Single
Natasha Bedingfield
(Delinquent Remixes)

After months (literally!) of being caned on pirates and 1Xtra by the top rankers, Britain's latest top of the pops export finally gets into
the greedy hands of the DJs. Daniel's little sister, Natasha, merges her ear pleasing vocals with Delinquents' trademark bumpy beats and steppy basslines to turn "Single" into a floor-filler. This one will have even the most jaded raver on their feet. But it's really all about the tunes on the flip - a vox and dub mix of a presently unknown male voice. While the vox is all sunshine and happiness, the dub is dark with big bad bass swells - both guaranteed to smash up the dance.

DEEPSIX

We Belong Together
(Juicy Joints/Mask Mixes)
Juicy Joints

Another one for all you Booty Pimps out there, the Juicy Joints squad brings the heaviness with two 4x4 mixes of Mariah Carey's hit "We Belong Together". Skippy percussive beats and a wicked bassline triplet run are the highlights of the aggressive Juicy Joints mix, while the Mask mix focuses on more melodic elements and a walking bassline to better compliment Ms. Carey's most capable vocal chords. One for the ladies without a doubt.

DEEPSIX

Love Hurts
Sirens Feauring ODB
(Wookie Remixes)

Is this House? Is this Garage? When it's this good, who really cares? Wookie is on the buttons once again, proving just how damn good he is. Wookie's chord work evokes motion and draw out the essence of the Sirens' vocals while ODB adds just the right amount of funk to it. A rolling tribal bassline and brilliant percussion underpin this in fine Wookie fashion. The dub is more of an instrumental, but who's complaining. Not I! When Wookie keeps serving up hot platters like this, it can only leave us starving DJs hungry for more.

DEEPSIX

No More
Ed Case Present
K1ller Instinct

Ed is back on the case, after a hiatus. A few releases later, and Mr. Case seems to have hit his stride again. "No More" has two 4x4 mixes with silky vocals at the forefront of both. The A-side features smoother beats, sustained basslines and piano runs, while the B-side is all about the pumping bassline and organ and marimba hits. For me, the B-side wins the toss. Quality release.

DEEPSIX

Body Language
Wideboys & MJ Cole ft. Vula
Garage Jams

More and more, we're being treated to producer collaborations. The magic that occurs when top musical minds meet is usually awe inspiring and this is no difference. While MJ's mix is the standout of this quality release - it's a welcome throwback to the days of "Sincere" and "Crazy Love" - combining the streetwise breakbeat patterns with swirling and heavily processed vocals, there's a mix to fit all seasons. All based around Vula's luscious vocals, we are treated to 5 mixes ranging from the original mix complete with disco strings to MJ's 2-step lick, and - on the flip - from the stomping 4/4 speed garage mix, to the delightfully quirky Waltz mix, to the smooth soul of the Acoustic remix. Something for everyone on your gift list.

DEEPSIX

Pirate Selectas Volume 1
Wideboys
Garage Jams

From the second the bassline of the electro tinged "Swing Yo Body" (2-step mix) drops, you know you're in for something special. "Pirate Selectas" is a feature presentation of the b-boy brilliance that the Wideboys bring when they step up to the decks. "Tip Toe The Raver" gives us smile-inducing offkey ravetastik synth lines, while "Beyond the Duty of Funk" (comes in both 2-step and 4x4 varieties) lays out horns riffs and robotized vocals that Parliament would be proud to call their own over shimmering breakbeats. "Let Ya Fingaz Do The Talking" and "In 2 Deep" are two of the mellower cuts, but still have that trademark Wideboys appeal. The 4x4 mix of Swing Yo Body is bumpiness defined, complete with off key marimba bassline and stonking horn stabs. Finally, to complete the package, "Bunsen Burner" drops weighty bassline pressure with a growling vengence and infectious vocal stabs. Everything you'd expect from the duo that gave us "Stand & Deliver" and "Freak Like Me". And more.

DEEPSIX

What We Do
Kray Twinz  featuring Twista, Lethal B & Gappy Ranks

Much props to the Kray Twinz, who have been collaborating with artists from both sides of the pond for a while, for bringing together 3 unique artists and creating a dope cross continent grime track. Twista takes the lead verse and also provides the catchy hook while Lethal B and Gappy Ranks each handle duties on the 2nd and 3rd verse, respectively. The Kray Twinz mix of the track is easy enough for casual American listeners to get into and fresh enough for even the hardcore Grime heads to get into. On the flip side of the 12” is the Low Deep remix that features the popular “Straight Flush” beat as well as Low Deep on the mic.

MEGATRON

State Your Name
Essentials f/ J2K & Hypa Fen/Phonix

Although it might come off as a cover of the Ruff Ryder’s tune “WW3” this one sounds more gothic and futuristic than the “WW3” track. There’s something about the use of the violin samples that gives the track that apocalyptic vibe to where the song, as stated by Jendor in the intro of the song, does sound like its from the year 3005. The main track features verses from guest MC’s J2K and Dynasty (Hypa Fen &  Masterphonix) alongside Essentials MC’s K.Dot and Jendor with Remerdee introducing each MC before their verses. There is also an all Essentials crew MC mix as well as 2 versions of the instrumental. One of the instrumental is a modified version of the original track that gets chopped up a bit while the other is the original beat that includes the hook provided by Remerdee. This is most definitely a quality release from one of the best crews coming out of the Grime scene at the moment.

MEGATRON

 
Run The Road Sampler
Various Artists
679 Recordings

2 superb tracks ready to once again let the world know who exactly are running the roads on the Grime tip. The first track, brought to us by super hot producer Low Deep, is “Get Set” featuring MC’s Kano, Ghetto, Demon, Doctor and Big Seac. Low Deep brings a much larger than life and very well produced beat that brings out the best of all the MCs  on “Get Set” and is the perfect introduction to the new Run the Road 2 compilation. The b-side features the remix to the popular JME track “Serious” which starts with the original first half of the song and switches to a brand new beat and lyrics about folks who need to get their priorities in life straight. The most notable line by JME on this track has to be, “You’re a wasteman if your 29/ And your still posing by a road sign/ You need to think about your lifetime/ Before you hit 40 with your shank and your nine” which lets people know that life needs to be taken more serious.

MEGATRON 

Change Formation/Victory/ Blazer
D’Explicit
DXP Recordings

Hot 12” coming from the producer who brought us the “Forward” riddim. At the drop of the needle D’explicit’s production means serious business and the first track “Change Formation (Hench 2)” crushes anything in its path. Built like a tank, this riddim has military drum taps and sounds of bullet casings falling to the floor, providing an atmosphere of all out war on the dance floor as well as on the mic for the MCs. The other tracks include “Victory” , a mix between Street Fighter II sound bytes and  “Blazer”, which happens to sound similar to “Change Formation” but differs in its own way. Most of the tracks tend to become repetitive but when it comes down to it these tracks are built for the dance floor and the energy alone makes up for the lack of variation.

MEGATRON