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This compilation from React Records is the breakbeat release in a series of low-priced compilations covering various dance styles. Retailing at under £10 for 3 CDs, it's real value for money. CD1 is a funked up affair put together by Finger Lickin' label bosses Soul of Man. Starting in the realms of the funked up break, this is the one to get your party started. With two great cuts of hip hop-influenced breaks, the excellent Disco Libra and Think Tank, getting you in the mood. Soul of Man drop some of their own - Doug Lazy "Let It Roll" (Soul of Man remix), Stereo 8's ubersexy "Groove diggin" and Soul of Man's "The Drum". From then on chunky nu skool from Autobots, Aquasky and Force Mass Motion take over to drive into the peaktime breaks. The only thing that disappoints is that there could have been more funky breaks as there is plenty of nu skool on the other two CDs. Phantom Beats are going from strength to strength, so it is no surprise that they were given the task of putting the other two CDs together (plus they're cheap as chips - only kidding boys!). CD2, the so-called Laidback Mix, is only 20 BPM less than CD3, but is a showcase for more atmospheric breakbeat and less hardened funkier Nu skool beats. With some excellent tracks from C83, Johan from Sound of Habb, Stabilizer and Amb, a great mix to while away an hour's journey. The Tek mix on CD3 releases some colossal tracks for the dancefloor, kicking off with an enormous tune from Hungary's Amb - if you haven't heard the awesome orchestration on "Romeo" then get this CD on your deck now! After that majestic opening, the Phantoms ply the listener with treat after treat. From the percussive genius of Dan F and General Midi to the dirty bass funk of Friendly's "Glottal Stomp", through the rolling bass party beats of label-mates Napt and Mulder to the driving floor destroyers that are Terminalhead, Badcop and jungle outfit Urban Shakedown. All in all these are three CDs worth shelling out £10 each for - snap this up now.

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After a long day on the ski slopes, the Swiss like to shake their ass to some funky breaks & bumpy bass. Bringing you the sounds of après-ski are breakbeat veterans Smash FX, aka Tony Bolli and Daniel Szakats, the duo responsible for Zürich's Miami Vice nights. "On a Mission" is a funky club mix that easily holds its own against the best breaks CDs from the UK. The 18-track compilation features some of the best dancefloor breaks of 2002. Adam Freeland's Marine Parade label provides the highlights with ILS' glorious "Next Level" and Forme's infectious "Kick a Hole". Further tuff 'n' funky dancefloor bombs are delivered by top breakbeat producers Future Funk Squad and Meat Katie (featured with two tracks each) as well as Rennie Pilgrem and Koma & Bones with their glorious promo-only remix of Mousse T's "Fire". The Smash FX lads also drop some dark & dirty electro breaks in the final third of the mix, with the dope "'Ave That" from Radioactive Man (aka Keith Tenniswood) and another great find, the Hipnotek mix of Flow's "The Future of This". Switzerland's own breaks scene is represented with Downpressor's bumpy bass track "Nine" and Smash FX also mix in two of their own productions. "Brain Killer" tosses out freaky samples of some 1950s monster flick over wicked hardcore stabs and warped bass, while the closing track of the mix, Vostok - "Airplanes" (Smash FX remix), is a playful bleeps 'n' bassfest with catchy female vocals. "On a Mission" is a non-stop breakbeat fun, a dancefloor mix with enough diversity to keep you rocking from start to finish.

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This outstanding new double mixed CD from top Aussie deejay Phil K is a must-have for all fans of progressive breaks, the hottest breakbeat style of 2002. With this new effort, Phil K (whose DJ skills have become the stuff of legend down under) actually improves on his classic, award-winning "Sound Not Scene" CD released a few years ago. Showcasing Australia's finest breaks and house producers (including Nubreed, Luke Chable, EK and Phil K himself), "Balance 004" consists of two discs, one CD with a deep/tribal/tech-house mix and one CD with the prog breaks mix. The breaks mix boasts an outstanding and original track selection, starting off very trancy and chilled out with dreamy tracks like Luke Chable's melancholic floater "After the Storm" and the Blue Effect mix of Spoon Wizard's "Me And Spoonice" with gorgeous melodic keys underpinned by rumbling bottom end. Steadily building to a harder prog breaks sound, Phil K drops some big dancefloor bombs in the second half of the mix, like the brilliantly programmed percussive beats and laidback bluesy vocal of Interloper's "Bitch Slapper", as well as the CD's ultimate highlight, Smart n Pocket's "Kickflip Manual" - a wicked roller with nutty bleeps, sleazy guitar riffs, filthy bottom end and a cleverly sampled skateboarding commentator ("nice mix of nu and old skool tricks!!") The CD concludes in style with two of Phil K's own productions: the Dark Alley mix of GT's "Love Song" with filty basslines, sleazy guitars and rock bitch vocals, and finally a jaw-dropping Led Zeppelin cover (!), the Phil K vs Nubreed mix of Prince Quick Mix "I'm Gonna Leave You". All in all "Balance 004" is the perfect CD to chill out to when you're at home, and you'll find yourself coming back to this mix again and again. Get this CD now!

