Review: What a fabulous way to kickstart 2023 for the Breakbeat Paradise team, who welcome the sounds of both Mako & Mr Bristow for a fiery two-track display, fusing nostalgia with the new in infinite majesty. We open up the EP with the old school vocal layering of 'Stealin Alright', a proper throwback to original rock n roll drums and harmonised vocal chops, giving us a guitar lead straight out of a heist movie, topped with steel drums and an overall sensational piece of soundscaping. On the flip, more of the same era as shimmering guitar leads meet emotive string slides and colourful vocal choruses. These are two tracks you could run in a wide variety of dances, which we can't wait to witness!
Review: It seems the full CIA cast list has come out for this entirely massive release and holy moly is it a large one. Kicking things off with the legendary Total Science guys and the one and only S.P.Y headed up by Chroma on remix duties, "Whoonga" is a relentless roller, pushing on through dark bass and sparks of light from harsh pads and electric samples. In "Stoned", Calibre calms his intensity levels for a chill roller packed with lucid dreamy sounds and tight percussion. Riya joins old friends Total Science to lend her sultry vocals to a crisp, soulful stepper in "Walk The Same Lines" and Utopia henchman Mako
Review: Fluctuating pockets of lion-growling bass tickle the edges of Mako, DLR, Villem & Ant TC1 mega-production "Hungry For Atmosphere". Its groove is the exact type of rhythm we all want from a classic Metalheadz record, which is circled by chiming bells, tremolo-infected Rhodes and an infectiously urban-sounding 'yeah vocal'. The other track however, presents a different story, with something more tear out. This time it's Mako, DLR amd Villem - minus Ant TC1 - that provide the ripping, snorting, and shaking "A Certain Flavour" - watch out for this.
Review: If you're the type of person who prefers old school vibes that roll out on a danger flex, you're going to like this EP. Goldie's choice set-closer leads the release (oh, so that's where you've heard it before), and it's not hard to see why: "The Narrator" has everything you'd ever want from a drum and bass classic. The only thing missing is the 25 year maturation - this one's straight out of the barrel, no messing. There's not a man on the planet that can mould a beat like Mako and this is going to transform him from cult hero to ruler of the free world. Just saying. Get your stake now and lead the way.
Review: It's another Headz special! Bristol's finest Utopian, the man like Mako, delivers his debut solo album and it's every bit as deep, detailed and sense-slapping as you'd expect it to be. From the spacious drums and grizzly bass on the opener "Heartstone" to the rave-melting halftime switching "Flip It" via the bouncy harmonics of "Hoxton Home" and the depth plunge bassline and Subtitles-style rawness of the stripped back arrangement on "Offline", like all Metalheadz albums - and indeed Mako productions - this is a properly considered, thoughtful and detailed body of work. Essential.
Review: Mr Utopia returns to his spiritual home with four more forward-thinking sermons: "The Gully VIP" sees him giving 2015's underground thumper a toxic halftime treatment, "String Section" is a stark stepper with nary an orchestra in sight, "By Firelight" rolls with a really spacious design and polished bass textures that are reminiscent of a young Photek while "The Need In Me" counterplays big jazz washes with drum edits that are twisted on a Paradox level of detail. Crisp.
Review: Utopia bossman Mako steps up with three outrageously on-point cuts for the Metalheadz label. Each one slapping a different cheek of the dancefloor, we're flung from tearingly ugly rollers like "The Gully" to unique broken beat/jungle hybridisms on "Ju Ken" which comes with added input from the man like Throwing Snow featured. The main draw, however, will be "Tell Me Something" which sees Mako team up with Detail. Lush sense-popping synths blast spine-chilling chords and deep bass gurgles in every direction as it runs amok on a meticulous drum arrangement that never sits still. The truth is out there for those that seek it.
Review: Drunk on heavy Craig Charles support, Bristol chain-funkers Mako & Bristow get mucky on Breakbeat Paradise with four more floor firecrackers. "Twist & Shout" fuses various versions of the classic rock n' roll song over a snippy breakbeat tempo, "Funky Jive" is a schooling in Bo Diddly business while "If Stax Ain't A Reason" takes us on a way trip to Memphis and finally "Funk Am Im No Good" flips Winehouse into the funkiest homosapien on the planet. Ridiculously funky.
