Marking the debut full length from UK producer Julian Liberator, True Defective is a genuinely eclectic collection that showcases his love for diverse electronic dance music. From electro-tinged cuts like “Love”, and the jacking flavor of “Bootsys’ Daps”, to big room jams like “Saturday Night…” and the HOT Lipps Inc. sampled “Funky Town”, Julian covers all the bases and shows his production chops. Not every track is a success, but there are a couple of real gems here that make this an LP worthy of your attention.***(3 of 5)
Murder Was The Bass (Umek and Paco Osuna Remixes) – DK8 – DK (SE)
Two more storming remixes from one of last year’s biggest tracks. This time, the remixed duties are handled by Slovenian techno god, Umek and Spain’s finest, Paco Osuna. Umek is up first with a straight for the jugular drum track, complete with driving percussion, relentless energy and nice use of that massive DK8 bassline. Mr. Osuna takes a more subdued approach; layering tribal flavored drums (including some interesting triplet hits) over dark, muddy synth stabs. Both mixes will find their place into different sets and moods and will appeal to a wide variety of techno and tech house jocks. ****(4 of 5)
Its In Your Memory – Tomie Nevada – Memory Lane (DE)
The Fifth installment in the Memory Lane story once again find Tomie Nevada at the controls, further polishing his impressive production resume. Three tracks of smooth, soulful, funktified tech house magic. From the opening note to the last, the basslines are chunky, the beats and moving and the energy is steady and building. No track names here, but no matter. Simply drop the needle where it lands and you are sure to come up trumps.
****(4 of 5)
Crusin’ EP – The Shift – Blunted Funk Recordings (US)
The fifth release for Brooklyn based, Blunted Funk finds Scotty B and the boys doing that funky, soulful house thing that they do so well. The “Original Mix”, features a simple, groovy deep house rhythm track complete with sexy bassline, vocal stabs and the freestyling of talented saxophonist, Mike DeVellis. Side B begins with a “John Larner Remix”, complete with booty shaking, body rocking groove complete with funktified beats that transform this into a peak hour, house slayer. Closing things out is the utterly amazing, “Tempas Exotica Remix” which takes things in a decidedly more laid back, smooth direction. With deep keys, subtle beats and a ton of late night potential, this is a fitting conclusion to yet another Blunted Funk release.
****(4 of 5)
Out of Breath – Roni Size featuring Rahzel – V Recordings (US)
Bristol Drum and Bass master, Roni Size is back with the first single from his forthcoming “Return to V” full length. Featuring human beatbox extraordinaire Rahzel, Size brings his to bear funky percussive rhythms, vocal stabs and a hot to death bassline on this smoking production. The flip, “Bump and Grind” brings together to MC stylings of Sweetpea and another body rocking, foundation shaking groove. Nice prelude to what promises to be an exceptional new album from Mr. Size. ***(3 of 5)