Review: As ever it seems that DRMTRK are intent on exploring new musical grounds as the mastery of Scratcha DVA is again deployed across four tracks of futuristic fire. We kick off with the industrial percussion and choppy melodies of 'Storm' before landing on the minimalist sub splashes and choppy drum switches of 'Whoo Hoo', giving the EP an excellent sense of contrast from the off. On remix duty we see the marvelous Bakongo get busy with a super funky relick of 'Fatherboard', complete with colourful LFO expressions, before we then hear Nazar unleash a dramatic, glitchy overhaul of 'Storm'.
Review: It looks like DRMTRK have done it again here as they arrange a top draw line up to join the legendary Scratcha DVA on 'DRMTRK VIII'. We kick off some super slick production along with an incredibly lively vocal performance from Mez, who lets loose with some typically energetic flows over a grimey madness from Scratcha. Following this, Griffit Vigo joins the party with some excellent contributions on the unpredictable drum work of 'Goosebumps', with DJ Polo then getting involved on 'Boog'; a bass heavy ride through interesting funky grooves and well designed percussive layers.
Review: As one of the original kings and front runners of UK funky, it's always and absolute pleasure to see Scratcha DVA return to the releases, as he does here with this absolute corker alongside the DRMTRK imprint. As a recording, 'FOH' hits every note you could ask for in an original funky stomper, switching between the high pressure introduction sections to carnival style drum circulations and hard hitting chord stabs. This is most certainly one we would recommend drawing for in the dance, just watch the room implode! Excellent stuff from Scratcha as per!
Review: Following on from their excellent 2013 album Nightshade, new wave/punk act DVA Damas return to Karl O'Connor's label with Wet Vision. The title track sees the duo fuse the rockabilly guitar chimes of late 80s/early 90s The Fall with atmospheric textures as Taylor Burch's breathy meanderings makes its way up through a stepping rhythm. "Wet Vision II" is more abstract, held together only by reverberated claps, while "Silence" is like a spikier, more forthright version of Tropic of Cancer, its mysterious textures supported by broken beats. DVA Damas also make concessions to the dance floor on this release and "On Your Heels" is a brilliant, dubbed out stepping techno track.
Review: Taylor Burch and Joe Chocherell's DVA Damas project has always inhabited a sound space all of its own. While heavily influenced by post-punk rock, new wave and minimal wave synth-pop, quite a few of their records also draw on contemporary minimal techno and Visionquest style tech-house. It's the latter that comes to the fore on "Clear Cut", with Burch's stylized, groaning, Mascara-clad vocal riding a dubby, hypnotic tech-house groove and spiraling, EBM electronics. It stretches out for a mesmerizing 10 minutes, too, and subsequently overshadows the fine - but not quite as potent - bonus tracks.
Review: As a long standing member of the UK's experimental bass community, Scratcha DVA here joins forces with the twisted creations of Gage for two tracks of blissful unpredictability, really exploring the barriers of sounds and beyond. The first track we here is 'PIFFD', a weird and wonderful showcasing of creative sound design, alternating between toad-like plucks and retro synth harmonies. On the flip we are approached with a tad more structure, as the mysterious melodies and unusual drum sounds of 'FLYTNURSE' are allowed to roam free. We are also treated to a very clever rework entitled the 'Darq' mix, stripping the track back slightly with a more concise structure.
Review: Mr Scratcha DVA gets deeper and more inventive with every release. And this limited 10" for Hyperdub is one of the broadest, most exciting releases he's put together to date. "Take It All" is a 23rd century ballad with barely any drum work in sight, just pensive bass and a purring alluring vocal. "Worst" takes a more tribal Afro-stomp with system rattling bass and dubby vocal call-outs. "Soundcheck" sits on the right side of weird with its weave of drums, studio FX, reverse twists and a classic soul sample breakdown. Finally Sinjin Hawke takes "Worst" back to halftempo arrangement with more space around the horns and added synth soul. Quite frankly a ridiculously good EP. Don't miss it.
Review: For us there is no doubting Scratcha DVA's legendary status with underground music in the UK, having traversed multiple corners of the scene over his many years of service. Here we take a look at some of his classic grimey bangers, kicking off with 'Kill All A Dem', which has to go down as one of the most instantly recognizable 140 rollers of all time. This is followed up the gnarly sub rolls and circulating melodies of 'Taliban', originally vocalled by Wiley. Next, his remix of 'Dangerous Liaisons', a hard hitting metallic design which held a famous Chipmunk vocal on 'Mr Miyagi'. We finish up with a look at the more funky influenced drum workings of Scratcha's 'Apocalypto', putting the finishing touches on a fantastic collection.
Review: The ten year celebrations from Hyperdub continue apace here with the second of four planned label compilations arriving with the stated intention of casting "some sunshine" over the label's sometimes "dread filled reputation". Arriving on just one disc this time round as opposed to two, the fourteen tracks nevertheless features productions from DVA, Morgan Zarate, Cooly G, Jessy and Burial among other Hyperdub regulars, who are joined by the vocal talents of Dam-Funk, Fatima and others. Perhaps most exciting is the inclusion of an unreleased track from the defunct partnership of Dean Blunt & Inga Copeland; fans of the latter will also be intrigued by Kode9?s "Lies Lies", which features the talents of Inga in her new solo guise, copeland.
Review: Little Corner have hit the nail on the head with this one as they arrange 13 tracks of pure musical freedom, going by the collective name of 'En Famille'. We see submissions from the likes of high flyers such as Scratcha DVA, Etch, Atlas and more, with a tonne of new school names providing fantastic contributions. For us the stand out tracks have to include the stunning melodic movement and icey sound design of G3's 'Paprika', DJ Manny's super bouncy adventure in 'U Wanna B Fr33' and Extract's acid-inspired journey through sound in 'Eager'.
