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December 2001 Reviews:
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This Month's Reviews have been kindly contributed by Knowledge Magazine
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Aphrodite - Aphro vs Schoolly D / Crater - (Aphrodite)
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REVIEW BY: Knowledge Mag
Re-cycled piano loops, fresh lyrics from Schoolly D, beats, bass and drum rolls from Aphro - I think you can already tell if this one's for you. In the meantime 'Crater' takes a much deeper approach in the intro, but soon the drum rolls and bass give you the unmistakable Aphro ingredients. The second twelve is a bit different though - 'Acid Flow' is a self-explanatory bubbler, if a little obvious, but 'Lava Flow' is the one. Running lively and futuristic, the melody on this is as catchy as you'd expect, but with a definite edge and with the serious, rolling bass, it's hats off to Aphro for this lick. If you just can't get enough of the trademark sound then check 'em all, but the more selective spinner ought to check 'Lava Flow'.
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RATING: N/A
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Aquasky - Sucker Punch / Badlands - (Sonix)
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REVIEW BY: Knowledge Mag
Building on the lively, lively vibe this label has established with previous releases, both cuts here out and out rave tunes. 'Sucker Punch' blending heavy bass and skippy beats with delicate, tripped-out melody and grizzly synth riffs, while the flipside throws down an equally frantic brew of nervy bleeps, percussive breaks and edgy stabs. Tightly produced and energy-packed, they're hardly subtle, but certainly have that instant dancefloor impact.
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RATING:N/A
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Cause 4 Concern - White Widow / Volcam - (Subtitles)
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REVIEW BY: Knowledge Mag
Four slices of techno-fuelled drum & bass from Subtitles. Polar with some edgy, atmospheric bizniz on his twelve, as he wheels out the rollers for 'Futile Dream', a track led by haunted vox, heavy subs and panic sounds, while the step groove of 'Volcam' comes with a similar ethereal feel. Cause 4 Concern then opt for a more minimal route, working those bongos overtime on the infectious strains of 'White Widow', while the darker flipside delivers with hard, skanking steps and some rugged nagging bass. Quality productions.
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RATING: N/A
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Polar - Futile Dream / Reversed Psychology - (Subtitles)
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REVIEW BY: Knowledge Mag
Four slices of techno-fuelled drum & bass from Subtitles. Polar with some edgy, atmospheric bizniz on his twelve, as he wheels out the rollers for 'Futile Dream', a track led by haunted vox, heavy subs and panic sounds, while the step groove of 'Volcam' comes with a similar ethereal feel. Cause 4 Concern then opt for a more minimal route, working those bongos overtime on the infectious strains of 'White Widow', while the darker flipside delivers with hard, skanking steps and some rugged nagging bass. Quality productions.
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RATING: N/A
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Digital / Q Project - Ras 78: Mix 2 / Voltage - (Function)
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REVIEW BY: Knowledge Mag
There's nothing straight forward about 'Easygroove: Rok Da House'; a disturbing, heavyweight tune with bellowing bass tones and clattering drum breaks to cause maximum damage, and confusion, in the dance. The 'floor may be a little more receptive to 'Sessions', as it strides out with a stricter step, but then you rarely lick a Digital to give the crowd an easy ride! Odd, but very well made. Meanwhile, the other Function release shapes up as the sampler to the forthcoming 'Jah Sessions Vol.1' CD, with this breathtaking new mix of 'Ras 78', a bass-rumbling monster that just oozes dark soulful vibes; and that is the hands-down pick of the bunch here. An almighty tune, believe me.
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RATING: N/A
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Abstract & Calibre - Control / Queen Of Angels - (Phuturo)
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REVIEW BY: Knowledge Mag
Numbers three and four from Phuturo with two fresh production combos at the helm. Delta & Format have released on Penny Black as Stormtroopers before now, while with tracks on Creative Source and CIA in the pipeline there's a lot more to come. This twelve is a blinder; 'Can't Explain' is a killer fusion, with techno bleeps, uplifting stabs and vocals, heavy drums and punchy bass all interlocking superbly. It's a bold track and it works really well. 'Tahiti Sunset' then takes a more abstract, tribal route, showing an even more experimental edge and, like the lead cut, pulls it off with style. Advanced, original sounds with dancefloor power. Abstract then teams up with Calibre for the lush, rolling sounds of 'Control', a warm cut with a telling bassline kick and nice crisp beats for the floor, while the flip finds Abstract in more serious mode for an intricate techno beat-down in a Subtitles' vein.
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RATING: N/A
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We would like to thank Knowledge Magazine, for sending us these reviews:)
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