On the Etage Noir label, Banks is yet another Austrian that knows about electro hip hop action. He got the San Francisco based duo Blacktroniks to rap about the “needle on the record” (360 Degree and all that) and it comes in three versions.

Obviously, I was attracted to the Makossa and Megablast version due to their massive release earlier in the year, ‘Like a Rocket / Kunuaka’. But before we get to that, listen to the original version and you can hear why the G-Stone duo would want to get their hands on this. It’s dark downtempo hip hop with a touch of dub plus big vibrating bass bombs. Yo, Dub Club action Viennese stylee I think.

While on the b-side, the Wolf Myer Orchestra seems to be a mix of piano jazz trio, Space 2001 and DJ Shadow on sleeping pills. This is one for the most chilled 360-surround sound room and it’s really a bit of a grower.

But when you take the wax out the sleeve, slam down the Makossa & Megablast Remake (note, not a remix). What out for those hook lines as the tempo is upped to bounce to the boogie. These boys know how to get a dancefloor groovin’ with outta spaceness house. Also exciting news that the debut Makossa & Megablast album is coming soon!

Just Banks (aka Joachim Koll) looks cool on the cover of this 12” as he drives around Vienna pumping out Makossa & Megablast; also check Stereotyp (Keepin’ Me and ‘Jece Valadão’ as they’ll be on the sound system.

Talking about great covers, check out the Best Art Vinyl 2006 Nominations site (see links below).

Reviewed: Just Banks featuring Blaktroniks — 360 Degrees (Etage Noir Recordings) Cat. No. EN09 Release date: Oct 2006 (tracks: A1, B1, B2)
Tracklisting:
A1. 360 Degrees (Makossa & Megablast Remake) (7:28)
B1. 360 Degrees (Original Version) (3:49)
B2. 360 Degrees (Wolf Myer Orchestra Remix) (3:42)

Links:
www.etagenoir.com
www.megablast.at “Latest EP 3 Track “Porque/Que Pasa/Galaxy 82”.
www.blaktroniks.com
www.myspace.com/dubclubvienna
Art Vinyl 2006 @ www.artvinyl.com