Magnum All Over Me EP
Brixton’s 92 Points label quietly crept on to the scene last year, dropping the one-sided […]
Brixton’s 92 Points label quietly crept on to the scene last year, dropping the one-sided “Mr. 67” single from Visionist, one of several producers behind the young imprint. Now, 92 Points has offered up a sophomore effort, tapping Puerto Rican producer Magnum to put together a five-song EP, All Over Me.
Although it’s certainly not a fair expectation, many people will likely assume that a young producer from Puerto Rico is bound to be turning out some sort of Latin or “tropical” music, yet Magnum’s tastes are more in line with his contemporaries in the UK bass continuum. All Over Me begins with the title track, which takes notes from artists like Pearson Sound and Girl Unit while lining up 808 percussion with lurching basslines and cresting synth melodies. It’s a quality production, yet one that is held back by its diva-ish vocal sample, which not only never quite jels with the rest of the track, but is also presented as its centerpiece. A similar fate befalls the Visionist remix of “All Over Me,” as the UK producer strips down the rhythm and thickens up the low end nicely, but his attempts to warp the vocal, while initially interesting, ultimately prove distracting.
“Dense” is a stronger effort, one that relies on a similar sound palette while creating a sultry atmosphere with its female vocal harmonies and filtered pads. The vibe is slightly hypnotic, and contrasts nicely with the steppy percussion on the track. On his remix of “Dense,” French Fries steps up the drums even further, sounding a lot like Pearson Sound (or perhaps A1 Bassline when he’s mimicking Pearson Sound). Nonetheless, his effort is the most dancefloor-friendly offering on the EP, and most likely its strongest cut. Rounding out the EP is “Baby,” an R&B-indebted tune that layers pitched vocal snippets and warbling synth tones over stuttering drum patterns. It’s a solid effort, although one that doesn’t exactly stand out in the current musical landscape.
Overall, the All Over Me is a quality outing, and one that proves that 92 Points has a solid handle on what’s currently popping in the world of bass music. That said, it’s not an especially innovative record, and will likely fade into the ether relatively quickly. Nonetheless, with innovative producers like Visionist at the helm, there’s a good chance that future efforts will delve into slightly more adventurous waters.