Swamp81 x 502 Recordings at Cable

We Fear Silence presents Swamp81 at Cable on the 23rd April, and the night they have in store promises to match the quality of the label's recent releases. Loefah's Swamp81 imprint has gone from strength to strength over the past few months, with killer 12" releases from Pinch, Boddika, Addison Groove, and most recently FaltyDL. And, of course, there's the small matter of the signing of 'Sicko Cell/Knock Knock' for the label's 14th release. The night at Cable is a sign of the growing Swamp brand.

Swamp81 will head up the main room, with a line-up that will bring many to tears. Shortstuff and Reecha will warm the crowd, building for the arrival of Ben UFO, FaltyDL and Boddika. Joy O will then provide his wonderful blend of the blissful and the bastard, with an exclusive 2 hour mix from head honcho Loefah in the midst of this talent. Excellent.

If that wasn't enough, room two will be hosted by the increasingly reputable 502 Recordings. Oneman's imprint has two 12"s in it's back catalogue to date, from Fis-T and Jay Weed respectively, with a huge 12" from newcomer Teeth to be released very soon. 502 will be displaying it's array of talent, with the brilliant Visionist, Fis-T, Jay Weed and Teeth all playing in the second room. Oneman will also be contributing another of his revered sets with the help of everyones favourite MC Asbo.

23.04.11. 10pm-6am. £9 advance tickets/£12 OTD. Attendance is vital.

Scb - 'Loss/Future Unknown' (AUS1132)

Scb - 'Loss/Future Unknown'

Paul Rose (aka Scuba/Scb) brings the heat with a new 12" for the Aus Music imprint. The Hotflush head honcho adopts his techno alias for this 12", which delves deeper into house/tech territory. Rose particularly explores a house sound which breaks the tech mold of his previous efforts, falling in line with recent works by the likes of Joy O, whom released his latest 12" on Rose's imprint last month.

The highlight here is undoubtedly 'Loss', the more house flexed track of the two. Rolling at 125bpm, the track is a smooth emotional house number which indicates another dimension to Rose's talent in production. A solid four to the floor beat drives, with alternating handclaps incorporated after the track's opening. After the 1 minute introduction, cut vocal samples rise beautifully in tandem with a repetitive low slung chord arrangement and uplifting synth melodies. It's pure bliss during the break, as wailing vocal samples and wonderful synth chords come to the fore. The structured rhythm soon grounds the track once again, returning to the track it's dance floor sensibilities alongside a deep chord melody. Emotional deep house.

'Future Unknown' is more aligned to Scb's past work, a steady tech/house track which steadily works its way to fruition. A fast tempo structured 4x4 beat hits away, whilst a repetitive dub-chord melody which acts as the heart of the track, central to all its development. The 7 minute track is a patient builder, one slowly progresses and alters its percussive arrangements. A very solid b-side to the excellent 'Loss', one which finds its beauty in soft synths towards the track's end. Quality 12" from Rose.

Boddika & Joy O - 'Swims'

Boddika & Joy O - 'Swims'

As far as collaborations go, this may well be one of the most exciting I've come across. Boddika (aka Alex Green) is making his mark as with his solo material, flourishing under the guidance of Non+ Plus and Swamp81 with driving drum machine arrangements and crippling acid synths, a sound purely his own. As for Peter O'Grady (aka Joy Orbison), everything the man touches turns to gold. An impeccable back catalogue is met with numerous unreleased killers, and his recent turn to house infused production has proved particularly promising, with tracks 'Wade In' and 'Ellipsis' further cementing his growing reputation as one of the best producer's around. Work between the two can only provide good results.

Aired on Oneman and Loefah's Rinse FM cover show on Wednesday, 'Swims' is the product of Boddika and Joy O's collaboration. It is instantly recognisable as a sound that the two have refined. A driving 4x4 beat is firmly set, with hi-hats tentatively rising after every second pounding beat. The rhythm is soon accompanied by a wonderful acid chord arrangement that acts as Boddika's signature, with a quick fire vocal typical of both artists' sound, falling neatly alongside the dynamic beat and energetic chords. The result is a simply excellent collaboration, clearly evincing elements of Boddika and Joy O's more recognisable sounds.

