Various

Tectonic Plates Volume 2

BY Sarah FergusonPublished Jul 14, 2009

This latest two-disc compilation features some of the biggest artists in UK dubstep, presented by the Bristol-based Tectonic label. The first CD is a collection of tracks set to be released as a four-part twelve-inch vinyl series. The second is a mix by label head Pinch, featuring tracks long sold-out on vinyl, made available on CD for the first time here. This cutting edge collection highlights different styles and sounds used to decorate the prominent (and always changing) sub-bass layer that helps define dubstep. "Kontrol" by 2562 moves slowly and solidly with metamorphoses of sound and melody around the bass. The wind-up toy noises on "Percression" by Skream make suitable music for a scary short film set in a factory. And "Technocal" by Benga bangs out a fast movement of electronic sounds, showing us that if we thought everything you could do with electronic music had been done, we were wrong. Connecting varied sounds like the moon ties light to water in its reflection, this compilation reveals the transformative beauty and connective power of bass.
(Tectonic)

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