[RATING: 5] As the Riddim Fruit label are well aware, Bristol has a reputation of being something of a world centre of bass music. The Wild Bunch, Massive Attack, Smith & Mighty, Portishead, Roni Size and Full Cycle, a constant Jamaican dancehall presence since the sixties – indeed you might imagine that life in the monkey’s hometown permanently chugs along to a seismic rumble. That’s all bollocks of course, I definitely remember a few minutes in the last couple of decades when everything within vision has stopped vibrating and I’ve heard the wind gently rustle through discarded McDonalds wrappers.
Anyway – here’s the Bristol Fashion EP containing cuts from four of the current crop of Bristol’s bass fiends. The Allergies open proceedings with some heavy breakbeat soul, sampling Ann Peebles for You Wouldn’t Know, Mr 50 drops skankin future-horns and bass wobble effort Reese’s Pieces and Frenic delivers a pounding Bring It Back. But that’s only three tracks! Oh yeah sorry – can’t forget Parker who presents us what sounds like a bit of disco. Made by Godzilla.
(Out 2 May on Riddim Fruit)