Rumours are that a release on Swamp81 is almost certain. Considering each artists' connections to the brilliant Brixton based label, I wouldn't argue against it. With any luck we shall be seeing this on 12" soon, carefully provided in another impecablly produced sleeve by Ashes57. Don't sleep.

Joy Orbison - 'GR Etiquette' (Pearson Sound Symphonic Mix)

Joy Orbison - 'GR Etiquette/Pearson Sound Symphonic Mix'

24th September 2009 was the first time I heard Joy Orbison's 'Gr Etiquette', the second track in his guest mix for Mary Anne Hobbs. It has always since remained my favourite Joy O track; it even outdoes 'Ellipsis' for me. On the surface it is a seemingly simple track, but I think this is also the factor that lends such quality to its production. As in line with earlier material from O'Grady, a strong garage influence can be heard in 'GR Etiquette', with a smooth syncopated percussive pattern structuring the track. The two note organ melody and the beautiful Jamie Foxx vocal sample ("do you like I want to. Kiss you like I want to" - taken from 'Can I Take U Home') provide the heart of the track, and it's most certainly these elements which have resonated in my mind. It is simply excellent.

David Kennedy (aka Pearson Sound/Ramadanman) has refixed the track under his Pearson Sound moniker, with the track featuring on his forthcoming Fabriclive 56 Mix (released on Monday). Kennedy's impact on the track is well conceived, staying true to the track's original mix. The track's tempo is decreased, and the overall feel sound is understated, with the melodic organ arrangement gaining real prominence alongside Foxx's exquisite vocal samples. He strips back the tracks percussive elements, reducing it to the outlined skipping garage beat which progressively comes to the fore. Kennedy handles the remix duties superbly here, giving a new take on the track whilst retaining its key original markers.

Questions of a release will inevitably arise once again after the symphonic mix surfaces in Pearson's Fabriclive Mix. Whether or not we will see a 12" featuring both tracks is impossible to tell. All we can hope is that Doldrums may just be preparing this for their next limited 12" run.

Joy O - 'Jels' (HF027)

Joy Joy Joy. It is only 2 weeks until the release of 'Wade In/Jels', and I'm struggling to contain my excitement. 'Wade In' is the most anticipated of the two, receiving wide play on the DJ circuit as well as radio time on Rinse FM and Benji B's radio show. 'Jels' on the other hand is little known, only being gaining radio play last week, whilst a one minute clip has been uploaded to soundcloud. First indications are that O'Grady once again keeps the quality control very high. Notably 'Jels' is quite a contrast in tone and atmosphere from 'Wade In, whilst retaining a similar classic house format and style.

'Jels' begins tentatively, with the shuffling rhythm creatd from Roland drums steadily setting the tempo, whilst acid basslines gradually surge in the background, gaining prominence as the introduction wears on. After 1 minute 40 the vocal sample, which seems to wail “turn”, indicates the introduction of a first piano chord melody, one which is uplifting in sharp contrast to the to the rolling acid basslines and structured house rhythms which take hold after this short interval. The beat swells, forcing you to move. As the track progresses further layers are built, most notably the final melodies on which the track climaxes. Whilst the track’s well formed rhythm continues to flourish, a wonderful repetitive chord melody slowly arises and takes dominance from the bleak basslines. This melody is beautifully arranged, bringing a sense of bliss and delight to the track, contrasting the former basslines. Unashamed excellence.

'Wade In/Jels' will be released on 12" on the 14th March, with a digital release coming on the 21st. Both are once again necessities, with Joy O providing arguably his strongest work to date, although that is an argument which could be put forth for any of his 4 releases to date. You can listen to 'Jels' by following the link below.

Joy O - 'Jels'