RU Electronic Two collects downtempo electronica from the former USSR, including music licensed from the Force Tracks, k20, Cheburec and Freizeitglauben labels. Despite being curated on the basis of geography, RU Electronic 2 offers no hints as to a “distinct Russian” aesthetic differentiating this compilation’s electronica from that of any other location. Unlike (say) the Nortec Collective’s explicitly “Mexican” take on electronic music, there’s little to flag tracks by the likes of Alexandroid, Klutch, EU and SCSI-9 as being specifically located within a particular culture. Rather, RU Electronic Two is simply a pretty and pleasant (rather than particularly radical) selection of sedentary electronica that is without obvious geographic anchor.
Various Richard X presents X Factor Volume 1
Richard X has joked that he was going to name his debut It’s Just Two Records Stuck Together. As Girls on Top, he has previously spliced tracks by TLC/The Human League and Adina Howard/Gary Numan to produce the most covetable of “bootleg” twelves. X Factor appropriates, samples, parodies or covers tracks by Mazzy Star, Chaka Khan, The SOS Band and The Human League, but X’s witticism would do the collection a disservice. His best recordings transcend merely fusing acappellas and instrumentals to highlight the common aesthetics between ’80s soul, electro-pop and the futuristic R&B constructed by Rodney Jerkins et al. X makes the odd misstep, but his collaborations with Liberty X, Javine, Kelis, Tiga and the Sugababes are a joy.
The Premature Wig Endless Dub
Ken Gibson presents an appropriately named EP here, as it’s dubby through and through. Ken’s version of ‘Endless Dub” comes complete with vocal accompaniment, which may or may not be your bag, baby. The flipside’s “Hungry Monitor” brings cool tones, soothing like water, and hypnotic rhythms that rock you gently, though with a slight glitch feel. We also get a crunchy, tweaky remix of the title track by Elite Core Centipede to round out this bevy of solid minimal dub jams.
Various Cape Of Good Dope
Hip-hop, ragga and dub function as a global id, harnessing social issues to South African rhythmic techniques on this collection from the African Dope label. The beats on the 19-track monster have a lo-fi rawness, ranging from the fidgety analog bass of Constructus’s “It Don’t Mean a Thing…” and the off-kilter synth tweaks of Neon Don’s “Life is Neon,” to Moodphase5ive’s funk breaks and the dubby echoes of Joshu’s “Movement.” The rappers lack the easy flow of their American counterparts, but the subject matter is familiar, albeit with a broader worldview. Occasionally haunting cuts, like the prescient, pre-9/11 “Sad Girl in Japan” (in which the word “Afghanistan” echoes over and over), speak to the vision and potential of the SA scene.
Turbulence The Truth
Turbulence has drawn many comparisons to Anthony B and Sizzla, but his emergence as a singer with his own style has been gradual. His recorded work has, until now, lagged behind his rep as a stunning live performer and vocalist of enormous potential. Turbulence retains the raw DJ stylings that first brought him attention, but his fragile, undulating singing (backed by Sly and Robbie and the plucky guitar of Chinna Smith) finally sounds at home. The Truth‘s snappy drum beats, conscious lyrics and occasionally funny turns of phrase are a nice contrast to the more bombastic fare now dominating the dancehall charts.
Various Systemwide Remixes: Impure and Replied
The heavy dub textures of Portland’s Systemwide have been crying out for remix work ever since the band first stepped into the studio in 1997. It’s clear they have some talented admirers, as their sometimes impenetrable, bass heavy rhythms and distortions are picked apart, shuffled and re-imagined by some of the scene’s best dub-inclined producers to great effect. NY’s Cosmic Rocker turns in a funky steppers-style dub, Worship’s Rob Payne combines the bassy textures with a jumpy house hi-hat, and Star Dub’s sub-bass-driven cut is like bottoming out in an overloaded submarine. Also choice madness from Twilight Circus, Jah Warrior, and Om Records’ J-Boogie. Get comfortable, dim the lights and smoke the whole thing.
Omni Trio Volume 1993-2003
Where would drum & bass be without Omni Trio? Moving Shadow has kindly decided to compile an assortment of tunes by the legendary producer, who made what many consider to be the first drum & bass record, on a handy retrospective spanning 10 years of his career. The classics are here: “Tripping on Broken Beats,” “Thru the Vibe” and “Renegade Snares” are included, as well as newer tunes like “Nu-Birth” and “Byte Size Life.” But what makes this album so awe-inspiring is that the older tunes sound just as fresh and modern as the new ones.
Various Pork Chops
Pork Recordings has accomplished a rare feat. After 15 years in the biz, the label remains unerringly leftfield, undeniably charming and endlessly entertaining. Pork Chops gathers the prime cuts from the label into a convenient two-disc set that includes regular Porksters like Fila Brazillia, Leggobeast, Baby Mammoth and Bullitnuts. The end result is a wild ride through shimmering downbeat, wildly funky house and tasty, breaks-tinged jazz workouts. While the tunes cover a broad range of the dance music section, they’re all lipsmackingly good and pretty darn fun to listen to.
Wonder What
What the fuck? A final rusty nail in the coffin of dance music? More off-key riddims from the Roll Deep family. A stilted East-beat half-steppa with the sickest bass refrain and most delicate Chinese keys. It might stop you dancing, but it certainly won’t let you leave the floor. Practically flatline business for winter 2003. Immaculately cold and gr.
Hatcha Dub Express
After his quality Dubstep Allstars compilation, Hatcha returns with his first solo release on Tempa. Big Apple’s beats-barrow-bwoy ups the tribal ante and delivers this three-tracker of snarling, militant skunk-step, prowling through Middle Eastern chants and deep cinematic ambience with rollin congas, whiplash torture samples and broken bashment riddims. Awesome styles for one so young.
