Review: It's clear to all who follow electronic music with any level of regularity that Om Unit has become one of the most consistently impressive names to follow, with the last decade of work showcasing creativity and sonic innovation with every new outing. This latest 'Fragments' album project sees those talents again at work, from the moogy bass flicks on 'Snagged' to the icey soundscaping of 'Entity' and super sharp drum processing of 'Side Quest'. This album showcases mastery at work, with Om Unit again proving to be a level above those around him, with highlights including the colourful melodic squelches of 'Moonglade' and breaks-inspired energy-boosting qualities of 'Hard Skin'. Top work, as always!
Review: Originating from Bangalore, the duo Ashwin and Ashrith Baburao, collectively known as Audio Units, join forces to craft a compelling EP for Lady Tazz's Mind Medizin, featuring remixes by Ben Sims and Temudo. The EP starts with the powerful drum funk of 'Aristotelian Tradition,' showcasing warped synths, layered gritty percussion, and FX. Vocal snippets and textured pads enhance the groove, resulting in an uplifting sonic journey. Renowned UK techno figure Ben Sims, at the helm of the Machine party and label, provides a remix that intensifies the percussive energy, spotlighting synths and vocals with mesmerizing effects. Following is "I'm Just All You Need," a captivating fusion of fragmented vocals and pulsating synths layered over sturdy kick drums, creating a track that exudes urgency and captivates the dance floor. Tastemaker Temudo contributes a remix of 'I'm Just All You Need,' marked by stripped-back icy hi-hat loops and polished metal synth lines interweaving with minimal yet tribal techno drums. As a digital bonus, the EP concludes with 'Realm Dust,' a high-energy techno funk composition featuring paranoid and persistent synth leads that contribute to an unyielding tension throughout the track. The 'Aristotelian Tradition' EP stands as a dynamic release from Mind Medizin, seamlessly blending techno's dark allure with vibrant dance floor dynamics.
Review: Om Unit pleasantly surprises us with the second volume of Acid Dub Studies, a project that seamlessly melds his adoration for the 303 with studio wizardry inspired by musical legends like King Tubby, Adrian Sherwood, Jammys, and Basic Channel. This follow-up strengthens the compelling narrative established by its predecessor, venturing into groove-centric territories while maintaining a captivating sonic journey, backed up by Om Unit's drippin' 303 bassline, space echo techniques and outboard production traditions. With all tracks coming in around the three-minute mark, they make for great future interpretations of the Jamaican dub 7" sound, only to be enjoyed by a new extra-terrestrial audience at large.
Review: Dynamic Reflection can always be relied on to deliver crafty, impactful techno, and this split EP is no exception. Matrixxman's "Sinister" kick starts the release with a lithe rhythm, bristling hi-hats and an insistent synth loop, making for a dynamic DJ tool. Audio Units' "Cosmic Labyrinth" is more frenetic. With a focus on insistent stabs and intense, chiming bells, it's a killer peak-time track. On "Gateway", Jeroen Search goes for a more cerebral approach: centred on Sleeparchive-style tones, the supporting rhythm still packs a punch. Hitam's "Blixx Charm" marks another departure in style; based on dubby beats and a rolling groove, these elements provide the basis for haunting keys and snapping percussion.
Review: Om Unit hooks up with acid expert Andreas 'TM404' Tilliander for this fine release. Playing out in a frazzled world where 303s, break beats and dub collide, the duo's talents come together to create a fine, diverse collection. Both "Motorway Acid" and "Microdose Sundays" unfold over unhurried breaks and hazy, textured clouds. In contrast, "London Stock" and "Meanwhile In The Smoking Area" see the pair venture into a more tripped out, acid-laden path. "Thursday" sees them pick up the pace, albeit moderately, to deliver a throbbing dub track. The sound of the 303 is audible again on "Refracted" and "Praha" but in both instances, it's used to add a trippy layer to the duo's ambient stylings.
Review: It was way back in 1992 when Detroiters Raphael Merriweathers Jr. and Niko Marks first joined forces under the Unit 2 alias. "Sunshine", their cheery, piano-laden debut single, has long been one of Gerd Janson's favourite house tracks. Here, the Running Back boss has roped in Kink and Tiger & Woods to put a fresh spin on the stone cold classic. While Kink's version - all fizzing drum machine rhythms, steady bold and explosive piano solos - is top-notch, we prefer the Tiger & Woods rework. Typically loopy and tactile in the Italian duo's distinctive style, their mix is a lesson in the dancefloor potential of bass heavy, saucer-eyed, piano-laden loop funk. We have no doubts that it will become one of the house hits of the summer.
Review: Over the years we have become very used to Om Unit supplying us with some of the most experimental musical creations out there. This brand new album entitled 'Acid Dub Stories' is the embodiment of that refusal to fall into line, with the tracklisting exploring electronic music production in a way we have never heard before. There is distinctly retro feel about the general arrangement of the project, from the moogy synthesizer action of 'Ghosts' and 'Bristol Theme' to the more spacious use of pad textures in 'Dissolved' and 'Celestial Envoy', It's impossible to define the project within any singular bracket, with it being best described as a masterpiece in digital sound design. Other highlights include the constantly alternating melodic structures of 'The Struggle' and the digital dubwise vibes of 'Circled'. Amazing work!
