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April 2001 Reviews:
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This Month's Reviews are by Bazzy B (Editor), Spex (Pyraplastic Recs) & BoZ (Aka Code)
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ELIXIR "Music, Mathematics & Magic LP" (Sub Rosa)
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REVIEW BY: Bazzy B
Althougth this album was released last year, Elixir went to the effort to sending it to us, so we thought it was only right that we give it a review on the site. Not that it doesn't deserve a raving review, cos it does! An overwhelming production from a band that are looking to take the experimental side of the scene by storm. The album starts off quite chilling, a scary voice overpowers your speakers, and you think whether or not you have just walked into a house of horrors! Nevertheless, it goes brilliantly with the track (Devils Eyeball) that opens up the album, and from there on in, the rest of the album is stuck on your player, and you know you ain't gonna be turning it off any time soon. As i said before a masterful piece of production from a trio which shoulde be making things big in the future! Sub Rosa have done well to snap them up, so, you know where you heard them first! Notable tracks from the album: Devils Eyeball, Picatrix & Swiss Breakdown
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RATING: 8/10
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JB AND DJ SPICE FEATURING THE DARK ANGEL - 3 Dimensions EP - (Back2Basics Recs).
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REVIEW BY: SPEX
The next release from the Back 2 Basics Cartel is a phat double pack full of tasty Drum and Bass flave! This time JB and Spice are joined by The Dark Angel. So lets break it down. Track one “The Bom Bom Track”, the beats are rollin’ Amen, the bass is deep! There’s a vocal wailing through the track that reminds me of a certain reggae artist..... Flip this for another roller, quite a happy feel to it, the title “Cookies”, a sound for the summer (If we get one). Next up “See Through You”, the quality on this ep runs throughout. This tune is a cross between “Kosheen” and the rollin’ sound of Full Cycle, don’t take my word for it check it for ya’self. The last track has a bass that is very retro (take a listen to the “House Sound Of Chicago”), but on this future sound the beats are faster with the odd sound effect and shaker rhythm. A phat drum and bass workout!!
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RATING: 8/10
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NASTY HABITS - 'LIQUID FINGERS (Goldie Remix)/Deep Beats - (31
Recordings)
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REVIEW BY: BoZ
Everyone must know the original 'Liquid Fingers', taking the 'Jack had
a
groove...' sample from Fingers Inc.'s 'Can U Feel It'. Goldie steps up
for
the remix here, and his production is, as always, silky smooth. Some
wicked
rainstorm sound effects open the track, gradually fading into the bass
loop
from the original. The bass drops and in come some absolutely gorgeous
strings, leading the way into phase one. It keeps to the same flow as
the
original, but with much tighter drums and a groovy bongo break. The
beat
stops and we switch into phase two, the original bassline morphs into
Goldie
's dark, twisted synth monster and the whole track steps it up another
gear.
Goldie's production cannot be faulted, every sound oozes out of your
speakers with amazing depth and clarity. An anthem.
'Deep Beats' opens with some deep, dark bass and filtered stabs, and
uses
the 'Phase one...' sample from the A side. The beat is a more
tech-step
affair, gradually gaining more percussion as the sub-bass drops. The
'Jack'
s Groove' sample rears it's head again in a breif pause, then it's back
to
the beats again. It wriggles along contently but lacks that special
something that gets you brockin' out - a dancefloor killer this ain't.
Not
bad by any means, just not outstanding, and let's face it the reason we
will
all buy this is for the A side, which is a killer. If you liked the
Doc
Scott mix of 'Fingers', you'll love this to bits. Well, it's Goldie,
innit?!?
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RATING: 9/10
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MAGIK STAR "Pressure & Saboteur" (Botchit & Breaks Dubs)
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REVIEW BY: Bazzy B
As many of you may, or may not of realised, but Magik Star's "Pressure" and "Saboteur" tunes have been in the top three of our chart for the last two months. Why? you may be asking, and surprisingly, I had no idea these guys weren't as well known as I first thought. My god, somebody tell me why? These two tunes, are the best ones that I have seen come out of 2001 yet, and bwoy, should they be making an impact! Slow downtempo start, gives you feeling that you are gonna be listening to a nice soothing experimental journey, well you couldn't be more wrong, cos, boom, you are then hit with a wave of building up bass and stabbing beats that make ya jump up around the room, and that is just "Pressure". You can expect plenty of the same from the next track "Saboteur". This track is a little bit different. You know that this gonna be a phat tune right from the start, that familiar whurring sound and the building up of a low bass with synthizied rythms, and then a barrage of beats, a truly very talented production. Big up to them for this one, and we really wanna get an interview with these lot! So keep tuned, for further devolpments..
