quick audio picks: 12
Classic DnB tune on official 12" reissue from Metalheadz. Adam F's "Metropolis(1)" shook up the drum and bass world back in '96 with its dark sci-fi synths and stabs, hard rolling drums, and mean, blurpy, subterranean bass blazing the trail for many...
expand review more dark-style tracks to come. I can still see kids losing their shit and sticking their faces in the bass bins. One of the best of the era (even minimal man jocks this tune) - soooo wicked! On the flipside Adam F proves he is a versatile producer with the chilled-out, ambient breaks style of "Mother Earth(2)." The soothing vibe is the perfect antidote for a hard night of partying (you know... that point of the party when the sun is rising and the drugs are wearing off). -snackmaster
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Rewind selectah! Definitely one of the harder tunes to come out of Metalheadz during the DnB heyday, Asylum's "Da Base II Dark(1)" is a taste of no-nonsense, ruff and rugged DnB. No jump-up or novelty remix styles here - this is the...
expand review raw deal. With snares and drums cut up and dubbed-out like machine guns, aggressive bass hits like a punch to the gut, and the killer MC sample yellin "DA BASS 2 DARK!" - this is heavy artillery for a rowdy dancefloor. Flipside features some slightly lighter vibes on "Steppin' Hard(2)" and "Desire(3)" - both with sweet ambient and soulful female vocal samples contrasting the tough drum programming and wicked bass. A-side at 45, B-side at 33. -snackmaster
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Please note, the tracklisting on the Vinyl and the CD are significantly different! Benga has been a major player (along with his buddy Skream) in the dubstep scene since the genre was formed. For his massive debut full length (on none other...
expand review than the much respected Tempa label), Benga has proved he not only has bass for days, but also a versatile, progressive style that can push the dubstep sound forward. From the jazzy, smoked-out intro track "Zero M2(1)," you can already tell Benga's got style that surpasses the usual dubstep fodder. But just when you think it's gonna be a smooth ride, he hits you with the roughness! "Z(2)" and "Tech Wobbler(3)" (just a couple of the tracks unique to the vinyl version) deliver that insane, twisted bass that you crave... and there's a lot more where that came from. "E Trips(4)," "The Cut(5)," and "26 Basses(6)" continue the merciless barrage of low end sounds to shatter a sound bwoy dead. For real, this kid is straight nasty with it! Recommended listening for all the bass fiends out there. 10 Tracks total spread over 3 12"s. -snackmaster
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Sophomore albums are always tough to produce, especially when your debut is as critically praised as Burial's. But with Untrue, Steve Goodman (the creative mind behind Burial and Hyperdub label head) seems to be unaffected by the sophomore slump. Untrue manages to...
expand review stay true to the style and mood of the first album and is in someways more focused and affecting. With an introspective, melancholy vibe throughout, this isn't exactly you're typical dancefloor destroying dubstep (it's actually much closer to 2-step garage), Untrue is perfect for solo listening to soak in through your headphones on a rainy day, a hazy night or on a long drive. Listen to the lush, lo-fi production on "Archangel(1)," "Near Dark(2)," "Shell Of Light(3)," "Homeless(4)," and the steppy "Raver(5)," all of which use Burial's clever vocal editing techniques to create his unique brand of futuristic soul. Unfortunately, the ambient tracks have been removed from this, and the tracklisting is entirely messed up on both the jacket AND the spindle. The correct tracklist is found above. Fans of the first album will not be disappointed. Recommended. -snackmaster
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Multifaceted EP from Dabrye (aka James T. Cotton, aka Tadd Mullinix) to tide us over 'til his new full length later in '08. "Get Dirty(1)" features the unmistakable flow of AG (of Show &...) over a squelchy horror movie beat, originally recorded...
expand review during the Two/Three sessions. Speaking of Two/Three, Flying Lotus' remix of that album's "Game Over(2)" shows that the Cali-bred Lotus can make a mean Detroit-style clapper to suit the Dilla and Phat Kat rhymes of the original, and Kode 9's spooky grime take on "Air(3)" sounds extra weird with the time-stretched Doom verses (best to hit the instrumental on that one). B-side holds instrumentals for all three tracks. -Chris Lemon-Red
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Soul Jazz give the sleepers another shot at this classic pair of Mystikz choons from 2006. "Misty Winter(1)" is an appropriately chilly number with deep tunneling bass, icy bells and dubbed out rasta vocal yelps. Turn it over for the equally intense...
expand review and heavily percussive "Conference(2)." Limited repress. Plays at 45. -Chris Lemon-Red
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This 12" was actually the first from DMZ on Soul Jazz records back in 2006 and is available here once again in a super-limited one-off repress. Get it while it lasts! Mala and Coki make for a formidable force when the team...
expand review up and form South London's premier dubstep team Digital Mystikz. This is dubstep with an emphasis on the heavy-heavy side of tings - with bass, drums, and delays going off. Check the intense, almost tribal sounds on "Walkin' With Jah(1)" and the ruder- than-rude bass line action on "Earth A Run Red(2)." It's no surprise these cats got releases on labels as diverse as Soul Jazz to Rephlex. Top notch dubstep indeed. -snackmaster
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Another piece in the Tony Allen remix project from Honest Jon's, though to be honest (ha!) I doubt there's much of a Tony original to be heard in this track from Diplo. "Fuji Ouija(1)" is one big slab of pawrty music with...
