Back catalogue: Breakbeat

Review: Salford's finest DJ Absolutely Shit delivers part two of his 'Memoirs Of A Crust Monster' series, this time entirely disavowing that the series is even named as such at all. Why the sudden change of heart, we don't know; perhaps it's an attempt at committing the good times to memory. Aiding these mnemonic sonics come four new utter heaters of the yellow-grinning variety, whether that be the opening 'Higher' - which blows us away with its candid echoings-out-before-the-beat-drops - or the high-reg bleep-breaks 'Out On Love', a truly experimental rib-tickler of a track that proves the experimentation inherent in breakbeat, one that only geniuses of the sound could attest to - should they move beyond its surface cliches and go on to nail the essential form.

Review: Those oh-so-rude and too-cool-for-school cats at Red Laser have tapped up the ironic provocateur DJ Absolutely Shit for another quartet of club cuts that are designed to blow the roof off. These tracks all make use of a bold sample and bring some hefty breakbeat energy starting with the loved up r&b vocal hooks of 'Bridge To Your Heart' and then upping the level for the more raves and synth-laced 90s menace of 'Bolivia'. 'Rocking You Eternally' is a pure jungle frenzy with icy synths and deeply buried vocal soul then 'Gong' shuts down with some shiny 80s sounds that bring to mind shellsuits and old Fords.

Review: As the man behind so many of the beats for Jurassic 5, not to mention an in-demand producer in many other places, Nu Mark has got chops for days. Roaming free on his own Hot Plate label, last year's Run For Cover was loaded with crisp, seriously funkified gems, and now two of the best have been pressed up as a tidy 7" for all those who love their platters compact. On the A side, 'Everybody Everybody' throws some tropical tones and exuberant organs into the blender with tough boom bap and plenty more besides, making for one sunny blast of a tune. On the flip Danny Drive Thru pops by to add some irreverent vocal madness into the mix on 'Break Ya Neck'.

Review: New York City-based DJ, producer and impresario DJ Spun aka Jason Drummond has been involved in many different live bands over the years but also knows how to kick out the jams in solo electronic mode. 'Tribal Toilet' is a twisted, percussive techno tune with abstract motifs, bells, warped bass and layers of vocals that make it evocative and unhinged. 'Hear My Mega' is a throwback tune that rides on dusty breakbeats with old-school rap samples, whistles, helps and everything you need to get the party going off.

Review: The revered DJ Stephano delivers his signature unconventional style on this blistering new outing for Kiteforce and manages to skilfully blend and bend genres while maintaining a razor-sharp focus on fierce and innovative jungle beats. He is already well known for his unique use of samples and experimental formats, and again here Stephano manages to pay homage to old school jungle but also adds his own fresh twist. The result is Love, an EP packed with creative energy as well as plenty of clout for jungle heads old and new.

Review: Dogpatrol returns to Sneaker Social Club with four more tracks of gritty, genre-bending rave damage. Despite hailing from Offenbach in Germany, his sound blends UK influences like breakbeat hardcore, dubstep and garage and that results in a mutant style that's uniquely his own. '1200kcal' features jagged UKG drums and cosmic bass arps while 'Baby Flame 'channels warehouse electro with a heavy synth splat. 'Ya Playin Yaself' delivers a dubstep roller with playful keys and 'Offgenbach HBF Riddim' adds a breakbeat twist with echoes of The Blapps Posse. Dogpatrol's irreverent, misfit approach to rave shines again here.

Review: The Not An Animal label, which rose out of the "debris left uncleaned from London's infamous Bad Passion parties" arrives at release number 20 here and a fine one it is too from Donald's House and DJ Chrysalis. They open up with the prickly percussive prog of 'Pound Bend' with its warped lines and glistening snares. The Apiento remix is a snappy one with more synth patterns layered in before 'A Curious Warmth' strips it back and gets a little more deep and dubby with a mix of abstract sounds and aching vocals. 'Tingler Ring' closes down with a Balearic late night feel.

