Council Meeting Memo #039
Deadbeat & Om Unit: Root, Stalk, Leaf And Bloom (Midnight Shift Records, Mini Album)
Berlin meets Bristol. Clear that Deadbeat sculpts the low-end whilst Om Unit layers gloopy TB-303 all over dub creation. A winning formula and works best when the BPM’s are nudged down. The hypnotic mantra of ‘Leaf’ could easily be doubled in running time and not lose any of its impact. The skanking swagger of ‘Bloom’ is a bit more obvious in terms of showing its influences but is just as fun. SA.
Fine Feline: The 9 Lives (Parallax, EP)
Actually, despite the deluge of jungle, both new or otherwise. I welcome this re-issued slice of mid-90’s London breakbeat. Remember hearing this all over the networks at the time and it stood out back then. A crafty blend of ragga (’One Blood’), R&B (’Weekend’) and repeat-fire sub-bass. The new remixes don’t really offer much other than a layer of compositional complexity and a sharper lens on the original samples. If pressed, then I’d say Ricky Force’s frenetic re-sculpting of ‘Weekend’ wins out. SA
Social Rhythm: Love On Another Planet EP (Oblivious Transfer, EP)
Considered, uptempo engineering par excellence. Synths that err on the sublime whilst dubbed out vocals cycle / spin in between the precision-tooled rhythm. Opener ‘Holding On’ seems to follow the well worn junglist narrative with gusto. But things get more interesting after that. The ambient ‘Fictional’; all dreamy chords and clipped beats supporting a comforting / familiar weightless vocal. And ‘Loving Sum’ takes this template and expands upon it with bubbling acid and urgent breakbeat. A highly recommended release. SA
Dynarec: Murder Is The Number (Cultivated Electronics, EP)
Good grief….Dynarec giving it some serious wallop on the opening ‘Stop and Stall’. Can’t get a bloody word in edgeways on that one. Actually, other than the departing track, it was difficult to form any opinions about everything else. Due to their overbearing jackhammer nature. But ‘Lowest Perceived Legitimacy’ is bloody lovely though. SA
Pascal & Sponge: Raw Basics / Red Face (Deep Jungle, 12”)
More mid-90’s ruffneck jungle reissue biznizz. Firin’ breakbeats, firin’ style…..I’ll stop talking like this, sorry. But seriously, this is proper. Also check out their ‘Nosebleed’ 12” for some serious darkcore swagger. SA