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UK breaks label Botchit & Scarper presents a classy new collection of top tracks by some of the London breaks scene's leading names - Si Begg, Atomic Hooligan and Aquasky to name just a few. The label was at one time synonymous with dark bottom-heavy nu skool breaks, but this comp shows that Botchit have broken free of the mold and become the number one label for funky, accessible, soulful urban vocal breaks. Available on 3xLP or 2xCD (one unmixed, one mixed by Atomic Hooligan’s Terry on three decks), "Botchit Breaks 5" offers 12 tracks in all. Kicking off the proceedings on a high note are Atomic Hooligan with the freaky "The Highs and Lows" featuring spell-binding Persian chanting by Mazdak Ataie, followed by "4x4x", a wickedly funky break-house love song produced by Deekline & Dreb. Si Begg is up next with arguably the best track of the bunch, "Basik Rockin'" with bucketloads of cheeky Eighties style bleeps and a vocoderized "rockin to the rhythm of a groovy beat" loop that is sure to bring a big smile to your face. SOTO present another classy vocal tune, "Confusin'" featuring cool retro synths and the vocal talents of one Becky. The second half of the comp is darker, more instrumental and dancefloor-aimed with top tracks from nu skool terrorists R-Kidz & Noise, Uncouth Youth and Mindmuggaz, rocking the joint with an infectious acid-tinged bassline track called "Get Funky". Meanwhile LBJ, a new signing from Finland, hooks up with singer Sirji for a lovely tune titled "Save Us". Finally T-Power steps up to deliver the closing track "Set Levels to Insanity" with midtempo beats and Siouxsie Sioux-esque vocals. All in all this is another excellent and diverse collection of vocal and bassline breaks, big up the Botchit crew!

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Danny Mac is one of the mainstays of the modern breakbeat sound; as part of the fledgling TCR he helped shape the "nu skool" sound, and has since spread the sound of breakbeat around the world. Over a year ago his well-respected In-flight Entertainment label folded after some wicked releases due to financial difficulties. The return of In-flight is heralded with this mixed CD by Danny himself and showcases his slick mixing style with some favourites from his recent world tour, and a few exclusives to boot. A master craftsman when it comes to the mix, the CD is a comprehensive journey through dancefloor breaks. Featuring the clavicle bass of 2 Sinners remix of Bladey's "Light fingered", the trance-inducing percussion of Airdog's genre busting track "Freek Like Me" by Spork, and the rollsome basslines of Albino Allstars "Rumbleweed". The cheeky Londoner even throws in some of his own tracks into the mix. The whole package is smoother than a private love serenade from Barry White and Marvin Gaye, continually shifting the mood with many changes in style, but keeping a handle on the dark funk. McMillan's full LP is out early next year and promises to be a monster. For now though, we can just bask in his effortless DJing.

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Justin O'Brien & Jonathan
Levitate
Stellar (USA) March 2003

Review by RJ Bass
About two months ago a friend of mine turned me onto the pair of artists known as Momu, and ever since I have been listening to their work very closely. "Levitate" from Justin O'Brien and Jonathan is the most recent piece to get the Momu work over that I have heard and it is a very nice piece. Very much on the progressive deep side, this song fits in nicely to the begining of a set or at the time when you have your crowd in such a hypnotic state, that when they hear the vast aray of sounds combined in the remix, they seem to do just as the tile suggest and "Levitate". Interesting guitar sample reworks and constant progressive like harmonies make up the key elements in the remix, which to me reminds me of early Pink Floyd work. For those of you who prefer the 4-to-the-floor sound, the original mix is also very nice, very proggy, and since it is the original, still has some of that almost Pink Floyd-sounding material to it. "Levitate" is a very nice record and wil be well received if placed right in your set.

LBJ
Syvalle / This One
Botchit & Scarper (UK) February 2003

Review by
Fantastic debut single from LBJ (aka Lazy Boy Jones, aka Jones Verwijnen), a talented Finnish DJ/producer who was discovered by Atomic Hooligan's Terry on a recent DJ trip to Helsinki. "Syvalle" is epic, an instant classic. A Hooligan-style dubby vocal breaks track, perfect for starting off a set, with amazing muted horns and gorgeous male vocals in alien-sounding Finnish. "This One" on side B is also well worth checking too - a funky peaktime track with cheeky siren stabs, wobbly bass and a loud-mouth MC. Can't wait to hear more from this new Botchit signing!

Dave Dub
The Lighter EP
Dubbl-Sided Vinyl (Canada) February 2003
Roller City Dub
Lighter
Fresh Fresh (remix)

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Dave Dub is a name that stands for top-class party breaks with dubby vibes and elastic b-lines. You may remember the Canadian DJ/producer from last year's fantastic "Warning Track" - the first release of Dave's own Dubbl-Sided Vinyl (DSV), a sister label of Canadian breaks imprint 2Wars. This EP offers three more Dave Dub tunes and my fave track here is "Fresh Fresh (remix)". A bit like Aquasky meet the Plumps, this tune is pure dancefloor mayhem with cheeky oldskool vocal samples ("party people on the dancefloor!!") and funky guitar riffs over big huge warped basslines. Title track "Lighter" is more chilled & dubby, while the 45rpm A side offers a tight stepper with smooth keys and fat basslines called "Roller City Dub".

