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Affinity :: Break

Hardcore Beats

Reviewed on Tuesday, August 28, 2007 by B-SIDE

UK label Hardcore Beats serves up the goods on this release by Affinity. ‘Break’ starts out with some harmonious pads that soon drop into some crisp breakbeats and emotive keys. ILS drops a wicked remix on the flip by injecting the tune with his unique style that has earned him the respect as one of the top breaks producers ever. Definitely worth hunting this one down!

E The Hot :: Ragmash / 45 This

Mantra Breaks

Reviewed on Friday, August 24, 2007 by B-SIDE

Coming from the Mantra Breaks camp this release can’t really be classified as Breaks but it’s definitely worth peeping out. Italy’s E The Hot drops a laidback summertime jam in ‘Ragmash’ that should get some spins from the funky-soul jocks. ’45 This’ is more on the dub tip with a remix coming in from Bjorn Torske also. “Hot” record for those sunset afternoons.

Shimon & Nixon :: Around The Edge / Whitenoise

Finger Lickin

Reviewed on Friday, August 24, 2007 by B-SIDE

Second release from D&B stalwart / RAM records heavyhitter Shimon and relative new breaks guy Nixon. ‘Around The Edge’ utilizes the D&B influences of Shimon with its minimal keys, warped synth bass lines, atmospheric vocals and crisp beats. ‘Whitenoise’ is even more techy and dark with its pulsing lead synth line to freak your brain. Good stuff once again from Finger Lickin!

Sneaky Fox :: Broke

Jalapeno Records

Reviewed on Friday, August 24, 2007 by B-SIDE

Jalapeno is known for delivering the funky goods and here the label doesn’t dissapoint. ‘Broke’ samples the beats from Dee-Lite’s ‘Groove is in the Heart’ and throws in some slapstick bass, horns and funky guitar licks. Sneaky also drops his Sa Trincha remix of ‘Broke’ on the flip that utilizes some dreamy ravey synths and an electronic bass to give it an uplifting feeling.

DJ MFR :: Hands To The Sky Feat. Windstrong

Transport Recordings

Reviewed on Friday, July 20, 2007 by Dani Deahl

The original version of "Hands To The Sky" is fine, then one listen to Vincent Kwok's remix leaves it in the dust. While the original sounds slightly disjointed, Vincent cleans it up with gorgeous background synths and guitar cameos. Two dubs follow but still leave Kwok's club mix as the glaring favorite. Definitely a keeper - thank goodness they added his talents to the project.

Jon Pegnato :: Throw Me Down Feat. Sue

Shush Records

Reviewed on Friday, July 20, 2007 by Dani Deahl

Pegnato's sound has drastically evolved in a short amount of time and it seems our little Long Beach loop addict has grown up. Soaring synths make up the bulk of the original with scattered static infusion to add a touch of dirt. Still not sure if speaking "throw me down" garners a featured spot in the title, but Sue's addition works nonetheless. Out of the four remixes, Jon Kennedy seems to have thrown down the gauntlet with his glitch powered monster that sneaks in tiny surprises like complete moments of silence.

Latenight Society :: The Stereo Pair EP

Nordic Trax

Reviewed on Friday, July 20, 2007 by Dani Deahl

Main track "Back To The Bump" is a straight classic cut of funky house along the lines of Lawnchair Generals and DJ Heather. With clean horns and every variant of vocal sample sporting "funky," the tune is not by any means a breakout attempt, but is certainly likeable. A given dub is unneeded while Harris & Martin get loopy and then - surprise! A separate electro-ish tune is snuck in at the end called "System Exclusive" that might make you scratch your head but becomes addictive as the track rumbles along.

