Rory McPike is an artist who holds a special place in the core of Melbourne’s musical heart. His primary alias for the past 5 years, Rings Around Saturn, has been releasing sub loaded technotic synthesis with hints and glimpses of a 140 bpm’d dubstep track on the horizon — The horizon is here — Welcome.
Goose Step pays homage to the UKs 06-07 dubstep powerhouses with undeniable sound system power itself. Minimalistic on first listen, rude tune on the fourth. Goose Step is a piece we have been looking forward to pressing for a long time here on Modern Hypnosis. All this talk about dubstep, we almost forgot about the A side!!?!!
THX Assassin has more character than Merry and Pippin in LOTR. A hot piece of dub garage combining ultra pleasing sonics with clean percussion, articulated wubs and a halfway vibe check.
Both tracks mastered and cut by Beau Thomas @ Ten Eight Seven Mastering. 180g black 12” vinyl.
Minimal Afrika launch their self-titled imprint with The Kingdom, a collection of woozy house journeys that flows from the jackin' acid grooves of title track 'The Kingdom' to the spooky sci-fi tropical pads of 'Untitled'. While 'Ottombre' and 'Something About Greece' plunge into deeper, more chugging territory. Emanating strong, low-slung Detroit vibes.
Lightweights. This tune is not for you. This one is for those who can go hard. And go long. Otherwise you might not know what's hit you. An early 2000's anthem, the original version of Lightweight was a Total Science classic. Laced with TS trademarks, the track was a staple in every DJs set, rinsed in the clubs.
And now, it's been updated by the one and only Break. If you want to take an already big tune, and raise it to even another level, he's the man to go to; he's got form. And he's done it in style. Sticking faithfully to the original vibe, he brings this banger firmly into 2020, maintaining all the key elements and sonically updating it for the 21st century, but still keeping a class and subtlety to the proceedings. Hoovers, stabs, breaks and bass. It's all there. Hold tight for the four-four section in the breakdown though, you're not ready.
And to keep the vibe of the former CIA LTD releases from former years, the flip sees another remix paired alongside; coming from the newest wing of the Bristol Drum & Bass mafia, the Ill Truth boys are brought in to update a more modern-day CIA classic, Phaction and Leo Wood’s ‘I Have You’. Once again they show a maturity and class that belies their youthful and hairless visages, bringing the weight and the funk that Total Science always require.
a1. Total Science - Lightweight (Break Remix)
b1. Phaction - I Have You ft Leo Wood (Ill Truth Remix)
Some of these tracks date back to the Berlin days, but ended up being finished in The Hague. A sort of melancholic electro-disco trip with post-goth-punk-wave guitars and a guest appearance from AC Meadows. Super happy to have the first Maiovvi dance album out since 'Driftmusic' - The masters sound great and the test plates sound amazing.
Here comes the « Wonderland of Green Riddim » from Fruits Records’ studio band The 18th Parallel. This one is a super heavy rub a dub riddim played in the Roots Radics early 80’s traditional style. Double 7” single, the first record features the legendary Jamaican vocal trio from Studio One and Black Ark days, The Silvertones, singing the roots anthem « Wonderland of Green » and an extra killer dub mix by French wizard Westfinga on the B side. The second record features the big bad DJ Burro Banton with « Living In a Wonderland » and the instrumental version on the flip side. A must have double 7” single for all selecters!
Teffa makes a more than welcome return to Foundation Audio with the 'Advance EP' featuring four of his greatest productions to date! The more attentive dubstep connoisseurs amongst you might well recognise 'Advance' which has been doing the rounds for a hot minute now mashing up countless raves. The rest of the EP ain't no joke either.. pure FYAH from front to back! Love to Teffa each n every.
Released in 2012, the first ASC & Sam KDC collaborative LP - Decayed Society was part of the beginning of a stretching of each artists musical output. ASC had just released his debut Ambient LP for Canadian label Silent Season to a warm reception, and Sam KDC had commenced his ambient music journey on Auxiliary in 2011 with Marine Light and Symbol 3 so the stage was set.
To say it went well would be an understatement. 8 years later, after a large amount of CD’s sold and a recent vinyl press that quickly sold out the pair have reconvened and created a follow up.
Somewhat warmer than Decayed Society in subject matter and feel, A Restless Mind explores the depths of melancholy, providing a soundtrack to the minds transient drift. With their differing styles complimenting each other aptly, there is a sense of temperance from both that enables the hovering clouds of ambience and defining elements each has created to melt into each other and build a mesmerising motif that binds the entirety of the LP.
A Restless Mind is a soundtrack for contemplation and introspection, something we could all do with in 2020.
From the slamming science of “Ricochet,” through the jittery ghost-rave of “Survival” and the outer-space lover’s rock of “Dubbing You,” to the manic magic of “Finest Illusion,” this collection of early EPs by rave legends Foul Play tracks an astonishing evolution across barely more than a year. Some of the top tunes to come out of the hardcore > jungle > drum & bass journey? Yes, but also some of the most thrilling and gorgeous music of the entire ‘90s.
Simon Reynolds, author of Energy Flash: A Journey Through Rave Music and Dance Culture.
Re-mastered by Beau Thomas of Ten Eight Seven Mastering and re-issued for your aural pleasure. Don't sleep on this one!