- Joined
- Sep 29, 2005
- Location
- Somewhere over the flyover
Greenfly “World of Love/Shining Light” on Freqency Factory Records
This brand new Reading label sees Frequency Records store teaming up with Subfactory ( the only free D&B night every Sunday at the Purple Turtle). The result is this label, and soon a website where you can buy mp3’s from signed and unsigned artists. (Watch for a feature on that in January). Anyway, does this sound good, and am I going to stop plugging, and start reviewing ? “World of Love” reflects the vibe on a Sunday night, its optimistic, happy and wobbles a bit. Just like most of the Subfactory punters. Smooth electric keyboards and a soulful vocal sit nice in this tight mixdown. “Shining Light” is slightly heavier, horn stabs and keyboard chops set this up on the right vibe. When the bass kicks in underneath the sweet beats its all good. Proper roller.
( Apologies to XS Records for missing their label launch-ya never told me!!!)
Krust “Warhead/Maintain the TC remixes” on V Recordings
Although there have been quite a few remixes of Warhead, this has to be the definitive remix. TC has taken the classic, and kept the essence of the tune. He has particularly worked on the beats to give this some extra weight. ( As if the original needed it). TC has also worked hard on that sub, loads of nice variations make this as wild as it could be. “Maintain” gets a rework too, the original, not the version on the Classics album, which is why there is no vocal. Optimistic strings and a nice little ‘ahhhh’ female vocal set the scene for this nice roller. TC has made the subs more brutal and added a nice congo percussion sequence. The sub is nothing like the Hip Hop style sub that set this apart from everything else when it first appeared, but this is an excellent track.
Heist “Pum Pum Stabber/ Inta Soul” on Grid
Can this man do wrong ? Not if this is anything to go by. A beautiful soulful prequel to the main rub suggests lazy days on the beach sipping malibu. When the main rub switches in it’s back to the streets of UK shovelling shit in the rain. Serious grime. Oh Gosh, this is brutal business from a heavy label. Boom style. Keeping on a versatile style, “Inta Soul” is jazzy party track. It isn’t a jelly and ice cream party though , oh no sir. This one has integrity. It’s a solid numero. Bombastic bass and beats and an infectious electric piano prove its quality not quantity that count.
Zinc “Fairfight (Friction rmx)/ Hello (Fierce and Break rmx)” on Bingo
A couple of killer versions of a couple of solid Zinc tracks. Friction makes sure this track is 100% appealing for the 2005 dancefloor. His usual tight production is in effect on this one. Fierce and Break take one of Zinc’s early Breaks tracks and turn it into an elctro influenced stomper. The basslines are abrasive material, and will ruff you up bigtime.
Roni Size “Square Off rmx/ Bad Mutha” Dope Dragon
Its nice to see this label dusted off, and let loose again. It was used to be the outlet for the Full Cycle crew’s harder uncompromising work. What better way to kick things off than with a jump up classic. Size has got the beats up to ’05 specs. He’s tweaked the subs, added a few nice samples, and its sounding crisp. “Bad Mutha” is a funky party track in the sort of vein that Full Cycle have been busting lately.
Skynet “Carbon Shock (Noisia Rmx)” /Ancronix “Lightly Salted” on Sudden Def
This is one of the fattest remixes I have ever heard. Noisia deserve to be huge. Their production is top rate. This is possibly the best work they’ve ever done, but no doubt there is a whole lot more to come from them. What makes this so special ? The XXX rated bass. It is pure filth. It would make a pornstar blush. SO many different variations too, it must take a dirty imagination. Top track of the year?
The flip side is on it too. Aggressive tech stepping business. A warped out acidic bassline and amens at the back of the mix make this an intense workout.
Friction “Play the Game/Sin City” on Valve
Valve’s golden boy returns with a couple of big time killers. “Play the Game” uses a stop-start rythem, that is instantly recogniseable. A bladerunner intro sets this up for the big bang. Its pure mayhem. Nuff said, this has been laying waste to dancefloors on dub for some time. “Sin City” is a personal favourite. Blues/Gospel vocals ensure this will have appeal for years to come. Of course, this has a titanium ryddim. A perfect mix of melody and noise.
Mathematics & Mijatoho “Move it Down (feat Jon jon)/Infiltrate” on Social Studies
One of those huge sub rollers that will just set the whole thing off. It’s a nice dub-tech hybrid ( yeah I can make up words too). A jazzy sort of stab creates a mesmerising techno pattern. The dubwise sub and tuff beats do the rest. “Infiltrate” comes in on a totally different vibe. A Sci fi build up leads to an aggressive sub. Nasty.
