Aphrodite Recordings Vinyl & CDs

Review: Strap in for the latest transmissions from Amazon II, aka a collaboration between Tony B and Gavin King (aka Aphrodite) that has its roots playing on classic 90s hardcore station Pulse FM. This EP pulls together four of their best originals and each one brims with old school brilliance. 'Big Booya' opens at blistering speed, with wild spin backs and diva vocal cries. 'Control Yourself' will nail you to the floor with its precision drums and silky basslines, while 'Lovely Feeling' is more of a deep roller with killer soulful vox. There's an air of new age melody and heavily bliss to closer 'Deep In The Jungle' that leaves you feeling high.

Review: Heads will know Aphrodite is the no-effs-given 90s drum & bass artist of choice, with the producer's music inevitably occupying any curious digger's wantlist. Aphrodite knows you want it, which is why they're on a massive reissue campaign. Cashing in and all that - they can't resist. 'King Of The Beats' throws back to the dawn of amen break-cutting with a sampled reference to Mantronix, while 'Music's Hypnotising' blends an unusual arpeggiation with techstep motifs and a popular stock vocal sample. 'Dub Moods' and 'Spice' strip things back further, conveying ever-increasing Ridley-Scott-film-set moods.

Review: Longtime drum & bass legend Aphrodite carved out his own path, helming up his very own Aphrodite Recordings almost from the word jump. The infamously groovy humanoid figure on the front cover of each release (a bit like the Moving Shadow logo, albeit more spiritual) sums up the mood of his releases: hardcore, ecstatic, demi-divine. On 'The Stonka' EP, the producer leans far more in the former territory, however, with 'Stonka' portraying a sub-heavy reversy-breaks cacophony and 'Break Of Day' laying down a ragga-sample-inflected mind-expander, not to mention a clever pun.

Review: Buckle up for this one because Aphrodite Recordings serves up four stone-wall jungle classics from the eponymous Aphrodite. First up is 'Style From The Darkside' with its crunchy drums and darkened bass powering onwards. 'Navigator' is then a silky trip with a flurry of snares and some heavenly melodies helloing up top while dirty bass does its thing down low. On the reverse is the face-melting and unrelenting 'Bomber' which will rattle ribs and walls and last of all 'Basslights' comes on strong with stepping rhythms and elastic bass.