Kranky & Lethal – Poltergiest EP – Anomoly Digital
Australia’s Anomaly Records have been steadily churning out some of the most consistently good quality FJ since their inception a few years ago. It’s been a real pleasure watching them grow as the scene has mutated from J-Tek to what it is now, which is a genre that is about to go worldwide in a big, big way. This, their 15th release, comes via Lethal, one of the best producers the scene has at present. Title track ‘Poltergiest’ is full of ultra crisp drum edits and warbling, twisted synth scrunches that wouldn’t be out of place in the baddest of dubstep tracks. B-side ‘Feel’ sees the rise of the piano riff and saw wave combination last seen on a dance floor somewhere in 1992, slightly up-tempo and with a lovely bank of familiar but welcomed samples that makes me wanna reminisce somewhat. A great release from this strong Australian outfit.
E Lab Rat – 3 Bad Rats (Back to the Lab Remixes) – Warehouse Wax
Five extremely strong remixes on this EP from DJ Vinyljunkie’s digital only imprint, Warehouse Wax. Radiokillaz come hard with an ear battering, Amen driven ultra old skool tinged version of Rat Hustle! These lads are on fire at present, and really know how to bring the noise. Young Yorkshire-man Kieran M delivers a pulsing, stabbing breaks influenced bouncing rendition of the Head in full RMX and radio edit versions, Ben Venom gives us a brilliantly engineered breaks mix with tech house undertones and plenty of sonic wobble on 3 Bad Rats and Coventry based producer Electrux gives us his take on Ambitious, which is like a semi step dubstep cainer. All in all a top release.
DEFY – Respect is Due – TCR
While in my opinion the title track on this release doesn’t really have a place in the 140 bracket, or its subsequent remixes for that matter, it does have a real gem tucked away in there in the likes of ‘Respect Is Due’, and very laid back but equally beautiful breakbeat chugger that has a wild, bass bin busting (and there are some very deep frequencies on this, trust) which reminds me of early ‘Shades of Rhythm’ in a way. I can really see this track finding favour with DJ’s and ravers alike over time, it sure deserves to. I love this track!
Raggamuffin Fever - INSa 241 & Dawnwing - (Compilation Release)
While not strictly a single release as such, this reggae bathed beauty features on the forthcoming Hardcore Energy 10 long player, and as we strive to support the fledgling 140/Future Jungle scene to its full fruition this gorgeous track is well worth a mention. Produced by Jersey based (take a look at the artists and labels in this review section and tell me this baby isn’t going worldwide!). With some good scratching, something used regularly in days gone by and also something seemingly being resurrected by the Future Jungle kru and breathy female vocals on top, this track is on point. Check it out!
