The thirteenth release for Trace’s DSCI4 label, Hungarian stalwarts SKC + Chris.Su team up to deliver a fine single. The a-side “Blastah” starts things off with haunting delayed stabs and a nice steppy drum break and breaks into a nasty dance floor tune. Flip over for “Struggle,” set forth with an eerie mood and layered breaks. Layers build using atmospherics, congas and piano keys, giving way for a dark and distorted bass line. Both sides will work their way into many Djs’ sets.
10:57 PM_ ransom
Optiv - “Geiger / Outside World” - Random Recordings
Cause 4 Concern’s Optiv continues to build up his solo discography, offering a fresh single on the Random Recordings label out of New Zealand. Starting with a tense intro replete with dark textures and a faint female vocal, “Geiger” rolls out with a twisted bass that plays off staccato stabs. “Outside World” is reminiscent of Optiv’s recent work with NZ’s Bulletproof outfit, and is another tech roller with just the right drop outs, reece stabs and drum fills to keep things moving.
10:58 PM_ ransom
Calyx - 'Dark Nights' EP - Metalheaddz
Calyx returns with his sophomore effort for the legendary Metalheadz label, weighing in with four solid tunes. The title “Dark Nights” is a collaboration with Dj Kontrol, a harkening to the dark sound on Metalheadz circa 96-98, but with Calyx’s current production techniques. Calyx teams up with OB1 on “Head Hunter,” and brings together a male vocal with low stabs and an acid arpeggiatior pattern. The final two tracks are solo efforts, the epic “Inner Distance” and “Fear This,” both in line with the overall sound of this EP. Expect to hear more of Calyx later in 2004.
10:59 PM_ ransom
1/30/2004
Gridlok / Think Tank - "Malfunction / Space Robot Man" - Project 51
Third release on Project 51 label is a split single between label owner Gridlok, and the newly formed Think Tank. Gridlok’s “Malfunction” is another finely crafted dark and funky number, with well placed change ups, horns, cinematic strings, and catchy effects. Think Tank is a new production project by former members of South Florida’s ICBM, who have more releases lined up for a range of labels. Not only a light hearted name, “Space Robot Man” is dubbed out minimal drum’n’bass, with an infectious bass line.
An interesting single from a label foreign to most drum’n’bass listeners, with two interpretations on Dumonde’s “Human.” Austria’s D.Kay + Rawfull form Ill.Skillz, and over the past year or so have produced several singles that appeal to the different factions of drum’n’bass fans. Their remix is an epic piece that has been ripping dance floors the past several months, making heavy use of the original’s vocal and keeping the trance influence apparent. Flip over for the Resonant Evil trio’s dark and bouncing take, which has a more menacing feel.
10:51 PM_ ransom
Klute - "Growl / Lost Connection" - Commercial Suicide
Commercial Suicide label head Klute features on the 14th single, and first release for the label in 2004. “Lost Connection” intros with a slow arpeggiated synth line and layered breaks, and eases into a nice bassline that could help work this tune into many different Djs’ sets. “Growl” is a beast of a flip, using more layered breaks. The first breakdown is tense dialog that builds into a rabid bass work out.