Maya Azucena :: Make It Happen

Kult

Reviewed on Friday, July 20, 2007 by Dani Deahl

Ten, count 'em, ten mixes are packed into this release, and after listening to all of them, only one stands out clearly. While I suspect that the E.G. Vocal Mix will be quite popular with radio play, the one version that sifts itself out from the rest is the Majong Extended Vocal Mix. Maya's powerful vocals (which have been compared to Chaka Khan and Roberta Flack) are treated beautifully in Majong's edit, layered with fun synths and hand drums that lend depth-stellar!

Tomcraft & Republica :: Ready To Go

Kosmo Records

Reviewed on Friday, July 20, 2007 by Dani Deahl

Tomcraft tackles Republica's "Ready To Go" in this wickedly fun and tough electro-ridden tune. It helps that lead singer Saffron's aggressive vocals make sampling "baby I'm ready to go" fun and catchy from the get-go but Tomcraft's impeccable synth work certainly doesn't hurt. The L&T Latenight Mix is simply confusing, sounding warbled and like the pitch control is frustratingly stuck on -6.

Pepe Deluxe :: Go For Blue (Optimo/Viva Voce remixes)

(Catskills)

Reviewed on Monday, July 16, 2007 by Si Hawkins

Presumably based in one of those northern parts of Finland that don’t get nearly enough sun, Pepe Deluxe have just released an extremely enjoyable but deeply odd album called Spare Time Machine – either that or they found it in an obscure sixties psychedelia shop and are passing it off under their own name. Whatever, ‘Go for Blue’ is a balls-out highlight, here given the dancefloor treatment by Scottish electro-punks Optimo and some bassline surgery by Alabaman indie couple Viva Voce.

Skream :: Sub-Island/Pass the Red Stripe

(Soul Jazz)

Reviewed on Monday, July 16, 2007 by Si Hawkins

Lacing up his boots and going back to his roots, 21 year-old dubstepper Ollie Jones takes a walk in Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry’s day-glo Dr Martin’s and cranks out a sublime slice of old-skool dub. Actually, throw on the cans and this isn’t nearly as retro as you first thought, with some sharp kicks and bassbin licks lying low in the mix. ‘Pass the Red Stripe,’ meanwhile, would appear to be a similarly languid quasi-cover of a hugely successful R’n’B cut… or are we just imagining that?

Alex Metric :: WhatSheWants / Breakin Hearts

Marine Parade

Reviewed on Friday, July 13, 2007 by B-SIDE

Slammin genre smashing shit here. Newly signed Alex Metric drops some serious dance rock bizz with indie electro guitar licks and crisp punchy drums to accompany some electro-poppy synths. There’s a third track on here too, “Oh” that’s has a cool retro 80’s breakdancin funk vibe. Wicked release for all jocks!

Andrea Lai :: Beat Stealers / Time

Mantra Breaks

Reviewed on Friday, July 13, 2007 by B-SIDE

Rome’s Andrea Lai has been known some time now for his cutting edge beats at his Agatha club night. Here he drops two chunky cuts of tech-breaks that fans of Meat Katie and the like should dig. Both are heads down groovers that will jack your body and make your feet happy.

Arrow :: D.O.E.S. ep

Lobe

Reviewed on Friday, July 13, 2007 by B-SIDE

Head straight for the ‘Breakbot’ remix here for you Breaks heads.. Funky summertime laidback vibes with some electro distorted synths and groovy guitar driven bass line to give you a nice warm fuzzy feeling. Really a fun track. There’s also a couple other tacks on here that are more geared towards housier jocks.

Brancaccio & Aisher :: Freak Around

Burrito

Reviewed on Friday, July 13, 2007 by B-SIDE

These two have been known for their releases on labels like Bedrock and Renaissance but this time they drop some freshness for the Burrito camp. ‘Freak Around’ has the total summertime vibes here with a catchy vocal and funky retro electro beats. Koma & Bones really turn out some of their best work on the remix by churning out a super phat dirty electro bass 4x4’ish stomper. I wouldn’t really say this one is breaks but it’s too good to be missed and will go great with just about any set!