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June 2001 Reviews:
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This Month's Reviews are by BoZ (Aka Code), Dave Milligan (Crud Music Mag)& Spex (Pyraplastic Recs)
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PYRO - TENSION/SPACED - NERVE RECORDINGS
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REVIEW BY: Spex
Pyro goes solo on this, the first release from the Nerve camp, (the
other half being Paul Reset). The intro on “Tension” has big orchestral
string stabs with eerie strings layered alongside them. The suspense
builds to the main acid riff and the shaker hi hats. The flip “Spaced”
is again quite dark. This time the Detroit piano stab is used, this
builds with tight rolling beats, the intro drops for some deep Drum and
Bass. Watch out for these guys this summer.
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RATING: 9/10
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BAD COMPANY - 'Planet Dust/Speedball' - (Prototype)
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REVIEW BY: BoZ
Bad Company do it again with their killer 'Planet Dust'. Having been
hurting the crowds for a while out in the clubs it gets a full release
courtesy of The Rider. It opens with a nice, tight beat and uplifting
strings that drift from key to key before dropping out into some of the
nastiest synth stabs I've heard in a long time! It grips you by the
throat
and shakes you viciously while the twisted synth line filters in. The
percussion builds and the winding fx prepare you for the brock-out. It
drops with enough clout to whip any crowd into a frenzy and doesn't
lose any
of it's drive throughout the track. Absolute class - nasty as hell but
jumpy at the same time, this one is a classic.
'Speedball' opens with shuffling percussion and some angry synth stabs,
before being joined by the deep, if slightly odd bassline. The beat
drops
in and it gradually builds momentum, the bass gets heavier and the
searing
stabs and pads come together perfectly to form a track you just have to
screw your face up to. Not as much of an anthem as the A side, but a
worthy
addition to your record box nevertheless.
A couple of smashers here for the dark soldiers out there to savour,
pick it
up.
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RATING: 9/10
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EGO TRIPPIN - PRESSURE DROP/GANG BUSTER - FRONTLINE
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REVIEW BY: Spex
Frontline have had quite a few journeys creating their own particular
blend of Drum ‘n’ Bass along the way. Now its time for Juice
representative Ego Trippin to let loose a sonic assault with 2 bass
heavy tunes. “Pressure Drop” gets down to business straight away with a
bassline bounce to test them speaker boxes, if that wasn’t enough the
Amen Break catches you on the hop. The flip hasn’t got the same
dancefloor appeal, but this one is definitely for those who like
bassline rollerz. Flip it and find out!!
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RATING: 8/10
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DILLINJA Presents "Cybotron" (FFRR)
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REVIEW BY: Dave Milligan
At last! After several years of the words 'Dillinja Album?' being uttered
down at many record shops, it's finally here! And believe me when I say
"Worth the wait", I mean it. Starting with the awesome 'Valve Sound' to show
that Mr. Dillinja ain't fuckin about, things just get dirtier from there
onwards. Alongside CD only new tracks (The dancefloor ripper that is 'Funky
Flow' and the slightly more chilled full on Vocal number 'Never') a couple of
classics that appeared on the 'Nasty Ways EP' also feature ('I Wanna Know'
and 'Nasty ways'). As well as the aforementioned 'Valve Sound', the
five-piece vinyl package also contains 9 other smashers. There's the funky
sounds of 'What's the Deal!' (You should know the vocal 'Westside, we're
rollin' on!) and 'Human Bebop, where my man actually 'does' the b-line with
his mouth! (you may be thinking 'hmm?' but this is my favourite track on the
album) This track also has the phattest little salsa piano throughout, it's
one of them tunes were everyone grabs someone of the opposite sex and has a
lil' bump 'n' grind - which is always nice. The familiar Jamaican steel band
vibes of 'All Aboard!' remind me of Notting Hill Carnival last year when Die
played it and things got plain silly when the crashing break and booming
b-line kick in together. Listen out for some wicked FX on this track,
including someone pulling on a bong!
"Why d'you think I make music? You think I make music for F***IN' money? You
see me with any money? I make music 'cause I love making F***IN' music!