Review: London based producer Om Unit returns with next release "Aeolian" on Reso's Civil Music. Never restricted by genre, he traverses juke, dubstep, R&B, hip-hop, garage and all shades of the "bass music" spectrum, with a jungle influence sometimes creeping in. Opening with the esoteric "Ulysseus", this one is all about the rippling, rain-dancing rhythms and steady, stomping beats. Moving on to "Dark Sunrise (feat. Tamara Blessa)", we are treated to a storming dubstep banger with super sweet vocals in a dark, thunderous soundscape. "Fumes" is a more sparse and spaced out little number with dreamy, ethereal synths; while "Lightworkers Call" brings in the talents of Kromestar for another dark, nocturnal venture. "Slowfast Matrix" brings in a flurry of quirky rhythms to the equation before "Ulysses" is given the remix treatment twice over. Essential, no question.
Review: Whenever the futuristic mastery of Om Unit touches down, we know it's time to turn our heads as he once again delivers a masterful box of tricks on this brand new 'Atlantis' collection. We begin with the stunning acidic dubwise fusion of 'Prophecy', taking original rootsy vocal samples and chord progression and tying them together with urgent horns and moogy bass notes for a sumptuous showdown. Next, the industrial drum thumps and post-breaks rhythms of 'Forward' march into play, with a return to the acid then looming with the bubbling bass tones of 'Deadnettle'. Finally, a hardcore inspired drum-driven spinner in 'Amber' closes the EP out in style, fusing fluttering synths with groovy sublow energy, putting the finishing touches on a very well thought out collection.
Review: Om Unit is killing it right now. Whether he's mesmerising minds at the 80/160 axis or ripping out full-on audio attacks, his sonic execution is spotless. "Sleepwalkers" pays homage to the uncompromising Metalheadz motifs; all icy riddims and metallic bass. "Grey Skies Over Chicago" is a deeper vibe; ethereal synths moan and cry of a bed of tightly diced breaks and subtle, star-gazing arpeggios. "The Hand" completes the set on a more frenetic note; the drums are skittish, barely tamed by the faraway, naval-gazing synths and psychedelic flourishes. Each track a true treat, you won't be sleepwalking to this - you'll be sleepraving!
Review: Jim Coles has previously spoken about this second Om Unit full length being "a nod to the sound" of his "teenage self". Given the fact that he's rediscovered his jungle and hip hop roots in recent years, it's an accurate description. The fact that he's also mined Goldie's sample archive to help create the sound of Inversion is also telling. While it's not a straightforward jungle set - there are plenty of wonky moments, skewed downtempo interludes, footwork influences and trips into expansive IDMterritory - the skittish breaks, foreboding noises and murky textures all scream classic D&B. It adds a little spice to an already excellent set, delivering a range forward-thinking tracks with their roots firmly in the past.
Review: Could Om Unit's twist on Nasty Habits' 1996 classic "Shadow Boxing" be one the most crucial VIP contemporisations in recent D&B history? Arguably, yes. The rolling drums, the slight melodic twist on the iconic bassline, the sudden moments of space... Whether you know this from back in the day or it's fresh to you, this really is a literally perfect example of how to VIP an influential classic. "Something Ancient" sees Om Unit team up with Thing for a cathedral-level stepper smothered in deep breath pads and mystic textures that sits somewhere between Clarity and Tobin. Immense.
Review: Not much info on this release, other than it's the work of veteran trio Marcello Surace, Emiliani Pari and Piero Masciarelli. Released through Italian compilation institution, Irma Records, we get 10 tracks with an old school feel. Highlights include the precision jazz funk of opener "Pentatonic", the hammond and blues guitar showdown of "Welcome To Florida" and a laid back version of standard "Summertime".
Review: Largely the port of call for the drum and bass of Fracture & Neptune, Astrophonica's discography has seen curios like Machinedrum, Sully and Om Unit, otherwise known here as Philip D Kick, make an appearance over the years. As We Continue presents Om Unit's second release as 'D Kick' on Astrophonica, which may leave you wondering, do electric sheep dream of dubstep? If there ever was an answer it would most likely be "Drip", while for some uptempo, future bassline house look to "Clouds". With space age soul meeting the frenetic UK rhythms of jungle and bit-graded rave in "The Riveria" this EP moves from woozy ghetto house and footwork in "Summer Modes" to some Drexciyian electro motifs in "160909313", not to mention the post-post future dubstep of "Funk 160". You may pass, totally dope.
Review: A trio of recent Theo Parrish productions get the remix treatment, though why these versions are any more or less "special" than others isn't made entirely clear! The laidback and heartfelt 'This Is For Your' (a Maurisse Rose collab first out as a single in 2019) will suit soulful floors, while 'Ain't No Need' by The Unit (something of a 'supergroup' consisting Parrish, Amp Fiddler and friends) leans more towards jazz and broken beat. The standout to these ears, though, is 'What You Wanna C', a deep, jazzy shuffle par excellence and one for the proverbial "heads" for sure!
Review: A collection of modern dancefloor jungle, remixed and released for your pleasure. 'Nah Matta' is based round a forward moving, fast shuffle decorated with sirens, a ragga vocal and a big fat sub. 'Blackout' is a powerful beast of a track with hard and heavy hitting drum and a weighty bassline, lightened with the occasional classic 90's female vox. 'Lionheart Bizzness' is a loud and crashing sonic assault with a techy break down. 'Stay Tough' has a cinematic vibe, straight out of a thriller, we have a spoken warning and a killer sub.
Review: It's fair to say that Robsoul releases, while solid, don't always hit the mark. The fact that this one really delivers - and we mean, really delivers - is just as much about then unlikely source material as Phil Weeks" excellent remixes. "High Pressure Days", for example, was originally recorded by notorious San Fran punk band The Units in the early 80s. Here, Weeks turns it into a riotous, tribal jazz-house stomper that's sure to do damage on dancefloors this summer. The Dub, in particular, is ludicrously heavy. Weeks" version of "Heroin" by Italian live dance band Motel Connection is less revelatory, but still provides some satisfyingly plump late night grooves.
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