DJ SS “S Files Remixes” on Formation
As if the S-Files weren’t bad enough already, SS has decided to further galvanise these beats. Simon Bassline Smith and Drumsound get their claws on “Hit the Switch”. This was a monster, and their addition of beats to the tenser intro, certainly works. They’ve cut some of the high mid out of the sub, and made it more aggressive. Heavy. “For those who can Handle” gets a tough relick too. Further mutations fo sound ensure this sounds even fresher. “Anger Management” gets further tightened up by SS himself. I suspect his quest for perfection is why he chose to remix these tracks. Anger Mangement gets more sinsiter, more broody. The new subs are far tougher, close to SS’s renowned 94 sound, spot on. “Tribalism” also gets the SS rework. He’s taken the experimental beast and made it more rolling. Adding deeper strings, and a nice vocal, he’s made this into a prime roller.
Re-Bound Vol3 “Voice Activated/Battle Cry”
This is that bootleg of “Voices” that has been smashing it up on dub plate for some time. Absolutely excellent track. Go and check it out, you’ll know it straight away. The flipside entitled “Battle Cry” is reasonable too. A liquid roller, simple and effective.
Jenna G “Quick Love” on Bingo
Another teaser from the forthcoming album by Jenna G. This time in CD format or vinyl. You’ll be getting cuts produced by some serious heavyweights. The original mix has Nu Tone on the dials. His funky smooth style compliment this talented vocalist perfectly. Zinc’s energetic rework of “Quick Love” is definitely one of his finer works of the year. “Pilgrimage” (vinyl only) is a perfect combination from Zinc and Jenna. Zinc has turned his hand to te hsmoother side, and he does this so well. If that wasn’t enough the vinyl version ( there are two platters) has Artificial Intellegence with “Rising” which is a heavy heavy track. Jenna again outdoes herself on the singing side of things. I can’t wait for the album.
Alter Ego’s Vol.1 on Co Lab Recordings
This series sees artists pitting themselves against err themselves in this split personlity rinse out. Strider comes with “The Zoid”, a heavy tune, with a blissful jazzy ride in, and a barely controlled sub. Jungle percussion and a heavier second drop. His alter ego Heist comes with the rolling “In the Stix”. Gentle vocals, reversed electric piano chords that have been tunred into a pad, and a wobbling sub set this apart from the rest.
This brand new Reading label sees Frequency Records store teaming up with Subfactory ( the only free D&B night every Sunday at the Purple Turtle). The result is this label, and soon a website where you can buy mp3’s from signed and unsigned artists. (Watch for a feature on that in January). Anyway, does this sound good, and am I going to stop plugging, and start reviewing ? “World of Love” reflects the vibe on a Sunday night, its optimistic, happy and wobbles a bit. Just like most of the Subfactory punters. Smooth electric keyboards and a soulful vocal sit nice in this tight mixdown. “Shining Light” is slightly heavier, horn stabs and keyboard chops set this up on the right vibe. When the bass kicks in underneath the sweet beats its all good. Proper roller.
( Apologies to XS Records for missing their label launch-ya never told me!!!)
Krust “Warhead/Maintain the TC remixes” on V Recordings
Although there have been quite a few remixes of Warhead, this has to be the definitive remix. TC has taken the classic, and kept the essence of the tune. He has particularly worked on the beats to give this some extra weight. ( As if the original needed it). TC has also worked hard on that sub, loads of nice variations make this as wild as it could be. “Maintain” gets a rework too, the original, not the version on the Classics album, which is why there is no vocal. Optimistic strings and a nice little ‘ahhhh’ female vocal set the scene for this nice roller. TC has made the subs more brutal and added a nice congo percussion sequence. The sub is nothing like the Hip Hop style sub that set this apart from everything else when it first appeared, but this is an excellent track.
Heist “Pum Pum Stabber/ Inta Soul” on Grid
Can this man do wrong ? Not if this is anything to go by. A beautiful soulful prequel to the main rub suggests lazy days on the beach sipping malibu. When the main rub switches in it’s back to the streets of UK shovelling shit in the rain. Serious grime. Oh Gosh, this is brutal business from a heavy label. Boom style. Keeping on a versatile style, “Inta Soul” is jazzy party track. It isn’t a jelly and ice cream party though , oh no sir. This one has integrity. It’s a solid numero. Bombastic bass and beats and an infectious electric piano prove its quality not quantity that count.
