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March 2001 Reviews:
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This Month's Reviews are by BoZ (AKA Code) & Spex Of Pyraplastic Recs.
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K 'No Hands/No Sleep'(Subtitles)
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REVIEW BY: BoZ
Every so often a track comes along that really stands out from the crowd, and 'No Sleep' certainly falls into that category. Rich pads and weird sounds alongside a nice break, with a floaty, ambient feel leads the way into the deep sub bassline. It gradually builds with excellent horn samples and the occasional pipe sound. This is one seriously deep track and wouldn't sound out of place on the next Logical Progression or Promised Land album. Great stuff.
'No Hands' is a slightly more abstract number, with spooky effects and what sounds like a glockenspiel (although I could be wrong) creating a tense atmosphere. The track comes alive as the harmony builds, with a piano riff and some superb pads before throwing you back into the darkness again. Hard without being heavy, this one hits the spot and is a real grower.
This man certainly knows how to make his tracks sound tight and I look forward to reviewing some of his future releases. Riddim.
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RATING: 9/10
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PACIFIC Threshold/Spheric(Global Thang Recordings)
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REVIEW BY: SPEX
Is this a new artist, a top flight producer or DJ from the ever growing Drum and Bass scene? Release number 21 on the Global Thang collection is from an artist by the name of Pacific. Threshold and Spheric are
mediocre Drum and Bass DJ tools. Threshold starts and ends in a two step drum arrangement, with the bounce in the bass and a couple of atmospheric sounds. This isn't the most exciting release from the label, maybe its a grower. The Flip you'll find Spheric again some good production but not really ground breaking. Take a listen for yaself. Dissposable Drum and Bass.
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RATING: 7/10
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KOSHEEN 'Suicide'(Moksha Recordings)
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REVIEW BY: BoZ
Kosheen back again with another vocal dancefloor killer - Sian's vocals are spot on as ever, with top notch production from Decoder & Substance. The intro makes this one a great opening track, and the wobbly bassline is ideal for setting the tone. This one has been doing the rounds for a while and is a real crowd pleaser, with serious play from many of the top dj's. If you liked 'Hide U' and Kosheen's other tracks, this one is for you. Also on offer is a more frantic mix from Decoder & Substance, with a darker feel and more prominent bassline, and a hip-hop mix.
Despite the title, this one won't make you want to slash your wrists.
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RATING: 8/10
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CAUSE 4 CONCERN “Future Funk” / “Develope” (C4C Ltd Edition Part
One)
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REVIEW BY: SPEX
I’ll be straight with you all, Cause 4 Concern hardly feature in my
selection. This release was a breathe of fresh air and a change from
all the headbangers! Here is the 1st of 2 limited edition white labels
from C4C. Future Funk is quite an apt title. The guys have come up
with two Detroit influenced Drum and Bass tracks. The 1st has a tight
rhythm section, which has a two step swing to it. There are riffs
straight from the Techno Sound Of Deepest Detroit, which works well
with the UK Drum and Bass sound. The 2nd side, Develope, has again
used the Techno Sounds of Deepest Detroit combined with that UK Drum
and Bass Flavour! This is Vol.1 lets see what the 2nd part conjours
up.
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RATING: 8/10
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INVADERZ 'ROCK/ASPIC'(Invaderz Transmissions)
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REVIEW BY: BoZ
I've got my hands on two releases from The Invaderz this month, and what a couple of slammers they are. 'Rock' has been getting smashed by Fabio & Groove, with it's dirty intro building to an analog bass growler. Some wicked synth stabs and pads create an uplifting vibe, but is still dark enough for the head-nodders out there, while the 'Rock...' vocal stab gives it punch. Very nice indeed.
'Aspic' kicks off with an atmospheric intro, with weird jungle noises and eerie, filtered stabs that give it an old-school feel. The beat builds gradually before dropping into a seriously low bass build-up. The beat comes back with some original percussion ideas and sexy vocal samples. Serious bassline pressure here, crank up the system and watch your speakers throw a wobbler. Disgusting.
