THE UNTOUCHABLES レコード& CD

Review: Samurai Music has always dealt in sophisticated sounds across the drum & bass spectrum. That has been true for almost 17 years now and 100 vinyl releases and to mark that milestone the label has curated a series of killer various artists' EPs. Each one does a fine job of reflecting the eclectic yet coherent output of the label. This one kicks off with dub techno figurehead Brendon Moeller exploring languid jungle rhythms on 'Walking On Glass', then takes in the double time bass power of The Untouchables, ambient drift of Ancestral Voices and future mean of the broken beats of Last Life.

Review: Ajit & Kate's mutations continue! Having hit us hard, deep and powerfully over the years - especially on their incredible Grassroots album a few years back - the longstanding Belgium-based couple go back to the very roots and essence of soundsystem culture: dub. Fusing aesthetics of the longstanding sound and drawing on its eternal influence that has always been there in every Untouchables record, each track highlights a different characteristic of dub. 'Onward Forward' flexes that infectious halftime swagger and groove, 'Living In Sacrifice' celebrates the more meditative, time-transcending elements of dub, 'Dubbing Siren' is all about that hypnotic immersion while 'Dread Box' is pure dub. A beautiful homage; this sounds exactly as you'd want a new Untouchables record to sound and adds a whole new twist. High recommended.