Dirty Blends Vinyl & CDs

Review: Nation of Jak offshoot Dirty Blends was established by label chief Melvin Oliphant as a vehicle for "interpretations" and "homages" - in plain-speak hush-hush reworks, tribute tracks and those that sample liberally. The label's latest release is a compilation of sorts, featuring as it does cuts from a trio of artists. The Falcon steps up first with title track 'Sound The Alarm', a raw, jacking, bouncy and positive mind-melding blend of lo-fi synth stabs, sweat-soaked beats, fire alarm noises and restless drum machine fills. Over on side B, Grizzly Knuckles' 'Mad Bell' - a breathless, house tempo techno workout built around a nagging synth-bell loop - is followed by label regular The Jak's 'Aftermath', which sits somewhere between jacking lo-fi techno, UK funky and stab-happy Soca-house.

Review: The Dirty Blends label is really on fire of late. It deals in stripped-back and raw analogue grooves that throw it back to the warehouse heydays and early Chicago house sounds. Zodiac steps up first with a low-slung killer that is sparse but atmospheric with sleazy vocals unfurling up top only adding to the rawness. On the flip there are more frenzied and techno-leaning sounds of The Jak's 'Itz In Ur Head.' It's a brain-frying cut with squealing synth textures and caustic melodies all bring a scuzzy vibe.