More often than not, electronic music is characterized as the language of machines. Yet for Scientific American (sound designer Andrew Rohrmann), the process by which music is manufactured doesn‘t necessarily determine its character. With a rich history rooted in the Northwest indie rock and the clear influence of touring mates Dabrye and Boom Bip, Rohrmann expertly weaves his varied styles-freely flowing and artfully attenuated-into a singular work of considerably skillful songwriting. And although Strong for the Future is often cloaked by a thin layer of machine-borne crackles and snaps, it should nonetheless be measured by an accessibility that simply transcends genre.
Subfocus X Ray
A new recipe with the classic Ram sound, “Scarecrow” is a slick roller with a funky and slight switching theme. Unique, but easily playable, this easily compliments tracks from all of d&b‘s sub-genres. “X-Ray” is simply an anthem-destined to become one of the biggest tracks of ‘05.
Calibre Hypnotize
Calibre returns to Soul:R with a sublime soul masterpiece. A minimal piano melody grooves along with male humming, female breaths, and faint disco strings. “The Water Carrier,” on side B, brings in a faster break and rougher bassline with a Detroit feel.
Amit Second Cut
One of d&b‘s modern talents, Amit has a diverse appeal, winning favor with Metalheadz, Commercial Suicide, and now DJ Zinc‘s versatile Bingo label. “Second Cut” has been a firm favorite for the connoisseurs for some time, a heavy sub and half-stepping beats make it both a listeners delight and a dancefloor smash.
John B & Exile Broken Language
A Rotterdam hardcore-style bassline plugs away beneath over-timestretched drums, and freaked-out processing is applied on every single sound. The intro mixes cleanly with current d&b, while the rest of the arrangement takes license with Pendulum‘s switching style and Dillinja‘s second drop bass progressions. With the craziest edits short of AFX, this is d&b in the blender.
Hive Krush
Taking the best ideas from every Metalheadz song, “Krush” nonetheless remains distinctly Hive‘s. “Against the Grain” is a thought-provoking organ workout reminiscent of Hidden Agenda, with a unique break that can‘t be compared to anything.
Mum‘s The Word Let Em Out
A SoCal producer known for his work with The Visionaries, Shape Shifters, 2Mex, et al, Mum‘s The Word is back with this throwdown for his own label. Oh No handles mic duties over head-cracking drums, underwater guitar licks, and hyper-filtered Kraftwerk samples, while Rhymesayer player Brother Ali goes off on the explosive, reggae-tinged B-side “Treacherous.”
Masta Ace Da Grind
If you‘re still sleeping on Masta Ace‘s last album A Long Hot Summer, this second single should wake your lazy ass up. “Da Grind” (featuring Apocalypse) is on the smooth, contemplative tip, oozing silky strings and mid-tempo beats, while QB representative Big Noyd brings the gulliness on the bullet-riddled street banger “Do It Man.” Two great songs from the Masta and friends.
Time Machine Grime Machine
After building a strong rep through choice singles and an excellent debut LP, Time Machine returns with this triple threat EP. “Mind In A Spin” teams them with Roxbury rhyme vet Edo G, while “Caught On Tape” investigates our video-obsessed society. But it‘s the third track, “Matter Transporter,” that really impresses, built on ear-tickling chimes and punchy drums laced by Stoerok.
Sonogram Substrates
It‘s sometimes an artist‘s earliest creations that exude the most truthful emotion. Substrates is adrip with this fresh authenticity, showcasing Todd Gautreau‘s early, pre-Heartbeat Submarines ambient works. The shifting static tides of “The Lonely Acrobats” and cerebral piano meanderings that resonate through tracks like “This Place Has No Memories” are indicative of his seamless fusion of rich, organic instrumentation and lush, pixelated soundscapes. Guided by their own inner pulse and the filtered echoes of distant industry, each track is a magnetic flux of cinematic imagery and dreamstate architecture that modestly sidesteps any plugged-in flamboyance in favor of sincere, introspective programming.
