...written and compiled by spank.

Aphrodite Listen To The Rhythm Flow / Rinsing Quince (Aphrodite Recordings)

When it comes down to it music is all about noises. In the field of noises Aphrodite is God. Treading the line between big beat and drum and bass Aphrodite places the emphasis on BASS. Big, fat rolling basslines that vibrate up your leg, make you dance emphatically before finally causing internal haemorrhaging. ‘Listen To The Rhythm’ takes the Urban Takeover formula of starting off hip-hop beats before the bassline takes a trip into d ‘n’ b territory. ‘Rinsing Quince’ (sampling Quincey Jones’ ‘Summer In The City’) contrasts chilledness with electro-laced build ups and breakdowns. 10

Definition Of Sound Eccentric [Lunatic Calm] (Universal)

Sadly gone are the days of Daisy Age rapping. Instead DOS have chosen to replace it with this turgid offering of indie-dance-rock. Unimaginative guitar riffs join even more unimaginative lyrics. Lunatic Calm unsuccessfully try to disguise their shallow remix of ‘Outsider’ with plenty of feedback and distortion. Definition Of Sound - being dropped from a record label near you soon. 5

Somore I Refuse [Industry Standard/ R.I.P./ Serious Danger/ Ramsey & Fen] (XL)

After bubbling effervescently in the underground garage scene XL have given a mainstream release to this vocal orientated Somore track. Spearheaded by tweaky-clean Industry Standard mix it is the dirty Serious Danger take that is more likely to get a crowd moving. More house than garage, the grinding bassline proves sufficient to offset the Lighthouse Family style vocal. 6

Money Mark Hand In Your Head [Dust Brothers] (Mo’ Wax)

Welcome return from the Beastie Boys keyboardist whose veer towards the mainstream has been inundated with radio airplay. Blues influenced complete with tinkering on the ‘Old Joanna’ and a hazy vocal. Not as awe inspiring as previous efforts but a definite sing-along quality that could easily backfire into tediousness. 7

Environmental Science The Day The Zak Stood Still (Part 2) (Fused & Bruised)

Poached from Skint Environmental Science’s debut for Fused & Bruised show they are worth every penny. The sound, part of the new growing tidal wave of nuschool breakbeat pioneered by the likes of Adam Freeland, Dave Tipper and Rennie Pilgrim, is hard and fast focussed beats with acidic undertones and aggressive overtones. Unsettling yet infinitely funky. 9

Dust Junkys What Time Is It..? [Fun Lovin’ Criminals] (Polydor)

Incessantly annoying drivel from the American Chumbawamba. A Mars bar to anyone who can make it all the way through without reaching for the FFWD button. 3

Surreal Madrid Insanity Sauce (Fused & Bruised)

A double whammy for Fused & Bruised as they hit the spot for a second time this edition. More tongue in cheek than the Environmental Science track (for God’s sake they call themselves Sur-real Madrid) there are loads of cheeky samples and although the beats are driven fast and hard there is a definite feel-good factor. 10

Lionrock Rude Boy Rock (Concrete)

The only gripe with Lionrock was the poverty of MC Buzz B’s raps. Justin Robertson fans were left searching amidst B-sides for those little cherries hidden away. So refreshing it is to find this vocal-free ska-influenced two-tone ditty being given A-side status. Infectious (even if a little too similar to Ballistic Brothers’ ‘Peckings’) this has every chance of crossing over to the mainstream. Not only that, but we are still graced with a B-side cherry in the form of the breezy and airy 90’s electro of ‘Push Button cocktail’. 9

United Citizen Federation feat. Sarah Brightman Starship Trooper [Trouser Enthusiasts] (Coalition Recordings)

Sacrilege! Reworking the classic (hmm) that went down so well at my fifth birthday party into a piece of Euro-trash. Admittedly that nasty snogging-experience Sarah Brightman had with Andrew Lloyd Weber was enough to scar anyone for life and this can only serve as proof. They don’t even use the original laser gun breakdown so I can run around my bedroom pretending to be in Star Wars. This is surely music for monkeys (Andrew... stop dancing). 2

Spiritualized I Think I’m In Love [Chemical Brothers] (Dedicated)

When two giants come together such as Spiritualized and the Chemical Brothers there is always the fear that expectations will exceed the final product. No fear here however as this is the most tender, atmospheric Chemical Brother’s remix in a while building (and building...and building), breaking before leaving you with something to think about. Organs sit beside analogue synths and Jason Spaceman’s vocal never ceases to tear you apart. 10

TJ Rehmi Skrutinizer EP (Nation)

Nation continually unearths pockets of talent yet never seem to be given the respect they deserve. TJ Rehmi is a prime example of this. Reflecting and redefining music and culture for second and third generation Asians this EP inadvertently is perhaps one of the most poignant comments on today’s youth culture. As ever Rehmi’s drum and bass beats are as intricate and painstakingly crafted but with a harder edge than on his debut twelve. Reflected in this are hints of Bhangra, UK hip-hop vocals, and laid back jazz and melted vocals. Don’t listen to this because it is Asian drum and bass, listen to it because it is simply good music. 9

Recycler Fuh115 [Elite Force] (Nation)

Debut from French duo Recycler that takes a surprisingly simplistic electro twist. Founded on a suitably phucked up acid bassline the Arabic percussion and African chants pay homage to the almighty 303. Elite Force (again, from the Fused & Bruised stable) give the track a Latin-Amyl courtesy of chunky Brazilian drums. 8

Recoil Stalker (Mute)

Stalker’ (the punished mix no less) lives up to its title being a swirl of psychosis, neurosis and boredom featuring vocals from a Charlie Manson sound-alike whispering vehemently over the top. ‘Missing Piece’ is a mild improvement attempting to recreate a Tricky-type feel to the track. There is however only one Tricky, and Recoil - you ain’t it. Get out the studio a bit more and cheer up you miserable bastard. 3

Son Of Cheeky Boy One Coffee Kiss EP (Southern Fried)