Elite Force
Ghetto Fabulous
This release is the latest instalment in the Elite Force Revision Remix Project, and what’s on offer here are two outstanding remixes of the amazing Ghetto Fabulous. First up Dopamine takes things all tech funk – his driving, shimmering beat provides the back bone of the tune while the original haunting synth line gets a big set of teeth as it twists and morphs into a knock-out punch. Next up, Fine Cut Bodies strip the track rights down with a very percussive mix that features that big original synth line twisted and edited to hell. Of the two mixes, Dopamine’s is the winner for me with its big beat and thundering grooves – fans of the Lot49 sound will love this. 10/10
U&A Recordings
Equalizers
Revenge/Wide Awake
The Equalizers are sonic terrorists who pack each release with a deadly aural bombs. Revenge is a C4 explosion of a track – this tsunami of bounce is full of amazing key and beat changes, plus a bassline that will tear up any dancefloor. On the flip we have Wide Awake, a track of titanic proportions which is full of atmospheric soundscapes, driving beats and a sawing synth line that is just huge. Big release for Hardcore Beats – don’t miss it or you will regret it. 9/10
Hardcore Beats
Dilemn
Namnasty/Body Shout
I love this release – in fact, I haven’t stopped playing it out since I got it. Dilemn have previous releases on Cyberfunk and Bombtraxx, but this, their debut release on Hardcore Beats, that’s got me all hot and bothered. Namnasty is pure filth on vinyl – a bassline grabs you by the balls and twists, as sonic synth lines and power-driven beats thunder over head. On the B-side we get the electro-tipped Body Shout that is full of lush pads, supersonic keys and melodies – plus a funk edge to really get all the booty on the dancefloor shaking. 10/10
Hardcore Beats
Pro-7
Dislexic Disco
Hardcore Beats unveil a new offshoot project his month in the shape of the Future Perfect imprint, which is going to feature more 4/4 electro house vibes. Pro-7 is the first artist to be released on the label, and Dislexic Disco is a highly infectious slab of electro house that’s packed to the ceiling with glitchy edits, solid percussion and a massive bassline. Providing the B-side remix is newcomer Arrow, who steps forward dropping a re-rub that builds and builds, using cuts of the original as well as some sublime glitched out edits and a magnificent driving bassline. This track has already caused massive waves with Rogue Element and Tom Real. It’s easy to see why. 10/10
Future Perfect
Various Artists
Lot49 Presents Lee Coombs Sampler 1
Here are three superb tracks taken from Lee Coombs forthcoming mix compilation on Lot49. First up we have the man himself, Mr Coombs, and Nick Thayer dropping TFM. This track is a dirty tech funk roller, full of driving 4/4 beats, samba-style percussion, cruising acid lines and an earth-shaking synth that pulls the whole tune together. Elite Force is next up with another fresh cut, Engine. Kicking off all breaks stylee, the track slowly builds and builds before its breakdown where a robotic voice tells us: “Love, energy, power – the energy, the energy that runs the universe.” Then the main track kicks back in, as a colossal bassline and a whopping beat thunder into play. About halfway through a seismic acid line kicks in that adds a real heads-down vibe. This is Elite Force at his very best. Following that is going to be a hard hard job, but the Lot49 boss Meat Katie handles it well. MK takes Alloy Mental’s God Is Green and twists it through his sonic grinder. Keeping the original vocal, he adds the most impressive synth hook and warping bassline, taking the track stratospheric. This will drive any dancefloor out of their minds. 8/10
Lot49
Elite Force
Melodik Hypnotik
Melodik Hypnotik was first released on the now defunct Kingsize, but it returns on U&A with remixes by two of the scene’s hottest names. The first mix, by Miles Dyson, is a marriage of electro house thunder and solid breaks funk – the result is a track that is going to be a instant classic. The second remix come courtesy of Riva Starr who delivers a low-down, deep, techy, minimal and hypnotik version of the track, with a stunning set of percussive melodies and a jacking beat and bassline. Huge release for U&A. 10/10
U&A Recordings
Ils
Hate Is a Illness/Lone Riders
