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August 2001 Reviews:
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This Month's Reviews are by Spex (Pyraplastic Recs).
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Ruff Engine - Pre-release CD - (Ruff Engine)
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REVIEW BY: Spex
Recieved this one through the postal service, what made this a little
special is that ii was from Russia. There were about 16 tracks to
digest, half of which were snatches of tunes. The two reviewed here
have
working titles of “Double Tap (VIP)” and “Horror”. 1st up “Mine
Creature”, rumbling basslines along with hardcore stabs. This one is on
the Tech Steppin’ Tip! The use of electronic machinery to produce this
is evident with “Horror” the duo are in killa mode, plenty of old
dskool
stabs and menatsm blasts on this one, quite nasty sci-fi tech step!
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RATING: 9/10
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Keltech - “Old Skool V’s Nu Skool” (Critical).
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REVIEW BY: Spex
Time for the Dark Destroyer to show he can mix up the old with the new
on a brand new label “Critical Recordings”. Keltech’s debut for a new
label was to grab my attention. Here we see and hear Keltech taking us
on a journey with the sounds of ‘92 meeting the dark sounds of Keltech
along the way. As this is a double A side it’s time to review the
second
track, this is also by a new artist called Katch with “Dreams Of
Holland”. This has a Bukem-ish vibe for half of the tune and then gets
dirty, the beats are a bit tired, so lets see what the next release
throws down.
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RATING: 9/10
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Cause 4 Concern - “Sensor” / “Synergy” (C4C Recordings).
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REVIEW BY: Spex
Two tech funk Drum ‘n’ Bass cuts from the the Guildford Crew! This time
we find ‘em on release number 5 on their C4C imprint. “Sensor” builds
on
the main techno riff where the beats come in ‘on the off’ (if you know
what I mean). The riff rides along with a funky bass moving underneath.
The “Sensor” cut is also quite techno influenced with an acid riff
giving this a ruffer edge, a little bit of anger! Where have I heard
this riff before?
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RATING: 8/10
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Metropolitant Bass Scientists - “The Widow Maker EP” (City Rollerz
Inc).
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REVIEW BY: Spex
This is the 4th release from Swiss Drum ‘n’ Bass outfit M.B.S. and
comes
in the form of 3 separate 12’s. The total package sees the crew in a
Hard Tech Step fashion! There are 9 trax to choose from, the best of
the
bunch being the 12 featuring the one and only MC Bassman (a UK MC from
back in the day). The track is “On the Hills” Bassman gives it an old
skool vibe with his lyrics, while MBS give the hard tech sound from
Switzerland, uniting the Drum ‘n’ Bass sound. The next track “Widow
Maker” is another tech monster! Plenty of acid riffs going on battling
to the end of the track. Worth listening to are “God Playing” and
“Spycam”.
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RATING: 10/10
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Various Artist - “Modern Living” (Hard Leaders ALBUM).
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REVIEW BY: Spex
From the Hard Leaders “Modern Living” album there promises to be a
different vibe with tracks from the Bristol beat headz “Decoder”, who
let off with two deep rollerz. Then the return of “Pulse” with two
jazzed out (not too jazzed out though) cuts. The difference on this
compilation will came in the form of 2 sleazy Hip Hop cutz, one from
“Buck 59” the other from “Roger Audio”, who rerpresent Canada. Also
from
the Canadian crew Sniper and Mystical serve up a little ditty for you
to
check out! The full album release should be at the end of July, which
should have something for every beat head in the world of Drum ‘n’
Bass.
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RATING: 8/10
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L Plates Volume 5 - “????” / “???” (L Plates).
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REVIEW BY: Spex
Here we go, no info on this one, except it’s on the L Plates imprint.
Two basic D’n’B cuts in an old skool fashion. One side utilises the
string section from Orbital’s “Chime”, so its a marriage of new skool
and years gone by (I think it was around 1992 when “Chime” first
appeared). The B side will take the rude bwoys and get ‘em bouncing mos
definitely, another feather in the cap of the producer “Digital”,
maybe?
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RATING: 8/10
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Aquasky - “Ghost” (J Raq Remix) / “Lords Of Motion” (Tech Itch Remix).
(Sonix).
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REVIEW BY: Spex
Release number 4 from Bournemouth beat mobsters Aquasky on their promo
based Sonix label. The man brought in to touch-up the “Ghost” track is
Full Cycles J Raq. Keeping the original vibe to a track is quite a hard
job, but he manages to carry it off in fine style adding a phat lick to
the bassline section (Acid Style!). On the flipside “Raq” is joined by
Technical Itch the beat smashers from the Bristol area of the UK. Here
they simply changed the drums and added some simple yet effective
elements to give “Lords Of Motion” a breath of fresh air for the second
round.
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RATING: 8/10
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Tech Itch/Decoder/Ice Minus - Ltd Edition EP - (Moving Shadow).
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REVIEW BY: Spex
Right if ya looking for some gritty grimy Drum and Bass pressure look
no
further than this Moving Shadow release. This is a limited double pack
featuring Decoder, Tech Itch and Ice Minus. With the massive “Analysis”
track and ruffness of “Altered Beast” this EP is worth the money for
these two cuts alone. Not to be missed are the other two tracks,
“Jabba”
and “Drowning”. This EP is a definite headbanger for those who like it
dirty
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RATING: 8/10
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Total Science - “Its Not Over” / Greg Packer - “We Hear Drums” (Hard
Leaders).
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REVIEW BY: Spex
Here we go with a double A side featuring the Scientists (Total
Science)
with the track that was slept on, “Its Not Over”. Backed by Australia’s
funky one Greg Packer with “We hear Drums”. “Its Not over 1st appeared
on the limited “Listen Up” album last year. This was probably missed by
many due to the mass of releases from Total Science around that time.
It
still sounds as fresh as ever, vocal Drum ‘n’ Bass that will appeal to
a
cross section of DJs. This time for release number 54 “The Leaders”
have
enlisted the talents of Greg Packer. This artist is from Australia
proving yet again D’n’B is world-wide! For his debut he’s gone for the
fluid funk side of the genre and carries it off neatly. A cross between
Shy FX and Adam F in funk mode.
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RATING: 8/10
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