Jarel‘s jazz-imbued tracks make it clear that the Philly-based producer/MC has studied the great American songbook of Pete Rock and Jay Dee. Adding jazzy keys to a rugged bottom end, “Lock Down” finds Jarel reminiscing about the time when Low-End Theory was the joint; channeling Lonnie “Liston” Smith, he brings a blissful sound to “Sun Walkers.” Occasionally, he borrows too liberally from the J. Dilla playbook (“Do Yo Thang”). However, all the pieces coalesce on “The Big Bounce Theory Part II” (with Vinia Mojica), where Jarel carves his own identity by synthesizing a sophisticated fusion of rap and meditative soul.
I Wayne Lava Ground
With a voice as soft as Garnett Silk-the late reggae crooner to whom he‘s often compared-I Wayne‘s seductive style burns with a fire that desires righteousness. The single “Can‘t Satisfy Her” issues participants in the skin trade this warning: “Flames and fire…burn di flesh, seller, and the buyer.” On “Bleacher,” I Wayne sets ablaze those who use bleaching cream to lighten their skin color. Throughout, the Portmore, Jamaica native uses beautiful melodies and one-drop riddims to celebrate life and chant down the whores of Babylon. With Lava Ground, I Wayne erupts as a major elemental force in Jamaican music.
Generation Dub Warp Speed EP
Drum & bass continues to morph and chart a dark, sci-fi cinematic vision of the future. G-Dub’s double 12″ is no exception. On DJ Hype’s reformed Ganja imprint, G-Dub follows in the label‘s tradition of smashing, bouncy, drum-roll punctuated tracks, “Warp Speed” and the b-boy/cop-chase opus “Tink Ya Bad” are the standouts.
Scuba Timba
The closest comparison I can think of for this technophonic, minimalist bass-driven garage is German label Basic Channel-each percussive element is precise, delicate and implies dread. With a vaguely ragga dancehall kick pattern (but at garage speed), glistening ice-blue keyboard riffs and snares that sound like metal doors slamming in an institution hallway, “Sleepa” slithers rapidly into the darkness. “Timber” is an equally sub-happy track with an 8-bar riddim and wraith-like strings. Moody blues!
Same People Dangerous
I personally rewound “Dangerous-Mask Mix” about eight times on my decks the first time I heard it, so heavy were its throbbing subs, swinging snares and hi-hats. Although this is a dark stepper, its energy is infectious and party-friendly. Four-four massive grab this up.
D Kay & DJ Lee Wax’d
These two experienced producer/DJs know that the dancefloor needs uplifting and melodic tunes that are also tough and relentless. “Wax’d” strikes this balance with a combination of conga-laden, reverb-saturated drums, squelchy basslines and nuff glittering synth leads and pads. It’s like a cliff dive into pristine blue Caribbean waters-exhilarating! Likewise, the flip’s amen-constructed “Eternal Sunset” will please the atmo-heads-GLR and Metalheadz fans alike.
Rich Medina Connecting the Dots
When not pleasing partygoers with his airtight selection, DJ Rich Medina continually solidifies his rep as a soul music composer. On his debut, Connecting the Dots, he creates jams that range from politically vexed spoken word on “BBoys to Men” to the upbeat dancefloor motivator “Out of Nothing,” with helpings of Afrobeat, funk and jazz in between. “Chocklit Ninja” sports a mix of slick percussion and ethereal keys. With plenty of dreamy vocals and lounge-suitable grooves, the album maintains an unrefined feel that makes it not a color by numbers sketch but a solid work of soul-hued art.
Tiburon Shake Me
Lance “Landshark” DeSardi fires up his darkest New Wave electro-house synths for this Cabaret Voltaire/Nitzer Ebb-style track. If you caught his sterling “Slippage” single on Coco Machete, you’ll recognize the deadpan vocals and the gloomy, Bauhausian cacophony. Appealing to everyone’s inner lust and anger, “Shake Me,” should be a breakout track for the Shark.
De’Lacy Funky With Me
Easy Street produces “big room” garage tracks that even underground DJs can play. Take De’Lacy’s shimmering vocal outing for example: sure it’s got some cliché vocoded treatments and other Stardust-isms, but the heart of this feel-good disco track is soon revealed. And if you’re looking for a subtler treatment, the NY Lounge mix is all atmospheric chords and dreamy Rhodes.
Lightheaded Timeless
Watch out for the new New School. Groups like Lightheaded are schooled in hip-hop history from Furious Five through Tribe to Jurassic 5, and they fuse all these eras into a tight rocksteady continuum. This art is about poetic delivery, which Lightheaded have in spades-different tones, flows and stanza arrangement, matched with funky beats from Ohmega Watts. Resistance is futile.
