Dubstep Recommendations August 2010

Review: Elusive North London producer Joe emerged last year with the incredible sounds of "Grimelight/Rut" on the famed Hessle Audio label, and now is ready to bring us his second 12" on Appleblim's Apple Pips imprint. Crackling into the audible range with delicately tapping breaks, bongo-thumping beats and soothing sonorous atmospherics, "Untitled" is a touching and melodic exploration into an inner musical consciousness. It's percussive and tribal, with distinct inklings of fellow Hesslers Ramadanman and Pangaea in the rumbling bass and stripped back grooves of the piece. "Digest", on the flipside, immediately snaps into action, with sizzling synths, woodblock beats and abrasive chords capturing the attention and imagination from the off. Strangely, subtly captivating, it's another finely crafted piece from a highly skilled producer. One thing's for sure- he's not your average Joe.

Review: Kode9, Actress and Martyn: it's the ultimate forward leaning electronica menage a trois isn't it? "You Don't Wash", which featured on Hyperdub boss Kode9's recent DJ-Kicks mix, gets a 12" release here on !K7 Records. First up is the flying Dutchman Martyn, whose remix showcases his inimitable brand of shuffling, raw percussion and rumbling bass, while Spaceape's vocals are chopped and rearranged to jostle with some intriguingly tense strings. Werk Discs chief Actress, the producer of one of 2010's best albums, turns the original into a warped Latin-tinged hip shaker with jingling, out of phase chimes and whistles.

Review: Dub Police launch a new 12" series of tracks culled from their Scion compilation with two label mainstays at the helm. Caspa takes over side A with "Ready Eddie" the sort of aggressive floor slaying thumper that has made the London producer so popular. On the flip "Critical Hit" allows Midlander Emalkay another opportunity with extra terrestrial textures slotted between shuddering bass lines and juggernaut drums.

Review: St Petersburg dubsteppers Giant make a welcome return to H.E.N.C.H. with two speaker shattering mid range tear outs. The sub bass crunch and squeaking synth stabs on "Herbert" achieve a fine balance of thump and dancefloor friendliness with the cartoon samples a nice touch. On the flip "Collins Booster" squeezes rave keys and vocals through a grinding dubstep rhythm which builds towards a mammoth drop.