Skull Disco – Soundboy Punishments

This collection is getting on a little bit now, but I’m a little late to the older Skull Disco stuff I only have the 12”s: 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 so far. I think they are only going to drop one more official 12”, which will have four Shackleton tracks on it, then maybe some white labels and another Soundboy Punishments compilation. What an amazing label it has been, Shackleton has been making some seriously good music that spans quite a few genres and maybe even invented the minimal/techno/dubstep hybrid along with Villalobos and Appleblim. Appleblim’s tracks on this compilation are good but I think they pale in comparison to Shackletons, Appleblim has come along way since these early tracks though as the newer 12” will show as will the next Soundboy comp no doubt. Gatekeeper also features here on one track, as does the aforementioned Villalobos in his huge mix of Shacks Blood On My Hands more on that in a bit though.

Shackleton’s tracks are out of sight they are that good his minimalist approach with polyrhythmic African drumming and huge basslines mix so well to make some of the darkest and most exciting music I have heard in a while. You can see why Villalobos asked to remix Blood On My Hands, as he just loved it so much. Shack isn’t keen on being described as dubstep and to be honest his sound is pretty far removed from that scene’s sound and tempo that it is a kind of genre of it’s own. Appleblim on the other hand sounds pretty dubstep esspecialy in comparison to the other work on the comp; the first CD is Shackleton’s organic groves juxtaposed against Appleblim’s techy and almost jungle sounds. Both artists have matured since this compilation and are ready to move onto new ventures, but as long as I get to here their tunes I will be happy even if it means no more Skull Disco.

The art work by Z is fantastic as it is will all Skull Disco releases it reflect the sound so well with its skeletal bone wrenching dark and deep sound that’s all at once organic and not from this earth at the same time.

Disc two is slightly more dance floor influenced Shackleton makes most the tracks and really breaks loose in the most dubstep style stuff he has on this comp. The huge bongo patterns are still in full effect but it’s all at a faster passed and almost 2-step rhythm to make you move your feet. And of course the bass is still huge. Ricardo Villalobos’ mix of Blood On My Hands is on this disc I really love it and it pretty much got me into looking at Dubstep, but after hearing the original mix I think I prefer that, just. Villalobos makes it an epic deep and dark minimal masterpiece though and for that I salute him. Skull Disco Soundboy Punishments is a brilliant retrospective collection of tracks from their vaults, I look forward to the last few 12” very much and another one of these, before Appleblim and Shackleton move on to new things.

Skull Disco

Free Skull Disco DST Mix

Skream – Hedd Banger / Percression 12” (Tectonic)

I first came across the tune Percression on Appleblim’s amazing Dubstep Allstars Vol.06 this year; I’m still caning that CD most weeks. Percression is a deep and bouncy techno infused dub influenced stepper. I can’t get enough of its slightly acid tweaked baseline and funky as hell broken techno beats. It’s a direction I haven’t heard very much of from Skream who kind of made his name as one of the original dubstep superstars with Midnight Request Line and loads of other stuff, which is more on the wobbly dance floor bangers. He brings it deep and dirty for Tectonic on this 12”, both sides are pure filth, it’s sick. Percression hits all the right buttons for me, I can’t get enough of the techno influenced stuff at the moment. The bass plays off the dubbed out echoes of the claps perfectly and will light up the floor. As will the sharp crisp kick drum patterns, they punch like a mule, if they had arms I guess they kick hey…

I will flip it to the Hedd Banger side now, I got excited about the flip there for a moment. I hadn’t heard this one before; it’s more of a slow and low half stepper with a dirty as hell growling bass synth line. A hook with a female vocal saying, ’I’m a suppa fly, a suppa duppa fly’ is wicked. The bass is deep as hell, but then you expect nothing less from Skream and Tectonic. There is an evil and spooky vibe to Hedd Banger with its gruff bass and ghostly tingles. Eerie bongos fade in and out to add a little grove here and there I love that. The snare drum clatter is tight as hell for full on ear shattering dance floor business. Both sides are going to get it done for sure. Well done Skream this 12” is huge and I’m always impressed by Tectonic and their output.

This is in the shops on 11th August 2008.