Santos
No Ticket No Run
Mob (UK) February 2003
Original
Krafty Kuts remix

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The Italian house producer who was behind the Europe-wide hit "Camels" tries his hand at breaks for this latest release from Tayo's label Mob Records. The result is a strangely named yet surprisingly good breaks track with a wicked funky guitar riff over filthy bass and steppy beats, while a sultry French lady chatters into the mic. Following a massive breakdown halfway through, the track strangely drops from breaks into four-to-the-floor beats for the climax, then drops back into breaks for the finale... Thankfully top funky breaks DJ/producer Krafty Kuts is called in for the remix on side B and the Brighton based lad does not disappoint, delivering another looney tune (also featured on Lee Coombs' "Perfecto Breaks" mixed CD) with extra helpings of pounding beats and beefed up bass - nice!!

Dobbs
Skydeck
Inaspace (UK) February 2003
Skydeck
Boundaries

Review by
This 12" (caned by John Digweed among others) kicks off Dobb's own label Inaspace in style. A two-tracker of floaty San Francisco-style progressive breaks (think Hardkiss and MOMU) although Dobbs is in fact from the UK - a veteran of London's prog-breaks scene, having co-hosted the Big Blue parties with Ashley Casselle and Danny Howells back in 1997. Main track "Skydeck" is a deep groover with slowish tribal breaks, but let down by poor synths. The real gem here is "Boundaries" on side B, a gorgeous late-nite layered affair with a glorious trancey riff, percussive beats and spacey Brian Eno/Philip Glass-style atmosherics.

Junior Senior
Move Your Feet
Crunchy Frog (UK) February 2003

Review by
This is one exciting record! The original of "Move Your Feet" is a Tummy Touch-esque slab of nu-disco breaks. The single The Avalanches forgot to make, slick discoid beats, wonderful smile-inducing vocal & beats to make you throw down the funk. Mixes come in the form of electroid warblings in a Felix tha Housecat style, hard house breaks from Kurtis Mantronik and a funky mix from the ubiquitous Krafty Kuts! As you'd expect Krafty's mix is the big one; he really has the Midas touch at the moment. Keeping the aura of funk, we are treated to a heavyweight disco funk mix with filtered breakdowns big basslines and party break percussion. Put this on and watch the ladies flock around you!

DJ Killer
This Is / I Want Your love
Functional Breaks (UK) January 2003
This Is
I Want Your Love

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Veteran DJ Killer (aka Rafa Alcantera) is one of a handful of talented producers now eminating from the massive breaks scene in southern Spain, where large-scale outdoor breakbeat raves attracting crowds of thousands are the order of the day. This 12" (Rafa's debut release on UK-based Functional Break) offers funky electro breaks - with a twist! "This Is" is an intricate dancefloor track with loads of different layered elements: wobbly bottom end, cool synth sweeps & bleeps and nutty vocal bits. On side B, "I Want Your Love" is more of a Functional style late-nite groover with rolling breaks, wailing techno stabs and freaky "I want your love" whisperings.

Chris Carter
ESP / Ladybird
TCR (UK) January 2003
ESP
Ladybird

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Chris is known for the dark moody nu skool soundscapes of his previous TCR releases, but this single presents a different side of him. "ESP" (big with the likes of Plump DJs, Pilgrem and Koma & Bones) unleashes a large rolling funky break over a smooth bassline groove, with playful techy keys and a few silly vocal hooks for good measure. On side B, "Ladybird" - possibly named after Chris' favourite bar in Thailand - offers more tracky, minimal tech-breaks fare.

Trona
Dangerous
Moonshine Green (USA) January 2003
Original mix
Dub species remix

Review by
This top-class 12" shows that Trona is right at the forefront of the new breed of American breaks producers seeking to combine the best bits of US and UK breaks. "Trona", his second single release on LA-based breaks label Moonshine Green, is a tuff electro breaks groove with loads of filthy bass action, topped by an absolutely gorgeous female vocal and beautiful melodic piano drifting in and out. A lovely vocal tune with plenty of dancefloor oomph, I find myself playing this over and over again. The B-side sports a remix by Florida's Dub Species with funky tribal breaks.

Jason Sparks
Soul Taker / Dogs of War
Botchit & Scarper (UK) January 2003

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Jason Sparks's deep jazzy film-noir sound blew me away when I heard it a few years ago on tracks like "Left to Live For" and "Our People". The moody trumpet of "Soul Taker" on side A offers more of the same breaks sound with jazzy soulful brass licks and cinematic atmospherics. Meanwhile "Dogs of War" on side B is a harder, dancefloor-aimed bassline track with wickedly programmed beats, top-class bass action and a great "cry havoc and let's slip the dogs of war" sample (bonus points for sampling Shakespeare!!)

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