Kicking things off is Champion’s ‘Selecta’ which is peppered with bad boy vocals and rude wheelbacks that serve the dance floor vibe well. But at the forefront of it all is Champion’s masterful use of bass which here serves as sturdy groundwork for a record which main hook switches from low rumbles to higher pitch shakes in order to keep heads nodding and feet moving. MA1′s ‘Bassbox’ continues the ecstatic vibe with an increasingly hyperactive and modulating synth which switches throughout the length of the record to dizzying degrees whilst the bass and drum claps keep it masterfully steady. Naughty polishes things off with ‘Unstoppable’, an equally rude funky workout. Starting off with vibes galore in the form of a crucial drum pattern which already gets the feet moving, the progression continues with added dramatic melodic intervals and a lightheaded and ecstatic high pitch tone which gradually moves on to darker territory later on.

Across the four original productions we are treated to joyous lingering synth melodies syncopated with intermittent bass stabs, a straight up tribal and r&b influenced vocal piece, minimal drums and piercing sirens melded into a techno/funky workout and even a ‘crack house’ influenced banger! Yet even though the variety is breathtaking, MA1 manages to command these electrifying acoustics with the greatest of ease and stomps his seal on each one. On remix duty, label-mate Tickles manages to take us on a sub-aquatic submarine adventure with an electrifying take on the title track featuring dizzying drum work and whirling bleeps. Shox remixes the aforementioned track too, this time with a more ravey and breathless feel yet still owing to the original’s pressurised groove. Once again Kicks & Snares continue to mutate with another punchy and multifarious turnout

Following the ragged ‘Goosebumps’ this EP seems intent on continuing Naughty’s manifesto of producing pure floor-damaging records. There’s an electro feel to the percussion which whilst owing to the past, sounds fresh as anything. This might have something to do with Naughty’s other use of electronics and synths which evolve throughout each tune. At one point you’ll hear some funky drum hits, other times you’ll hear interesting use of squelch synths and at one point even some straight up wobble (all used in the most sophisticated way of course). However the over-riding feature of all the tunes is the bass, which when utilised in the dance will be certain to cause some ruckus.’

A1 – Roska – Without It (Terror Danjah Remix)

B1 – J:Kenzo Pres Guttershake – Let It Move

B2 – Tickles – Da Growler

Champion’s trademark trembling bass-lines have made him a household name already at such an early point in his career and the bass is certainly in full effect across all three productions here. With an intent to rattle those subs, Champion switches from low rumbles to higher pitch shakes in order to keep heads nodding and feet moving. His bass-lines often command and wind through his funky drum programming, leading the compositions yet never being too over-bearing upon other elements within the tracks. With a nod to dubstep and garage, his lower frequencies astound, yet with an eye to the future the drums and overall production have one foot clearly through the the other side of the door. Yet again one more release that sums up the restless and forward thinking nature of today’s bass music scene.

Carrying on from where he left off, Tickles brings four new rhythms to the fore which encapsulate the uncompromising funky sounds of his last EP ‘Citrus’. Drums tougher than iron and bass harder than rock are the only things that link all these beats together though as Tickles blends funky, dubstep and house into his own dance-floor destructive mould with each track differentiating from the last. You can tell Tickles wears his influences on his sleeve and has broad taste, yet with tracks that exude power like these, there’s no denying that soon artists will be copying his heavy, rhythmic compositions. The wide spectrum of sounds that this EP and all of the previous RKS releases draw upon encapsulates the burgeoning London scene at the moment, and from a city that never sleeps, this label is bound to give it’s followers restless nights for a long time to come

Opener ‘Fibreoptickz’ leads us in nicely, beginning with those trademark kicks and snares, then introducing a distorted and hypnotic synth line which continues throughout, creating a hypnotic balance with those drums. A one pitch bassline and some vocal grunts make up the rest of the elements of the track but though simple in construction, its the way in which the sounds are distorted that make the track addictive.

‘Let it Move’ starts off pure electro style with punchy drums and dirtier synths once again lending to the surprising nature of this labels output. Some funny vocal samples and whoops come in later and is a new look for Kenzo but he commands this sound like he’s been doing it for years. House, Acid and Electro are all noticeable influences here and this tune is bound to be pulled from some interesting record bags this summer.

Final tune ‘Tec Toy’ is a bit closer to Kenzo’s previous work yet he’s clearly been taking tips from label head Roska with some unexpected drum programming and vocal samples intertwining with one another to create a sinuous harmony that never loses its focus. Kicks & Snares once again coming up with the goods and keeping us on our toes!

Simon Kemp

The latest release to hit the streets from Roska’s ever growing Kicks and Snares label comes courtesy of Spectr.

Spectr also known as Dub/House/Tech producer Scuba (Paul Rose) is the the founder of Hotflush Recordings, and if we rewind back in time, Spectr fittingly had the first official release on the Hotflush label with (Red Hot / Motion) back in 2003. Time Warp back to present day and with one of the hottest U.K underground label backing it, Spectr delivers a package that can keep the attention and energy levels high of any dancefloor. Slick drum patterns, old skool feel garage-esq stabs combined with weighty bass melodies and catchy vocal samples sets the tone for A side “Dance 4 Me” which is already in it’s own right a future classic.

B Side track “I Know” is more on an electronic 4×4 vibe, with catchy synth melodies and a vocal that you will find yourself singing along to after the 1st play, this is definitly a track DJ’s will find themselves pulling out the crate, time and time again.

With full support from elite DJs and producers alike, the bar has once gain been risen.