WORDS GILES WOOD
PARTNERS IN CRIME
WITH THEIR FIRST ALBUM ABOUT TO HIT
THE STREETS, KNOWLEDGE DECIDED TO
DELVE INTO THE MINDS OF TWO OF
BRISTOL’S UNSUNG HEROES – STEP UP
KUBIKS & LOMAX.
Current residents of the flourishing artistic hotspot owners Basti, Roman and Carsten. In the beginning Knowledge wanted to find out more about how
commonly known as Bristol, Kubiks & Lomax have they approached us and ever since that time we their minds tick to see from where they draw their
been busy over the past few years carving their have been batting ideas back and forth so the LP inspiration. “Apart from ‘70s soul, jazz and funk, a big
names into the drum & bass mainstream. Not was pretty much a joint idea,” explains Kubiks. part of our interest lies in house and electro as there
content with a list of 12” releases as long as a is a lively combination of juicy atmospherics and
baby’s arm, they have dug deep and created an “The natural progression for us was to work on an deep basslines. Richie Hawtin, Sven Vath and Carl
exciting and intricate album that showcases not LP and we thought it would be better for us to work Cox inspire us because house music is where a lot
only their well-honed production skills but their with an up-and-coming label that we know and trust of good, deep, early drum & bass came out of so we
innate ability to transform soulful funky rollers into than one of the big guns who we don’t really know really respect that,” remarks Lomax.
orchestral epics. as well,” adds Lomax.
“As far as early breakbeats go we are both heavily
‘Speak Life’, released on Phunkfiction Recordings Well, how about narrowing it down to just six tracks influenced by LTJ Bukem and the whole Good
around the time this magazine drops into your lap, for the vinyl LP? Surely that must have been a Looking camp. The whole package and weight that
sees Kubiks & Lomax offer their complete pack- headache? “Not really because all the tracks were these guys used to carry totally blew us away... It
age as a three piece vinyl or, in a true embrace of given a thorough test drive on the dancefloor first. was like they were years ahead of their time,” laughs
the modern digital world, as a full 13 track MP3 The six that made the most impact were the right Kubiks.
download. Loaded with harmonious tones and silky ones to be cut to vinyl,” Lomax relies. Okay so no
atmospherics, the album sees the guys cross all headaches there then but what about choosing the The future looks peachy for Doug and Nick even
boundaries, addressing the liquid-laced undertones Basic Operations track and getting Influx UK to get though Doug will be emigrating to Canada in the
of ‘Mosaic’ or ‘Miracle World’ to the more driving involved on a remix? “They were natural choices next few months. With more 12”s on the way via
techy sounds of ‘Plan B’. Top that with a throbbing for us. When we look at doing remixes we look for Soundtrax, Horzions and Doug’s own Rubik imprint
Influx UK remix of ‘Identity’ and a Kubiks & Lomax what are ‘good idea’ tunes and we both really liked and developing their fledgling media company
remix of Basic Operations’ ‘4th Street Sound Click’, the hook on the track so we felt we could turn this Tactile Productions to write music for both TV and
it really does become a necessary addition to any musical number into more of a dance floor track,” film, it really will be a case of all work and no play.
discerning vinyl junkie’s collection. answers Kubiks. “I approached Influx UK as he has As long as their creative juices don’t dry up any time
this ability to make a track his own and everyone lis- soon, it is going to be a journey from strength to
Grabbing a minute with Doug and Nick (Kubiks & tening to that track recognises his signature beats, strength.
Lomax respectively), Knowledge wanted to know rhythms and feel.”
how the album came about. “ We did a 12” for For more info check www.myspace.com/kubiks or
Phunkfiction back in 2005 called ‘Identity’ / ‘24’ “Just deep soundscapes with tough rolling beats www.myspace.com/lomaxdnb
which just started a good friendship with label and bass,” adds Lomax.
44
K44_KubiksNLomax.indd 44 17/10/2006 17:08:22
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