Review: Double B is Barry from 2-X-Treme and is surely the most famous rave producer to have come out of Portsmouth. The dance floor don wrote this one at the same time as his celebrated 2-X-Treme EP so brings back plenty of the scone pleasures of that ear. Now pressed up once more it blends breakbeats and UK hardcore across five unrelenting cuts that very much chime with the current leanings of the underground scene towards harder, faster sounds.

Review: Cold Diggin' kick off a new series here that is designed to acquaint you with the talents of 'The Dude Ya Love To Hate. We can't find out much information about he, or she, or them, but can only assume more is to come given this 7" has its own catalogue naming convention. This first limited one-off pressing comes on one-sided black vinyl with a silk screen print. 'I Like Your Stye' is raw and irresistible jungle, library and funk fusion from front to back. A great one to cop, and a great new artist to keep tabs on for sure.

Review: FCLR revisits tunes from Joseph Malik's solo 2023 LP Proxima Ebony on this new 12", the originals of which feature co-writer Daniel Walls aka Digital Liquid exploring Joseph Malik's early memories of being brought up around sex workers. Here we get two cuts 'Front Room' and LoFi Back Room' which are both served up as vocals and then instrumentals and feature emotive lyrics delivered over compelling acid-laced leads with drums that will blow up any floor next to dark and gnarly synths.

Review: Velvet Velour's new outlet, Silky Beats, is back with a second brilliantly tasteful EP of superbly silky deep house and minimal sounds. This time out for top notch beat makers all feature with Tiago Walter kicking off. His wispy melodies and neon pads detail a feathery minimal beat while James Andrew's 'Turbo Shandy' is a playful mix of rasping synth textures and sci-fi synths over a loopy beat. Mtty pumps things up a little with a nice warm garage house shuffler in the form of 'The Elongator' and Duncan Thomas shits down with the dreamy pads adn laidback feels of 'Edzy & Eggsy.' A superb 12".

Review: Fresh off the back of X-Ray Ted's debut album Moving On comes this instrumental/scratch tool version of 'Get Loose', one of the record's best-loved non single tracks. Prior to the full album's making and eventual completion, The Bristol-based DJ and producer had spent years honing his craft and refining his signature sound, which drew heavily on soul, funk, hip-hop and breaks; all of which were styles heavily indebted to the street battle breaks culture found in 90s New York and other major cities. 'Get Loose', the seventh track on the record, features British rappers Dr. Syntax and Elemental and is a fiery exploration of what it means to loosen oneself; the track features here in full original form, alongside its locked groove and acapella versions, the former of which samples an oldskool comedy set characteristic of the kinds of sources battle DJs would sift theirs from.

Review: Deep Forest's third studio album, Comparsa, released in December 1997, presents a vibrant blend of world music and electronic elements, with a strong emphasis on Latin and Caribbean rhythms. Now available on translucent green vinyl, this album showcases the group's signature fusion of global sounds, featuring contributions from musicians across Cuba, Belize, Mexico, and Madagascar. Comparsa's 13 tracks are a journey through diverse musical landscapes, with highlights like 'Noonday Sun' and 'Tres Marias' highlight the album's dynamic energy. The group's founders, Eric Mouquet and Michel Sanchez, craft lush soundscapes that are rich in texture, combining whispered vocals with rhythmic beats and vibrant instrumentation. Tracks like 'Madazulu' and 'Radio Belize' illustrate the duo's skill in blending traditional sounds with modern electronic production, creating a sound that is both innovative and accessible. Comparsa remains a well-produced and exhilarating listening experience, perfect for those seeking a musical escape to far-off lands. Now on translucent green vinyl, the album's rich textures and global rhythms are given new life, making it a noteworthy addition to any collection.

Review: Stereophonk hit gold with volume one of this series so no wonder it now presents the eagerly awaited Bunch Of Funk Vol. 2. This one features 18 unreleased tracks making their vinyl debut, including two exclusive cuts created in collaboration with the talented Medline. Iconic breakdance figure DJ Marrrtin is known for his hard-hitting breaks played at major events and always makes sure he serves up music that invites listeners to express themselves on the dance floor. Here he infuses a powerful, organic sound that honours breakdance heritage while innovating for future generations.