Back catalogue: Deep Dubstep

Review: War Remix brings together Bukkha, Dubbing Sun, Kol Ee and Family Tree Sound for a deep, bass-heavy reimagining of reggae and dub. The track is built around atmospheric grooves that flex with a blend of electronic textures and organic instrumentation and there's an undeniable urgency in the mix, with each artist adding their own layersiwhether it's the skittering percussion, dubbed-out vocals, or deep sub-bass that keeps everything moving forward. It's a remix that feels grounded in the roots of dub but pushes into new territory, a space where tradition meets innovation. Expect a sound that hits hard on the dancefloor but leaves room for introspection too. This release adds something fresh for fans of experimental reggae and dub, with enough of the old school to keep it connected.

Review: The connection between ZamZam and Feel Free Hi Fi was sparked by Bristolian Neek out in Portland and lead to an immediate bond forged over a shared sound and DIY ethos. Inspired by early digi-era dancehall and UK dub, the duo crafts a sound here that honours tradition while venturing into bold, idiosyncratic territory. It comes on their own Digital Sting label and opens with 'Voyageur' which is a mix of cinematic atmospherics with haunting synths that evoke wild and mythic landscapes. 'Underground' pays tribute to the spirit of DIY underground music and captures the struggle to preserve both nature and the essence of basement gigs in today's shifting cultural landscape.

Review: East London MC Jus Rival teams up with Camden's Joe Fire here for a hard-hitting new track 'G.M.S (Gun Man Sound).' Following their previous collaboration on 'Dangerous Settings,' the duo builds on their undeniable chemistry for another explosive release with some serious low-end heft. Produced by grime heavyweight Spooky Bizzle, the brass-laced instrumental provides the perfect backdrop for both MCs to shine and Jus Rival opens with a catchy hook and sharp bars, while Joe Fire takes over with a playful, yet commanding verse. Accompanied by a slick visual directed by Honey JD,tihs one is defined by its dynamic delivery and relentless energy.

Review: The Plymouth soundsystem and collective known as No Ice Cream Sound take their namesake after the historic Johnny Osbourne song 'No Ice Cream Sound', which hears one of the many most popular faces and voices of reggae decry "ice cream sound", his shorthand for tunes and soundboys who'd dare soften the original intended rawness of roots music. Here the boys take a thousand-watt megabulb to a gelato the size of a glacier with 'This & That', which hears residents Charlie P and Jman go back to back, trading verses and rhythms in a soundsystemic pattern. Fusing influences of both rubadub and roots, the two versions featured here are truly twin whirlwinds, not for slackened belts by any stretch.

Review: Seafront International returns with some classic roots sounds from U Brown with a dub from Jah Warrior. Recorded at Conscious Sounds studio in London 2001, the sounds are stripped down to raw bass and drum dynamics by producer Jah Warrior who was clearly intent on allowing his work to be a personal platform for U Brown to offer up his own lyrical expressions and his musical messages. It's a track delivered with energy and serious focus and will sound best nice and loud.

Review: ZamZam Sounds present the latest release from esteemed dubstep illusionist V.I.V.E.K.. The label are quick to note him, amongst a select few others in the OG dubstep pantheon, as one of a few apostolic names to shine an especially novel light on the scene, notably perhaps due to his hosting of the much-loved System club night series. Now building on the accrual of over 20 years' worth of dubstep experience, comes 'Illusions', which self-admittedly goes to the "bedrock of soundsystem music" to deliver a power-stepper of galactic proportions. The title track gleams with exceptional understanding of the dubstep genome, its expositional 16 bars echoing early Deep Medi in not immediately privileging huge snares or snaggletooth mid-basses, but rather miring the listener deeply and accessibly into a simple kick pattern and mesmeric droplet synth, proving dubstep's malleability. The raw version amps this up even further, adding a master sonic blacksmith's ear to the snares and hats, and bringing crazed, quicksilvery tail modulations to the drum design as though the DAW were a floor-fired crucible.