MUSIC REVIEWS
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| Forensics Exile EP (Digital Sin) |
DLX/Breakage Matter of Fact (SMOG) |
Djunya/DJG & Antiserum NarcoHz 012 |
Cocoa Tea Yes We Can (Roaring Lion) |
MATTY G Take You Back (Argon) |
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| The Bug London Zoo (Ninja Tune) |
DZ A1 - Old Timers A2 - Eardrumz (Black Acre) |
Alborosie Soul Pirate (Forward Recordings) |
B.A.D. VOLUME 2
(Full Melt)
16 tracks that bubble and step and drop some serious low low sounds."
Last year the world got a taste of the foggy Bay Area’s choice cuts from some of the best and brightest Dubstep producers. The comp Bay Area Dubstep Volume 1, presented 14 tracks by such varied artist as JuJu, Matty G, Eskmo and earlier tracks from Roommate to name a few.
I remember when DJ Ripple from Full Melt Recordings was compiling Volume 1, he was so excited to show the world all the diverse producers. It’s a fact, that San Francisco Bay area has more established Dubstep producers, than anywhere else in the United States. I don’t know if it’s the fog or the greenery, but there is
something happening here, that no one can deny.
BAD Vol. 2 was released in September via digital download and soon will be out on CD. Again Ripple told me he really tried to place each track so the whole comp can be listened to as one cohesive audio story. I had heard many of these tracks in DJ sets and on mp3 sent to me. To hear them mastered by Precise and experience them again in all their audio glory was like a bright sunny day, which, if you live in the Bay Area, you know is a rare thing.
This time we have 16 tracks that bubble and step and drop some serious low low sounds. Full Melt comes through again with a compilation that presents a wide picture of the many styles alive in the Bay. Djunya’s track - Tip Tap Toez opens the comp, with a stepping, grimey, crucial groove. Rambo Style by Antiserum is one of my favorites. The tongue in cheek vocal hook tells the listener the bass is big, it’s going to blast you and take no prisoners, just like John Rambo. Blackheart’s Airbag is a tight compositions of dub tinged electronics assembled for forward thinking dancers. Many notable tracks by DJG, Dubsworth, The Spit Brothers, Matty G, Roommate and many more producers.
BAD volume 2 is for lovers of Dubstep and music in general. From beginning to end it has something for everyone. Moaners complain that the Dub is gone from Dubstep, too much wobble not enough soul. I am delighted to report its alive and well and living in the Bay Area and being echoed nation wide.
Full Melt Recordings established itself as a forward-thinking and supportive outlet for Dubstep and Grime artists through a history of epic San Francisco events. The label was created in 2006 at a time when the sound of “Bay Area” Sublow music was establishing itself on the international circuit. Currently, the influence of Full Melt can be felt internationally, with DJ’s like N-Type, Plastician, Rusko and Skream rinsing the tunes worldwide.
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