Written by admin | 17 April 2007

Distortionz Vs Deep Impact - Rock da House/Demonz
	Label	Bass Inaderz
	Format	12"
	Release Date	05-16-05   Buy this album
	Reviewer	Iytal
	Rating

The second release on Bass Invaderz sees label boss Distortionz, fresh from remixing Ed209’s ‘Infectious’, team up with Leeds based Deep Impact for a double-A side which draws equally on the production talent from both camps. First up is ‘Rock Da House’, which is straight up tear out breakbeat with tough breaks, a grinding synth bassline and plenty of Distortionz trademark filtered edits. B side ‘Demonz’ essentially follows the same path, fusing rolling breakbeats with a big bassline, yet is a slightly subtler offering, with a crisper sounding break and filtered synths. Both tracks are straight to the point, and whilst may not be offering anything particularly groundbreaking, will certainly see dancefloors moving. Bass Invaderz next release is set to come from new signing White Papoo, with a track called ‘The Only Trip’.

limbertimbre - One Big Bit
	Label	Pretension
	Format	12"
	Release Date	Out Now   Buy this album
	Reviewer	Iytal
	Rating

Having apparently been knocking around for two years now, California’s Carl Bradshaw a.k.a. Limbertimbre’s ‘One Big Bit’ EP finally makes it in to the shops, and was well worth the wait! Four tracks deep, this is a must have for fans of glitchy electro breaks in the style of Si Begg, who appears here on remix duties. The original mix of ‘One Big Bit’ employs heavy crunching breaks and atmospheric strings giving it a moody edge, before taking on an almost 4/4 feeling towards the end, while Si Begg’s mix twists the track into his distinctive style with some heavy bass and warped breaks. The two other tracks are of a similar style and quality, ‘Mercury’ has an industrial vibe to it, with clever tearing synth lines, while ‘NoFi’s cleaner sounding beats will work the electro dancefloors well.

Ed209 - Infectious Remixes
	Label	Hardcore Beats
	Format	12"
	Release Date	04-00-05   Buy this album
	Reviewer	Iytal
	Rating

Originally released on Ed209’s Wireframe Recordings before he became part of the management at Hardcore Beats, ‘Infectious’s distinctive synth hook has already seen dancefloors moving all over the place, and now gets reworked in differing styles by Distortionz and Ils. Distortionz mix follows the path set by his own productions with a distinct hardcore vibe and classic ravey synths twisting the originals lead line for some full on peak time material, brimming with energy and vivacious from start to finish. On the flip Ils takes more of a laid back approach, tight breaks, piano and a didgeridoo take things through before the introduction of the main riff reminds you it’s actually a remix, and provides a nice gritty contrast to the smooth vibe. Another solid Hardcore Beats release that’ll see play across the board.

Volsoc - Here Come Volsoc
	Label	World Electric
	Format	12"
	Release Date	Out Now   Buy this album
	Reviewer	Iytal
	Rating

German label World Electric’s 19th release sees the first of two four track EP’s to be taken from US electro talent Volsoc’s forthcoming ‘10,000 Spaceships Attacking A Very Small Planet’ album, due out soon. ‘Here Come Volsoc’ starts with a vocal intro (lyrics to which will be included on the CD) before dropping some serious low end and precise programmed electro beats, ‘Try To Save Your Song (OK Robot)’ and ‘Calzoni’ follow a similar path, Volsoc’s distinctive sound and production technics keeping the listener engaged via various clever edits and the constantly evolving feeling of the tracks. Also on the EP is ‘Needleintuit’, previously released on Si Begg’s Noodles label, a welcome addition for anyone that missed it the first time round. Whilst not all Volsoc material seems aimed at the dancefloor, the EP features a nice variation, and acts as a good taster for the forthcoming full length release.

Sensi Allstars/Control Z - Give It To ‘Em/Badman
	Label	Hardcore Beats
	Format	12"
	Release Date	03-00-05   Buy this album
	Reviewer	Iytal
	Rating

Hardcore Beats live up to their name once again with a double A side courtesy of the Sensi Allstars and Control Z. First up is ‘Give It To ‘Em’, from North London trio, Sensi Allstars. This track is on more of a party tip than previous Hardcore Beats offerings, with cut up hip hop samples, funky stabs, and old skool influenced breaks and bleeps. On the flip Control Z’s ‘Badman’ takes things into more familiar HB territory, displaying distinct drum & bass influences, as sirens and ragga vocal stabs ride a relentless, dirty bassline and a busy, rolling break. Next to come on Hardcore Beats will be the eagerly anticipated ‘Infectious’ remixes from Ils and Distortionz.