Ils is one of those producers who’s always pushing his musical boundaries – and with releases on Mo' Wax, Good Looking Records, Marine Parade, Fuel and Distinctive, you could say he’s one of the pioneers of the breakbeat scene. This release on Botchit & Scarper sees him pick up from where he left off with his award-winning album Paranoid Prophet. Here he’s invited NAPT and fellow rising stars DEF Inc to take a hold of one of his tunes each rework them. First up NAPT deliver a solid remix of Hate Is An Illness – and it’s so darn funky, with its up-front drums and super-tight percussion which slides alongside an acid-tweaked bassline. This tune will make big, big waves on the dancefloor. Next up DEF Inc take on Lone Riders, and the boys really turn up the gas. They create a really uplifting musical journey with a bubbling bassline that sways throughout the mix while a smooth set of vocal edits get this track all sexy. Added to that concoction is a spicy set of electro-tweaked beats and sublime synths and pads which provide a hearty dancefloor winner. 9/10
Botchit & Scarper
Mystic Man & Eshamanjaro
Minds I
Fat releases this 12" as yet another prelude to the forthcoming Mystic Man & Eshamanjaro debut album In Heavy Weather. Mystic Man is none other than breaks maestro Merka, and Eshamanjaro is MC Esha, and together they have delivered an outstanding single that shows off their hip hop credentials. Flowing, floating melodies, tough beats and a MC delivery that touches on a political tip make this track stand out from the crowd. On the remix front, Gella delivers a glitch, slightly unpredictable re-rub. The beats have been given a shuffle groove while the melodies have been pulled back to the bare bones, which only adds more power to Eshamanjaro's vocals. Next up Merka puts his breaks head on to deliver a solid, up-tempo mix that touches on drum and bass. The bassline crushes its way out of the speakers, and a tough chopping beat that provides the jumping tempo. Each of this tracks is a winner so added together you get a great release from Fat. 7/10
Fat! Records
Shapeshifter
One
New Zealand's five-piece soul-tipped drum and bass outfit releases the mighty One on Nu:Tone's Brand Nu Recordings imprint. The track is taken from the crews third album Soulstice and is a prime cut of pure soulful drum and bass with a driving bassline, smooth haunting pianos, and a tough, rolling beat all pulled together by Shapeshifter vocalist P-Diggs. Remixes come from Bad Company founder D-Bridge, who drops a super-slick DnB work out with a fearsome bassline and a selection of smooth melodies that get all soulful on your ass. Shapeshifter will be touring the UK in May with dates in Bristol, Brighton, London and Edinburgh (where I will be supporting them). 8/10
Brand Nu Recordings
Dylan Rhymes vs Blende featuring Odissi
Stars
This release is a little teaser to Dylan's forthcoming artist album on the label he co-owns with Meat Katie, Lot49. Stars sees Mr Rhymes team up with none other than Blende and Odissi, who provides a slick vocal in her own mash-up style. The original is a tech-funk cut that smashes up the boundary between house, breaks and grimy techno. Remixes come thick and fast from Jello, who drops a straight-up little monster with a sawing bassline and tough 4/4 beats. Baobinga & ID turn up the pressure with an amazing, techno-fuelled track that is full of tweaks and bleeps – this will have the hands-in-the-arm mob wetting themselves. Next up Koma & Bones deliver a huge set of vocal and dub mixes that are far too infectious for their own good. And closing the package you get a wee radio edit – why I don't know, but it’s good anyway. 8/10
Lot49
Baobinga & ID
The Jump Get Hype Remix EP
Baobinga & ID drop another selection of hot potatoes, this time mashed up by Gella, Badlands and Heavyfeet. Gella deliver a solid, hard-stepping mix that will get a the dubstep fans digging it – the glitched-up beat and bassline have a real swing to them. New Sinister Records signings Badlands let loose with a chunky selection of tech-funk/tech-house grooves and a voluptuous bassline that is really going to get the dancefloor moving. Big, big tune. And for the final mix we get a solid old-skool vibe from Heavyweight, with classic synth stabs and a old-skool break mashed up with an edited vocal and a warping bassline that transports you to the early nineties. 8/10
Fat!
