CRAIG BRATLEY Vinilo y CD

Review: While Craig Bratley might be better known for his housier, disco-tinged output on labels like Tsuba, Instruments of Rapture and Futureboogie, on this release for new label Ashigaru he's indulging his love of digi-dub and dancehall by laying down the tuffest of riddims. 'Rocker' is a beast all by itself on the B-side 'Ashigaru Dub', but the deejay turn from Brother Culture on the mic for the full-fat version is what you want for a proper dose of dancehall swagger. True to the culture but also giving it a modern lick, it's a soundsystem heavyweight with one eye on carnival season.

Review: With a catalogue that contains a mixture of mind-altering chuggers, deep house, disco and Balearic beats, second-guessing what Craig Bratley will release next has always been a tricky proposition. Even so, joining forces with Brooklyn maverick - and honey-voiced singer - Amy Douglas for a spot of bleeping revivalist synth soul was one of them. Douglas is at her emotive best on the B-side original mix, singing sweetly about complicated relationships over a thrillingly lo-fi low-tempo groove rich in squelchy bass and 8-bit lead lines. The A-side 'Ashigaru Dub' is arguably even better, brilliantly re-framing the track as a heady, intoxicating and sub-heavy dub workout of the sort that Mad Professor probably knocks out in his sleep. In a word: inspired!