These two tracks are packed with original ideas and are a very promising sign of things to come.
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RATING: 8.5/10
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TOTAL SCIENCE Street Level EP (Renegade Hardware dbl pk).
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REVIEW BY: SPEX
The Dynamic Duo are back! Drum and Bass's very own Batman and Robin
(Spinback and Q Project), have a little something for you. This will
come to you in the shape of an EP on the Renegade Hardware, 4 more
killer old skool licks! This time we find the duo in the Total
Science
guise. Last year we had release after release, well 2001 isn't gonna be
any different. The 4 tracker is laced with plenty of old skool mentasm
diffs mish, mashed with ruff beats. Track 1 and 2, Street Level and Rebel Soul, have the old skool feeling. The riffs, the breaks (Amen,
of course) are all thrown together creating 2 monster trax for the
headz
who love it like this! Once again Total Science come correct! The
second piece of wax sees the return of Source Direct. This time on
the
remix tip for Room Service (Track 1, vinyl 2). I can't say I remember
the original, but this version has been well produced and is a taste of
things to come from Source Direct this year. The last track, Out Of
Touch, once again see Total Science back at the controls. All in all
5 killer cuts from the unstopable Total Science. These guys are far
from Out Of Touch.
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RATING: 8/10
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UNIVERSAL PROJECT 'The Soundclash EP' (True Playaz)
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REVIEW BY: BoZ
A four track EP on offer from Universal Project here, with more of the True Playaz vibe we all know and love (unfortunately my copy shows no track names). Side A is a seriously heavy number, with pulverising bassline bizniss aplenty. Hammered by Hype & the crew, this one doesn't mess about and gets straight into that bassline, with ragga samples thrown in for that old-school touch. Some synth stabs crop up (sounding similar to those used in Digital's 'Waterhouse Dub') and set the track off at full speed. Side B opens with a wicked voice-like pad and steppin beat. It builds into a bass-driven stepper, but lacks a little variation to really do serious damage to the floor. Side C opens with weird digital bleeps and some strange 'monk moans' (You know what I mean. Don't you?), and has a frantic beat. The bassline doesn't disappoint either, and when it drops in with the beat, it's a rinse-out. Some good hip-hop and ragga vocal hits and more strange bleeps and squeals give it a really full sound, and it tears it up nicely. The highlight of the EP for me is side D. It opens up with bending, uplifting pads and vocal samples and a typical Playaz beat. Then out of nowhere drops the warm analog bassline and it all comes together perfectly to create a real summer-time vibe.
There's something for everyone on here, all crafted with the usual Playaz quality. Keep your eyes peeled for the 'Playaz for Real' album coming in the not too distant future (rumoured to contain 'Casino Royale' and '174 Trek').
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RATING: 9/10
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DEVIZE & 3A Lanslee / Bromide (3D Mode Recordings)
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REVIEW BY: SPEX
A new label, out of the Midlands area (Birmingham UK), is about to drop
their first release. The name of the label, 3D Mode. The artists,
Devize and 3A, who also set up and run the label. Since the age of
16, as a Dj, Devize has supplied hours of DnB pressure
entertaining
the masses in the UK and across Europe. He has hosted a show on Kool
FM,
alongside 3A and over the past couple of years went deep into the
jungle, concentrating on getting his production up to scratch.
3A started dabbling with technology over the past 7 years and had
releases on Emission Audio aswell as Future Tense Recordings.
Alongside Divize he has spent the last two years in the 3D Mode HQ,
where they both put their energies into the first release, Lansee and
Bromide. Two different styles of Drum and Bass straight out of
Birmingham. First up, Lansee this is a full-on Amen assault! Eeerie
elements creating a soundscape that may send shivers up your spine.
This
tune will drag you screaming and kicking to the dancefloor. Bromide,
which will grow on you, has a more of a John B vibe about it (check the
sythetic part of his album on New Identity). As this hits the shops 3D
Mode are lining up the releases. So remember the name 3D Mode!
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RATING: 7/10
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