Strider
Tokyo Landing
A classic Strider track this. Super-tight vocal edits plus a selection of tight beats and cheeky edits slot in and out of this track, which has a very Daft Punk vibe about it. The remix comes from Finger Lickin's Brothers Bud who get on it with a smooth, funky sound, adding a bubbling bassline, tight high-hats and a mental breakdown that you will either love or hate. Quality release. 9/10
Splank!
Brothers Bud
The Sting/Remedy
Dom Bud is the in-house engineer for Micky Slim – that’s why this has such a electro vibe about it. The Sting is a classic Brothers Bud production, built around a huge hands-in-the-air, whistle-blowing synth riff while a buzzing bassline flies around in the background like a wasp on speed. On the flip the duo drop a tune full of that Finger Lickin' flava with a bassline that’s so infectious, and a set of disco stabs and chirping cowbells, all laced together by fat drums and slick vocals. 10/10
Finger Lickin' Records
DJ Quest and Eskmo
Speakers Corner Remixes
Speakers Corner returns to the scene after a reworking. First up Eskmo & Antiserum deliver a solid dubstep version with big phat basslines, a rolling beat, and some eastern-flavoured vocals and synths. Next up we get the massive remix by Dilemn who drop a tearing break-stepping number that’s full to bursting with pounding percussion and a bassline that comes with its very own speaker-demolition warning. This is a track that tears it up right from the word go. 8/10
Cyberfunk
Dreadzone
Love Life
In their 15-year history Dreadzone have done it all. John Peel also rated their Second Light LP as one of his top 10 albums of all time. This single has been doing the rounds with the boys since November when they were on tour through Europe and the UK. By chance, the Ctrl-Z boys heard it and now we get a stormer of a remix. This has a huge hookline and bassline over the top of some very rocky beats and Pendulum-fuelled guitars and vibes. And for full rock effect, Tennor Fly gets straight on to the mic and busts this track wide open. Unbalanced Jack take things all dubstep, but throw in a twist of jungle as well as some glitched-out stutters, all of which makes it a bit different from the normal dubstep sound. 8/10
Functional
Ludo
Techarnival
This release is one for the tech house fans out there. Ludo drops the original mix which is a thundering killer of a track with a off-tempo synth line that produces the major kick. A selection of hypnotic melodies also give this a certain future scape sound. Remix duties are handled by Parazoid who delivers two different remixes, one titled the Bit Step Mix – which is very minimal and twisted and carries a sort of Plastikman vibe – and the other called the Hi Bit Mix, which is still minimal but has a lighter set of synths giving the tune a more up-tempo vibe. 6/10
Bleach Records
Colin Hobbs
Can You See The Light
Fresh new beats on a fresh new label. Colin Hobbs is the man behind the White Noise agency, which handle music promotion for clubs and radio for labels such as Finger Lickin' Records, Skint, Passenger and more. Now the boys have started up their own label, and this, I think, is the second release. The original mix is a very solid house/tech groover with a very infectious synth hook that runs throughout. A percussive bassline follows that along with a rolling beat and some lush pads, and builds to produce a really deep track that is very very catchy. The first remix is handled by Fies Kontrol, who delivers a more up-tempo track with a solid 4/4 beat, some sneaky vocal edits and a selection of percussive synths and hooks that drive this track as it builds and builds and builds before a smooth breakdown. Lutzenkirchen gives us the final mix which is a very infectious track that – like the others – builds and builds. He keeps the original hook intact, adds a harder beat, a more upfront beat and grooving percussion, all of which is sure to work any dancefloor. 10/10
White Noise Recordings
Colin Hobbs
Ocean Trench
