MALA Vinyl & CDs

Review: It's not so often we get to enjoy a DMZ release these days, but as you might expect this is primal dubstep that continues the tradition of the earliest forms of the music. Coki's "Marduk" plys his preferred trade in mid-range tweakery. While there's an endless legion of imitators melting faces the world over with this style, it's the restraint Coki exercises that belies his roots in the sound. Mala meanwhile opts for a drawn out slab of dread with a steadily rising synth that is as deadly as it is understated, proving that the originators always do it best.

Review: Mala unearths a couple of stone cold classics from the DMZ vault. If you have paid attention to Mala's DJ sets over the past seven years you'll immediately recognise the vocal sample and complex rhythmic thrust of "Stand Against War", with its dub roots and ominous atmospherics. The relatively newer cut "Maintain Thru Madness" (it's been floating around since 2010) is all about the pitter-pattering percussion, which sits high in the mix above oodles of sub bass pressure and requisite siren hits. Do. Not. Sleep. On. This.

Review: Now on its fourth or fifth re-press, this is one of the most distinctive records in Mala's early career and has subsequently been blessed with one of the most distinctive productions in James Blake's career with his much sought after Harmonimix. The harrowed processed vocal soul and tick-tock riddim of "Changes" remains as timeless and heart-stopping as it was in 2007 while "Forgive" remains as deep, driving and full of attention to rhythmic details. A genuine classic, unless you've got a spare couple of hundred for one of the original presses, this is a very wise time to invest.

Review: Mala returns with some guaranteed killers. "Bury Da Bwoy" is another up-tempo dubber which should seduce the dance community in every way. Effortlessly spanning the divides between dub, techno, broken beat and garage, any new 12" from these guys is an event in itself. Limited quantities!

Review: "Left Leg Out" should become the defining four four dubstep crossover cut - destined to perpetuate dubstep's inexorable outer national movement. From the opening chords you could be forgiven in thinking this was a brand new dub techno cut - the hook is just one of those ready made classic riffs, vibing hihats, and the drop? Well - let us assure you, this is quite simply put, one of the tracks of 2006. You know how quickly these bad boys sell out - so get on it now - good and early!

Review: Brownswood return to Mala's triumphant LP from last year in triumphant fashion, calling on the masterful Theo Parrish to rework "Como Como" on this rather enticing looking 10" slab. As one of the few vocal cuts to feature on Mala In Cuba, it's natural that the Sound Signature boss would look to "Como Como" when invited to remix a track from the LP and in his hands the soothing tones of Drieser & Sexto Sentido are brought to the fore. Additionally instead of a complete reinvention, Parrish opts to extend the track adding his own twinkling synth lines to complement Mala's luxuriant chord patterns. Contender for remix of the year?

Review: Hyperdub kick off the vinyl side to their ten-year celebrations with this weighty four-tracker from some of the leading lights from the label's story. Mala is in a strident mood with "Expected, Level 10" carrying through that extra touch of melody from the Mala In Cuba LP. DVA cuts loose with the leftfield scattershot groove of "Technical Difficulties", reveling in tonal experimentation and jagged rhythmic flair to a stunning end. Still locked into the sci-fi trap tangent that characterised Severant, Kuedo turns out the haunting "Mtzpn" and Helix pops up for a remix of Kode9's "Xingfu Lu" that strips down to bare essentials with a little starlit soul rubbed into the framework.