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Vinyl 12" reviews, reviews by Ivan Madeira and James Hemsley. Some of these tracks are available to listen to in streaming RealAudio format for which you will need Real Player which is free to download.


Right Before My Eyes
N&G featuring Kallaghan
Urban Heat
1998
Listen

When this tune first surfaced on the 2step market it absolutely blew up the place. The production is at the helms of Noris Windross and Grant 'Bump & Flex' Nelson. Two minds put together to form a remake of the early piano house classic by Patti Day-Right Before My Eyes on Fuse.

This tune features Kallaghan, an amazing vocalist who can really sing. There are many mixes out there including the new remix featuring MC Neat and older 4/4 and commercial house mixes. Though all the attention should be focused on the original 2step mix.

The production on this tune is quite subtle by the way the things are used to achieve a mad vocal/bassline flex. The beats have a breakbeat feel to it, Grant produced a few breakbeat/hardcore tunes in his time, which really adds to the tune. The vocals slide into the beats and bassline to a rip roaring effect, when the first breakdown occurs the ravers know something is going to happen. They fail to disappoint and with the amazing beats, bassline and vocals all surge into one and this classic is born. With some variation on the bassline the tune maintains and captivates the audience.

Grant is an amazing producer has produced hardcore to house to 2step. Norris has produced a few tunes but they've been excellent i.e. Heartbeat featuring Rose Windross under the Pseudo guise. So respect to these two guys and Kallaghan and remember that they created a classic and even won an award for it, back in 1998 they won tune of the year award in the Underground Garage Awards, well deserved. IM



Spirit of The Sun (Remixes)
Lenny Fontana
Public Demand
1998
Listen

Lenny Fontana is well respected US Garage/House producer bringing us Thinkin About Your Love, Chocolate Sensation and under Powerhouse guise with Duane Harden-What You Need. Though when the UK Garage scene came along the UK garage ravers gave him respect by the storming 2step mixes.

There are many mixes out there, James Lavonz remix, and Bump and Flex mixes which are equally amazing. Though it's the Steve Gurley Mixes which stand out. When Steve (ex-d&b producer) thought of remixing this tune he used his d&b production techniques to come up with a bass driven stormer. This is one of the 2step tunes which answered the question of all the ravers out there. There was a divide out there and the ravers wanted a cross between r&b and drum and bass, the production and darkness of d&b with the mixture of the soul/vocal's brought to us by r&b. This tune certainly answered this question. With it's sparse intro, a technique Gurley is known for, and the horns for the intro it really tells you that something is going to happen. Once the breakdown happens and the vocalist lets rip the lyrics 'Shine On Shine On SHINE ON' a mad bassline comes out of nowhere and really makes you want to get up and dance. It's got such a raw vibe to it, the dark dirty bassline, the wailing vocals, the strings and wisps all culminate together to form this piece great piece of 2 step. Also Gurley's beats are so well programmed and memorable which has a distinctive clink to it which has been featured in so many of his UK Garage mixes that we can recognise a Gurley beat or production instantly. IM



Masquerade
Gerideau vs MJ Cole
Inferno
1998
Listen

This tune is one of my favourite MJ Cole remixes. Matt-MJ Cole-Coleman is a producer with such skill and talents you know when he makes a tune either good or bad the production qualities are certainly up to scratch. His musical credentials aren't that of your average dance music producer i.e. Classically trained in piano and oboe, so when you here a tune you can here the classical elements within his tunes.

MJ has produced some classic 2step tunes such as the UK smash 'Sincere', 'Sanctuary' and many remixes has brought a new fresh approach to UK Garage. The MJ Cole 'Vocal' mix is the main mix with it's careful wisping string intro and the subtle piano notes tell you that this tune is different, and is more soulful then your ordinary 2step tune. The amazing well programmed beats alternate from 2step to 4/4 so seamlessly which incorporates the mood changes within the piece. Gerideau's vocals are incredible and shine through MJ's backing.

The chopped up vocals and the synth style trumpet support the main, well sung vocals. A tune that really puts the funk back into garage. A true innovator in his own right and is given the rightly deserved respect by all the leading UK Garage DJ's. IM



Fun
Da Mob featuring Jocelyn Brown
Subliminal/Incredible
1998

An excellent offering from the well respect, and consistent label Subliminal. With a lot of remixes to offer i.e. Basement Jaxx, DJ Sneak, Booker T, but it's the Todd Edwards remix which is the one that stands out for the garage heads.

The New Jersey producer is well respected with his 'cut & paste' technique which he has mastered. Bringing us so many tunes i.e. Never Far from U, Saved My Life, Alabama etc. He has had such an influence on the UK Garage scene with his production techniques.

This remix of Fun has shown some of his skills, with his rolling 4/4 beats with the choppy snare gives us the indication that Todd's on production. With the amazing vocals of the diva Jocelyn Brown and Todd's rhythm, it is a truly amazing tune.

The rift of the tune has that disco influence in it which is plays a main part in his tunes. It adds class and brings back that happy feeling. The build up of the tune is rather clever giving the impression that after every break down the tune seems to be speeding up until the last breakdown which totally slows down the tune again. A great trait to such a great remix.

Todd has so much influence in the scene and even EZ has got Todd Edward style cut and paste production with his tunes, though EZ doesn't really release a lot of what he makes and only keeps it on dub plate/acetate to play out himself. IM


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