where it is. That man is V don Bryan Gee. Luckily he's happy to take us the planet, and right now he's charging up the rocket for our third trip on pure turbo charge VIP power. For this particular sampler Alibi & Command Strange's collabs from last year both get a variation twist. "Skyline" gets a whole turbine in the bass engine while "Ahead Of Me" is given a subtle twist in the groove department while maintaining that all important roll. V flickingly sublime.
Review:
Marking a triumphant return after last year's widely lauded Stand Alone LP, Artificial Intelligence offer up this brace of relicks. Firstly they overhaul "Pigeon Hole" with assistance on mic duties from the ever reliable MC DRS. Originally an instrumental track, his vocal lends a fresh flavour to this standout track from the album. Up next, the mighty Dillinja returns to do the damage on 2004's classic "Uprising" which switches things up with typically frantic percussion and furious bass stabs. Made to be played on the loudest system known to man.
Review:
Yet another bullseye for the V camp: Command Strange returns with two straight up slabs of fire that are so hot Bryan Gee has been issues a health and safety warning. "Can't Stop" vibes with a real twist, as what begins as a classic subby roller suddenly switches into a reese and vocal fuelled stamp session. "The Gang", meanwhile, takes a few leaves from the books of neuro, Ram and Bad with its early 2000s gritty, fuzzy distorted funk. Undiluted... Handle with care.
Review:
Longstanding Russian roustabout Command Strange returns to V with two more contrasting soul slicers. "Black & White" is a hundred shades of foggy misty grey as the drama is all in the ominous bassline that never gets above its savage station and rolls into the never-ending mist. "Desire" flips the jazz switch with big horns, keys and a demonstrative dulcet delivery from the best MC in the game: The singing Fats. Desirable.
Review:
If you know anything about jungle and D&B, you'll know Boomah... Arguably one of the most distinctive vocals in the game, his harmonies are so warm and genuine they pretty much hug you as they fly out of the speakers. Here we find him at his most emphatic and eclectic, covering all bass bases in true style. Highlights include the sprightly summer roller "Spread A Little Love" the classic hardcore rave breaks "Forward Ever" and the gritty, metallic dubstep joint "Unstoppable", but to be honest this is best enjoyed as the full album it's written as: a shiny mirror reflecting the most exciting sounds of bass music's never-ending narrative.
Review:
Legendary reggae-influenced producer David Boomah has worked with every top level junglist in the game, from Top Cat, Rebel MC, Shy FX, Potential Badboy to Benni Page and Tenor Fly. Using those jungle flavas to massive advantage in the first instance, there's a jump-up tempo but the feeling is far more focused thanks to a big, solid bassline and Juxci Dnero's slick vocals. Flip it and the feeling is far more wild, bringing together reggae, jungle and hi-energy beats for a tune that's set to make dancefloors explode. Get ready for the heat.
Review:
Legendary label V Recordings has crashed straight into the festive season in a big way with this blistering release from Digital, Spirit and Response. Three massive names, two huge tunes. Where to start? "Garrison Law" is a brutal tech-step rampage through a rocking, doomy bassline and clockwork percussion. More than a touch influenced by the old school, it's heavy enough to satisfy the toughest dancefloors. "Different Style" plays with an amazing, spacious break, engineered to spin continuously on the surface of that deep, syrupy sub while the rest of the tune's components work around it. This is some seriously intelligent business going down here.
Review:
Sao Paulo OG DJ Andy gets busy on Brazil's spiritual D&B home V Recordings. It's business from the off as "Sanctuary" rips into the ether with a powerful vibe that's a similar power to that of Mind Vortex. "Retaliation" follows with stripped back dynamic, snaked two-step and endless risers and "Keep Rolling" hammers with a dancefloor grit that's up there with Professor Bassline Smith in its darkened aesthetic and pure muscle. Finally "Let Be Stomp" says cheerio with a classic hip hop sample, hurricane bass licks and beats so strong they could crush your entire street. Sanctuary isn't a luxury... It's a necessity.
