CEDAR/BIOWIRE - Equinox/Karizma (GLR031)
reviewed by Casper

Originally debuted on Bukem's first Progression Sessions mix cd, these are two class tracks. Biowire's Karizma features some nicely cut apache along with a jazzy bassline and horn stabs which change nicely. Definite one for the dancefloor. Equinox by Cedar is more on the atmospheric side of things. A simple, yet effective, tune with sorrowful chords and a wicked bassline that drops nicely. Must have. Grade: A-

BLU MAR TEN - Everglades EP (GLREP004V)
reviewed by Casper

The North London duo known as Blu Mar Ten debuted less than three years ago. In that short period of time they have racked up too many classic after classic. Add their new double 12" on GLR to the list! This EP sounds like nothing else coming out at the moment and might take a few listens before the pure genius and originality behind it is to be comprehended. The title track, Everglades starts off with some wicked machine noises before sweeping pads, organic sounds, and innovative jazz-flavored beats come in. Oh yeah its in 7/4 signature so have fun mixing! Void-Field is an excellent track with a plethora of ever-changing sounds and highly complex breaks. Santur, featured on Progression Sessions 3, is the most dance floor friendly track on the EP and features a catchy jazz bassline and a plethora of "world" sounds. The last track Blush is almost devoid of any beats whatsoever. Absolutely gorgeous guitars and saxes form the foundation of this symphony. Definitely seek this EP out as its limited to 5,000 copies! Grade: A+

ALASKA + PARADOX - Planet3/Space-age (GLR030)
reviewed by Casper

Dev Pandya, who produces under a slew of different pseudonyms, deilvers this solid effort that is harder than your typical GLR release. Space-age is a nice roller with minimal atmospherics and some very complex and varied beats. Flip it over and you have a monster of a track in Planet3. A raw and very rough sounding amen is accompanied by haunting pads and female wails and "do it again" vocals. Not until halfway through does a nasty sub-bass come in. When it does, watch out for mayhem on the dancefloor! Grade: B+

SEBA - Valley of the Moomins/Car Crash (GLR029)
reviewed by Casper

The man from Stockholm returns with yet another wicked release. Valley of the Moomins is a laid back roller with chopped apache beats and a catchy hook that slowly but surely builds layer by layer. One of the best tracks of 1998. The flip, Car Crash, is one of the hardest Good Looking tracks to come out in some time. This one features an amen break that is cut up and filtered like mad. A dark jazz bassline along with eerie synths, Once again the production is second to none. Grade: A+

FUTURE ENGINEERS - Timeshift/Components (LGR022)
reviewed by Casper

Timeshift is a nice roller for the early morning. The minimal yet choppy breaks are very laid back and are joined with sublime sweeping synths and a continuous hook. Components, with its uplifting summer vibe, is my pick. Two-step beats drive this one which has an excellent and soulful vocoder voice which are later added to with a flute sounding instrument. Lee & Keir showing their more funky side. I really like this one. Grade: A-

KMC/RANTOUL - System/Too High (LGR023)
reviewed by Method One

I was always under the impression that System would never get released, but here it is. Unfortunately, by now it sounds a little dated - the musical elements are wonderful, but the minimal beats could use some beefing up (then again, i say this about almost every KMC release). Nontheless, a very pretty tune that is a worthwile addition to the arsenal. The flipside, Too High by Rantoul, is a nice little techno-inspired piece that sounds a little like Deep Blue with more layers and atmospheric elements. If you like your breakbeats with a real drum machine programmed feel, you will want this tune. Grade: B+

PHD - Haze/Contrast (GLR 033)
reviewed by Method One

PHD presents two new bits with nary an amen in sight. "Haze" is a mellow tune with an almost electro-jazz feel, featuring plenty of flutes and deep pads. The beats are very minimal in a very Justice-esque way. The music is great, but i wish the beats had more energy; as it is, it's a little too laid back for my tastes. The flipside, "Contrast", is my favorite of the two tracks, with a nice growly analog/808 bassline and multiple layers of synths, flutes and saxaphones. Very very nice, indeed. Grade: B+

ODYSSEY - Nextgen
reviewed by Blame

This is Odyssey taking his techno background to the fullest. Taken from the forthcoming 720 LP, Nextgen is a technical track fusing analogue stabs with on point drums. The pad sections seem to levitate over transparent beats cuts. Odyssey's trademark tight prodution is present as usual, making this one to watch out for.

