Review: The Souped Up crew are back in town and they have an offering, courtesy of Original Sin. It's a fiery, no-nonsense release that sits in the familiar vein of Souped Up influenced music, with an emphasis on the pummelling and the urban-edged knack that only jump-up D&B has. Remixing Serum himself, 'Earth Rot' has a punching, pitched-down back end that pulses and sways alongside its percussive cousin and to great effect - this one would go down well on any UK dancefloor. There's a genuine feel of aggressiveness here that only prooducers with the old-school credentials of Original Sin know how to cultivate, and it sits very nicely on the Souped Up release roster.
Review: Current Value's relationship with the Souped Up crew has become one of the best subgenre cross overs in recent times, with his glitchy Neurofunk sound transitioning perfectly over into Serum's drawn-out, jump-up infused tones. 'Remorse' features Coppa on vocals and it's a naughty, rolling number with a tight sub bass and a general atmosphere of aggressive hedonism and dancefloor orientated funk. Good stuff.
Review: Put some money in their hands! Bou and Trigga's already massive 'Veteran' gets the VIP treatment and it's finally ready for us mere mortals. Classic Bou roughhouse bassline funk, signature story telling from a true Manchester OG, delivered on one of the most on-point labels in the game right now; there's a reason 'Veteran' hit the spot so succinctly in the first place. This VIP makes sure the spot remains hit for a long time to come. Start with your lyrics, sing for your song.
Review: Original Sin returns to Souped Up once again, this time bringing razor sharp MC Shakes into the mix for a heavyweight link up '100K'. As with all Original Sin cuts since the very beginning, the dynamics are set to max as the urgent bassline pushes and pulls us around each corner of the dancefloor. Complete with Shakes spitting hard with clarity and vibes, you already know how much damage this is going to cause as we move towards the ravey season. 100 thumbs up.
Review: Bassman a talking, no propaganda! The man with the most famous finger in dance music returns to Souped Up with more murderous words of wisdom in the form of "Power To Kill". Two versions, two absolute jams: Serum and Voltage take the lead with a classic addictive riff that bumps and wriggles and a cheeky key twist on the second drop. Manny mandem of the moment Dutta follows with a grittier flex to the bassline. Full on turbine business, it's a one-inch-punch of a bassline with full distortion and maximum overdrive in the energy stakes. Killing it in all directions, both mixes provide the perfect space for Bassman's distinctive martial law.
Review: Dr Meaker is without a doubt one of the most unique artists in the scene. Known for their live-band approach to D&B that utilises a litany of different vocalists and instrumentation, their two albums are some of the most beloved. But recently Dr Meaker has gone in a more dancefloor-friendly direction and has been repping the Souped Up take, with plenty of big basslines and rolling hooks. That's what this single is and it's definitely a heavy, well-made piece of work. We hope it's not the end of the older sound, but regardless we're loving this newfound grittiness.
Review: Now here's where taxes finally get interesting... The addition of swords. Taxman shows us how: First you take your blade, then you chop up your returns and self assessment forms to shreds to the epic grind and dark swagger of this latest Souped Up banger. 'Never Give Up' cuts just as a deep but with more of an emotional blast and a sudden hurricane twist on the drop. Stylish.
Review: Bedmo band leader Dr Meaker strips right down to his bare bassline essentials and jumps in a deep hot bath of pure Brizzle grit. The results are both high flying and full of natural grace; "The Falcon" glides through the thermals by way of a grunty riff before swooping for its prey by way of big disco samples. "Birds Flying High" maintains the airborne action thanks to a ridiculously playful riff and more precision sample magic. It's a new dawn, it's a new banger...
Review: Just when dnb was beginning to look a little less of a sausage fest, along come Ego Trippin with a whole can of wiener whoop-ass. Frankfurter by name, Frank Butcher by nature, 'Hot Dog' doesn't suffer fools gladly with its brusque breaks and a high freq harmonic riff that'll slap you down if you start taking liberties. 'Dub Plate', of course, pays homage to the crockery that all superstar DJs eat their meals off when they've hit the top league. You haven't been sent yours? Better start cutting more mustard then mate...
Review: Lynx isn't a name that we would immediately associate with Serum & Benny V's Souped Up label, but the long-time producer and owner of Detail Recordings has used his experience and diversity of sound to come out with an absolute corker of a single. 'Rap Dude' has been produced in tandem with fellow Detail artist Kusp, and the pair have come out with a frantic number that wraps a wallowing bassline around a catchy sample, a tried and tested formulae for clubland euphoria that works incredibly well here. The flip is a Lynx-only production with one of the sickest beat patterns we've heard in a long, long time; a stomping percussive display of pure force that grabs you by the scruff of the neck and doesn't let go. Serum and Benny have flipped the script once more.
