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The compilation Mary Ann Hobbs Presents The Warrior Dubz is already a Beginners Guide to Dubstep as things move on at a lighting pace, reminiscent of the early drum’n’bass scene where last night’s acetate was old news.

Even so, MAH has put together some serious tracks that may not all be your underground hardcore dubsteppers choice but there’s some early classics included. ‘Music Box’ by Benga is exclusive to this release so worth getting for that track alone (also see Dubstep Allstars Vol4) and the dubbed out 4/4 of ‘Black’ by Andy Stott.

Digital Mystikz ‘Anti-War Dub’ is the toasting end of electro dub’n’bass, ‘Pence’, ‘Worries Again’ and ‘Give It To ‘Em’ are at the dirty grime end whilst ‘Versus’ (another exclusive track) is almost ‘dark’ house/trance like.

It’s not all instrumentals as the set ends with ‘Deadman Walking’ and another classic from Kode 9, the vocal version of ‘Kingstown’ featuring Space Ape. Anything missing? Well Skream’s debut album is out now so that’s another one to keep an eye out for.

Regular readers will know I’m a fan of the Sterotyp vs. Al Haca stylee and the nearest we get to that is ‘Jah War’ (another exclusive and quality track) and ‘Cha Vocal’ whilst yet another exclusive, ‘Hydra’ is a minimal track with throbbing bass wobble, which is truly worrying for the health of your speakers.

On first hearing, you might wonder what the fuss is all about with this dubstep but if you need convincing, at the end of her list of sleeve notes ‘shouts’ she says, “John Peel - Original And Endless Inspiration RIP”. This sums it up for me, original UK underground.

Good to see there’s no scrimping on the 4 slabs of vinyl set and the only Hectic grip is the cover. Personally not convinced by the slightly titillating ilustrations but don’t let that put you off.

Hectic Mix nominations: ‘Hydra’, ‘Jah War’, ‘Music Box’, ‘Kingstown’, ‘Anti-War Dub’, ‘Worries Again’ [at least]

Reviewed: Various - Mary Anne Hobbs Presents The Warrior Dubz (Planet Mu) Cat. No: ZIQ159 Release date: October 2006 Notes: Compiled by Mary Anne Hobbs + tracks A2, B1, D1, E1, E2, F1, G1 & H1 are exclusive to this release.
Tracklisting:
A1 Milanese vs. Virus Syndicate - Dead Man Walking (3:38)
A2 Benga - Music Box (5:08)
B1 Andy Stott - Black (6:45)
B2 Amit - Too Many Freedoms (5:18)
C1 Digital Mystikz - Anti-War Dub (6:23) Featuring Spen G
C2 JME [Wiley Beat] - Pence (2:53)
D1 Burial - Versus (6:13)
D2 Plastician Cha Vocal (3:26) Featuring Fresh, Napper & Shizzle
E1 The Bug - Jah War (3:02) Featuring Flowdan
E2 Terror Danjah - Give It To ‘Em (3:03) Featuring Bruza, Mz Bratt
F1 Spor - Hydra (6:44)
G1 Loefah - Mud VIP (5:38) Featuring Sgt Pokes
H1 Dj Distance & Crazy D - Worries Again (3:52)
H2 Kode 9 & The Space Ape - Kingstown (Vox) (4:41)

Links:
www.myspace.com/maryannehobbs
Mary Ann Hobbs - Radio 1 ‘Mary Anne Hobbs and the Dubstep Warriors’