Following an earth-rattling release from Gramz, the Crucial Recordings imprint returns to administer generous doses of its characteristically standard-setting and ever-expanding sonic offerings with CRUCIAL020. Standing as the second compilation release from the label, CRUCIAL020 features the stylings of new Crucial family members TMSV and Van Dam as well as tracks from some of its longer standing lineage Causa, Opus and label-head Sleeper. The highly prolific and bass-centric label has build themselves a resounding reputation within the underground scene for pushing their unprecedented mission for delivering multifaceted and boundary shattering bass music, with CRUCIAL020 proving as the newest groundbreaking addition to their vision.
Introducing the unorthodox and infectious 020 compilation are Crucial newcomers TMSV and Van Dam with their collaboration entitled “Qanun Fodder,” oozing with musical aptitude, raw baseline energy and a rugged aesthetic. Mixing organic and electronic elements, “Qanun Fodder” boasts a sub-powered, percussive-rich personality not confined by one specific genre. Causa continues to unlatch the release with “Are We,” a highly original dancefloor detonator that boasts strong roots in dubstep’s foundational sound. While “Are We” delivers proper traditionally meditative sound system might, it doesn’t shy away from delivering a fresh and dark perspective that strives for innovation. Standing as a climax to CRUCIAL020 is labelhead Sleeper’s “Ginger Root.” Wielding an infectious melody and impossibly heavy sub bass presence, “Ginger Root” showcases Sleeper’s years of technical and creative prowess coupled with his irreplicable knack for exploration and freshness. Culminating CRUCIAL020 is Opus’s “People,” laden with his signature percussion and dynamic melodic heat, echoing the producer’s history as a classically trained musician. Confined within its four rousing tracks, CRUCIAL020 is bursting at the seams with weighty and innovative beats that abandon all stylistic expectations with its addictive, future-facing grooves.
Following his two-track, debut vinyl release with Youngsta’s Sentry Release, on top of a slew of prior, hard-hitting free downloads, Gramz makes his official introduction into the Crucial Recordings family. Taking a hard left turn into the more aggressive, distorted and experimental territory of the dubstep genre, Gramz’s well-crafted output is known best for infusing dance floors with undeniable attitude and furious energy. With a heavy emphasis on flowing hip-hop beats and an inherent drive for forward-facing sound design, Gramz constantly sports an innovative, assaulting swag that can’t be matched or duplicated. Offering an unconventional yet highly welcomed addition to bass music’s overall perspective, Gramz entices listeners with detuned and distorted textures, loose drums, unfamiliar bassweight structures, bouncing grooves and weighty sub pressure.
Standing as the introduction to Gramz’s Crucial release Joken/Get Them Bags (CRUCIAL019), “Joken” slowly and unassumingly unfolds with a mushroom cloud of bass and swaying beats. However, the sonic tides change in an instant as the tune silences and then quickly escalates by unleashing a fit of true sound system damage led by seething midrange might. A true dance floor detinator. CRUCIAL019’s b-side “Get Them Bags” utilizes the impact of clever vocal work, low frequencies and sparse yet effective instrumentation to convey sophisticated, low frequency conviction. Offering itself a refreshing culmination to the release, “Get Them Bags” proves the genuine power of intelligent restraint and an understated approach to bass music production.
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