Review: Drum & bass from a techno perspective; Current Value's 14th album (yes 14!!) flips the switch and turns things inside out once again. Stark and, at points, highly abstract, the album takes a deeper route than previous CV LPs such as The All Attracting and Puer but still absolutely hammers and annihilates when it needs to... The anti-capitalist marching jam 'GREED' is a stomping, surging slice of pulsating tech tackle, the title track 'Platinum Scatter' and 'Eternal Recurrence' are rifle-like showers of euphoric bullets while 'TNM' is take the new 4x4 style of D&B to some stern and unforgiving places. These are just a small handful of highlights on yet another thoughtful and well considered concept LP from one of drum & bass music's most unique individuals.
Review: Few producers enjoy the exalted position that Current Value does. And since he's moved back from his hectic crossbreed creations to more traditional tech drum & bass sounds, you can really hear the detail in every element. Xtrah is a man of similar frequency obsession, making this Cyberfunk release a really natural and honest project. Highlights include the cymbal-splashing twist on the triplet arrangement ("Escape") and the insane blocky snare funk on the total sci-fi freak out "Matchfit". With all other tech territories explored in between, one could easily argue this to be Cyberfunk's best release so far.
Review: Rewind to 2000: Tim Eliot delivers his third album In A Far Future and he wasn't being sassy with the title. Still sounding experimental, innovative and ahead of the curve today, every track still has complete resonance with what's happening to this day. "Circular Moduls" jitters spasmodically like a Phizzy B-side, "Macromechanism" foretold the bleak terrain that Shackelton would conquer years later while "Acid Generator" would still smash either tech or jump-up floors such its absurdity and funk. Almost 18 years later, and reissued just weeks ahead of his forthcoming album on Invisible, this still sounds future as hell.
Review: Noisia's label for experimental, low freq sounds pushes its recruitment drive with this, a staggeringly good four-parter featuring some of the most sought-after names in dark and heavy beats. Kicking off with Lockjaw's methodically heavy "Obsidian", the producer takes his production into brooding territory while remaining technically astute. (Check his Tumblr too, man's a decent production blogger). Subtention's "Midnight Flush" ticks and shuffles its way through footwork-inspired beats, playing nastily with minimal, deadly bass. "Cotton Punch" comes next from the ever challenging Current Value and this is no exception - get ready to be pushed - while Berlin-based newcomer Survey offers up deep, minimal subs and rolling percussion for the perfect bleak, underground vibe. Top release.
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