Review: On a mission to "make d&b great again", Finland's Straight Up Breakbeat pass through once more with the second of three EPs formed to showcase modern junglism. Kicking off, 'Mystery Machines' sees Glastonbury's Dead Mans Chest slam down some deadly amen choppage reinforced by haunting vocal FX and paranoid drones. Aeon Four & FFF's 'Look Inside' is a jungle-tekno roller, served with chunky hardcore style amens and a side of warm old-skool pads. Keeping the mid-90s vibe alive, the tripped out 'Green Fields Forever ' from Fanu - which drops hot on the heels of his greatly received remaster of Source Direct's 'Stars' - delivers airtight amen trickery, weaving synth washes and blissful dubby basslines. Esc & Mineral round things off with 'Photosynthesis', a pensive stepper highlighting cut-up breaks waltzing with cheeky synth nudges and a wide, rugged bassline. If the pioneers had buried some beefed-up tracks in a time-capsule to inspire future generations, they would probably sound a lot like 'States of Art II'.
Review: Future fusion flexing! We have no idea what FFF stands for but we certainly knows what he stands for musically as he steps up to ODJ Dizzy's strongarm Finnish platform Straight Up Breakbeat - ice cold broken beat science. 'Answers' will have you asking plenty of questions as he shoves us into a midtempo furnace and cooks us slowly in rave juices. 'Temperature's Rising' continues the theme with added 4x4s and a more stripped back arrangement that builds up into something very sinister indeed.
Review: Since 2017, KOKOKO! have been trailblazing Kinshasa's sonic revolution while earning global acclaim for their unique sound and vibrant performances. Recognised as the best live band by AIF, they've been featured on NPR Tiny Desk, Boiler Room, and major festivals like SXSW and Pitchfork. Their debut album, Fongola, received rave reviews, and now they are back with another album that is unlike much else you will have heard. BUTU, which is inspired by Kinshasa's vibrant nightlife, has been proceeded by the lead single 'Mokili.' The album has further cues taken from Kinshasa, Kwaito, and 90s dance music and channels the band's hometown's frenetic energy with a sense of social activism into a powerful statement.
Review: We already knew what a talented and innovative producer FFF has proven himself to be, but on his new and much awaited album Eternal Mind he finds new heights even by his own high standards. He wastes no time in sweeping you off your feet with some electrifying synth work and almost juke like drum programming on the opener 'Axehead' and from there explores all manner of drum & bass sound worlds, from minimal steppers like 'Magnetic Mountain' to cosmic future funk workouts such as 'What We Once Where' and on to ice cold and warp speed gems like 'Curve of Forgetting.' Sensational work.
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