Back catalogue: UK Garage

Review: It's been at least a hot minute since the last heavyweight release from Swamp 81 dropped (and they don't get much heavier than a double pack of body music from Boddika). The wait has totally been worth it as Funkbias sees UKG legend Zed Bias team up with Rinse FM's excellently named Funk Butcher for two drops of typically forward thinking music. "Last Forever" burst uneasily out of the rumbling groove that opens the track into masterful concoction of vocal affectations, burning synth beams, snapping tribal drums and trademark Zed Bias bass. "Heaven Sent" does indeed begin like it was sent from above with gentle piano melodies lulling you in before being engulfed by a heavily pressurised flex of 808s and more crafty vocal dicing. The interplay between the soft and harsh elements is quite brilliant. Those who like a fine example of cover art will go weak at the knees over the Will Bankhead embossed design too.

Review: Perhaps Council Work are this generation's Keysound, pushing the classic sound of the London underground and fusing it with the haunted present we find ourselves in. With 5 releases notched on the belts of label owners Frankel & Harper, their sound as a pair is smooth and crunchy, and that's no less or more true for their latest, 'Return', which weaves Cockney kitchen sink-drama vocal samples through echo, reese and step. Deft Horsepower stylee.

Review: The brand new Mush Trax label makes a head-turning debut here with some naught garage and house cuts from the depths of Dorset. Footprint opens up with the straight-up shuffler that is 'Light It Up. It's got old school flavours all over it - the piano stabs, the original Chicago house vocal and the melodies. It's the same story with Dunman's 'Hot' with its filthy backless bass stabs, yelping vocal cries and steel-plated US garage drums. Completing this highly effective EP is Ash Brown with another throwback garage anthem in 'Whompa.'

Review: Everything Is Alright, says FINN. And it is, frankly, when you're lost in the midst of his new album on 2 B Real. It's a superbly fun and feelgood mix of house from the 90s, UK garage from this revival era and contemporary sound designs. The title track opens up and soon sweeps you off to a good place then there are loose vocals and bright chords on 'AYOYO' while 'Ere U R' sinks into a deeper groove with a heavy sense of plod and more fresh melodies. The B-side picks up the pace with the retro house throb of 'Things, Things, Things!' and 'Big Raver' brings the pianos that will set the club alight.