If 2008 was the year the past became ever present in music, as Fact magazine said in their retrospective feature – 2009 is hailed by most of the musical journalists as the year of an even greater diversity and cross-over of musical boundaries.
This vision seems to be acknowledged by the latest releases which show a very eclectic approach in the production of what is called – for the lack of something better – bass music, which now encompasses a multitude of influences that bring underground flavours to the forefront.
To paraphrase Freq Nasty’s interview for Knowledge Mag: generation iPod is not fussed by genres and is less sectary than its predecessors – whether is a dubstep banger or a great indie tune, it all goes in the mix naturally.
Add to this the accessibility to travel; brought by low cost companies, the expansion and impact of internet networking and you can have a whole new dimension of what means globalization nowadays. Our attention was caught this month by these particular three releases that essentially prove this point of view.
Caspa – Everybody’s Talking Nobody’s Listening (Sub Soldiers)
Hailed as one of the dubstep prodigies, Caspa’s rise on the scene is gaining further momentum with his critically acclaimed and much anticipated debut album. He is definitely one of the guilty parties that brought dubstep mainstream attention and lead to commissioning hugely advertised remixes for artists like Depeche Mode or Deadmau5.
The album itself tries to assume and keep the hype alive which means it doesn’t go too far from the successful recipe that got him where he is: simple and straight to the jugular basslines and trademark puncturing beats. David Rodigan, a legendary figure that could only be described as an institution in the reggae world (Discogs.com) introduces the 12 tracks that also feature the vocal talent of MC Dynamite, Uncle Sam, Rod Azlan and Beezy.
Surprisingly, D1 is the only collab at the production desk. “Victoria’s Secret” is one of the tunes that comes in an unexpected jazzy breakstep shell with a 90s vibe. And speaking of the noughties, “Back in ‘93” is the second tune that stands back from the wobbly norm in a delightful exercise in style that uses the old skool jungle aesthetics and has a deep atmosphere complimented by an enormous analogue bassline. Even though it’s not a creative standout, Caspa’s debut is definitely a landmark for dubstep this year.
more about Caspa : http://www.myspace.com/caspadubstep
buy the album : http://www.juno.co.uk/artists/Caspa/
Martyn – Great Lengths (3024)
“Great Lengths” may represent the unofficial sonic story of a Dutch beat wizard relocated in the US. Regarded as one of the most innovative and crossover artists to come in the past few years, his debut album is worthy of every cent it costs.
Genres blend under his hands, switching effortlessly from Detroit techno, Berlin dub house and minimal to UK broken beats and the usual dubstep patterns creating a unique amalgamation that can only be described as “the Martyn sound”.
It can equally satisfy the stoned couch potatoes and the avid-for-bassline ravers. The collabs with D-Bridge of Bad Company fame and Kode 9 and Burial’s vocalist Spaceape shine along with the already established sounds of “Vancouver” and “Seventy Four”. As Boomkat says “Martyn can sit proud knowing he's made one of the most soulful, rhythmically rich and inviting albums of this year.”
more about martyn : http://www.myspace.com/martyndnb
buy the album : http://www.boomkat.com
Deekline & Wizard - Back Up, Coming Through (Against The Grain)
Two of the most well known and best selling breakbeat artists have joined their forces again to release their first album after a 5 year hiatus and countless singles and bootlegs.
The follow-up to an exclusive signing to Krafty Kuts’ label Against The Grain comes in the form of a 12 tracker plus a hidden bonus that showcase a sound which bounces from Miami bass to hip hop, UK garage, 80's B-Boy electro and nonetheless breakbeat.
Collaborations with artists like Yolanda (Bugs in the Attic), Top Cat, Fallacy, Dj Assault, Ed Solo, Stereo:Type and Freq Nasty make the package more attractive but it’s the sound itself that make it an essential purchase and makes you put it on repeat.
“It’s all about the rise / Essential is the journey / Enjoy the ride / That way nobody cannot break it” (Back Up – Love For The Music) seems to be the headline description for the whole album and it definitely does what it says. Expect involuntary booty shakes – on the dancefloor, at home or wherever this is played.
more about Deekline : http://www.myspace.com/djdeekline
more about Wizard : http://www.myspace.com/wizardgreg
buy the album : https://www.beatport.com/
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