UK Garage / 2 Step Recommendations September 2011

Review: Upon emerging with the Romy xx embellished "Days", NYC duo Creep were swiftly tucked into the nascent witch house movement by eager journalists. Whilst the latter genre seems to have run its natural course (despite certain grave wave nights continuing in the more ironic corners of London) Creep have now positioned themselves as purveyors of contemporary trip hop. Aside from providing ammunition for the requisite revival article in the Guardian, "Days" is given a new lease of life via this clutch of remixes that sit either side of a twelve inch housed in a typically attractive sleeve from Young Turks. Trouble & Bass' rockabilly obsessive Drop The Lime turns in a ferociously percussive remix that reins in some of the bass excesses he's known for. On the flip Soul Clap seem inspired by the band name, revealing a stodgy concoction of rolling rhythms, guttural bass and spectral tones, whilst John Roberts flexes his orchestral leanings on a sweeping expansive effort notable for typically intricate drum programming.

Review: Tom 'Toddla T' Bell has enjoyed a rapid rise to the higher echelons of dance music thanks to a robust sound rooted in the twin attractions of dancehall and B-more. For this second album for Ninja Tune, he seems hell bent on proving his eclectic credentials. With deviations into piano-laden, breakbeat-driven house, murky R&B, post dubstep-pop and Prince-ish sexfunk, plus collaborations with Roisin Murphy, Roots Manuva and Shola Ama, Watch Me Dance comes on like a contemporary take on Basement Jaxx - albeit with a distinct Sheffield twist (listen out for nods to Steel City bleep techno, Moloko and long-forgotten beat manglers the All Seeing I).