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basscalls

BASS CALLS | FORTNIGHTLY COLUMN FEATURED IN 3DWORLD | OCTOBER 20 2007

It’s well known one of the best informants on tangent regional jump-up sounds is the Mad Decent empire. The label, run by international gigolo Wes ‘Diplo’ Pentz gives daily offerings on the blog – from Argentinean cumbia to kuduro, New Orleans bounce to Texan screwed’n’chopped – and monthly feeds through the Mad Decent Radio podcasts. Whilst the Mad Decent label’s actual signings have been slim, they are impeccable. Bonde do Role, Blaqstarr and now, get familiar with the South Rakkas Crew.


From their base in Miami, South Rakkas have busted many a dancehall smasher with almost every superstar Jamaican DJ voicing over their electro-tinged riddims (check Red Alert, Clappas and Chinkuzi). But just last year, the crew publicly announced they would be retiring. Paying for 20 different vocalists on one riddim release was no longer viable when competing with Internet file-sharing. Fortunately, it turns out to be just from this game that South Rakkas retired. Their remix talent has been recently employed by Lily Allen, Beck and DJ Shadow. But their re-emergence becomes official as Mad Decent releases the Mix Up EP available in the store this week ($30).

The Mix Up is nothing but a 100% hoot, blending electro-bounce, dance synths and old-skool hip-hop breaks with dancehall hype from Capleton, Mr Vegas, TOK and more.

Sesame Street’s pinball Twelve gets a caning from Stone Love Soundsystem’s Geefus,

LISTEN twelve
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The New Kidz destroy the Inner City-sampling 80’s house throwback sound of Mad Again,

LISTEN mad again
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And even Josh Wink’s Higher States of Conciousness bassline gets block-rocking on Hotter Than Them!
LISTEN hotter than them
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It all sounds insane (or perhaps inane) in writing, but to the ear it’s pure undeniable fun. Considering the signing to Mad Decent, South Rakkas look well positioned for s ome genuine, if unconventional, crossover love. To check how they run it live soundsystem style (y'know rumours for an Australian touchdown are rife) don't go past this footage of them holding down London's uber club, Fabric.

 
South Rakkas Crew takeover Fabric, London. June 2007.

Funnily enough, if you tune to the sound of Jamaica’s recent riddim offerings dance music is actually under full embrace. Sean Paul, the crowned prince of dancehall crossover, has chosen Pick It Up and Drop It, his sessioning on the raving Madness riddim, as his next single. Featuring stuttering My Love-like synths, the Madness stabs away at a hectic, techno-paced 145bpm.

LISTEN SEAN PAUL ~ pick it up and drop it

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Of course, if the rave is not your scene try the 2070’s riddim, a hilariously playful Blaxploitation beat. Headlined by Wayne Marshall’s Party Like 1975 and Elephant Man's great Smell, all the vocalists individually rock the disco by twisting their choruses into the phrasing of Curtis Mayfield, the Bee Gees and more.

LISTEN ELEPHANT MAN ~ smell This text will be replaced by the flash music player.

DOWNLOAD 2070's Riddim Medley