Skream Space

Tectonic Space

Dubstep Allstars: Vol.06 Mixed By Appleblim

This is one hell of a mix and I have been listening to a lot of dubstep mixes recently, its had some tough opposition to go up against, from the likes of Kode 9 Vs. FlyLo and Martyn. This album is a up there with the best of them though and a perfect show case for the cutting edge of the dubstep sound right now. Appleblim is a sublime selector of the finest dubplates new and old, he makes this instalment of Tempa’s Dubstep Allstars shine.

I’m familiar with some of these tunes already and they fit so well in this mix. Artists such as 2562, Martyn and Ramadanman have all been mentioned on this blog before, on Vol.6 they continue to bring the sweet noise with them.

Preverelist catches my eyes and ears with his deep dubby sounds with a slow crunching echo to them. Appleblim even proves himself to be more than just an amazing record selector and mixer by colaberating on the Apple Pips release Circling with Preverelist. The two opening tracks then melt away into the soul tinged Get Up by Pinch that is now maybe a Dubstep classic with its 2-step rhythm and vocal funky house leanings.

The next two tunes are 2562’s Moog Dub and Martyn’s Suburbia these tracks are just pretty much perfect to my ears anyway. Both of them perfectly sum up this new tech driven dub sound. They also start to bring the mix into its element by upping the anti a little, each track builds and builds the flow of the mix its pretty special. 2562’s album seems to be selling well if the Boomkat top sellers chart is anything to go by and this Martyn track must be well hot too as I can’t find it on 12” at all.

Jus Wan reminds me of a break beat tech house mash up with of course a heavy does of dub. Its also another fine release from Apple Pips, this new imprint has got lots going for it right now. The filtered twinkle of the synths make this track a real treat and add that deep Basic Channel duby techno sound to the mix. Which is handy as the master of that kind of mash up is up next in the blender: 2562 and his sub bass monster Movern. This has an almost four to the floor kick to it and it really ups the tempo a notch, and veers into full on techno territory more so that any other tune so far. The bongos and bass keep it routed in the dubstep though with its funky swing.

TRG & Selector Dub U bring some nice clicky percussion into the proceedings and a stop start flavour to the beat loop that makes the building synth really come out and move you. Perverelist is next up and its his third track on Vol.06 so Appleblim obviously thinks highly of him. This time it’s a more upbeat and techier number as appose to the more dub influenced slow beginners. Ace tune too, the break down sounds like a heart beat that stops as the bass and synth take over again.

Now past the halfway stage, and Skream makes an appearance with an exclusive on a dubplate. The mix really picks up with this one, you can really hear the techno influence shining through in the beats and pace, well more the feeling than the tempo as dubstep is quite a bit quicker than techno. RSD has a old skool drum’n’bass feel to it like super sharp shooter by Zinc or something like that but updated for the techy dubstep crowd.

Mungo’s Hi-Fi and their track Babylon is kind of like the midsection breakdown tune. With its ace dubby intro of reggae sample giving way to an irresistible growling dirty baseline. The name and sound of this tune gives me images of long lost dub sound systems and open-air parties with BBQ’s and beers.

Komonazmuk brings the techno four to the floor dubstepping right back into it with two slices featuring him in a row. The first Bad Apple on his own and the second the excellently titled Cheeky Herbert with Gatekeeper. At first I though Komonazmuk was a Japanese name but then I read it again and it sounds like a pun in Yorkshire. Any way these two tracks are absolute bangers and propel this mix further to its peak. Dubstep some how manages to be fast yet sound slow all at once, because of its dub style that adds a spacyness to the 140 odd BPM tempos. Cheeky Herbert is maybe one of my favourite tracks its so dirty and has some wicked funky samlples.

TRG smack out a trio of tracks now two being remixes by two of the scenes bright lights the first being Ramadanman and the second being Martyn. First up is an original TRG joint though. Its more deep dub fueled stepping this time its pretty quick and sure to get the floor moving. Ramadanman pulls out a cracking mix of Put You Down that has a tight electro sounding drum that skips and pierces your ear as the bass messages you from deep down. Martyn’s mix of Broken Heart is just ace another contender for track of the compilation. A looped sample of warm sounding synth drops into a ravey motif that is just brilliant.

The final track is by Gelom Featuring Marita it’s the dubplate version of Reminissin’ it has a 2-step feel to it and a thumping four to the floor beat. Some nice vocals to end the mix on a high and with a smiley tone to boot. Then it’s all over leaving you gagging for more and a rewind.

