Review: Self styled global bass label Voodoo Rebel return with another drop from the elusive Arge Numa Crew, this time backed with a trio of killer remixes. Arge Numa Crew's original of "Santas Alarmas" is a hyperactive flurry of clipped sirens and funky tribal snares, something explored further by Hat+Hoodie's frenetic tropical workout which has some gripping moments of tension. Ckrono meanwhile turns in a sweat drenched moombahton remix which slows the original right down. By far our pick however is London trio Tomb Crew's reworking, which strips the original right back to the vocal and measured snippets of siren and shores it up with some snappy, reverb soaked 808s.
Review: The Voodoo Rebel label fluctuate across all varieties of 'bass', and this new release from the enigmatic DES is no exception. In fact, Milan/Florence has the characteristic of never sticking to one formula for too long; there is an abyss in terms of styles and influences between the waves of the title tune, and the looser, more tribalistic patterns of "Ramen & Churches". The Motin remix of the lead tune takes the original down more worldly paths thanks to a flurry of Eastern melodies and twangs, while Boogaloo & Bizt throw down a completely different sort of bass nugget that has something very UK about it. PrP's version of "Ramen & Churches" is our favourite tune on here, its hazy flutter of distant bass trumpets working their magic on us good and proper. Big up!
Review: Never one short of a vivid imagination, Italian producer Lorenzo is back with this completely insane club bomb that actually features the trumpeting of an elephant! With nods to his fellow countrymen Crookers and their cut up fidget house sound, "Savana" features throbbing low end, scattered beats and yes, an epic elephant! Clap Clap's remix features a bizarre double -time Bollywood sample and Diplo style melodies. Finally "Vatican House" is deep and proggy with a dash of electro-swing for good measure.
Review: Back in the '80s, heavy metal bands used to hide backward satanic messages on their records, but now it's the turn of Italian-born, Holland dwelling producer Manuele Atzeni. Ok well maybe not the satanic bit, but explosive ghetto bass banger, "Cosmic Questions" does feature hypnotically reversed vocals entwined with lush '90s pads. Things slow down for the tropical step of "Sleepwalkers Never Die", "Shitness" is deep leftfield '90s swing, "Talkin' Dirty" is reconstructed hip-hop and "All The Mamies" closes with a badass trap-meet-dub bass-off.
Review: Voodoo Rebel mainstay LSWR hooks up with long-time MC collaborator Digi for another beat/bass hybrid that will work well with all dubstep, trap, halftime and bass DJs. With lean groove, the rising hoover tones come from nowhere as Digi provides a demonic sermon. Remix-wise Distro codes a more upbeat funk into the blend while XL Arge takes things right down in the ghetto dungeons. Smoking.
Review: Funky moombahton klaxon! Lucano gets his hands on a delightful heel-kicking Cuban sample and proceeds to get his freak on with a tight percussive drum pattern, rainbows of silly bleeps and even a few horns and whistles. In a word: lively. The remixes are all rather smart, too. Saur goes for a full front Favela smasher, Ckrono & Slesh opt for a half step vibe, Milangeles goes for a proper slo-mo stomp and Arge Numa Crew take the energy levels to maximum. If you happen to be playing at any carnivals this summer this is a must!
Review: Although considered a global bass station, Italian label Voodoo Rebel have kept things local for their latest release. Italian sine-bass loving duo Piezo & Seth deliver two tracks - the deep, tribal chugathon that is "Pasted" and the intricate percussion of the riotous baile bomb "Sao Camilo". The former is also remixed by label regular Lorenzo, who slows things down and stretches them out for a more linear beat odyssey that's littered with lots of chopped up vocal samples.
