Review: Andrew Bowen, formerly of AnD and Shadows, debuts a fresh EP for a fresh alias: Slave To Society. An entirely unique exploration of breakneck jungle and bass, 'Abstract Venom' explores the extremities of the harshest facets of darkside electronica, with a self-proclaimed disregard "for BPMs, rules, regulations, or trends". While that claim might be somewhat hyperbolic, there is some truth to it. We hear vestiges of punk, industrial, noise, and experimental music in this overarchingly drum & bass project; while at the same time, cuts like the title track and 'Tribulations Of An Alien' indulge everything from rule-ribbing polyrhythms to mega-tight, neuromantic breakcore.
Sesame's Treet 2023 (feat Professor Elemental) (4:00)
Magnificent (4:39)
Sesame's Treet (HSI remix) (5:02)
Review: 31 years have now passed since Smart E's gate-crashed the charts with their contribution to the (short-lived) 'toytown rave' movement, 'Sesame's Treet' - a rather silly (but, in its own way, joyous) breakbeat hardcore tune featuring snippets of the theme tune to 'Sesame Street'. Here the track gets the 2023 remix treatment. Fast flowing 'chap hop' rapper Professor Elemental stars on 'Sesame's Treet 2023', a funkier but no less celebratory re-imagining that retains core elements from the original mix (the raw rave stabs, the boisterous breaks and, yes, bits of that oh-so-familiar theme tune), while the HSI remix is an energetic, extra-percussive, sample-heavy take built around a deliciously wobbly bassline and saucer-eyed chords. The EP also features remastered 1992 album track 'Magnificent', a slightly darker but even more potent hardcore workout.
Review: Brian Dougans and Garry Cobain, the masterminds behind Future Sound of London, return with The Pulse EP Vol 3, a reissue of their classic work under various aliases on the Jumpin' & Pumpin' label. This highly anticipated 12" features tracks that showcase their 90s techno brilliance. Side-1 opens with Smart Systems' 'Tingler' (Four By Four mix), a dark, sinister track that channels Beltram's 'hover' sound into a hardcore rave anthem. Indo Tribe's 'Owl' (I Can See You mix) follows, hailed by fans as one of the greatest breakbeat hardcore tracks ever made, a retro-classic loaded with chunky, energetic beats and an unforgettable sample. Side-2 kicks off with Indo Tribe's 'Bite The Bullet Baby' (Jacques Reynoix mix), another gem that blends early 90s rave energy with a unique edge. The real highlight, however, is Yage's 'Calcium' (Elementary mix), which first appeared on Future Sound of London's Accelerator album. Even today, it sounds transcendental and timeless, its melodic piano lines and otherworldly ambiance continuing to win over listeners. This EP is a vital piece of underground rave history and an essential listen for fans of early techno and breakbeat hardcore.
Review: Sonic Deadline AKA Party Force AKA Eyeski AKA Master Editor boils up the Hard Boiled machine once again with an eggsellent four-tet of rave fizzers. Strictly vinyl, all four cuts slap with a playful housey hardcore edge. 'Memories Of Blue' is a proper Dred Bass style springy breaks cut with mega scratches galore and 'My Feelings Can't Explain' shows some seriously twisted Saturday loving (if you catch our drift) Meanwhile on the B: 'Road To Nowhere' takes us into a darker state of emotional consciousness while 'Our Mind Was Trapped' closes with a big bouncy, hands-in-the-air hoorah. Times up.
Review: After originally being self-released as a white label, Synthasy's breakbeat hardcore debut quickly gained cult status. It was engineered by Jezz Wright, who did renowned work on Liquid's 'Sweet Harmony' and Lemon D's early EPs and was distributed through London shops. High demand led to a full artwork repress, but copies vanished swiftly and helped cement its cult reputation as a rare gem. Over time, it became a coveted collector's item that commanded high prices - but not any more, thanks to this latest reissue. The rain, directness of the music, rave-ready synths and unforgettable vocal cries that turn the emotion up to 11 mean this debut remains a standout from early '90s rave culture.
Review: Former Prodigy man Leeroy Thornhill delves into the contrasting energies of the dancefloor, crafting a four-track journey through hypnotic rhythms and pulsating grooves. 'Low 1' and 'Low 2' explore the deeper, more hypnotic side of techno, with their rolling basslines and atmospheric textures creating a captivating sonic experience. On the flipside, 'High 1' and 'High 2' inject a surge of energy, their driving rhythms and infectious melodies taking the listener on a euphoric ride. These tracks are a testament to Thornhill's ability to craft high-energy dancefloor anthems that are guaranteed to ignite any club. With its diverse range of sounds and moods, this EP showcases Thornhill's versatility as a producer and his deep understanding of the electronic music landscape.
Review: Snapping necks, frying minds, taking names - Thuggy Widdz is on an absolute roll this year thanks to his recent album on Western Lore, his release on Hooversound and now this massive four piece on the burgeoning Badlands imprint. You should know the vibe by now; brazen breakbeat choppage and high energy rave flavours across the spectrum. Highlights here include the walloping emotion of 'Whale Song' and pure venom of 'Archetypical'. Savage.
Review: This is the first full-length LP from DJ and producer Tripped, known for his hard, fast, raw experimental techno style. Despite having released his own music since 2004 - mainly on labels such as Industrial Strength, Motormouth Recordz, and PRSPCT - Tripped may never have worked himself this hard. On 'A Thing About Something', he stretches the foundation of genres like hardcore techno, breakcore, gabber and schranz into entirely new reconstitutions. Strange hardstyle kick armaggedons, serene breakbeat floaters turned creepy and pressurized chambers of claustrophobic doom ensue in an overall whirlwind of pure mayhem.
Review: Wots My Code has been back on our shelves recently with some of his most seminal EPs getting reissued. His self-titled effort from 1992 came back in October, as did his All Seasons EP also on Kiteforce, both of which sounded as good as they did back when first crafted. Now his The New Dubplates EP drops on Just Another Label with 'Dubplate' kicking off as a remix by Bay B Kane that takes no prisoners. A Sikka remix then tweaks the energy level and on the flip is 'Pass Me A Dubplate (92-3)' a short but sweet closer.
Review: Explosive rave flavours! X-Plode strikes Amen Brother again with more high energy pieces. 'Space Piano' says it all - a lavish twist of detuned rave stabs and high vibe keys wrapped tightly around each other to squeeze as many positive vibes out of the situation. The feels remain high throughout the rest of the EP: 'In The House' is all about that rolling jungle techno 4x4, 'We Run Tings' nods towards the bleep side of the foundation and that aggy, tense Prodigy Experience vibe before 'Sonic Tonic' closes with a big hoover riff that drops into the most euphoric element of the EP. X-Plode: putting the bang into bangers each and every.
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