October - Beat Me/Broody Shaker (Techno Techno Techno)
	Label	Vertical Sound
	Format	12"
	Release Date	06-00-05   Buy this album
	Reviewer	Iytal
	Rating

Having previously turned in remixes of 30hz and Circuit Breaker for the label, the latest Vertical Sound release sees October given his own 12”. ‘Beat Me’ has a techy feel with its percussive chunky breaks, and features a gritty, industrial edge to the big synth bassline. ‘Broody Shaker (Techno Techno Techno)’ is less in your face and makes more use of the low end, kicking off with a rolling arpeggio this soon drops into a pulsating bassline riding a tight break, climaxing after a breakdown as a sharp synth line comes in to give the track that ‘big’ sound. Two tunes I can imagine appealing to a more across the board crowd than some of the previous releases, and strengthen the labels growing reputation further.

Pete Samplers & Mando - Slot Machine/1 Arm Bandit
	Label	Downbeat
	Format	12
	Release Date	06-00-05   Buy this album
	Reviewer	Iytal
	Rating

Downbeat Productions notch up release number 5 with more UK artists in the form of Pete Samplers, who has previously released on Unstable, and Mando from Mass. On the A-side ‘Slotmachine's long intro sees a tight, clean break before a throbbing low synth gets things moving, switching at times to more of a growling bass, but keeping it rolling at all times. Things get a bit darker for ‘1 Arm Bandit’, a string laden intro sets a calming tone, lulling you into a false sense of security before the drop unleashes a solid driving break and filthy bass stabs in a style reminiscent of Backdraft’s productions. Another firm release from this US based label.

Hook and Sling - Smash and Grab/Bad Magic
	Label	Guerrilla Tactics
	Format	12"
	Release Date	06-06-05   Buy this album
	Reviewer	Iytal
	Rating

Release number four for Guerrilla tactics sees Hook and Sling back in the driving seat with two more floor bound cuts. A side ‘Smash and Grab’ does exactly that, with a firm rolling break from the off, before a breakdown introduces a gritty bassline that moves along nicely beside the beat, twisting throughout, while a definite crowd pleasing breakdown sees sirens and a vocal hook to bring in the climax to the tune. ‘Bad Magic’ on the flip is a bit less in your face and feels a bit moodier, with a warping low end taking centre stage against another rolling break and smooth atmospherics. Both tunes work well, and help cement the duo’s reputation as ones to watch, while the last couple of releases have really seen this promising label defining its sound.

Pendulum & Freestylers - Fasten Your Seatbelt
	Label	Breakbeat Kaos
	Format	12"
	Release Date	06-00-05   Buy this album
	Reviewer	Iytal
	Rating

Been causing quite a stir this one, for the right and wrong reasons! Definitely a more ‘party’ tune, essentially ‘Fasten Your Seatbelt’ is quite simple, a tough, almost 4/4 arrangement, throbbing bassline and a bizarre, grating, kinda tongue in cheek synth riff make up the body of the track, with dubby stabs and vocals filling it out. I personally don’t like it, I find the lead line instantly annoying and feel the tune in general lacks originality and direction and doesn’t really do anything. Saying that, I don’t doubt that in the right environment it’ll cause a few grins, and definitely has crossover potential, though would be interested to see if the more positive reactions were any different had this been released anonymously. B Side, ‘Out Here’ is better, has a similar party feeling to it, but seems a little more focused with a more interesting break and some dirty synth action! Love it or hate it, this tune’s certainly got everyone talking, and generated a huge amount of publicity in the run up to the release of Pendulums debut album.

LifeCycle - Tiger/Fuzz
	Label	London Breakz
	Format	12"
	Release Date	05-00-05   Buy this album
	Reviewer	Iytal
	Rating

With previous releases coming from the likes of Vlad & Ardisson, and the brains behind the label, Breakneck, London Breakz eighth release comes from a new signing, Lifecycle a.k.a. Geoff Dent, whose production life started amongst the raves of the early 90’s. A side ‘Tiger’ is the harder hitting of the two, sweeping filters introduce a firm rhythmic break and driving synths, broken up every few bars by an offbeat bass fuelled edit, with some nicely placed stabs and touches throughout. Flipside ‘Fuzz’ takes a more straightforward approach, with a gritty synth line following a more rolling break amid moody atmospherics. Soon to come on London Breakz is a tenth release EP, and another 12” collaboration between Breakneck’s Vlad and Seed Records’ Ardisson