LTJ Bukem -Producer 05: Rarities [Good Looking] (UK) LP/CD
The founding father of the empire and the whole atmospheric Drum 'n' Bass sound finally gets round to contributing to the "Producer" series. Instead of giving fan's his classic moments, or most significant releases, LTJ instead dishes up a collection of tracks which have either never seen the light of day, or are incredibly rare.
I'm not sure if Bukem himself is incredibly pleased with this project, as in his sleeve notes he can barely disguise they way he feels about some of the cuts, talking about "how far we"ve come in terms of production" since some of them. Perhaps a best of, would have been a good idea? Well, quite possibly, but there are still some tracks here which do expose his brilliance.
"Demon"s Theme (Part II)" which reformulates the original into a much smoother ride, is a swirling synth, fuzzy bass and melodic key feast for the ears. "Logical Progression" uses space-age keys which tinker away over ecstatic synths, a V Recordings type dope bass, "telephone" keys and lovely brass. "Dreamworld" has more raw energy than a number of todays cuts, with its hyperactive percussion, needle jabbed keys, gorge synths and animal noises that add a slight whiff of cheddar to the proceedings.
LTJ's remix of the "James Bond Theme" sees soulful keys that ooze with goodness, pillow soft synths and tight pattering drums produce a distinctly different vision of everyone's favourite English secret agent. Aficionados of the man should find enough to keep them occupied, but those wanting a "hits" will be disappointed. Jon Freer
Accidental Heroes - The Stars Our Destination [Infrared] (UK)
Accidental Heroes (Sonic & Silver) latest release is out on an extravagant but DJ friendly 5 x Vinyl, on the first listen you can see why; resolutely aimed at the more energetic dance floor this is not home listening for your average Joe.
Full on tech-beats dominate, combined with a very full, almost Trance like sound that takes a number of stylistic cues, edits and breakdowns from this scene. Atmospheric "Autumn Leaves" sampling retro strings introduce you with the opener "The Stars Our Destination". The next tune "Swerve" maintains the pace with a filtered house feel. The album moves into 3 am base heads only mode at this point but returns to the land of the living with the Bukem '95 styled "Out There". Worth a listen for those who like their Drum & Bass on the dance floor side of uncompromising. Dan Bond
SPINFORM - Urban Legends EP (Recordings Under Construction)
Eric Mller's Spinform project has been providing advanced breakbeat listening for over four years, surfacing on the well-respected UK independent Inertia in addition to Sweden's RUC and Primal. This latest four tracks operate in a similar vein to last years "To Hear Is Not To Listen" album, clinical percussion providing an audio cage in which off world atmospheres seethe. Welcome to the next level. Kingsley Marshall á 10
PARADOX/PROLOG - Leave Our Planet (Form-3)
Following the ethos of one of the UK's most broadminded drum 'n' bass clubs, Falmouth's Form 3 throw down the much contested "Leave Our Planet" along with a touch of slightly less schizophrenic beats from the labels own Prolog. Dev Pandya's cut is typically Paradoxical, flattened beats picking off muezzin calls from orbit, enraged audio the only occupant of the treble. Turn over for a most unlikely farside, odd time signatures playing host to an equally freewheeling melodic - solo violin reaching parts the electronics just couldn't reach. KM á 9
ACETATE and STRATUS - 'Down Remix' (Circuit)
Stealth's DJ Red is the latest operative to grace Acetate's recently launched Circuit imprint, turning on his Hornchurch growl machine to fill out the low end in his mix of "Down." Turn over for a synth orientated puncher, using looped sections to integrate further complexity to the beats of "Corrosive." KM á 6
TECH LEVEL 2 - Tempest (Hardleaders)
It's been a little quiet on the TL2 front for a while, Justin Broderick marking their return to 'leaders with a crunching two tracker. Deep subs provide the foundation for a pair of rolling percussive grooves which utilise dub effects to fill out the gaps - heavily delayed keys sweeping and out of focus as mashed vocals call out the time. KM á 6
J MAJIK - Love Is Not A Game (Defected)
Having floated around for a while, Ministry's Defected finally get round to releasing J Majik's house influenced next step. With Kathy Brown's massive vocal warmed through with a carefully executed synth construct, this release is armed with serious crossover potential - not too dangerous for the broader market while retaining underground kudos. Bearing this in mind, the accompanying mixes are disappointing, Freeform Five offering up a Giles Peterson target downtempo affair and Dillinja causing trouble on the flip through loading in all his Valve samples to slam down the vocal. KM á 8
BETA 2 & ZERO TOLERANCE - Cat Fight (Bassbin)
The first solo outings for Dublin's finest are as solid as the collaborative efforts that preceded them. Sleepy house keys soften the rippling breaks of "Cat Fight" while Beta 2's "Make U See" follows the house/old school seam, with a vocal refrain punctuating repeated melodic refrains and ever-present rolling beats. KM á 8
THE GREEN MAN - Damn Wire (Basswerk)