Zinc “Fairfight (Friction rmx)/ Hello (Fierce and Break rmx)” on Bingo
A couple of killer versions of a couple of solid Zinc tracks. Friction makes sure this track is 100% appealing for the 2005 dancefloor. His usual tight production is in effect on this one. Fierce and Break take one of Zinc’s early Breaks tracks and turn it into an elctro influenced stomper. The basslines are abrasive material, and will ruff you up bigtime.
Roni Size “Square Off rmx/ Bad Mutha” Dope Dragon
Its nice to see this label dusted off, and let loose again. It was used to be the outlet for the Full Cycle crew’s harder uncompromising work. What better way to kick things off than with a jump up classic. Size has got the beats up to ’05 specs. He’s tweaked the subs, added a few nice samples, and its sounding crisp. “Bad Mutha” is a funky party track in the sort of vein that Full Cycle have been busting lately.
Skynet “Carbon Shock (Noisia Rmx)” /Ancronix “Lightly Salted” on Sudden Def
This is one of the fattest remixes I have ever heard. Noisia deserve to be huge. Their production is top rate. This is possibly the best work they’ve ever done, but no doubt there is a whole lot more to come from them. What makes this so special ? The XXX rated bass. It is pure filth. It would make a pornstar blush. SO many different variations too, it must take a dirty imagination. Top track of the year?
The flip side is on it too. Aggressive tech stepping business. A warped out acidic bassline and amens at the back of the mix make this an intense workout.
Friction “Play the Game/Sin City” on Valve
Valve’s golden boy returns with a couple of big time killers. “Play the Game” uses a stop-start rythem, that is instantly recogniseable. A bladerunner intro sets this up for the big bang. Its pure mayhem. Nuff said, this has been laying waste to dancefloors on dub for some time. “Sin City” is a personal favourite. Blues/Gospel vocals ensure this will have appeal for years to come. Of course, this has a titanium ryddim. A perfect mix of melody and noise.
Mathematics & Mijatoho “Move it Down (feat Jon jon)/Infiltrate” on Social Studies
One of those huge sub rollers that will just set the whole thing off. It’s a nice dub-tech hybrid ( yeah I can make up words too). A jazzy sort of stab creates a mesmerising techno pattern. The dubwise sub and tuff beats do the rest. “Infiltrate” comes in on a totally different vibe. A Sci fi build up leads to an aggressive sub. Nasty.
DJ SS “S Files Remixes” on Formation
As if the S-Files weren’t bad enough already, SS has decided to further galvanise these beats. Simon Bassline Smith and Drumsound get their claws on “Hit the Switch”. This was a monster, and their addition of beats to the tenser intro, certainly works. They’ve cut some of the high mid out of the sub, and made it more aggressive. Heavy. “For those who can Handle” gets a tough relick too. Further mutations fo sound ensure this sounds even fresher. “Anger Management” gets further tightened up by SS himself. I suspect his quest for perfection is why he chose to remix these tracks. Anger Mangement gets more sinsiter, more broody. The new subs are far tougher, close to SS’s renowned 94 sound, spot on. “Tribalism” also gets the SS rework. He’s taken the experimental beast and made it more rolling. Adding deeper strings, and a nice vocal, he’s made this into a prime roller.
Re-Bound Vol3 “Voice Activated/Battle Cry”
This is that bootleg of “Voices” that has been smashing it up on dub plate for some time. Absolutely excellent track. Go and check it out, you’ll know it straight away. The flipside entitled “Battle Cry” is reasonable too. A liquid roller, simple and effective.
Jenna G “Quick Love” on Bingo
Another teaser from the forthcoming album by Jenna G. This time in CD format or vinyl. You’ll be getting cuts produced by some serious heavyweights. The original mix has Nu Tone on the dials. His funky smooth style compliment this talented vocalist perfectly. Zinc’s energetic rework of “Quick Love” is definitely one of his finer works of the year. “Pilgrimage” (vinyl only) is a perfect combination from Zinc and Jenna. Zinc has turned his hand to te hsmoother side, and he does this so well. If that wasn’t enough the vinyl version ( there are two platters) has Artificial Intellegence with “Rising” which is a heavy heavy track. Jenna again outdoes herself on the singing side of things. I can’t wait for the album.
Alter Ego’s Vol.1 on Co Lab Recordings
This series sees artists pitting themselves against err themselves in this split personlity rinse out. Strider comes with “The Zoid”, a heavy tune, with a blissful jazzy ride in, and a barely controlled sub. Jungle percussion and a heavier second drop. His alter ego Heist comes with the rolling “In the Stix”. Gentle vocals, reversed electric piano chords that have been tunred into a pad, and a wobbling sub set this apart from the rest.
