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.

Freshest five track debut EP from Roska’s new signing, including a remix by Rinse FM’s DJ Shox.

With its tilting synthlines and shoulder-dropping drum patterns we could easily imagine the tart title track to slip into a Roska or DVA set, whereas ‘Grinding’ comes on techier with biting synths and crisply tucked drums. ‘Predator’ injects a bit of Dubstep bass wobble a la Fis-T over Afro-Latin drum shivers, and ‘Run The Style’ leans deeper into Altered Natives-style rhythm programming and arrangement.

The Shox remix of ‘Lemon’ features extra batt(er)y licking stabs and a killer stop/start, Dutch-House debted rhythm rearrangement for the dancers.

This is it – 2011’s first release for the Roska Kicks and Snares label (RKS) and it is a big one. MA1 steps up with ‘Do It Better’ a funky house track that features one of the best vocals you will hear this year.

The vocals come courtesy of Sophia who you might remember from their previous release ‘I’m Right Here’ and this is clearly a partnership that works as it’s another triumph for the producer vocalist combo. The track is designed in everyway to make you want to dance, from the soft melodic keys to the jump up funky beat this is going to hit the clubs in a big way. Having already received plays from Funk Butcher, Supa D, T. Williams, Geeneus and Roska himself support for this track is just going to grow and grow.

The package comes with the radio edit of ‘Do It Better’ and an extended version that’s perfect for all DJs wanting to add this to their set list. It’s completed with another MA1 banger ‘Static’. Weighing in with heavy elements of tribal and funky rhythms this is another track that any DJ or music fan would be glad to add to their collection.

Roska’s Kicks and Snares/RKS is back with another big release, and this time it comes courtesy of Jamie George with the hotly anticipated Flying Saucer. First picked up by DJ Oneman, making it a feature on his Rinse mix cd, support for this track has grown and grown with well known acts such as Toddla T, Hot Chip and Tomb Crew repping it hard. Combining elements of UKG, House and Dubstep Jamie has created an instant classic that has worked hard to earn this release and the plays of DJ’s all across the country.

Roska himself steps up with the first remix, a re-imagining with special attention on the percussion, elements of tribal and dancehall peel back the layers of the original in the way that only a talented minimalist like Roska can. With his speciality lying in the truly funky Roska drops a mix that literally drags you up to your feet and pushes you harder the longer it’s played.

J Kenzo, of Dub Police fame, completes the package with a much darker, harder affair. You get the impression he took the original track and made it watch the entire Saw series back to back with Halloween then sent it back scarred forever. In all seriousness Kenzo has a real talent for creating dark, bass driven tracks and he has expanding on that here adding heavy portions of electro and old school to compose a truly original mix. Check them out and get back to us.