Appleblims mix for Tempa’s Dubstep Allstars is a real treat for your ears. One of the very best DJ mix albums I have heard since Villalobos’s beast on the Fabric series. The flow is exceptional the tune selection spot on every tune leads perfectly to the next and makes the journey a real treat. I can’t wait to keep listing to this stuff, keep it up Appleblim.

I’m not sure how to follow that now so I’m off to go and watch Marth Marenghi’s Darkplace...

The Dubstep-Techno hybrid: DubTek, Tech-Step, Dub-No, Who knows?

Along with the Wonky revolution in dubstep that is being championed by the likes of Fly Lo, Rustie and Samiyam there seems to be another side bubbeling away that take influence from techno, tech house and minimal. I’m going to call it Tech-Step maybe, any way the purveyors of this sound seem to be people like 2562, Ramadanman, Martyn and maybe the main figure head Appleblim. Of course Kode 9 has his feet in pretty much all camps at once with his supurb Hyperdub label. But I will no doubt do a post dedicated to him some other time.

On with the Tech-Step AKA DubTek! I guess I first became aware of this sound when hearing Ricardo Villalobos dropping dubstep in his minimal mixes and that opening my eyes to the possibilities; Ramadanman’s Blimey was dropped recently as the opening track in one of his sets. Also the Villalobos mix of Shackletons Blood On Your Hands is phenomenal and well worth its wait in the dubstep/minimal hall of fame, if that existed. In the mean time this sound has been bubbling under and brewing some brilliant sounds. Villalobos has been making more tunes that slide nicely between the two genres since as well.

Appleblim’s Dubstep Allstars Vol.6 may well be the definitive document of Tech-Step-Dub-No to date, I will talk about that one another time though, as I haven’t heard it very much yet, to do it justice. I have however heard an amazing mix he did on Sub FM, which I will put a link up to at the end of the post. It opened my ears fully to this dubstep movement and got me pretty excited. He effortlessly mixed between minimal sounds and dubstep tunes you often couldn’t decide what was which it was brilliant. Appleblim owns Apple Pips and co-owns Skull Disco too with Shackleton.

Martyn has been making some noise and stiring some genre spanning all of his own. He is a Dutch producer and DJ who owns 3024 Records and releases on Apple Pips as well. Martyn’s sound is techey and stepy hence the name I guess, he is similar in some ways to 2562, yet not as deep and dubby. He is a jack of all genres; he has shown this by not only playing awesome tech infused dubstep sets but by also warming up fabric with a four to the floor techno set. Examples of these brilliant mixes bellow.

2562 has made an amazing album called Ariel that I reviewed right here on this very blog not long ago. So I wont go into to much detail right now, but its techno style dub beats echo great sounds from Detroit to London.

Explore the sounds bellow and enjoy your Tech-Step (Well that name seems to be taken, so any takers on DubTek?) journey as much as I have done and will continue to do…

Appleblim’s Sub FM mix

Track list:

01. Ghislain Poirier - They Wanna Know [Tax Records]
02. Keith Worthy - Deep for Days [Sistrum Recordings]
03. Radio Slave - K-Maze [REKIDS]
04. Intrusion - Intrusion (CV313 Reduction) [echospace [detroit]]
05. Ricardo Villalobos - Electonic Water (San Proper's 'It Ate My Quarter' Mix) [Perlon]
06. Shed - Warped Mind [Ostgut Tonträger]
07. CH-Signal Laboratories (8003 Lucerne) - Hypnotica Scale [Sandwell District]
08. Peverelist - Clunk Click Every Trip [Unreleased]
09. Footsie - Pissed [White]
10. Geiom feat. Marita - Reminissin (Kode9 Remix) [Forthcoming Berkane Sol]
11. Jus Wan - Action Potential [Unreleased]
12. Martyn - General 73 [Unreleased]
13. Pangaea - You & I [Unreleased]
14. Spherix - Look Back [Unreleased]
15. Headhunter - Physics Impulse [Unreleased]
16. Burial - Pirates [Hyperdub]
17. Jus Wan - Affletic [Unreleased]
18. DLX - ??? (Breakage Remix) [Unreleased]
19. Unknown - Untitled [Unreleased]
20. Digital Mystikz - Misty Winter [Soul Jazz]
21. Ramadanman - Bidding War [Unreleased]
22. Sharmaji - Qalandar [Unreleased]
23. Martyn - Vancouver [Forthcoming 3024]
24. Appleblim & Geiom - Shreds [Unreleased]
25. Joe - Grimelight [Unreleased]
26. DJ Madd - In The Lounge [Unreleased]
27. Ramadanman - Untitled [Unreleased]
28. Instra:mental - Futurist [Unreleased]
29. Komonazmuk - Light [Terminal DUsk]
30. Unknown - At Dub [Unreleased]
31. Peverelist - Gather [Unreleased]
32. Burial - Exit Wounds [Hyperdub]
33. Distance - Fallen [Boka]
34. Cyrus - Banshi [Unreleased]
35. Gemmy - Back 2 Da Future [Unreleased]
36. Joker - 80s [Forthcoming Kapsize]
37. RSD - Prophecy [White]
38. Joker - Snake Eater [Unreleased]
39. Mala - Da Wrath (Souljahz VIP Mix) [DMZ]
40. Unknown - Murderah [Unreleased]


