WHISKY KICKS
whiskykicks@live.co.uk
DRUM & BASSREVIEWS QUICKIES
Guzzla
Funk Slap Infrared 8.0
June Miller
Autumn To Ashes Ram
9.0
Being exclusively signed to arguably the biggest label in the d&b game is no mean feat, and with this release the duo have cemented their reputation as Ram’s newest recruits. The country & western-style guitar-plucked intro could slip into any Tarantino scene, a prelude to an effortless build of energy, before ‘Autumn To Ashes’ reaches its understated climax. It must be mentioned that some of June Miller’s signature style has melted away to fit into Ram’s current moulds.
Cern & Verb
Degeneration Dispatch Ltd 8.0
The first release of 2013 from Dispatch Ltd sounds like it’s a summons from below. Cern & Verb have created a harsh and menacing vibe here. Harrowing howls and a relentless atmosphere are at the forefront of this track, while low-end tones and Amen breaks make up the backbone. Taking a rusty meat cleaver to chop away at unwitting sounds, the track has a rough and raw feel which is presently missed from the ever-more polished genre.
Command Strange & Malaky
Regrets Horizons 8.5
Can we ever expect to hear anything less than excellence from Horizons? The answer, it seems, is no. ‘Regrets’ is a silky smooth liquid cut, layered with honeyed vocals and a deep, warm bass at its core. Pretty piano notes are placed next to reverberating morsels of shaded sound, whilst the entire track is soaked in an alluring glow. This gorgeous track
will melt hearts and minds as well as destroy the dance.
Danny Rich
Gunshots Audio Animals 7.5
Mixing and mastering moguls Audio Animals have expanded, and can now proudly pin their name-badge to a new truly 360 label. Their latest release comes in the form of a meaty slab of jump-up, complete with spoken vocal sample and horns — and, of course, where there are gunshots, there are police sirens. This track can hold its own on the grimiest of dancefloors without being too screechy or splitting any eardrums.
Fracture
Better Than Tomorrow Metalheadz 8.0
With Goldie’s militantly stringent A&R criteria, we know any track bearing the skull and headphones symbol is going to be something special. In true ‘Headz style, this mean and filthy track has been squelching its way around darker sets, building momentum for its release. Moody and atmospheric, with hard-hitting breakbeats and a slight tinge of tribalism, ‘Better Than Tomorrow’ is bang-on trend with today’s sound.
Gerra & Stone
Run Down Proximity 8.0 Certain artists manage to carve a signature sound from the word go. It’s an achievement that should be held in great esteem, especially when this signature sound is not treated as a generic blueprint and is balanced with originality. The duo’s new track encapsulates
their unique, spacious vibe, with a ‘Brown Paper’-y twang to the intro and break down, before dropping into a fidgety, itchy drum pattern. Echoes and atmosphere lighten the dark squelching bass.
Heist
Crunchy Nut Bass Low Down Deep 8.0 As we all know, the industry’s definition of the ‘in’ sound is always changing, and right now we’re in a place where deep, techy, glitchy rollers rule the roost. So thank God there are some top-notch producers to keep us entertained with some high-quality jump-up. ‘Crunchy Nut Bass’ brings us the classic high energy we expect from Heist, and the dirty squelchiness we expect from Low Down Deep: nutty skanking guaranteed.
Xtrah
Shock Treatment Sgn:Ltd 8.0 Another slab of nastiness from the unstoppable Xtrah, ‘Shock Treatment’ is fiendishly desirable and ready to be caught. The subtly placed chimes which lift the intro and the breakdown are reminiscent of finding a clue in an old-fashioned murder mystery, and the pacing beat creates a feeling of being pursued. A low and angry bassline fills the air and cloaks the track with a demeanor of bold enigma.
Guzzling down a can of Coke in five seconds is not this new kid’s only talent. Producing the finest contemporary jump-up is. Jagged chunks of drum, bass and synth are slapped together in mangled formation.
Jinx
This Goes Out ASBO
7.5
A wicked fast-paced nod to the ghost of jungle past, with a muffled and echoing ragga vox and dub sirens. The mid-section hosts an old skool rap, classic samples and drum patterns. Nicely familiar, but still unique.
John B feat Code 64
The Journey Beta Recordings
6.0
The drums certainly fall into the drum & bass box, but the bassline has to be placed in the box marked electro. Swedish artist Code 64 delivers vocals which are written with actual lyrical ability rather than just providing a hook.
Metrik
Break of Dawn Hospital 7.0
Designed for prime time, fresh from his Essential Mix, Metrik has produced another catchy dancefloor banger.
CALIBRE SIGNATURE
01. CALIBRE ‘Think On’ Signature Records “Appears on my new d&b LP, I think it has a deep, uplifting sound.”
02. CALIBRE ‘Close To Me’ Signature Records “Again, another one from my d&b LP — hypnotic number with one of my
minimal vocals.”
03. CHIMPO FEAT FOX ‘Frontline (Calibre Remix)’ Soul:R “This one is an Amen tear-out with a great vocal from Fox.”
04. BUNGLE ‘Untitled’ Soul:R “Really cool, deep roller from Brazil.”
05. CALIBRE FEAT STEO ‘Wilderness’ Signature “Beautiful vocal from a singer/MC/ producer from Dublin called Steo. I hope
we do more.”
06. CALIBRE ‘Key Flix’ Signature “This uses a special piano sample and is on my new d&b LP.”
07. CALIBRE FEAT DRS ‘Eschaton’ Dubby Skankyness “This is coming out on a Birmingham label, Dubby Skankyness.”
08. PARADOX ‘Crate Logic’ Samurai Records “Dev draws some beats on this one, very nice.”
09. CALIBRE FEAT DRS ‘Something’ Dub “Dunno if it’s ever coming out, I play this at the deeper nights.”
10. RANDOM MOVEMENT ‘Down Somehow’ Innerground Records “I love this tune, great to play and fits perfectly with my sets.”
www.djmag.ca
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