What's wrong with ya?" GO DILLINJA! GO DILLINJA! GO DILLINJA! GO DILLINJA! GO
DILLINJA! WAH-WAH WAHWAH WAH WA WAH! You get the picture. I love this one,
for real. Think 'Tudor Rose' meets 'Nasty Ways' - a combination more
disgusting than crabsticks and custard - believe! Other guaranteed rewind
material includes the massive 'Cybotron' anthem, Fats' contribution in the
shape of the shockin' "I Told You How To Rock" and of course the relentless
'Why?' and 'Blaze it Down' help to make this landmark LP no less than an
essential purchase.
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RATING: 10/10
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PARANOID USER - SAFE GUARD/PITCH-BLACK - CRYPTIC AUDIO
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REVIEW BY: Spex
New label new artist title, but is it a new producer? Nope, this is
none
other than Kemal. Here we find him sonic funk mode ready to kill the
dance, plenty going on here crisp beats bleeps and a killer reese riff!
The track really takes off mid section when he drops Amen snippets to
tease you. Track 2, “Pitch Black”, has what can be described as
distorted guitar riffs mixed up with old skool bizz. The combination
works, this one takes off and ain’t coming down!
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RATING: 8/10
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SYNTAX - 'Show You/Listen' - (Reinforced)
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REVIEW BY: BoZ
Okay, time to take a break from all that nastyness and light up a fat
one to
the sounds of Syntax. One of my favourites at the moment, this one is
on
the liquid funk tip and shows us all how it should be done. The organ
intro
paves the way for the beat, and the 'I'll show you...' vocal samples
add an
uplifting vibe. It builds up nicely before fading out to allow the
beat to
drop back in with the simple, funky bassline and shimmering percussion.
A
lovely track that should go down well, especially during the summer
months.
'Listen' is another funky roller with some more nice organ samples and
cut-up vocals. The percussion is laden with bongos and the bassline is
as
smoooooth as they come.
Another excellent release from Reinforced, Syntax mashin it up, summer
stylee. Just listen.
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RATING: 9/10
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SINTHETIX - GATEWAY/ANOMALY - NO U TURN
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REVIEW BY: Spex
No U Turn created their own blueprint of the darker side of Drum ‘n’
Bass, so here are 2 more to taste. “Gateway” has a female whispering,
giving it a sinister feel, the overall sound created here isn’t full on
amen mayhem but creeps along dragging you deeper into the groove. On
the
flipside we are taken even further, “Anomaly” is on the same tip as
“Gateway” with some extra sci-fi elements in combination with a
rumbling
bass. Remember not all Drum ‘n’ Bass has to be a full on dancefloor
affair, this one is a creeper!!
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RATING: 8/10
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VARIOUS ARTISTS - 'Plastic Surgery 2 LP' - (Hospital)
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REVIEW BY: BoZ
Over the last couple of years the Hospital Records camp have been
receiving
huge respect for their dedication to releasing the very best in D'n'B
from
both fresh talent and established artists alike, and with their second
Plastic Surgery album they are onto a winner. There are eight tracks
on
offer, so here's the lowdown.
First up is Danny Byrd's storming remix of London Elektricity's
'Wishing
Well'. It's trademark Danny Byrd production from start to finish,
opening
with the sweet vocals and warm, uplifting bassline. It's a really
melodic
track and Danny has manged to chop the vocals up into a completely
different
pattern, which works well and is guaranteed to get you swaying around
the
dancefloor. Nice one Danny.
On the flip is another L.E remix, this time by big-haired and
multi-talented
John B. The intro is beautiful and deserves to be played from the very
T.O.P. Warm, rich strings and the cut-up vocals build a very
atmospheric
feel, before being joined by the jazzy sax line. One of the first
things I
noticed about this track was the breakneck speed it shuffles along at -
crazy fast. There are no nasty surprises, just a collage of nice
sounds
working together to create a mellow vibe that will keep keep the crowd
up
without perforating their eardrums. Very good.
On to 'Suddenly' by High Contrast, and it's a weird one - but totally
catchy
and dancefloor freindly. It opens up with filtered jazz samples before
the
beat kicks in (and kick it certainly does). Weird jazz licks and
'Huh!'
samples add energy, before it fades out in time for the build to the
drop.
BIG, round bassline and (strangely) frantic clapping, making it a very
unusual, memorable tune. Haven't heard anything else from High
Contrast
that I know of, but I'm curious to say the least and wil keep my eyes
firmly
glued to the Hospital website for news of any forthcoming releases.
