Breakbeat Recommendations May 2010

Review: Formerly known to fans as Quasamodo, producer Dimitris Nassios keeps the funk flowing with his new moniker The Q Orchestra. "Ritmo Diabolico" is an awesome slice of Latin-infused house, with nu-jazz touches to the production that include rolling brass, long rising filter sections and even the odd Cuica sound to keep it bouncy. "The Pink Raider" backs it up perfectly with its chop-socky guitars and smooth, Donald Byrd-style trumpet leads. Look out for the forthcoming album Journey Through Sounds if this rightly floats your boat.

Review: Coming on strong after their album of the same name, Dutch trio Noisia drop this EP of "Split The Atom" with some killer remixes. The original's already got enough fire as a deep and heavy breakbeat banger complete with some epic builds. The mighty Ed Rush and Optical speed things up into a charging D&B worker, before stunningly dropping the tempo down back to it's original speed but still keeping the energy flowing. Dubstep producer ???? forensically takes apart "Split The Atom" also and builds it back up in a manic way over a chunky half-step beat. Plenty of bass-heavy fun all round.

Review: Hybrid's fourth studio album was two years in the making but now finally sees daylight through Distinctive Records. Featuring the city of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra, the album signals a new approach for the band whilst keeping their trademark, eclectic stance as they meander through breakbeat, folk, soul and dub.

Review: Three huge mixes of breakbeat duo Afghan Headspin's 2008 anthem 'MSG' on their own Valium imprint. Australian's Karton throw everything into the mix - breakbeat drums are merged with hoovering dubstep bass stabs for a truly filthy slab of fun. XXSR boss Mars drops some Stalingrad wobble, with some rattlesnake percussion and full fat drums filling out their mix nicely. Yoof (one half of Sons of Mecha) brings the South London vibes on his remix with typically banging results.