Written by admin | 17 April 2007

Infekto/Darqwan - Miami Treble/Raisin’ Kane
	Label	Passenger
	Format	12
	Release Date	05-24-04   Buy this album
	Reviewer	Iytal
	Rating

The I6th Passenger release sees Finland’s Infekto going head to head with sometime Ms Dynamite producer Darqwan a.k.a. Oris J. Infekto turns in his third release for the Passenger stable with ‘Miami Treble’. The track’s got a definite summery feel about it, kicking off with a kind of filtered housey vibe before breaking down to a predominantly bass led track, which toughens things up without going too dark. Not a bad tune, but eclipsed for me by an impressive flipside in the form of Darqwan’s latest breaks offering. ‘Raisin’ Kane’ follows the same ‘simple but effective’ kind of formula used on past singles like the massive ‘Said The Spider’ – a rollin’ break, some choice stabs and an absolutely tearing bassline, that mould together into a proper peak time floor filler!

DJ Mutiny - Resistance/Art Of Fighting
	Label	Supercharged
	Format	12"
	Release Date	Out Now   Buy this album
	Reviewer	Iytal
	Rating

Following numerous releases on Cyberfunk and his own Funkatech label, DJ Mutiny makes the trip south for this release on Brightons Supercharged. ‘Resistance’ sees Mutiny team up with French vocalist Amaziree, previously seen on tracks by T-Power and SOTO among others. ‘Resistance’ starts off calm enough, with nice sort of flute samples mixing with smooth vocals, which are joined after the first breakdown by a heavy bassline, that sits well with the vocal. On the flip Mutiny is back on his own for ‘Art Of Fighting’, similar feeling to the A side solid breaks and percussive touches hold things together under a tearing bassline, while a little kung fu film style vocal sample rounds things off nicely!

Aquasky Vs Masterblaster - Cobra (Remixes)
	Label	Passenger
	Format	12"
	Release Date	Out Now   Buy this album
	Reviewer	Iytal
	Rating

Last years ‘Cobra’ from Aquasky gets the remix treatment on this versatile release. On the A side Chris Carter takes the reigns in his distinctive techy style, with hints of old school stabs mingling with the bassline, on a mix that seems a bit tougher than his usual output, in keeping with the Passenger sound. On the flip Baitercell & Schumacher follow up their well received Passenger debut with a heavier mix that stays very close to the original, mainly expanding on the thriving low end that enters the track early on, and using a slightly more crunching break. The New Zealand based duo are currently working on their follow up to ‘What’s Down Low’, due on Passenger later this year.

Vext - Badbwoy
	Label	Fusetrax
	Format	12"
	Release Date	Out Now   Buy this album
	Reviewer	Iytal
	Rating

Fusetrax latest release sees Vext warming things up for the summer with a dub inspired track. Comprising of Gavin Watton and Fash, the latter also being resident at the labels long running Fuse nights, Vexts first release for Fusetrax combines laid back dub vibes with an uptempo break and a nice dirty bassline, aided by a recognisable vocal sample and some impressive scratchin. On the b-side Supercharged’s Deep Impact turn in a floor filling remix, that toughens things up a bit yet remains friendly enough for most dancefloors due to the heavy, drawn out ‘skankin’ synth riff that remains constant pretty much throughout, riding a firm but steppy break. Getting played by all the right names, ‘Badbwoy’ should see Fusetrax’s profile continue to grow in the right direction.

Phrenetic - Fatal/No Danger
	Label	Mechanoise
	Format	12"
	Release Date	Out Now!   Buy this album
	Reviewer	Iytal
	Rating

Anyone tuning in to Breaks FM over the past few months will instantly recognise this due to the heavy rotation it’s already received. Phrenetic’s Contax has previous releases on labels including Backroom and Nerve Breaks, and this debut release for Mechanoise provides two quality tunes that fit in perfectly with the labels sound. ‘Fatal’ is simple and to the point, a tight break, and rolling bassline that mutates into a tearing lead line in the latter half of the tune. ‘No Danger’ starts calmly enough before a vocal sample brings in a heavy bassline and crunching breaks, providing the heavier of the two tracks, although both are well worthy of the support currently being received. Loads more to come from the Mechanoise crew soon, including The Breakfastaz remix of Distortionz ‘Can Of Wormz’ and a brand new project form Uncouth Youth and DJ Mutiny titled Mutant Youth.

