Western Lore レコード& CD

Review: Since launching last year, Dead Man's Chest's Western Lore imprint has blessed us with nothing but contemporary (but immaculately rootiscal) jungle. Blunted Breaks takes things to a whole new level, however, as we're treated to 12 more outstanding broken affairs from some of DMC's peers; Earl Grey, Threshold, Thugwidow, Coco Bryce and many more. Highlights hang from every corner of the crate as the likes of Response & Pliskin flip the technoid switch on "Anima Morta", Cavanaut takes us deep sea diving on "Vanishing Point" and DMC and Bryce go toe to toe for a skanked up swaggering finale. Get blunted.

Review: Future drum & bass specialists Western Lore serve up the third part of their Shadow Rhythms compilation series, channelling various hardcore-continual influences - breakbeat, dubwise, rave, ambient - through an eight-track set. Response, Denham Audio, Elkie, Eusebeia, Bluematter, Pod, Wrecked Lightship, and Low End Activist provide tribute. Less concerned with paying homage to the old-school, these ones come instead revel in the possibilties modern production can bring to jungle's round table - a few of them could have been made in the 1990s. Wrecked Lightship's 'Shell', Response's 'Tides' and Eusebeia's 'Turning Point' are our go-tos here.