TRAPMAGAZINE.CO.UK
M U S I C R E V I E W S 13
073
AL TOURETTES & PARADROID ‘Platter003’ (Schmorgasbord)
OUTBOXX
‘Outboxx’ (Idle Hands) Outboxx manage to encompass elements of current bass music, without resorting to tired clichés and overused sample pack hits. The Bristol-based duo produce music that retains the authentic, soul vibe that makes real house music great. ‘Sunshine Mills’ is an out and out, 90s house banger, with saccharine keys, pitched vocal edits and a dancefloor friendly groove. Not the most subtle of homage’s, but executed impeccably well. Outboxx dim the lights on ‘Jaded’, reducing the track to a few simple but effective components, allowing the Bashmore-esque sub to be at its most immersive and the spliced vocal to be at its most prominent. Both add warmth and humanity to the crisp rim shots and tough, boom bap sequence that forms the backbone of the tune. A strong debut.
A MADE UP SOUND ‘Ahead’ / ‘Endgame’ (A Made Up Sound) Peerless, playful, and unpredictable tracks from Dave Huismans, aka 2562. The skewed, richly percussive techno he makes as AMUS is often so abstracted that one wonders how it manages to remain compelling. 'Ahead' falls happily into this camp, manhandling funk breaks into a next level swing, sputtering with confused finely-chopped vocals and bulging with lewd bass. 'Endgame' is more grounded and traditional techno, but a gloriously headspinning ride nonetheless.
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FLAVA D ‘Hold On / Home’ (Butterz) Flava D is that rare thing in the male dominated world of grime; a female producer! Associations with Eskibeat and Wiley, alongside a back catalogue of productions vocalled by the top MCs in the scene have ensured she has made waves. Her first release on Butterz showcases a dancefloor edge, with crisp 2step drums and UK G influences on ‘Hold On’, while ‘Home’ brings a basslinehouse infused rawness.
NU:LOGIC 'Morning Light' / ‘Grizzly’ (Hospital) With an album scheduled for release later this year, brothers Nu:tone and Logistics unite to provide a taste of what’s to come. ‘Morning Light’ is spacious in sound, with a stripped-backed rolling bassline and prominent use of percussion. As the name suggests, ‘Grizzly’ begins as an aggressive brute of a track, before it plateaus unexpectedly into a half-tempo simmer. An encouraging listen.
VARIOUS ARTISTS ‘Dirtybird Players’ (Dirtybird) After the unbridled success of 2012’s ‘Hatched’ compilation, the San Franciscan kings of booty bass are back with ‘dirtybird Players’. To mark their biggest year to date, dirtybird’s MVPs and most exciting up-and-comers deliver all new and exclusive tracks for the Players compilation, which sees the imprint reach to the darkest, dirtiest corners of house, techno and bass. From label boss Claude VonStroke’s grime-tinged, beautifully percussive ‘Chop Nek’ to Justin Martin’s rude, grunt laden ‘Wheelgunner’ dub, it’s clear from the off that the crossover crew are still on fantastic form. As always, a distinctive UK sound is championed by the likes of Eats Everything, Shadow Child and Friend Within. ‘dirtybird Players’ proves the label to be as relevant and unique as ever.
MR WILLIAMZ ‘Raggamuffin Icon’ (Reggae Toybox) In recent years, Mr Williamz has shone as one of the UK's brightest reggae MCs, evoking classic Supercat vibes with his vocal style. Here, he teams up with Japan's Reggae Toybox label for a digital dancehall killer. The wicked 80s-style riddim perfectly complements Mr Williamz delivery, and provides a groove entirely suited for a late night blues. As Mr Williamz informs us, “World a girls want a Raggamuffin man.” It’s hard to disagree.