Dubstep Recommendations May 2013

Review: Deep Medi Musik fans will be familiar with The Dub Mechz, the South London duo formed of K Man and Kero who made an auspicious debut on Mala's label under The Dub Mechanics name last year. Why they've elected for a slight name change isn't clear, but the focus on soundsystem culture remains very much central to the duo's approach on the lead track. "Broken LFO" is pure rudeness; you can feel the speakers shifting uneasily under the sheer bass weight of the lead sub as it rolls out aggressively, whilst the percussion snaps with naughty glee. "Change Of Direction" is just that, a notably less aggressive production that looks to a sense of Utopian melody to maintain momentum.

Review: Yes! Hyperdub bossman Kode 9 puts his name to a 12" record for the first time in two years and it's to finally release "Xingfu Lu", a killer juke cut that's been a dubplate standard in Kode sets for the best part of a year. Exotically named and gloriously lo-fi in execution, "Xingfu Lu" swings to a mutated grid, switching up style between laid back funk and frenetic energy with the results strangely reminiscent of Madlib experimenting at footwork speeds. On the flip Kode comes through with a brand new burner in the shape of "Kan" which also takes footwork as it's base but shoots for the stars with some startling chip tune arpeggios!

Review: A simple exercise in dubstep mathematics here; take Youngsta, add some LX One, release the results on Tempa and stand back and watch the dancefloor devastation! Youngsta really needs no introduction, and on this Responsibility 12" the Rinse FM stalwart makes a welcome return to Tempa, teaming up with LX One (also known as Joker D) on two heavy weight rollers primed for the halfstep lovers out there. Both the title track and B Side accompaniment "No Cure" adhere to Tempa's purist direction; the minimal "Responsibility" emerges from the ether, drops a quick vocal sample then gets on with the business of pushing out a hulking robotic bassline over snapping metallic drum programming. On the flip, "No Cure" plunges into sub heavy terrain, forgoing the emphasis on crushing bassweight of it's A Side precursor for a focus on establishing atmosphere.

Review: No other MC has made the transition from performer to producer as well SP:MC. Hinting promise since his early forays with Breakage almost eight years ago, he's shown the utmost versatility and creativity. Back to the future and his skills are still more than evident. Ranging from icy, sheet metal beats ("Declassified") to skippy, steppy minimalism ("Kenshin"), this is one of SP's broadest, most accomplished EPs to date.

Review: Although the vaguely mysterious Letherette duo may hail from Wolverhampton, their hearts seem to lie in sunnier climes on the basis of D&T, this 12" precursor to their forthcoming debut LP on Ninja Tune . The title track "D&T" is a gorgeous slice of shimmering synth-heavy Euro-disco, compressed and propelling, it's the sound of hurtling down the Cote d'Azur in vintage sportscar in 1986. Clark and Dorian Concept are smart choices to remix the track; the former delivers an equally killer slo-mo version, whilst his Austrian counterpart throws in some steel drums and rat-tat-tat-tat percussion in his mix. Non album cut "She Shines" rounds out the 12" with a slab of jazzy trip hop that will appeal greatly to long term Ninja Tune followers.

Review: Kryptic Minds and Killawatt... Dub collabs don't come much bigger, or deeper. "Swung Operations" is just one lolloping, swampy swing. A fantastic DJ tool and a great way to build up the tension, it's simple but devilishly effective. "Reaching Through" looks to Detroit for inspiration; think Robert Hood or early Mills; the relentless rhythm and aquatic washes of synth are the epitome of mesmerising. "Cunning Juncture" finishes on a mildly disjointed, discordant note with distant sheet metal slamming percussion and rising sense of paranoia. Brutal.

Review: Ready for take-off? Then let's begin. Synth Sense serve up their first new material since Tomorrow's World and, true to form, it's a deep, deep adventure into electronic cosmosis. "1" starts the motor gradually with a stupendously stretched sample (possibly a symbol, perhaps?) and groaning mechanics. "2" takes us to a dream collabo studio where John Hopkins and Vangelis hold hands all day. "3" is a fuzzy, lo-fi techno stomp while "4" provides a luxurious Balearic finale. Truly unique.

Review: Last year's album Ku:Palm just keeps on giving. Rich production with more depth than a fracking factory, every listen provides a new narrative. Here Photek's picked one of the biggest highlights; "Pyramids" rolls with captivating live jazz drums that sparkle and splash on every delicate brush. Laced with far away twangs, big dub bass and cosmic undertones, it lends itself well to both home ears and heartfelt floors. For the remix, Beneath steps up with an intriguing rub of "Oshun". Loaded with tripped out reverse textures and well tempered, spacious drum work, this guarantees seriously bent minds whenever you drop it. We're all searching for that all important 'one', seems like it was Photek all along.

Review: Following his recent foray on Benga Beats, Kutz continues to build his own label's armoury with this contrasting trio of riddims. "The Zone" takes a leaf out of Joker's purple pages with big west coast synth squiggles and a complex groove that refuses to be quantised. "Rodeo" is much, much heavier but it comes with an elastic funk that takes any aggy edge you'd expect from such a sound palette. Think Freq Nasty circa 1999-2003. "Krystal Visions" brings us to an uptempo climax. A fusion of pumping 4/4s and a dreamy synth hook, it's the perfect juxtaposition of sonic extremes.

Review: Fresh and direct from the Germanic quarter of the dubstep floor, Infra buries deep "Inside The Cold Mountain" and ironically finds some engagingly warm drones. This is thanks to a pensive lazy funk left lingering in the groans while the rhythm switches from deep to heavy with a light industrial lilt. "Propulsion" is a much more warped affair with a strange off-kilter loop on the kick that coyly hints at a skippy breakbeat but never gives anything away. "Rogue" brings us to an intricate percussion-heavy finale. With weasel-like Q&A stabs nipping in and out of the groove, it's the most mischievous of the trio.