And the winner is Bass Clef with his debut album. The opening track has “What is twisted cannot be straightened” before going into some deep dubstep bass throb. It’s an instant winner.

But don’t be fooled that this album is just 13 tracks all banging out the same tune, as its charm is that there is some light with the basement gloom. Even so, how can you resist a track called ‘Subwoofer Loveletter’?

I admit that all the instrumentals are ‘bass’ driven but listen out for the electro ambience of ‘Eight Zero Eight’ and the downtempo bounce of ‘Clapton Deep’.

Bass Clef is going to be much in demand as he shows some cinematic tendencies (most obviously on ‘Thank You For Starting Fires’ and ‘Stokes Croft 5am’) mixed up with some experimentation (‘Basss & Drumm Make My Heart Sing’ and ‘Hilda’).

Another stand out track is ‘Welcome To The Echo Chamber’, which could have been Madtone with trombones.

So think a bit of Skream, Biggabush, Madtone and even a touch of Daedelus. Even if Peterson didn’t drop a track on his Back To Croydon Mix last week, I’m definitely getting into these vibrations.

Gigs: Point, Cardiff Bay, 9 February 2007 as part of a Mary Anne Hobbs’ Warrior Dubz night.

Hectic Mix nominations: ‘Cannot Be Straightened’, ‘Subwoofer Loveletter’, ‘Clapton Deep’ & ‘Welcome Back To Echo Chamber’

Reviewed: Bass Clef — A Smile Is A Curve That Straightens Most Things (Blank Tapes) Cat. No: BLANK003CD Release date: December 2006

Links:
Bass Clef blogspot
www.blanktapes.org
Friday 8th December — Radio 4 Today — Keeping the sound alive — an experimental concert in an echo chamber [Feature on NPL experiment with music, “Shake, Rattle and Reverb”] Photos
National Physical Laboratory www.npl.co.uk
Gilles Peterson :: Tracklisting 7th December :: Gilles Peterson Back To Croydon mix
Burial — ‘Gutted’ (Hyperdub)
Ike Quebec — ‘Nature Boy’ (Blue Note)
Pinch — ‘Punisher’ (Test)
Skream — ‘Rutten’ (Test)
Trevor Jones — ‘Harry Angel’ (Island)
Distance — ‘Temptation’ (Tectonic)
Digital Mystikz — ‘Walk with Jah (Soul Jazz)
Loefah — ‘Jazz Lick’ (Big Apple)
El-B & Juiceman — ‘Buck and Bury’ (Ghost)
Pressure feat. Warrior Dub — ‘Money Honey’ (Hyperdub)
U-Roy — ‘If You Should Leave Me’ (Virgin)
Gilles Peterson Back To Croydon mix