...written and compiled by spank.
system 7 rite of spring (doc scott) (big life) jun 23
Wrinkly Steve Hillage returns with a low-key hypnotic groove that creeps up, takes you to a higher plain and then promptly stabs you with acid and beats you with bass. A welcome change of direction from System 7, just a shame that Mr Hillage cannot lose those classically inspired prog-rock titles. 8
empirion b.e.t.a / CIAO (the advent, doc scott, front 242) (XL) jun 2
Breakbeat excursion demonstrating that the British techno revolution is fully in swing. Heavy beats are matched by a whirlwind of escalating melodic tones. Spun by the likes of Nick Warren the track is as groovy as phuck, yet a 100% accessible track. Anyone for Underworld comparisons? 10
monkey mafia 15 steps ep (heavenly) may 26
Taking time off from ketamine abuse Jon Carter releases his third effort under his Monkey Mafia guise. ‘Lion in the Hall’ takes the cheekiest samba bassline, some kettle drum fury and layers of industrial proportion percussion proving Jon Carter is the cheeky monkey. 7
sneaker pimps six underground (perfecto, richard h.kirk, umbrellas of ladywell, dj sneak) (clean up records) may 26
Over the past months one has come to recognise both Source Direct and Another week, another re-release and remix package. The Nellee Hooper mix is still as slinkily as seductive as ever, completely overshadowing the new breed of remixes. Whilst the orchestral interpretations by Simon Warner AKA Umbrellas Of Ladywell are certainly interesting, its the Two Lone Swordsmen mix available on the last issue you really want to get your hands on. The perfect alternative summer soundtrack. 9
fun-da-mental ja-sha-taan (transglobal underground) (nation records) may
'Ja-Sha-Taan' sees Fun-Da-Mental delve deeper into their roots with the help of amazing vocals courtesy of Nawaziah Ali Khan. No longer ‘Raj Against the Machine’ blending phat beats, tabla overdrive and a tradutional devotional chant to create an Asian inspired wall of sound 6
apollo 440 raw power 9 (sony)
Technically Apollo 440 are past masters but presumably in an attempt to appeal to the masses this cheese ridden mess does nothing to excite. Drum and bass by numbers topped with lyrics about, err, racing cars. 4
cheshire cat bite the dust (smith and mighty) (higher ground / colombia)
Two twists on this below average reggae track by Bristol’s superb Smith and Mighty. The Mighty More Rockers No.90 mix is medium paced d&b cut that does the dirty cutting out the majority of lyrics from Mr.Cat’s original. The far superior Mighty Rockers mix creates a slow moody gangster rap backdrop that does far more justice to the vocals than the fluffy and light original. 6
transambient communications sorted for mushrooms and skunk ep (3rd stone records) may 5
Bedroom tomfoolery from Anthony Tombling Jnr as the newly established Transambient Communications. Pleasant in a sort of Orb circa 1993 kind of way - chilled but with a sense of humour. 6
pressure drop my friend (hard hands)
Cinematic soundscape from Leftfield’s angst ridden signing Pressure Drop. Atmospheric in the horror movie, someone’s just about to get killed, sense of the word. Aggressive breakbeats, an eerie string section and with mutterings of ‘Uncut Anger’ and ‘Alienation’ this is one ‘friend’ you wouldn’t trust with your lunch money. Triple XXX rated stuff. 8
eboman sampling madness vol.2 (XL) july 7
Rejoice for big beat has produced its first epic. Dutchman Jeroben Hofs has discarded his clogs and donned class A old skool Adidas trainers. 11 minutes of frenzied sampling that starts off hardcore guitar and king size beats, takes a trip around some bubbly delicate beats and live jazz sax before finishing in an adrenaline rush crescendo of howling hyper bass that would make the sturdiest of dykes shudder. Holland, fear for your lives, for Eboman is here. 10
banco de gaia big men cry (planet dog records)
Live Banco de Gaia kick ass. In the studio they can’t even pinch a baby’s bottom.
darren price underneath the flightpath (novamute)
First, an explanation of the title ‘Underneath the Flightpath’. Darren Price’s studio is a building at the end of one of Heathrow’s busier runways. Secondly, and most importantly, a discussion on the eight tracks that are ‘Underneath the Flightpath’. Well there’s not much to discuss really as they are all perfectly crafted electro/techno of the highest standards. With the exception of the down-tempo hip-hop beats of ‘Things Change’ every track is a beat ridden monster. However unlike certain sub-standard techno outfits, whilst your feet are thrashing away in a frenzy, the clever programming and keyboards also gives your mind something to do taking you to a higher spiritual plain (or at least amongst the Boeing 747s). The paradox is that at the same time your body is being excited, analogue synths soothe and inspire your mind.
In terms of quality each track should be given the Detroit seal of approval. All through Darren Price’s grounding as a DJ shines through. Every track pursues the ultimate DJing high. In ‘Phizz’ the beats come hard and fast, effervescent acid bubbles and squidges away whilst ‘Over and Out’ allows some solitude and contemplation as dreamy, melodic electronica and trickling percussion help you on your journey. The twiddling synths and slicing soundscape of ‘Airspace precede the aquatic ‘Long Haul’ a dip through the waves and rising tides of electro drum and bass catching, the odd piece of driftwood and delicate guitars. The past 12” ‘Blueprints’ cannot fail to whip you into a frenzy with atmospheric pressure, a thumping bassline mixed with electro chords and the hint of vocals. Future 12” ‘Lose No Time’ more than matches its predecessor with its overhaul of beats, vocoded vocal snaps and whoop-whoop breakdowns. Hard hitting and infinitely groovy.
| Event of the year must have been Tribal Gathering 1997 with the obvious highlight being the Kraftwerk live set. No one was left disappointed and even the most hardened of DJs were seen to be dabbing a tear from the corner of their eyes...... |
| X-Press 2’s Cream residency has come to a premature close after complaints that their live sets weren’t commercial enough to be popular. Never fear! Man of the people and half of Way Out West Nick Warren takes over turntable duties...... |
| Jon Carter is presently putting together a seven piece combo for his upcoming Monkey Mafia tour..... |
| Please nice people at XL, can you release Roy Davis Jnr’s ‘Gabrielle’ now that you’ve got rights to it? Mixes will come from the life-changing Basement Jaxx...... |
| Armand Van Helden, currently working on his new LP, plays London’s Adrenaline Village on June 14 backed by Darren Emerson, Dave Angel, Psychonaughts, the Grand Central crew and the Jedi Knights..... |
| Andy Weatherall has resigned to Warp under the Two Lone Swordsmen moniker...... |
| Finally respect to Warwick’s Dirty Fat Beatz Crew - truly 3-dimensional: Lighting and images for the Que Club, one off events all over the shop and a Friday residency at Murphy’s, Leamington Spa featuring the likes of Steve Bridger...... |
| That’s it chaps and chappesses, I’m off to moonlight for Muzik over the summer but I’ll catch you back here in September. Take it easy! |