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RATING: 10/10
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THE SPIRIT - “Russian Roulette / Back Up” (Timeless Recs).
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REVIEW BY: SPEX
Well here we get the sound of hardcore mashed up with the technology of today. The 1st side is an “Amen” rinse out with the sound created by Digital and Spirit as their Phantom Force ego. Only for the headstrong! The Hardcore Revolution carries through onto the flipside. This has the trade mark beat structure from Spirit, check his back catalogue you get my drift. Will this sound continue to do damage towards the end of this year? We shall wait and see.
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RATING: 7/10
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MARCUS INTALEX & S.T. FILES - 'LOVE & HAPPINESS/DREAMWORLD' - (31
Recordings)
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REVIEW BY: BoZ
At last we are blessed with 'Love & Happiness'! After being smashed on
dubplate for months, no...years(!), 31 give the people what they want.
If
you don't know this you need to get your ears tested, it's been
hammered by
them all. Marcus has earned himself a reputation for producing classy,
soulful tracks that set the dancefloor on fire, and he's on top form
here.
Everything just sounds bang on, from the old 'yeah' break (don't know
what
else to call it) to the dreamy pads and vocals, it's a tune that
appeals to
all. Hefty dub-bass + nice vocals = summer smasher. Not much more to
say,
you all know it, you all love it, you should all buy it.
'Dreamworld' is on a different tip altogether. Moody sounds and some
bloke
chatting about voices speaking to him from the darkness let you know
that
this is a bit of a scary one. It builds with menacing, filtered synth
sounds and a hi-hat/bongo break, with eerie strings adding to the
tension.
The drop does some serious damage, tearing it up in proper fashion.
This
one will go down well with the dark soldiers, and makes this a nicely
rounded package. I've never heard a single duff Intalex/S.T. Files
tune,
and this is another impressive release, it's just a shame we had to
wait so
long for it!
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RATING: 9/10
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SHY FX FEAT NEAH "Shake It" (?)
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REVIEW BY: Bazzy B
Not sure if this one is on Dub, or is out on a label or is never gonna be released, or if its a remix! But we have all heared it being canned on a few radio shows, and the bombsounds click had to make it number one in our chart! It is a killer of a tune, and Shy Fx proves to us all once again, why he is king of the Jungle! Old Skool sounding with clashy and stabbing beats, the main focus is on the singer, who yes, I know, even I said it, sounds like Biancee from D Child! It is amazeing, and unbelievable that it isn't! But, come on "Shake it baby shake it", it is soooooo funky! Definitely gonna be hard to top this track, and will defintely be looking out for this one when it i s released. (Anybody can tell us the Label and more info, would be greatly appreciated).
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RATING: 10/10
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MECHANISM - “Rawkut / Dark Area” - (Emcee 004).
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REVIEW BY: SPEX
GQ’s label drops another 2 killas for the Hardcore massive! “Rawkut” has deifinte Phantom Audio influences. The Amen used once again to full effect, one for the dancefloor soldiers! The 2nd track is also built around the “Amen Break”, but this time the sub is a bit more prominent. The track also uses the Helicopter ryhthm (Just enough to recognize). 2 neat little numbers to set the pace this year for the Emcee Crew.
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RATING: 7/10
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DJ PATIFE & DJ MARKY - 'THE BRAZIL EP' - (V Recordings)
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REVIEW BY: BoZ
Oh yes. After months of waiting the Brazil EP finally hits the
streets,
bringing the latin vibes of Sao Paulo to the UK. Sadly I don't have
too
much info on the sleeve, but trust me when I tell you this is one
amazing
release. First up - Marky's track (don't know the title). For anyone
that
heard Marky's set on Radio 1, this was his opener. It kicks off with a
rolling kick loop, and Max De Castro's vocals filtering in and out
before
the wonderful organ riff comes in, creating a subtle, uplifting vibe
and
leading the way to the drop - booooooooooo!!! Big, fat, wibbly-wobbly
bassline pressure that just forces you to hit the floor and get your
swerve
on. Not much variation throughout the track, yet it doesn't get
repetetive
and, hey, if you've got skills like Marky you can mix another tune in
with
it AND scratch over the top, just to make sure. Wicked.
Next up is Patife's 'Sambasim', adored by DJ's from all musical genres
for
it's mouldbreaking style, this is latin D'n'B at it's best. Slow,
hypnotic
tabla percussion starts the proceedings, with the vocals creating a
very
authentic Brazillian flavour. The percussion drops out and that funky
little acoustic guitar riff takes it's place alongside the full vocals.
