Various ‎– 5 Years Of Hyperdub

Being the first one alphanumerically, it’s kind of difficult to skip a compilation celebrating the fifth anniversary of one of the most influential labels of dubstep – Hyperdub. Across two discs and 32 tracks, the owner of the label, Steve Goodman, aka Kode9, compiles many of the past 12″ and some unreleased tracks in a variety of genres, such as dub, garage, grime, dancehall, house, and of course dubstep. Here are more than just a few stylistic pioneers like Burial, The Bug, Flying Lotus, Martyn, Rustie, Zomby, King Midas Sound, Joker and of course Kode9 himself. The first disc contains all new material from the label, while the second disc includes the highlights and the essentials of the last five years. More than just a collector’s release, this double-disc unmixed marker in time, simply titled 5 Years of Hyperdub, is an essential addition for any serious bass head.

A thoroughly comprehensive selection from Hyperdub's first five years. 32 tracks that catalogue the label from it's ambitious initial steps into the world of dubstep, right up to their equally enjoyable current activity.

Fans of the labels earliest output will be pleased to see that Kode9, The Spaceape and Burial represent on nine of the tracks. Even more pleasing is how tracks like 'Fukkaz' and 'South London Boroughs' still sound so fresh and raw after all this time.

However fans looking for newer material will be equally delighted with what is on offer here.

Samiyam, Joker, Ikonika, Zomby, LV, Darkstar and Quarta 330 all chip in with two tunes each. It’s impossible to compare such artists, but rest assured, they contribute their very best to this album.

Industry heavyweights such as Cooly G, Flying Lotus, Mala, Martyn (who is doing Fabric 50 – you heard it here first), King Midas Sound (Kode9’s new project) and The Bug also put tunes forward toward this album.

My personal highlight is ‘You Don’t Know What Love Is’ by 2000F & J Kamata. It’s almost impossible to compare with anything else I’ve ever heard. Dubstep mixed with vocoders and over-charged eighties synth sounds. There’s no other way to describe it – it sounds like a terrible mix but I’m not the first person to say that it’s the most glorious tune you’ll hear all year.

Essentially, if you haven’t heard of Hyperdub before, now is your chance to experience what you’ve been missing. If you have, then this album still has a lot to offer you.