expand review a kuduro rhythm, addictive rave synth progression and hyperactive vocal sample triggering from the dinosaur. UK vets Newham Generals are up next with "Tetsuya's Theme(2)," a nasty piece of instrumental grime centered around some Afro-folk beats. Flip features two cuts of incredible percussion by Elewedu of Agege - "Boys & Girls(3)" and "Thank You(4)" - recorded in Lagos, Nigeria. A-side plays at 45; B-side at 33. Recommended. -Chris Lemon-Red
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Part time producer / part time South Philly High School football star Dwizz drops his debut EP on Flamin' Hotz (who brought you Curtis Vodka, Emynd & Bo Bliz, Trouble & Bass). Dwizz's type of "party music" sounds like pitched-up Bmore with...
expand review bits of ghettotech and lots of energy - Philly's loving it. "Salt Pepper Ketchup & Hot Sauce(1)" - as in "whatchu want on your wings, gurl?" - is already a club anthem over there. (The beat's a hybrid of "Percolator," gunshots and paranoid electro-strings.) Dwizz gets a little more booty bass going on "Toot That(2)," which samples "Pop Lock & Drop It," but mis-steps a bit on "Feelin' So Horny." (Hey, the kid's in high school...) Couple more club-worthy cuts on the B-side: Dwizz chops up MIMS for "I'm Hot(3)," and his "Goodtimes(4)" remix can stand toe-to-toe with Tittsworth's "Jeffersons." Nice artwork and pic sleeve from Flamin' Hotz as always. -Chris Lemon-Red
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Get to steppin! Japan's Goth Trad proves that Croydon ain't the only place to produce the heavy original sounds of dubstep. From the name you'd think he wore black lipstick and had clear pupil contacts, but I don't think that's the kind...
expand review of Goth he's trying to rep. It's more like a wave of dark bass, undulating at the speed of thought under reckless drums. The track "Genesis(1)" is also featured on Soul Jazz's Steppah's Delight CD, but it's nothing like having it pressed to play at 45 on a twelve inch. When you put this on a super system, you'll have death come upon you in the form of bass. "Silkoe(2)" on the B-side lightens up the sound kit and and tempo. Love the heavy bounce on both of these. -C'mish
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Now on vinyl! Trouble and Bass Recordings has teamed up with Palms Out Sounds to deliver massive weapons of dancefloor destruction with this latest release from Math Head. The versatile Brooklyn producer never ceases to amaze me with his ever-evolving productions that...
expand review go above and beyond your typical dance track. Just take a listen to the title joint, "Turn The Music Up(1)" if you're not familiar. Skillfully combining retro house aesthetics, rave breaks, wailing diva vocal samples, and a killer bass line as you'd expect from T&B - this one is sure to get hands in the air and kids actin' wild. The AC Slater remix(2) takes the intensity up even higher with an epic rave breakdown early on, crazy chop action and yet another murderous bassline. That's not all though, 'cause things get real serious on "Get Hype(3)." The track starts out with a tricky slowed-down triplet rhythm that speeds up and and gains momentum with layers building upon each othe until it hits a massive distorted breakdown that sounds like you just got transported into the mind of a robot gone berserk. And just when the distorted noise and synths hit a peak, the beat and the bass kicks in at full force and it's a wrap. Time to lose your shit! For real doe. Also features the pumping Passions remix of "Do Damage(4)." Too hype brotha. -snackmaster
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First single from M.I.A.'s new album - do I really have to keep writing? Produced by London's Switch, "Boyz" sounds bigger and more set on party-starting than anything off of Arular, and that's a good look for ol' M.I.A. It's a bit...
expand review more tame than the excessively weird early leaker "Bird Flu," but considering this is Switch producing a pop record, I'd say it lands right where it needs to be. Okay, I've filled enough space, you can add this to your cart now. A-side features the main version, B-side has the instrumental and acapella. -Chris Lemon-Red
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This one gets the... hooooly chit! Look at that tracklist - it's like they custom built this 12" for the Lab. I'm gonna go out on a (short) limb and say this is the best M.I.A. single to date. In addition to...
expand review the already banging original version(1), we get Blaqstarr's remix(2) with Rye Rye, Diplo's remix(3) with Bun B and Rich Boy, Scottie B.'s ultra weird Bmore club styles(4) and the DFA(5) getting down like usual. Even Adrock from Beastie Boys(6) couldn't help but get in on it with a reggae-tinged mix of his own. There's a mix here for everyone (8 in total!) so drop it at your next gig and *boom boom boom boom* take the money. Also includes instrumental and acapella. Recommended. -Larri Byrd
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What the fuck? Sean Paul gone dubstep? With that beat creeping up around 138BPM and those shiny synth stabs you could be forgiven for thinking it on this single from the dutty prince's upcoming album. Then again, with "Ayo...
expand review Technology" running things I guess 138 is the new 95, and you know you need something to mix with those weird tempos. -monk
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Fresh off a huge 12" for Soul Jazz with Warrior Queen, the UK's Heatwave crew revs up their own label with two fresh versions on the infectious Piano Riddim. "Mind How You A Talk(1)" has grime all-star Riko sending out a warning...
expand review to all badminds; on the flip, it's the Heatwave's own Rubi Dan getting hype for "Higher Heights(2)." As usual with these guys, this is a limited press so get 'em while they're hot (no pun intended). -Chris Lemon-Red
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Santogold's very first single, now available in pic sleeve 45 format. Everyone knows Ms. White's NYC hipster paean "L.E.S. Artistes(1)," but this release includes the formerly online-only "Your Voice(2)" on the flip. So collectable right now. -Chris Lemon-Red
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