Review: As always with Breakbeat Paradise, they have brought some serious heat to his one as we enter the 5th edition of the Stank Soul Edits series, featuring Mako & Mr Bristow. We begin with the rock & roll waves of 'Funky Diggin', which through a combination of lofi-vocal arrangements and groovy percussive inputs, delivers a flavoursome breakbeat design. Next to this, we are introduced to the horn-like harmonies and thunderous bassline bounces of 'Dynamic B-Boy' which when topped with it's nostalgic vocal line, gives us a fantastic festival closer, crescendoing left, right and centre with some colourful melodic twists. Both tracks represent a fabulous middle point between old school sampling and new school arrangement, delivering the goods in style.
Review: The second of two big break edit releases from Resense: World champion monkey boxer Mako and decorated turntablist Mr Bristow get real with two more funk obscurities. "Breaks All Tight" struts with a classic Motown feeling and a vocal power that's not dissimilar to Lee Fields. "Mama's Little Breakbeat" keeps it real with a swinging twist on Kris Peterson's "Mama's Little Baby". Both absolutely tickle the dance. Vinyl only, too.
Review: The first of two big edit releases from Resense: Titanic Bristol funk from the infrequent partnership of Monkey Boxing's Mako and serial editor Mr Bristow: "King Soul-omon's Mine" takes a cover of heavily-sampled, well-known Lee Dorsey/Allen Toussaint gem and adds a subtle contemporary swing. Flip for a full band breakdown over a pristine break as "Sock It Silly" strips down the science of every funk tune ever. Vinyl-only; this one's a keeper.
Review: Powerful funk fire from Bristol's serial editors Mako & Mr Bristow as they hit number three in their Stank Soul Edits series. Backed by a strong gospel vibe and raw gutsy female vocals across both sides, it's another sure-fire heater: the soaring sentiments of Ann Peebles command the A with an empowering ode to the allure of love's sweet sensation while the B is dedicated to the stirring prowess of Shirley Brown. Both crafted and beat-licked in M&MB's inimitable floor-warming style, and already galvanised on the airwaves by funk professor Craig Charles, it's another stank showdown that cannot be denied.
Review: This is a special release. It's the last piece of music ever to be released via Soul:R, as the label is closing its doors after a long, rich history. It's fitting that Mako is the one responsible and he's done an amazing job at encapsulating the gritty, upbeat and vibrant sound that made the imprint special within a single EP. 'Come Down' is desperately steppy and full of texture; 'Message Music' features Marcus Intalex and that trademark Intalex tendency to drawn out an intro with perfect progression. All four tracks are special and all four pay homage to a truly iconic record label.
Review: Ben Soundscape's Bristolian Intrigue Music imprint is one of the most highly regarded smaller labels in D&B and its especially known for its annual compilations, which display some of the best-made high-brow D&B in the game. This is the second part of their 16th anniversary collection and its just as top-notch. Mako & label boss Ben Soundscape team up on the inimitable 'Uplift', a snapping, steppy tune which combines a classically Mako drum pattern with Ben Soundscape's characteristic wispy ambience. New Intrigue artist Mosaic chimes in with a stunning contribution, 'Airspace' has crisp, metallic drums that roll out inside a swirl of pads and deeply rich synth textures, a seriously melancholic track that ramps up and back down at various points. Stunning stuff here.
Review: Here's something to celebrate: a studio hook-up between regular sparring partners Break and Mako, and fellow Utopia Music artists Fields and Villem. "Shadowlines" is an undeniably forthright concoction - a pounding tech-step smasher that makes great use of glitchy electronics, snappy snares, weighty sub, nightmarish textures and creepy melodies. It's an excellent follow-up to the quartet's 2012 single "Dilligence". Flip for "Found You" by former Fokuz and Formation Records artist Chromatic, who drops a typically chiming and picturesque liquid D&B roller packed with fizzing rhythms, warm chords and hazy female vocal samples.
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