Martyn’s Rinse FM mix

Track list:

1. martyn - natural selection (3024)

2. slaughter mob - no snare (?)

3. skream - trapped in a dark bubble (?)

4. martyn - suburbia (applepips)

5. geiom - reminissin' kode9 remix (berkane sol)

6. trg - broken heart martyns dcm mix (hessle audio)

7. horsepower productions - hand of death (tempa)

8. benny - jahroel (?)

9. pantha du prince - florac juswan remix (tube)

10. martyn - vancouver (3024)

11. shut up and dance - epileptic martyns no strobe mix (suadrecs)


Martyn’s Fabric techno mix

Track list:

01. Omar-S - Untitled (FXHE)

02. Recloose - Soul Clap 2000 (Planet E)

03. Tikiman - Spend Some Time (Burial Mix)

04. Ripperton - On Falling (92 edit) (?)

05. Robert Owens - Bring Down the Talls (Trax)

06. Sonja Moonear - 99 Erikas (Karat)

07. Westpark Unit - Blaxrotation Suite mix (Farside records)

08. The Timewriter - Never Stop (Plastic City)

09. Roy Davis Jr. - My Soul is Electric (Large)

10. Ripperton - Tainted Words (Connaisseur)

11. Marc Schneider - Sniper Heat (Wasnotwas)

12. Theo Parrish – Can’t Take It

13. Agnes - Hi Murda (Perspectiv)

14. Ame - Basic Track (Innervisions)

15. Andomat 3000 & Jan - Entr'acte Music (Cadenza)

16. Andy Stott - Fear of Heights (Modern Love)

17. Common Factor - Get Down 3 (Playhouse)

18. DJ Minx - A Walk in the Park (Villalobos and Cassy remix) (Minus)

19. Frivolous - Sooo Savvy (Scape)

20. Guillaume & The Coutu Dumonts - Mederico (Oslo)

21. Jobim's Causin - Comerte (Cargo Edition)

22. Loco Dice - A Chico a Rhytmico (Cadenza)

23. Atjazz - For Real (Version mix) (Innervisions)

24. Cobblestone Jazz - India in Me (Wagon Repair)

25. Dennis Ferrer - Son of Raw (Loco Dice remix) (Objektivity)

26. Junior Boys - Like a Child (Carl Craig mix)

27. Kenneth Graham - Love Dialed In (Visage Recordings)

28. John Shananigans - Charles on the Dancefloor (Cynosure)

29. Ricardo Villalobos - Fizheuer Zieheuer pt 2 (Playhouse)

30. Maurizio - Domina edit (M)

31. Deadbeat - Abu Graib Reconfiguration (Scape)

32. Mike Shannon - Ghost Writer Blues (Cynosure)

33. Mark August - Old Joy (Connaisseur)

34. Sid le Rock - Naked (DJ Koze mix) (Cereal/Killer)

35. Matthew Dear - But for You (Ghostly)

36. St. Germain - Rose Rouge (Rhadoo edit)

37. October - Homo Sapiens (Caravan)

38. Pole - Duesseldorf (Mike Huckaby’s SYNTH remix) (scape)

39. Substance & Vainqueur - Surface (Scion Versions)

40. Beat Pharmacy & Tikiman - Hot Spot Splash (Deep Space Media)