DJ DRM

Bhuna Beats EP

Brooklyn's Bastard Jazz Recordings returns a bubblin' and eclectic 12" of tracks from label head DJ DRM. In true Bastard Jazz style, the Bhunabeats EP is an absolutle amalgamation of sounds, styles, and flavors - cross referencing ska, dub, bhangra, and latin funk into the modern sounds of downtempo, breakbeat, 2-step and broken flavors. Kicking things off with a heavy nod to Prince Buster is 'Blinger On' - a 120BPM ska floor filler that pushes its way into a big breakbeat with a squelchy analogue bassline complete with a melodica skank and classic Skatelites-esque trumpet solo - perfect for bringing those 60's vibes right into 2008! Up next is 'Maya's Dub' - a bass-quaking joint with big drums, delayed out skanks, horn stabs and bits of organ slinking into late-in-the-game Portugese male vox - smooth enough for the headphone set and bumpin' enough for some early side movements. Flipping the record over, 'Creature Comforts' is a deep, uptempo joint with late-night synths, fuzzy tribal percussion, deep bass and a re-worked two-step break that flips on it's head into a Broken sound mid-way through. Wrapping up the record is a remix of 'Vidambana' by Chico Mann, also known as Marquitos Garcia - guitarist for Afrobeat supergroup Antibalas and accomplished producer in his own right, having released a couple of killer albums and singles on Holland's Kindred Spirits label. His remix sticks right by his signature analogue afro/latin sound, incorporating the Indian elements of the original into a funky synth heavy rocker that defies categorization but gets ears perked up no doubt!