Next up, 'Venus' from DJ Kalm & Citizen. A tidy break and uplifting,
slightly eerie vocal samples set the tone, building with extra
percussion
and a melodic synth riff. Some nice filtering of the percussion in the
build up, before dropping into a stomping bass-driven rinse-out. The
vocals
and organ riff from the intro join near the end, before it switches
back to
just the intro sounds again for the outro. A nice mix between ambience
and
dancefloor appeal.
On to the next peice and, yes, it's another remix. This time London
Elektricity take to the studio to add their touch to 'I Am' by Yukihiro
Fukutomi (and the same to you!). Nothing to get too excited about,
more of
a filler than a stand-out track, but it's got enough drive to keep the
crowd
up.
The other side is much more like it. 'Let It Go' is Total Science
showing
that they're not all about tearing dancefloor smashers, and can turn
their
hands to creating sweet peices of music like this too. This really
does
have quality oozing out of every pore, quite how they get their beats
and
basslines sounding so fat is beyond me. Excellent vocal samples and
warm,
swelling pads give it bags of atmosphere, before dropping into the
trademark
Total Science percussive bass stabs to give it a definite feel of the
old
jungle days. Excellent.
Next we have 'The Ride' from two of my favourite producers of the
moment
Carlito & Addiction. The chopped up amen break kicks things off, with
some
nice synth sounds and vocals. The pounding bassline applies pressure
to
your bassbins and everything comes together to create a lively track,
that
hints at turning to the darkside, but always manages to keep a nice
vibe
overall. Good, but not quite as good as 'Supergrass/Nothing Better'.
Another hot producer of the moment is Calibre, and here he is with his
remix
of Liane Carroll's 'The Trap'. I for one am hoping Fabio gives the nod
for
his forthcoming album to be realeased very soon, but for now we can
make do
with this. Wicked, soulful intro and very nice vocals lead into the
snarling synth bassline. Calibre knows how to make his tunes sound fat
and
this is no exception.
As you can see, this album impressed me, and will help to give weight
to
Hoispital's standing in the scene. If you've liked their previous
releases
this will not dissapoint, packed with tunes of top-notch production, I
suggest you seek it out.Over the last couple oif years the Hospital Records camp have been
receiving
huge respect for their dedication to releasing the very best in D'n'B
from
both fresh talent and established artists alike, and with their second
Plastic Surgery album they are onto a winner. There are eight tracks
on
offer, so here's the lowdown.
First up is Danny Byrd's storming remix of London Elektricity's
'Wishing
Well'. It's trademark Danny Byrd production from start to finish,
opening
with the sweet vocals and warm, uplifting bassline. It's a really
melodic
track and Danny has manged to chop the vocals up into a completely
different
pattern, which works well and is guaranteed to get you swaying around
the
dancefloor. Nice one Danny.
On the flip is another L.E remix, this time by big-haired and
multi-talented
John B. The intro is beautiful and deserves to be played from the very
T.O.P. Warm, rich strings and the cut-up vocals build a very
atmospheric
feel, before being joined by the jazzy sax line. One of the first
things I
noticed about this track was the breakneck speed it shuffles along at -
crazy fast. There are no nasty surprises, just a collage of nice
sounds
working together to create a mellow vibe that will keep keep the crowd
up
without perforating their eardrums. Very good.
On to 'Suddenly' by High Contrast, and it's a weird one - but totally
catchy
and dancefloor freindly. It opens up with filtered jazz samples before
the
beat kicks in (and kick it certainly does). Weird jazz licks and
'Huh!'
samples add energy, before it fades out in time for the build to the
drop.
BIG, round bassline and (strangely) frantic clapping, making it a very
unusual, memorable tune. Haven't heard anything else from High
Contrast
that I know of, but I'm curious to say the least and wil keep my eyes
firmly
glued to the Hospital website for news of any forthcoming releases.
Next up, 'Venus' from DJ Kalm & Citizen. A tidy break and uplifting,
slightly eerie vocal samples set the tone, building with extra
percussion
and a melodic synth riff. Some nice filtering of the percussion in the
build up, before dropping into a stomping bass-driven rinse-out. The
vocals
and organ riff from the intro join near the end, before it switches
back to
just the intro sounds again for the outro. A nice mix between ambience
and
dancefloor appeal.
