Juryman "3" ntone 16
Some dark, moody trip hop from ninjatune's more experimental sister label.
This four track EP is one of the better ntone singles. The packaging evokes
underworld's "Dubnobass.." with its stark black and white industrial feel, as
does the first track. _21st Century Turn_ is a sparse, dark ,dubby tune with
male vocal which sound like a cross between Stereo MCs and Underworld. _Iff
the Law Suits (Pressure Drop mix)_ is the best of the four. Its a slower
breakbeat tune which maintains its dub feel despite the breaks. It breaks down
into a middle eastern sounding drum pattern a couple of times to nice effect.
_Storm_ is the stab at straight ahead drum and bass. Mixed by 72 desparate
rebels. Its a nice airy tune with a good trance feel that sucks you in. The
beats aren't very chopped or experimental but it has agood feel.
Nightmares on Wax "Still Smokin' II"
_What I'm Feelin_, mixed by Rae and Christian, is an absolute dancfloor
stormer. Solid hip hop stylings it just churns and churns. Incredibly funky.
It just sort of maintains the same groove throughout similar to some of the
dust brother (prechemical) tracks. No big reconstruction, but when its this
funky why bother. _Dread_ is another excellent piece of drum and bass from DJ
Food. Despite the rapid and scattered beats it manages to hang on to a mellow
feel. Finally, we have _Stars_ again. The track is given a drum and bass feel
as well, but the essentaial feel of the tune is intact which left me bored.
This tune is so old and sounds tired. After appearing on the massively played
Headz comp, I thought it was a lame dodge to put it on the album. Now its on
both 12"s? The mix is not bad, it just sounds old already.
--
Mark Bowen
mb@gettins.bche.uic.edu