BAKONGO Vinyl & CDs

Review: If polyrhythmic, hard-to-pigeonhole UK bass mutations are your thing, this new EP from Roska's occasional Bakongo project is a must-listen. Starting with the tribal rhythms and deep bass of 'Oww', the veteran producer offers up a succession of cuts that blend elements of UK funky, dub techno, and what was once called '140' with weighty sub-bass, tough drums, occasional chords and plenty of densely layered African and South American style percussion sounds. The emphasis throughout is on rhythm, rather than music, making all four cuts perfect for those DJs who love to pepper their sets and mixes with drum tracks and percussion jams.

Review: Roska dusts off his rare Bakongo alias for a trip down Livity street with three technoid excursions. Every bit as sci-fi as they are bashy; opener "Momoweb" lights the touch-paper with angular android skittishness, ping-ponging back and forth as though Modeselektor have been given the keys to UK funky tank. "Disposition" twirls with a flourishing reverse loop and steppy hi-hats in a way that wouldn't go amiss in a Rolando set, while "Goulbap" closes on a more stripped back bashment trip, all creepy and laced with decaying harmonics. Goulishly good.