Another sublime release from White Noise and from Mr Hobbs. Ocean Trench is just what it says – a deep, flowing monster that ebbs and builds with a crescendo of hooks, and wave-surfing bassline which crashes on the rock-hard beats. Scuba drop a very minimal remix that drops the beat just about right out of the tune, while turning the rest of the sounds into something from a sci-fi film. 7/10
White Noise Recordings
Flykkiller
Shine Out
Yet another musical collective for Stephen Hilton and Pati Yang, who on their own have been at the forefront of avant-garde electro music. This the second single off their album Experiments In Violent Light, which has already gained huge critical acclaim. The track is a crossover track that breaks down the gap between rock and electro with its huge beats, synthed-up guitar riffs and a sweet vocal from Yang which gives this a real kick. Along with the original, we get two remixes from Edison and The Novelist who both take things straight to the dancefloor, dirtying up the beats and adding the filth to the bass. 8/10
Flykkiller Records
Loulou Players
Hammer/Orange/Vodka
Three solid tech house tracks from the Loulou Players here. Opening the EP is Hammer – with its lush, rolling pads and easy-on-the-ear synth lines, this rolls along with a real building beat and percussive cymbal crashes and snips. Vodka is next – with a stuttering, beat-stabbing synth line that cuts into the bubbling bassline, it reminds me of early Dave Clarke. Orange is the final cut on the EP, and is more up-tempo affair. A driving, slightly distorted beat drives the track, and added to that is a sawing synth line which gives the track teeth. But the real gems are the diamond-sharp cymbals that will draw blood. 8/10
King Kong Records
All Good Neighbourhood Alliance
All Good Neighbourhood EP
Jalapeno Records always releases great party music in that party breaks angle. This sees the label drop another fine slab of J-funk from the All Good Neighbourhood Alliance, who along with Fort Knox Five are the raising stars of the US breaks scene. The EP has that typical Jalapeno party feel with rolling basslines, super-sharp funky breaks, sweet vocals from Wax Romeo and some double bass super licks. This EP will surely become a seriously hot booty-swinging release over the summer months. 10/10
Jalapeno Records
Darius Syrossian and Mundyke
Caspian Man
Here’s a solid, deep rolling house release from Breakout Audio. The original is a pounding, melody-driven dancefloor masterpiece full of tender harmonised synths and cutting hooks. Paul Woolford strips it right down and adds a soulful set of piano keys and jazz beats that gives way to a deep beat and a bubbling bassline. Vigourously riotous hooks and stabs build to a peak when the main piano hook drops back in. Nyra drops the other mix that's all deep and pounding – holding on to a few of the original hooks, this builds and builds into a real electronica masterclass. 10/10
Breakout Audio
Balaxx
Chae Style/Trippin'
A fresh new label that according to the press release will be focusing on "the heavy, dancefloor side of dubstep, bassline and breaks". Each of these forthcoming releases will be made available as both vinyl and MP3. This first one is by new artist Balaxx – one to watch for the dubstep massive. Chae Style is the mellowest of the two tracks, with deep, rolling basslines and tough beats over a polished selection of debonair pads and hooks. Trippin is way more in your face with its harder beats and biting basslines. The melodies sound as if they have been cut from a horror film, giving this track a real dark feel but still with dancefloor appeal. 8/10
Brutal Traxx
COMING SOON…
May 23: Bass Syndicate with Atomic Hooligan @ the Bongo Club, Edinburgh
May 24: City Cafe, Edinburgh – pre-club parties (weekly saturdays)
May 27: Split @ Cabaret Voltaire, Edinburgh
May 30: Launch for the new. custom-built pre-club venue City 2 @ City Cafe, Edinburgh
July 25 & 26: Wickerman Festival
August 16: Bass Syndicate’s second birthday – extra special guest to be announced
Visit www.tribetattoo.co.uk, www.myspace.com/clubbasssyndicate and www.myspace.com/djbelieveednbc