On to the next peice and, yes, it's another remix. This time London
Elektricity take to the studio to add their touch to 'I Am' by Yukihiro
Fukutomi (and the same to you!). Nothing to get too excited about,
more of
a filler than a stand-out track, but it's got enough drive to keep the
crowd
up.
The other side is much more like it. 'Let It Go' is Total Science
showing
that they're not all about tearing dancefloor smashers, and can turn
their
hands to creating sweet peices of music like this too. This really
does
have quality oozing out of every pore, quite how they get their beats
and
basslines sounding so fat is beyond me. Excellent vocal samples and
warm,
swelling pads give it bags of atmosphere, before dropping into the
trademark
Total Science percussive bass stabs to give it a definite feel of the
old
jungle days. Excellent.
Next we have 'The Ride' from two of my favourite producers of the
moment
Carlito & Addiction. The chopped up amen break kicks things off, with
some
nice synth sounds and vocals. The pounding bassline applies pressure
to
your bassbins and everything comes together to create a lively track,
that
hints at turning to the darkside, but always manages to keep a nice
vibe
overall. Good, but not quite as good as 'Supergrass/Nothing Better'.
Another hot producer of the moment is Calibre, and here he is with his
remix
of Liane Carroll's 'The Trap'. I for one am hoping Fabio gives the nod
for
his forthcoming album to be realeased very soon, but for now we can
make do
with this. Wicked, soulful intro and very nice vocals lead into the
snarling synth bassline. Calibre knows how to make his tunes sound fat
and
this is no exception.
As you can see, this album impressed me, and will help to give weight
to
Hoispital's standing in the scene. If you've liked their previous
releases
this will not dissapoint, packed with tunes of top-notch production, I
suggest you seek it out.
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RATING: 9/10
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DJ INK - 7TH SIGN/THE POWER - CYLON
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REVIEW BY: Spex
Ink kicks off this Cylon release with two old skool rippers!! “7th
Sign”
enters with ruff beats ‘n’ bassline dropping into the main riff, which
is along the lines of “Top Buzz Living in Darkness”. Half way the
breakdown you get reversed strings giving it that dark edge. “The
Power”, here the beats are built around a well used break beat with
little scratches of Lets Go! quietly spinning back underneath. The riff
is, once again, used quite often today. Slices of the “Think” break and
a break used in Jonny L’s “Hurt You So”. Should work the dancefloor in
the mix!
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RATING: 8/10
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DJ TEEBEE - 'Travel In Silence EP' - (Subtitles)
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REVIEW BY: BoZ
Teebee back again with this 4 track EP on Subtitles. 'April Dawn'
opens
with crystal clear fx and 'only you..' vocals, it drifts along with a
mellow
dub-bassline before it switches into slightly darker territory, gaining
pace
with the addition of a more hectic hi-hat arrangement and losing the
vocals.
It shifts back to the more mellow vibes towards the end for a nice
little
roll out. Nice and smooth.
'Travel In Silence' again opens with Teebee showing off his attention
to
detail and talent for producing deep, atmospheric soundscapes, then
drops
into the beat and laid-back, rolling bassline. It keeps on the same
vibe
all the way through, gaining new sounds to add variation. Not a killer
on
the dancefloor, but a wicked little tune.
'Blue Rose' is excellent, using the intro to Moby's 'Go' (shhhhhh...),
it
makes an excellent opening track, with the warm pads and crisp beats,
this
one just builds and builds. The bassline is heavy without getting too
nasty
and there are more sweeping pads and fx. More synth stabs and growls
join
in the action and send the track in to slightly scary territory, before
everything comes to a halt and the 'Go' riff fades back in. An
excellent
track, it does Moby's original offering justice.
'Touched By God' is an abstract offering, opening with spooky
orchestral
samples and weird fx. The beats are excellently programmed, with lots
of
edits and impressive filtering. It pauses to allow the bass kicks to
build
and drops you back into the darkness. Not really one for the clubs,
it's
one you put on and listen to from start to finish.
This EP shows just what Teebee is capable of, his production skills are
awesome and his tracks are always deep with layer upon layer of
silky-smooth
sounds. Check it out.
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RATING: 8/10
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