New artist Plex makes his first outing for Blame’s label with these two storming cuts, bringing a harder edge to the deep, space-age 720 sound. With basslines to die for and enough beats to rattle the most reluctant dancefloors, these tunes are certain to turn up in DJ boxes across the d&b spectrum. Prepare for impact...

NEW EPISODE
Edgy hi hats and echoing synth stabs initiate breakneck beats laden with jittery, brittle percussion. A drone-like low frequency swell slowly builds - before bursting into a tearing cyber bassline fit for devastating every dancefloor in its path. A well-timed break is the lull in the storm, before machine gun snares herald the return of this high-octane, aerodynamic groove, whilst sophisticated, spaced-out keys and atmospherics form an otherwordly backdrop. Pyrotechnics are guaranteed - an absolutely stunning debut.

SPEEDFREAK
Plex takes it deep for the flipside, ushering in the vibe with filtered retro synths and metallic fx. Impenetrable beats frame future-electro bleeps, whilst stabs of keys low in the mix add a warm, neo-jazz element. Meanwhile an acid bassline creeps in, fusing with the beats to complete a low down, hard-edged groove, soon to be overlaid by a robotic synth hook. Subtle, minimal use of vocal and the continuous filtering of the bassline make this a synapse-stimulating tune with enough clout to cause some serious seismic shifts. Not for the faint-minded...

Adding yet another dimension to the 720 sound, experienced producer Seba contributes this stunning EP of far-edge, mind-bending drum & bass. ‘Unrevealed Stories’, a dancefloor classic, is here in its original form and remixed expertly by Blame – together with the sonic depths of ‘Vector:_Reload’ and the aural chemistry of ‘Sneakin’. An innovative addition to the future-bound 720 repertoire.

UNREVEALED STORIES ( BLAME REMIX )
Keeping the original eerie vibe – and the original drums – Blame takes Unrevealed Stories to a new level with subtly different atmospherics and a tough, futuristic bassline cleverly offsetting the original layers of warm strings. Occasional twists in the rhythm complete a remix which is cleverly minimal but nevertheless makes this classic tune into a bang up-to-the-minute dancefloor gem.

VECTOR:_RELOAD
Rich synths and sumptuous sub-aquatic bass usher in a heavy, future-funk groove, peppered with sharp, jagged percussion and robotic kick drums. Subtle echoing fx reinforce the deep space feel, whilst lush pads maintain a substantial, darkly soulful texture. With floor-shaking low frequencies all round, this is a solid tune set to cause tremors in a ground near you…

SNEAKIN
Showing off Seba’s producing ingenuity perfectly, Sneakin’ is a journey through a soundscape full of sonic twists and turns. Painting a spectral, otherwordly picture with the initial fx, Sneakin’ kicks off with a twisted rhythm soon joined by an irresistably hypnotic bassline. Overlaying this technoid groove is an addictive electro riff, complemented by ethereal synth washes and ambient layers. Together with a breakdown of wickedly distorted bass and filtered treble screeches, this is a tune overflowing with reactive elements. A lesson in drum & bass alchemy.

UNREVEALED STORIES
Having been a sure-fire winner in Blame’s sets for over two years, the original ‘Unrevealed Stories’ finally sees the light of day. A slightly discordant, unearthly vibe ushers in the tune, setting the scene before the arrival of the unique drum pattern responsible for many a dancefloor firework and then some. Fusing with this kick drum explosion is a stark, perfectly formed bassline, powerful waves of strings and sonic stabs, combining to create an intense and inventive tune packing a mean punch. An underground classic, and for good reason.