Low End Lowlife: 30.11.11

There's nothing quite like saying the wrong thing at the wrong time. Particularly in the modern age of video phones, mobile internet and Youtube. Admittedly it has its uses, such as rooting out scum on trams and catching kitten kickers mid-pelt, but for us everyday citizens of Modern Life saying the wrong thing or being misinterpreted is simply a hassle packed ball sack. From using the name of an ex in the midst of a high tension argument, to telling someone you can't make the pub on Sunday as you have to help Dad out by tenderising his meat, it seems there's always someone ready to accuse you of incest... Of course being bred in Norfolk these accusations are like water off a particularly greasy duck's back but that's besides the point. Please see the innocent child in me, and not the ethanol scented yokel.

Anyway, here's a rundown of some new releases from a family who will never pass judgement, whether you are ploughing fourteen hectares of nitrate heavy soil or your heavy set cousin. That's right, the bass music fam. (Who aren't actually related)

First up this week comes the new EP Yellobone on Friends of Friends (FoF) by San Francisco born, LA dwelling Salva. If you are unfamiliar with Salva thus far this EP follows up his Complex Housing long player which boggled ears this past summer. Yellobone's title track is no different, opening with an almighty steady thump, textured with acid soaked synths which suddenly become entwined in an almost tribal rhythm that wouldn't sound out of place on an Untold production. A washed vocal drifting in over the noise accompanied by sub kicks and more funk intoned synths pushes the track firmly over the top and will no doubt be raiding the playlists of many self respecting footwork heavy DJ's doing the rounds over the impending festive season. Two remixes of the title track are also thrown in the proverbial pot, the first is by Shlohmo, another producer the world can't stop chatting about and computer spell checks can't quite handle, accompanied by fresh face 2KWTVR; another soon to be known name on the strength of this remix and no less stressful on a spellchecker either. Bedding the percussion down in the back of the track and bringing out more synth is a bold move for a track so locked in its rhythm section but the results are a joy, leaving the piece with a much warmer, spacey feel. In turn this sets the vibe nicely to jump headfirst into the LOL Boys much more house orientated version, bringing the tempo of the cut full circle. As well as the three vibrantly diverse title track options there is also the slow rolling, almost Southern sounds of 'Obsession' featuring B.Bravo. Utilising a seventies Bee Gees denim-tight 808/percussive line and squelchy synth sets atop a pitch-twisted vocal this is a real contender for "abstract leftfield window rattler of the year". A coveted trophy I blatantly just made up but regardless, it's probably my tip for the crown. 'Komodo' falls in somewhere between the two previous constructions, with again a southern styled R&B rumble, but carried on an erratic set of percussive lines which make this package both massively exploratory in style but, crucially, still very much a fully realised and self contained package. You can pick this one up in physical format from December 5th, with the digital edition already doing the business and frankly, for a fiver, it might be worth skipping a meal... or two, depending on how much of your weekly big shop is weighted towards Sainsbury's Basics produce.

A long player which finds itself in very much a different sphere to Salva is the new, self titled collaboration from dubstep authorities Pinch & Shackleton courtesy of Honest Jons. If you are familiar with the work of either of these producers you should probably skip reading this and go smash the nearest pink porcelain pig to get your grubby digits on a copy of this. Steeped in the staples of both men's styles; dubbed out atmospherics and mesmerizing bass courtesy of Pinch and eastern inflected vocal haunts and rhythms the like of which Shackleton could probably more or less trademark now, the album is both unique and flows as one, thoroughly organic whole. To pick out any individual track is almost a fruitless exercise, a factor that, to me, is becoming more and more refreshing in the iTunes playlist age, but without doubt there are standout moments in all nine cuts. For instance the layering metallic rhythms of 'Jellyfish', the jaw locking tension of 'Torn & Submerged''s dread laden keys or the altogether suffocating atmosphere of 'Monks On The Rum' there are simply too many to list without this piece sounding any more like a sales pitch than it already does.

Wrapping up this week comes some new sounds from French Fries via ClekClek Boom. If you missed 'Fries preposterously danceable remix of 'I.R.L' by Girl Unit then now is the time to make amends. His new 12" 'Champagne / Hugz' has just dropped its 180 gram load, much to the delight of pretty much every DJ that plays anything decent, myself and most France. Apparently it even helped convince Fillon to take his old job back. A side 'Champagne' is a slick little footworker which revolves around a screwed vocal sample requesting 'money for my champagne and money for my bitch' accompanied by a slinky little flute hit something like you'd expect to find in a red light club circa 1974. Even with those chauvinist overtones you can be guaranteed a grand response from all genders. I don't even like champagne. The reverse brings the slightly more diplomatic 'Hugz'; the diplomacy being that the vocal hits of 'I Just Wanna fuck' are delivered by both male AND female voices on top a steady throbbing bass made familiar in recent times by the nimble hands of the many stellar names affiliated with the Hemlock/Hessle/Night Slugs camps. This one is out now on 180g heavyweight vinyl with the digital release dropping just in time for Christmas on December 19th so bugger everyone else this year, French PM included and stuff your own stocking....

Please interpret that carefully...