UK Garage / 2 Step Recommendations August 2011

Review: The legend that is Seiji continues his self titled series of essential drops on his own label, with round four packing just as much funky punch as previous outings. "No Other" glides across the A Side with the killer vocal hook driven by bubbling marimba lines and twisting synth deviations whilst the slick drum programming provides the requisite rhythmic kick. On the flip "Easy" provides a more intricate arrangement, with devilishly layered snapping snares filling the gaps between a bouncing neon bassline that takes four left turns in impressive rhythmic fashion. Much more reliant on builds and drops, "Easy" is the real gem here!

Review: Lesser spotted Night Slugs alumni Jam City offers an auspicious insight into what we might expect from his often hinted at debut album on the startling Waterworx EP. It's likely you will already have a taste for the three tracks here after snippets appeared unannounced on the NS Soundcloud, however those 90 second samples don't fully hint at the magic on display here! "Aquabox" shoots muscular stabs of bass and neon flourishes skywards over a stumbling steppahs rhythm, pausing briefly to let the crystalline jah infused undercurrents shine. On the flip, "Countess" sits alongside the recent John Roberts remix of George Fitzgerald in the "what do we even call it" stakes - if there ever was a track to definitely silence the wanton genre givers it would be this - with a tight strutting bruk riddim subjected to a schizophrenic array of snaking arpeggios and vocal squeals. "Barely A Trak" is really where those snippets don't reveal Jam City's brilliance, combining the rising pressure of the synth ripples with simmering stop start grime patterns before a genius left turn lends the track a utopian finish.

Review: Given his prolific rise over the last couple of years, it's little surprise to find Roska at the controls of the latest Rinse mix CD. His heavy, floor-friendly take on the current UK underground - a signature sound influenced by broken beat, UK funky, dubstep, classic house and tropical rhythms - is perfectly suited to the former pirate radio station. Furthermore his fast and furious mixing style keeps his sets entertaining, and on this mix, he simply charges through tracks, balancing bangers from T Williams, Redlight, Seiji, Zinc and Magnetic Man with a healthy smattering of his own remixes and productions - and, of course, that pesky "Roska! Roska!" trademark vocal sample.