Acute / Adz
» Riot! Gear EP 4
Reviewed by Olly Perris
/ Submitted 03-01-07 22:33
Label: Riot! Recordings
Format: CD-R
Genre: Hard Dance
Riot! Recordings bring out the 'A' list for the fourth instalment in their hugely successful Riot! Gear EP series. Previous artists to be featured on these EPs include: Lisa Lashes, BK, Ed Real, James Lawson, Lee Pasch and Ingo - so how do Acute, aka 21 year old newcomer Martin Jarvis, and Adz, a relative newcomer from the Midlands fare against such an esteemed bunch? Well, just as good, if not better.
Acute's 'Exodus' graces the A side of this release - or Track 1, seeing as this is the second Riot! download-only MP3 release. Now, those with a keen eye may detect that I've been shouting on the forums about this a lot and for good reason, as Acute is actually my housemate. I will place all bias aside however, as he still has yet to do the washing-up, so this review will be impartial, I assure you! 'Exodus' is, on the surface, an interesting track. Starting with tough beats, tribal loops and introducing a stinging offbeat, you really have no idea at any time where this record heads. Which, as we know, can only be a good thing. The element of surprise is withdrawn slightly with the onslaught of a conventional string-led breakdown with stabs & chords which all sound just rather pleasant.
But what happens next.... oh boy!
From seemingly out of nowhere, a flanged snare roll accentuates the track and you know something is going to happen. The track comes out of the crescendo, pauses, and then... well... WHAM! The rudest, filthiest, dirtiest, most downright disgusting bassline smacks you full on in the face in one loin-shuddering felled swoop. But by God, does it absolutely make you dance! Tried and tested on the big bassy systems like at The Fridge in Brixton, this tune has enough bottom end to feed the poor and bass-starved for years. With Armin playing this twice on his ASOT show, Marco V supporting and with John O'Callaghan even making his own special re-edit, you know you're in good company with this. A truly astounding debut from Martin, and I for one are extremely proud to see his first track on such a huge label. An astonishing piece of A&R from Riot! yet again, and one of the highlight Riot! releases in their entire illustrious catalogue for me.
On the B side (Track 2), Adz steps up with a more conventional hard dance offering in the form of 'Hypnotizin'. This started life back in the summer of '06 and was quickly picked up by BK from an MP3 mailout and the rest, as they say, is history. This one springs to life with a good pace, some wicked percussive touches and a great trance melody to power it along. Much in the same vein as Exodus, this one has a little surprise in store too. Once the break hits, a huge bass lead is on hand to really give the track some power. It's distinctive, edgy and when combined with the kick drum, really gets the feet stomping and the heads down.
An extremely innovative EP from Riot! who have pulled off two absolutely brilliant signings here. The biggest release of 2007 so far...
http://www.riotinlondon.com
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