The Germans seem to have mastered melodic drum 'n' bass that still retains dancefloor punch, with Basswerk and Santorin leading the charge. Fresh from working with Certificate 18's Klute, Cologne's Green Man steps from the shadows of his own increasingly well respected label with "Damn Wire" flooding delicate melodic sections with a bassline that sweeps seemingly uncontrollably through the frequency range. KM á 8
Motion - Remedy/Suspense (Infrared)
Quality debut from Mr Majik's latest protg Motion, stylistically similar to the recent Kathy Brown collaboration 'Remedy' combines elements of light and dark in a genuine crossover contender with dancefloor potential, taking clues from the greats along the way. On the flip 'Suspense' is an all together less memorable ambient number. DB
GAMBIT AND KING-E - Track Light (Full Contact)
More shape shifting dancefloor terror from Code 071's imprint, following their recent outing for Reinforced with something from Slow Motion's Gambit. The cries of the vinyl are quickly turned upon by the beats within before eventually succumbing to some detuned key hits. On the farside, "Black Seed" is a little less oppressive - intro'ing via a Virus-like key pattern before Selassi calls drop the rhythm into skipping beats and deadly bass subsonics. KM á 6
APHRODITE - Lava Flow (Aphrodite)
Last years resurgence in all things old school suited Aphrodite more than most, supplementing his never faded grass roots support with newcomers. Here Mentasm stabs face off Juno key stabs within the intro before dropping to rumbling bass and rattling ride enhanced break. Flip for more of the same, Novation noodling filling out the mids with some acid house. KM á 6
TIGHT CONTROL - Just Won't Stop (Genetic Stress)
Jason Cambridge finds the time to contribute something to the string of great releases, which have emerged from Genetic Stress over the last few months. Lively percussion is enriched with a multi-faceted synth section in "Just Won't Stop" while the flip takes a step towards techno with a minimal bassline providing the impetus. KM á 8
VARIOUS - 3 Dimensions EP (Back 2 Basics)
More dancefloor carry on from Birmingham's JB and Spice, extending upon the antics of the recent "Remix EP," with the no nonsense beats of "Bom Bom" and "Cookies" receiving play from all of the usual suspects. The surprises are saved for the tail end of the EP where they draft in singer Dark Angel for "See Through You" which drops like something from Breakbeat Era - block-rocking beats and occasional orchestral drifts panel beating a messed up vox into submission. Dope. KM á 7
SWIFT - Resurrection EP (Charge)
Swift's rise to acclaim has been a steady one, serving his apprenticeship at the likes of True Playaz and Emotif before launching his own imprint two years ago. While the opening track counters rock solid groove of buzzing low end with simple delayed bleep line, "Delusions" rocks out with time stretched beats and "Seaside" proceeds to take the Jaws precept a step further into the ocean. Sound as a weapon - four for the floor. KM á 6
VARIOUS - Clockwork Sampler (Under Fire)
The contents of the double pack taster of Stakka and Skynet's forthcoming album of collaborations are pretty much as you'd expect; Konflict and Teebee stalking the vinyl with metal plated grooves, which trounce much of the current opposition. It is the DJ Red cut that stands out however, "Hal 9000" calmly talking down the arepeggiating melodics through a steroid pumped ledge. Dancehall dangerous. KM á 7
TRINITY/AFRO KID - What's Going On? (Chronic)
Back to the floor with Brian G for some (not so) undercover business from two well known producers the EP containing four quality cuts of the speaker rumbling persuasion. Highlight is "Warriors," where volleys of bass are fired through synth strings at the barking dogs before the plink-plonk timekeeper of Cubase slices through the breakdown. KM á 7
VARIOUS - Plastic Surgery LP (Hospital)
More high-energy hi-jinx from the mischievous health centre managers, their latest compilation filling any gaps left by the efforts of label regulars Danny Byrd and London Elektricity via a cortge of up and comings. Remixes come thick and fast from the likes of Calibre and John B, new signing High Contrast fits right in with his funk fuelled production and although both Carlito and Addiction and Total Science feel a little out of place the album confirms Hospital's rep as a label striking out its own path. Up tempo and enjoyable. KM á 8 (Album of the month)
VARIOUS - Ram Raiders 3 EP (Ram)
The sonic terrorists return with the third in the latest series to emerge from Andy C's imprint. Although the meter of Moving Fusion's "Black Hole" is dangerously close to happy hardcore, they redeem themselves within their partnership with Shimon within "The Alias" - high keys and rolls which occasional tumble from the beat arrangements filling out a mutated bass juggernaut. Origin Unknown proceed to cover any missed opportunities for dancefloor mayhem with some dark core bass and messed mentasm within "Equinox" and token vocal piece "Fly Away." KM á 7
VARIOUS - No Formalities LP (Skunk Rock)
Eight releases in and Alley Cat has been drafted in to compile an album retrospective of the label to date. The forty minute mix orientates itself around the latest releases, and demonstrates the breadth well, remixes from Dom Angus, Digital and Spirit and Konflict's versions of "Personal Blackmail" and "Payload" sitting amongst material from label stalwarts Daniel Savine, Kabuki, UFO! and Alley Cat herself. Highlights include the Klute take of "Intastate" and Q Project's "Feel It" - exclusive to the LP. KM á 7