Ministry of Sound aren’t exactly known for their risk-taking and forward-thinking approach when it comes to compilations, or even nights, however this new comp is a real breath of fresh air. Although things are getting better the scene is still plagued by obvious compilation packages put out to satisfy the never-ending stream of dubstep converts who want nothing but the biggest wobble tunes and ‘classics’ from over a year ago. But the tracklist for Adventures in Dubstep and Beyond instantly offers up something different. With tracks from the more underground and relatively unknown producers like Sully and VVV, this compilation brings together styles from across the bass music spectrum. Elements of house, 2-step, dubstep and garage are all expertly chosen and mixed by Joe Muggs.
The first disk offers up a superb collection of garage influenced bass; tracks which are going to be appealing to the more knowledgeable heads as well as those getting their first taste of the new dubstep mutations currently at the forefront. Highlights include the excellent opener; Ikonika’s remix of the Night Slugs anthem The Only Way Up from Egyptrixx, the outstanding garage goodness of Svpreme Fiend’s Downfall and El-B’s This Thrill. The 2-step bangers are coupled with some more familiar hits of dubstep, like the collab between Benga & Goldilocks on Green Eyes and Fused Forces’ What’s Goin Down. These tracks may be on slightly more recognizable ground but Joe Muggs has definitely maintained a sense of the underground and not for once thought about playing it safe with tunes that you’ve heard a million times before.
The second CD illustrates a slightly different side dubstep – how it has absorbed elements of old-skool jungle breaks and of course grime. Producers like Cotti, Scandalous Unltd and Rude Kid all represent with unforgiving dubs packed with massive amounts of sub bass. Highlights include the beautifully dark and aggressive Skull Crusher from Numan and Badness’ grime anthem Nightmare which features Skepta and Lil Nasty and is given a full bassline re-work from Cotti and Coki. This second disk definitely caters for those who like the harsher and more typical 140bpm side of dubstep. The clear distinction between the first and second disks kind of provides a pretty good analysis of the scene.
Dubstep is constantly mutating and evolving in its various forms and you could even say that there are two strains of this mutation, illustrated by the clear styles of two CDs - one which has taken and is moving towards a garage and deeper house vibe and another which is the grimier, harsher and more aggressive template. The 2-step, garage and house mutations featured are worth a purchase alone – it’s always good to see the scene shaking off constraints of genre ties and progressing at a rate where we struggle to categorise the sound. I was pleasantly surprised by what Ministry have delivered with Adventures in Dubstep and Beyond; it’s a compilation which goes some way at trying to introduce the full spectrum of the scene and the extensive landscape of what’s being produced.
Tracklist:
CD 01
1 Egyptrixx The Only Way Up Ikonika Remix
2 Martin Kemp After The Night
3 Noodles Muzik
4 Sully In Some Pattern
5 VVV Project Z
6 Svpreme Fiend Downfall
7 Sines Twitta Dat
8 Dom Hz Without You
9 Martyn Natural Selection Flying Lotus Cleanse Mix
10 El-B Feat. Nico This Thrill
11 Goldielocks Vs Benga Green Eyes
12 Geiom & Appleblim Flame Tree
13 8Bitch G41
14 Fused Forces What's Going Down
15 The Moody Boyz Feat. Pete Simpson Freedom
CD 02
1 Tekfro Feat. DJ Assault Keep Bouncin’
2 Wedge & Shadz Running Away Guido Remix
3 [B]racket Grime 3
4 Cotti & Chef End Of Da Road
5 Badness Feat. Lil Nasty & Skepta Nightmare Coki & Cotti Remix
6 Mskrnt Walk Alone
7 Cardopusher Gibold Scandalous Unltd. Remix
8 Stagga Feat. Tzer, Ydot & JBone Face Get Splat
9 Rude Kid Electric
10 Wr1ng Walk On By
11 J Beatz Dutty
12 Valta & Minikin Fed Up!
13 Numan Skull Crusher
14 Lewi White Feat. Kozzie Metal Face
15 MRK1 Move Your Soul
16 J Da Flex Feat. Jammer Knucklin'