APHRODITE レコード& CD

Review: Longtime drum & bass legend Aphrodite carved out his own path, helming up his very own Aphrodite Recordings almost from the word jump. The infamously groovy humanoid figure on the front cover of each release (a bit like the Moving Shadow logo, albeit more spiritual) sums up the mood of his releases: hardcore, ecstatic, demi-divine. On 'The Stonka' EP, the producer leans far more in the former territory, however, with 'Stonka' portraying a sub-heavy reversy-breaks cacophony and 'Break Of Day' laying down a ragga-sample-inflected mind-expander, not to mention a clever pun.

Review: Heads will know Aphrodite is the no-effs-given 90s drum & bass artist of choice, with the producer's music inevitably occupying any curious digger's wantlist. Aphrodite knows you want it, which is why they're on a massive reissue campaign. Cashing in and all that - they can't resist. 'King Of The Beats' throws back to the dawn of amen break-cutting with a sampled reference to Mantronix, while 'Music's Hypnotising' blends an unusual arpeggiation with techstep motifs and a popular stock vocal sample. 'Dub Moods' and 'Spice' strip things back further, conveying ever-increasing Ridley-Scott-film-set moods.

Review: Buckle up for this one because Aphrodite Recordings serves up four stone-wall jungle classics from the eponymous Aphrodite. First up is 'Style From The Darkside' with its crunchy drums and darkened bass powering onwards. 'Navigator' is then a silky trip with a flurry of snares and some heavenly melodies helloing up top while dirty bass does its thing down low. On the reverse is the face-melting and unrelenting 'Bomber' which will rattle ribs and walls and last of all 'Basslights' comes on strong with stepping rhythms and elastic bass.