Baobinga - The Session
	Label	Fusetrax
	Format	12
	Release Date	Out Now   Buy this album
	Reviewer	Iytal
	Rating

Baobinga returns to Fusetrax for the first time since kicking off the label with his ‘Russian Roulette EP’. ‘The Session’ begins with a short intro consisting of horn stabs and filtered breaks that soon drops heavily into chopped up amen beats and a punchy bass line. Some nice edits and filters keep things interesting, on a track that’s tough, but with enough funk to keep the party crew happy! On the flip Backdraft turn in their aptly named ‘dirty northern bastards’ mix, and transform the track into another of their dark and dirty breakbeat monsters, similar to their first releases for Botchit. Drum & bass influences are once again prominent, with a continuous dark synth riding an old skool break, creating a moody peak time vibe to complete what is, in my opinion, Fusetrax’s finest release yet.

Various Artists - Cinetrip Workshop EP’s
	Label	Chi Recordings
	Format	12
	Release Date	07-00-04   Buy this album
	Reviewer	Iytal
	Rating

Organized by Hungary’s Cinetrip promotions crew, the ‘Cinetrip Workshops EP’s’ were recorded when all the artists involved travelled to the Hungarian countryside to record, play table tennis and drink wine together! It’s always good to hear new Tipper material, and the first track sees him rework Raster’s ‘The Prototype’ in typically impressive fashion. A busy break with trademark rolls and edits provides a firm foundation, while intricately programmed synths and bass keep things busy elsewhere! Other tracks include Amb’s ‘Romeo’, which gets remixed by Raster, whilst Chris Carter adds his techy, driving touches to DJ Naga’s ‘Styx’.

Jason Sparks - Don't I Feel (Remixes)
	Label	Botchit & Scarper
	Format	12
	Release Date	07-00-04   Buy this album
	Reviewer	Iytal
	Rating

‘Don’t I Feel’ is the latest single to be taken from Jason Sparks debut album, ‘Heroes And Villains’ and sees one of the albums many vocal moments, this time featuring Pauline Taylor, get in-house remixes from two of Botchits finest. SOTO are first up, aiming directly for the dance floor, with their familiar soothing synths and electro inspired beats providing an ample backdrop for the original’s vocals. On the flip the ever impressive Lawgiverz add their unique experimental touch to things, taking things down towards hip-hop tempo with some heavy sub bass whilst contorting the vocal inventively, providing an refreshing remix that adds another dimension to a package that sees Botchit delivering the goods as usual!

Deekline and Wizard - Breaks, Beats and Blondes
	Label	Botchit & Scarper
	Format	CD
	Release Date	Out Now   Buy this album
	Reviewer	Iytal
	Rating

Nick Annand a.k.a. Deekline first came to attention with his 2000 anthem ‘I Don’t Smoke’, originally released on his own Rat Records imprint before reaching number 11 in the charts after being snapped up by East West, selling over 150, 000 units along the way. Since then Deekline has become well established within the UK’s breakbeat scene, running the Hardcore Beats and Rat Records labels as well as being responsible for the Thursday Night Throwdown and Breakbeat Connection nights, whilst also DJ’ing all over the world and recording and remixing alongside a variety of names inclusing the likes of Freq Nasty and Nubreed. Now, alongside studio partner Wizard, formerly known as Dreb, Deekline drops ‘Breaks, Beats and Blondes’ for long time supporters Botchit & Scarper. The album features a variety of vocalists, most notably Spoonface and Yolanda, who appear on the majority of the tracks. Previous singles ‘4x4x4’ and ‘Truth Is a Lie’ are here, as is a new version of ‘Bushpig’ (previously released on Supercharged) updated with the distinctive vocals of Yolanda. Styles vary from the broken beat sounds of ‘Wasting Time’ and ‘Ill Street Blues’, the party vibes of ‘Feel The Beat’ and ‘Blo Dem Away’ to the more club edged sounds of ‘Bodypopper’ and ‘Soulmonster’, with a heavy bassline theme running throughout as you’d imagine! ‘Breaks, Beats and Blondes’ may not find favour with all the breakbeat community due its vocal nature, but is a well produced and interesting album which will no doubt win Deekline and Wizard many more fans from across the board.

Distortionz - Can Of Wormz
	Label	Mechanoise
	Format	12"
	Release Date	Out Now   Buy this album
	Reviewer	Iytal
	Rating

The past year or so has seen Distortionz making quite a name for himself on the UK’s breaks scene. As well as presenting Breaks FM’s top 10 chart countdown, 2004 has already seen releases from him on Cyberfunk, Hardcore Beats and now, with a tune that’s been smashing it on dubplate for quite some time, comes his debut release for the mighty Mechanoise. ‘Can Of Wormz’ follows the hardcore influenced path set by previous Distortionz releases, tough rollin’ breaks, a relentless bassline and the breakdown’s female vocal hook make this a definite floor filler, perfect for the likes of Breakbeat Connection etc. On the flip is a remix from another act currently gaining a lot of praise, the Breakfastaz, who keep things on a similar vibe, making more use of the vocal and playing with the bassline to put their own distinctive slant on things. Another impressive release from the ever reliable Mechanoise camp.