There's a little period of silence to keep the crowd on their toes,
then
with a cheeky little 'Samba!' the track shuffles into life. This track
certainly won't suit everyone (try finding a tune that mixes nicely
with
this!), and I must admit that I wasn't sure what to make of it at
first, but
it has grown on me in a huge way. Samba...
The next track I know nothing about, I'm afraid. It's very similar in
feel
to 'Sambasim', so I assume it is another one from the Mighty Patife.
More
samba-inspired percussion for the intro to this one, and more funky
guitars!
A sweet bassline and relaxing flute melody make this a real laid-back,
4 in
the morning afterparty favourite, although it still has enough energy
to
work on the right dancefloor (Swerve, for one). Again, sure to raise a
few
eyebrows amongst the D'n'B heads around the world, but it's got it's
own
unique vibe and for that it deserves huge respect. Just a shame I
don't
know the title (any trainspotters out there got any clues?!?)!
Last, but by no means least is Patife's amazing remix of Max De
Castro's
'Carnival'. I first heard this track on Fabio's show last summer and
was
blown away by the quality of this remix. The long, building intro has
made
this my favourite opening tune, one for the LAAAAYDEEEEEEZ!!! This is
about
as smooth as drum and bass gets - more groove than the Rider and more
sexy
than Jennifer Lopez, I haven't got a clue what old Max is on about, but
it
sounds superb and sets the tone for a liquid funk set very nicely
indeed.
It's totally laid-back and chilled right until the last drop, when the
harder, Peshay-style break steps it up a gear. Probably my favourite
track
at the moment, my copy is already looking a little worse for wear and I
might have to buy another copy - no, two more copies.
This is a wicked EP and for originality alone it deserves a 10/10,
delivering the message that these two producers are Brazil's finest
exports
since Ronaldo & Rivaldo! I look forward to hearing more from them in
the
very near future.
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RATING: 10/10
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Dylan & Ink
"I cant wait"
(Outreak dubplate)
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REVIEW BY: SPEX
The follow up to Myself and Dj Ink's monsterous debut "Need You" that featured on Renegade Hardware, this track is on the same vibe with a nice retro female vocal building up to those damaging "need you" stabs! It then rolls out with a nicely edited funky drummer break. A guarenteed dancefloor killer and a proven winner with the ladies, this track shows that you can rock a party without the 'noise'! I think this style is gonna be big in 2001.
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RATING: 8/10
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LONDON ELEKTRICITY VS. ROBERT OWENS - 'MY DREAMS' - (Hospital Records)
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REVIEW BY: BoZ
Here we have former Fingers Inc. vocalist Robert Owens supplying his
soulful
style over a thumping, uplifting track that has quality written all
over it.
It opens with a sweet vocal harmony and tight percussion, before Mr.
Owens
dishes out the funk with his lyrical talent. The beat is an energetic,
cowbell laden affair, and when that fat bassline drops it gathers pace
and
becomes a dancefloor killer. Definitely one for the summer months,
London
Elektricity know how to make d'n'b that appeals to all, this has
received a
superb response from the likes of Fabio and Hype, it's a track that
gets the
party vibe in full swing and should be sought out.
Also on offer is the 'Searching Dub' mix, which opens with a different
sample and more frantic, filtered percussion that grows into a fully
fledged
neck-snapper of a beat. Big sub-bass sounds and synth stabs build with
the
vocal hits, then drops into the full bassline and melodic piano
samples.
The bassline transforms into a dirtier form and switches the track into
a
different territory. A very nice alternate mix that is on a different
tip
to the A side, making this release one that should be well received by
most - Hospital are going to be big players in the scene this year.
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RATING: 8.5/10
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FEDERATION - 'VOL. 11' - (Federation)
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REVIEW BY: BoZ
Here is a track that defies convention. Opening with a moody Hammond
organ
riff, it has a strange, atmospheric feel to it and sounds like no other
tune
I've heard. The crisp beat drops alongside the bass guitar riff, the
organs
creating a hypnotic groove. The beat grows and the snares gain a
little
punch, whilst the organs get more frantic. It has a really organic,
live
feel to it, especially when it switches into the skilfully strummed
bass
riff. This is one for those that love their classic organ sounds
(which I
do), it changes throughout the track, never becoming repetetive - the
production is incredible, hats off to the Federation crew.
The B side is really the same as the A side with an alternative intro,
using
the same subtle organ riff but adding sax riffs, giving the track a
human
feel and jazz aplenty.
This is a release that any fans of the Fabio/Peshay/Solid State vibe
should
seek out.
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RATING: 8 /10
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