Review: Two of the most exciting acts around right now have collaborated on this single, as Bristol's The Sauce make their first appearance on Souped Up alongside label founder Serum. The drums are tight and head-nodding, and the basslines are expansive, choppy and full of the not-serious mentality that makes this such a great label. It's the b-side, 'A Truck Load', which really stands out from the pair, as a relentless yet subtly composed bassline barrels through the middle of the track with a feeling of pure inevitability; of course these two acts will make something this good, and of course it will blow your socks off. They wouldn't have it any other way.
Review: Men of the moment Serum & Voltage press the red button on Serum's nuclear new label: Souped Up. The results are as bright, bashy and bad-ass as you'd hope them to be: "8-Bit" hits with a nasty rasping riff that grizzles on the top-end and sizzles on the bottom while "Gunfingers" shoots and whips with an anthemic bass melody that's so strong you feel you've known all your life. Already massive in the dance with those lucky enough to have it dub, this is the way all new labels should launch.
Review: Pass the pizza ar kid, Marky's heading up north and he's after something spicy! Teaming up with Dutta for the first of a two part release, this is a seriously tasty dream team where both artists characters' can be heard very clearly and vividly in the mix. "Mochi" flips between sandpaper bass licks and soft funk stabs while "Waffles" flips between a grumpy Bristol style bass and perky piano rolls that gradually get creepier and creepier. Feeling peckish? This will feed your family for three weeks and still have plenty left over.
Review: The artwork for this release is typically Souped Up with its upbeat, cartoonish style and bright, saturated colours. The music is an equally pleasant assault on the senses and assault is the right word because, with Harry Shotta in tow, Serum & Benny V are launching an attack through sound. 'Let's Go' is quintessential Serum & Benny and the punchy, stabbing arrangement is complimented ideally by Shotta, who's renowned flow floats across the top end of the range to provide extra ammunition for the battle below. Proper Souped Up bit of sickness.
Review: When Bassman and Serum invite you to 'The Terrordome' you don't RSVP on nice frilly paper, you don't say 'yeah defo mate' but actually think 'I'll see what else is going on before I decide', you don't ask 'who else is coming?', you don't have to get your mum's permission. You just go there and you soak up whatever hell and tarnation the two monsters are cooking for you. It might make you screw up your face, it might make you shout a rude word or two, it might make you lose your trousers but that's life in the Terrordome and you are most definitely invited. Comes complete with the equally savage tear-up 'You're Coming With Us' with Ego Trippin where Bassman reveals what theologians and philosophers have wondered for centuries... What happens when we die?
Review: Unofficially the baddest hombre of the KOTR cartel, Bladerunner steps over to his mate Serum's souper imprint for two understated stinker sessions. "48K Soundboy" huffs and heaves with a nicely distorted bassline that's almost guitar-like in its natural strokes and drums that have a live rattled feel (and some ace pitching on the fills) Multiverse, meanwhile, takes us back with a BC style sci-fi aesthetics and a Charge-style stab in the main riff. Impeccable, as always.
Review: Man of the moment Bou is joined by Sub Killaz on Souped Up for a riotous single that lands squarely on the pulse of today's D&B landscape. Head nodding drums and glitched out samples bring you in for the title track 'Starbust' before the trademark Souped Up style punches you on the nose with a fluctuating bounce of bass stabs. "Pressure' adds some more powerful drums in what is jump-up revamped, its stabbing, pointed knuckles lumped into each other for a groovy run of low-frequency style that'll be instantly recognizable for fans of Serum. This release rides the genre's wave of popularity with an effortless style deserving of some of Manchester's hottest talents.
Review: Everyone's favourite D&B dad Mozey returns to Serum's Souped Up with two more absurd thumpy bumpers. 'Tell Me' plays a mean flip as we go from hands-in-the-air Sub Focus style dancefloor energy to an absolutely grotty jump-up riff at a the flick of Mozey's luxuriant long hair. Looking for even more grot and grit? Then head for 'Volcano'. Rasping in a similar, venomous way as 'Tell Me' but with less playful switches, it's Mozey reminding us he's still a badboy when he wants to be. Cheers pops!
Review: Gear them now! D*Minds return to Souped Up with more fruity ruffage. 'Charlie's Sheen' takes the spicy Hollywood actor to gully new levels with a stern Hazard-esque barking bassline and a sense of tension running throughout while 'Riddem' goes full-on barrel business with an expertly rattling snare and ballistic style bass scuds flying all over the place. Classic D*Minds carnage.
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