BLUETOOF Vinilo y CD

Review: By now everyone knows Time Is Now is a sure bet when it comes to the freshest new garage, breakbeat and all-round smart, headsy party gear, and so we pay attention when a fresh name crops up. Bluetoof has been spotted here and there, on a split 12" with Soundboy Cookie and on an Accidental Meetings compilation, but this marks one of their biggest releases to date, which kicks off in style with the big, booming and spacious roller 'Alakazam'. 'Perilous' takes things into gnarly, darkside 2-step, while 'That Got Dark' goes to town on the cool and deadly breakbeats. Interplanetary Criminal steps up with a hollering remix of 'That Got Dark' that opts for bashy 4x4 as the rhythm of choice, and makes an absolute monster in the process.

Review: Southend-on-Sea party collective Gather are back with a quick follow up to their soon sold out debut offering STM back in March. It's another four track split EP with two tracks each by Soundboy Cookie and Bluetoof, who kicks off with the louche, sax flecked depths of 'Mistakes.' The Gradient mix is more doom laden with darker bass, and Soundboy Cookie then 'Brooklyn Swing' drops in some cheeky grooves and wonky chords to really pump the party. Last of all is the kinetic 'Mic Professional' with all its spin backs, stripped back beats and womp-womp bass. Delicious stuff.