Juno Recommends Breakbeat: November 2023

Review: For those with their ear to the ground, 'Make Me' has been an underground monster hit for Borai and Denham Audio for time, but now it's getting a proper 12" release on Room Two with some heavyweight remixes. Taking a classic 90s vocal sample and giving it a thorough ruffing up, the original is hard to top, but Big Ang and Mani Festo turn in suitably rowdy versions which continue the theme of hardcore revivalism in fine style. Meanwhile bassline legend Paul Sirrell steps up for a flamboyant version which harks back to the original mid-90s cut that inspired 'Make Me' in the first place.

Review: The sixth UFOs outing is another intergalactic adventure in sonic form and this time at the buttons it's New Balaance, a Mexican artist at the heart of a new wave. Space Jungle though is an apt title for this EP, which kicks off with some stylish breaks and nimble basslines overlaid with lush cosmic arps. 'Space Jungle' (feat Parallax Modulators brings a more pensive mood thanks to the sustained chords and deeper grooves, but subtle acid and chattery perc bring it to life. 'Grantourismo' is a lively and dynamic cut with more swirling synth work while 'Redemption' closes down this quartet of excellent explorations with a mix of 90s prog, techno and breakbeats all imbued with plenty of colour.

Review: Banana Club has sprung out of Spain with a clear MO to channel the best of breakbeat, bassline and garage in their own Mediterranean style. The label boots off in no uncertain terms with FM-3 at the controls, dropping in hard on rolling breaks and monster subs on 'One For Me' before switching stance to the downright cheeky belter 'Funky Beats', powered by pitched up vocal licks, snatches of classic B-boy licks and plenty more sass besides. Orak lends some help to the trippy progressive acid stylings of 'Panorama' and Bowser joins in for the razor-sharp hooks of 'Bubbling', leaving you with four king sized cuts to get the dancefloor popping.

Review: Zach Murray is a fast-rising London producer who makes a great impression here with an ambitious and ultimately accomplished double pack on Oscuro. The title track 'Pieces Of The Puzzle' opens with sweeping ambient before 'Chill Pill' explores as glistening melodic world of futuristic tech and 'Can't Stop The Rain' has an old-school energy to its marching drums and rave stabs. There are also forays into acidic electro like on 'Keep Chasin'' and rugged breaks on 'Phase Me', elastic house sounds on 'Dubmotions' and cosmic turbulence in the trippy 'Dreams,' all of which show off this producer's versatility in style.

Review: Hornsey Hardcore is but one outlet for the prolific cult legend Jerome Hill, but at least you know exactly what you're going to get from these records. Bringing the breakthrough sounds of 1992-1994 into the modern age, Hill manages to maintain the clattering roughness of the OG material while adding in the benefit of modern mixing to make these tracks smack you upside the head in ways the old stuff can only dream of. Just drop in on the manic roll of 'Asylum' and you'll hear all you need to as the off key orchestra stabs and 'Bombscare' break create a five-minute pile-up with enough samples about insanity send a suitably grubby rave into sheer bedlam.

Review: Zakmina is Lukas Zeringis, previously spotted on Futureboogie and Minimood, with his classy take on the modern tech house phenomenon. 'For U' sees the up and coming artist link up with Bordello A Parigi and go all-in on the trance tip. Playing out like it's peak time at Amnesia, the A-side is full of sentimental bombast which will keep that summer spirit running well into the winter months. On the B-side, 'Take Me Back' dishes out more of the melodic charm with a sly shot of electro in the rhythm section for good measure.

Review: The second drop on Ouroboros Ltd comes from Grey Pantone, aka Berlin-based producer Andres, making his debut release with this assured package of uptempo tech-funk rollers. 'Acid Break' is an instructive title, but the track is finely balanced between warm synth touches and some nimble 303 action darting around a light-footed breakbeat. 'Get Down' is a crisp electro workout with the snappiest of 808 lines driving the expressive splashes of melody, and 'Gypsy Drumming' turns up the heat with a busy cut that's equal parts squelchy and soulful. S Moreira steps up for a remix of 'Acid Break' which draws on the fractured power of half time dubstep to create a refreshing alternative to the original version.