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Whether it's breakbeat, drum n bass, or jungle, there seems to be so much more of quality to choose from of late. The "Funky Porcini Vs. Jerry Van Rooyen" EP on the German Sideburn label has the former laying into the latter (a 60s jazz legend) and these remixes are incredible. Trip Theory's "Trip On X" stays away from the cheese and shows how breakbeat meets electro should be done (Intersound/Roswell), and New York's Rawkus group keeps it rough and rugged for their new ones, including the return of R Notorious J & Kingsize and two on the US Trouble On Vinyl. DJ Kane unleashes his "World Premier" and Sir Menelik gets mashed up for Red's remix of "Physical Jewelz". Primitive's "Digital Dust" promises "the next level in breakbeat sound engineering" on a volume featuring Black Vova, Scanner, Dumbeat and others. Airbag release Kumo's "Kaminari" album domestically and it is well worth the wait. Still on the more experimental tip is "The Scam" EP from Override (Tom Withers, best known for his releases on Photek's Certificate 18) and Varathane's "Plastisol" package on California's Hydrant. In LTJ Bukem territory, you'll find the new 12 from Hoax, "The More I See You", on Moving Shadow, and Subject 13 "Present The Black Steele Project" on a double album for Selector out of Brussels. Speaking of Belgium's SSR, volume 4 in the Freezone series, "Dangerous Lullabies", maintains the quality that we've come to expect over four sides of vinyl. Flytronix, Endemic Void, Jimpster, and the rest of the bunch do not disappoint. The Om people continue their pairing of audio and interactive computing with PFM, T-Power, Jonah Sharp, and 6 others on "Radical Beauty". We'll finish with those dropping the tempo from a step to a shuffle. Horace Andy put Massive Attack on the musical map and now he's finally getting the respect he truly deserves. Andy's career thus far was documented on "Skylarking", the first release on the Massive crew's Melankolic label. "Good Vibes" (Blood And Fire/Manchester) is what we've wanted all along, the discomix and dub versions of ten of the best songs from his last 30 years of roots and reality. The packaging is comprehensive and the sounds are heavenly. Instrumental hip hop at its finest is represented by Mark B and his "Underworld Connection" LP (Jazz Fudge/Surrey) and DJ Charm's stoned "Catalyst" on Brooklyn's Sugar Spliff. Is Charm nicking Mobb Deep here, or just sourcing the same vein? Adrian Sherwood's Green Tea company now has a sophomore release available; Doug Wimbush, Ned Kelly, Professor Stretch, and members of the Underwolves team up as Headfake and the "Cycles" album. Vancouver's Map are three albums old now with Pilgrims Of The Mind (just one person, actually) are all over the you-know-what with ambience, house, and electronics par excellence on "What's Your Shrine?" We'll close with a trip to Paris and the "Trip Do Brasil: The Brazilian Flavor" EP on Rhythmix. Three familiar names, Professor Bubble, Jose Padilla, and DJ Cam have created some swingin' beats in tribute to Elis Regina, Antonio Carlos Jobim, and Marco de Moraes.
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