Dubstep Recommendations October 2010

Review: Future Bass is the sound of right now, all new music, all exclusives. Compiled by Soul Jazz A&R Nicole Kenzie and Deep Medi Muzik's Kris Jones it's a comprehensive induction into the many strands of music that have splintered out of dubstep in recent times. Tracks from Mala and Four Tet which were included on the preceding sampler open this selection and set the tone for what follows. The melodica heavy steppas riddim of Mala's "Don't Let Go" form a perfect contrast to the nine minute organic house groove of Hebden's "Nothing To See". In addition, new tracks from artists with a close affiliation with Soul Jazz deliver more highlights, with Untold's "Fly Girls" a brilliantly icy take on brand retro electro funk. Vinyl fetishist Ramadanman contributes a truly unique 4 minutes and 44 seconds of aural delight in "Bass Music" which descends from a spiral of heavily effected vocal edits over crisp syncopation into an all encompassing low end thrust. Space is also made for the new school with tracks from producers such as V.I.V.E.K, Distal and Randomer. It's the latter's track "Puzzled" that is equalled in the captivating stakes by the "Air" from Kevin Martin's new project Black Chow.

Review: Second release of the week for 21 year old Datsik - "3 Fist Style" is all kung fu samples and big bass drop swagger with just a dash of the abrasive metallic patterns that have become his signature style. Serum is on remix duties here with a rolling dubstep n bass hybrid that's all about the crunching kicks.

Review: Ahead of his new album for Tru Thoughts, Maddslinky drops a teaser in the shape of this much talked about collab with Skream. Housed on rubber duck yellow vinyl, "50 Shades Of Peng" melds 23rd century syncopation with metallic Far East tones and ominous dread mid range wobbles. Complemented on the flip by a Serato scratch tone control.

Review: Rob Ellis aka Pinch drops one of the biggest dubstep tunes of 2010 in "The Boxer". It shows the Bristolian at his no holds barred, unyielding best U militant basslines, skittering tribal percussion and ethereal moans all combine for a tear out that stands above the pretenders. Flip over for a remix from fellow dubstep veteran Darqwan, who throws a cheeky vocal sample on top for added hands-up effect.

Review: Toddla T's debut for Ninja Tune sees the light of day on vinyl with "Sky Surfin (Dope Man)" a melting pot of bassline, rave pianos, Baltimore house, call-and-response harmonies and Wayne Marshall's distinctive vocals. Benga hones his party step sound on the flip, dropping a thumping half step beat on industrial strength basslines.

Review: Debut EP for hotly tipped producer Pariah on the legendary R&S record label, which is undergoing something of a resurgence of late. The young Scottish producer (now based in London) has cited the sound of Burial as an influence alongside the likes of Brian Eno, Global Communication and Aphex Twin, and this five track EP is produced with such intricate poise that it's hard to envisage an equally bright future. The mellow downtempo-isms of "Railroad" is a particular highlight, with vocals chopped and cleverly rearranged with the same deft subtlety of the aforementioned Burial, while "Crossed Out" has the future garage feel of Joy Orbison, James Blake and the excellent VVV debut on Fortified Audio from earlier this year. Don't sleep on this one folks.