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It might have been a little surprising that Fabio’s musical selection included David Bendeth and Willie Beaver Hale but it all come together so well with the up to d’n’b track that he is known for including a new Commix track on the Metalheadz label.

So the timing of this new Metalheadz compilation by some of the most respected producers from the scene couldn’t be better. And this is the type of mutli-genre d’n’b that comes form a love of breaks, dub, cinematic soundtrack, jazz and a little world that appeals equally to the hardcore and the crossover scene.

And talking of world, there’s one or two here that hail from further afield than 20km from the D’Arby Street epicentre (BTW, respect Miss Pink for the nod on ‘Music Over Madness’ remix). The new name to me is the Dutch trio of Noisia. Whilst Martyn may have moved his Dutch d’n’b roots into one of the hottest names in dubstep, the Groningen crew of Nik Roos, Thijs De Vlieger & Martijn Van Sonderen are known for their Drum & Bass being influence by many other genres and the track here, ‘Strange Owl Experiment’ is a fine example of scary night-time cinematica.

Seba is another import, this time from Sweden. He’s into tuneful atmospheric D’n’B and ‘Imperial Moment’ is lush and dark. His other track here, ‘Wild One’ is another gem that benefits from some housey vocals by Robert Manos.

Break (aka Charlie Bierman) is also represented by a couple of tracks and kicks the whole CD off with ‘Comination Style’ (geddit?) that sets the tone.

Not sure where DJ Lee & D. Kay are from but their two tracks sound like they have been influenced by some travelling experiences (not all of this world either!) and D Kay’s ‘Wax’d VIP’ just has tune written all over it; ouch!

On the UK front, Total Science (aka Paul Smith and Jason Greenhalgh) are two of the most prolific producers recording for loads of labels under loads of names. The pair of ‘Fantazia’ and ‘Overdraft’ show that first and foremost, they are still at the d’n’b club banger front line. Another production duo Commix (aka George Levings & Guy Brewer) get a reworking by Breaks whilst DJ Friction (who has worked with Aquasky from the breaks/electro world) gets scared with ‘Shogun Nightmare’. Another scary one is ‘Everglade’ from the partnership of Alix ‘Shogun Assassins’ Perez and Sabre.

Rufige Kru is better known as label boss Goldie and his ‘Monkey Boy’ gets two remixes; a manic one from G Dub and the more atmospheric one from veteran Doc Scott.

Next year Metalheadz celebrates its 15th Birthday so expect some suitable celebratory re-issues and compilations but in the meantime, remember it might be D’n’B but it’ll always be jazzy. Get your headz up for this CD.

Also, respect Nick Luscombe for his set at Big Chill Festival for keeping the d’n’b faith.

Reviewed: Various - Metalheadz Present The Platinum Series Cat. No. MethCD010 Release date: 29th September 2008 (the vinyl release with be a selection of 8 tracks)
Tracklisting:
1 Break - Combination Style (3:07)
2 Seba featuring Robert Manos - Wild One (3:21)
3 Noisia - Strange Owl Experiment (3:31)
4 D Kay & Lee - Extacy (3:44)
5 Total Science - Fantazia (3:18)
6 D Kay - Wax’d VIP (3:40)
7 Friction & K-Tee - Shogun Nightmare (3:21)
8 Commix - Talk To Frank (Break Remix) (2:59)
9 Alix Perez & Sabre - Everglade (4:30)
10 Rufige Kru Monkey Boy (Doc Scott Remix) (3:10)
11 Total Science - Overdraft (3:49)
12 Break - Headz Up (3:41)
13 D Kay & Lee - December (4:26)
14 Seba & Krazy - Imperial Moment (3:40)
15 Rufige Kru - Monkey Boy (G Dub Remix) (3:34)

Links
www.metalheadz.co.uk
www.myspace.com/metalheadzltd
Gilles Peterson :: 7th August 2008 :: Fabio takes over Gilles’ show
David Bendeth - Feel The Real (Sidewalk)
‘Turning Left’ Commix - Rub Step (Metalheadz)
Willie Beaver Hale - Groove On
The Grooverider Petition
As you may or may not know, Grooverider is currently serving a four year sentence in Dubai for possesion of Cannabis that he was unaware of. Please follow the link below and sign the petition, it may help with his release.
www.myspace.com/dnaudio
Seba www.secretoperations.com
Noisia www.myspace.com/denoisia
www.last.fm/Noisia
www.myspace.com/totalscience
www.myspace.com/frictiondeejay
Commix www.myspace.com/commix
Doc Scott www.myspace.com/31docscott
www.myspace.com/sabrelondonzu
www.myspace.com/alixperez
www.myspace.com/krazy70
www.bm-soho.com 25 D’Arblay Street, London W1F 8EJ UK tel: +44 (0)207 437 0478 Email: mailorder@bm-soho.com
J Rawls + Middle Child - ‘Music Over Madness’
(Zero T Rmx)’ (Pathological)