Various Artists - Various Artists [2x12" LP]

Recording info

London-based Astrophonica, headed by Charlie Fracture, kicks off 2017 with a compilation capturing the sounds that have driven the label forward for the past five years. *Gradients* is Astrophonica s first compilation and brings together its small but powerful roster with a string of close friends and allies, giving prominence to both well-known names dBridge, DJ Earl, Stray, Om Unit under his Philip D Kick guise and newcomers Lewis James, Tusais, Touchy Subject, Tehbis.

Astrophonica s ties to various established players are proudly on display with contributions from Richie Brains collaborators Sam Binga the furious, clap-driven BFT and Stray whose uplifting Blink provides a ray of sunshine as well as Exit boss dBridge, who indulges his love of sampling and breaks on the stripped back db vs The 45 King . Reflecting Astrophonica s love of Chicago footwork is Statisfyee , a hypnotic groover from Fracture and DJ Earl, Teklife member and a disciple of the late DJ Rashad, while Sully s Helios gets a rare remix from Philip D Kick, the footwork meets jungle alias of Om Unit.

Representing the label, Parisian dub scientist Moresounds and English producer Sully come with two different but complimentary junglistic experiments: the dark and percussive Warriah and the expansive and rolling We re Here . Meanwhile London s Touchy Subject and Tehbis, the latest additions to Astrophonica, offer up two head-nodding burners with the bright and colorful Cosmic Tales and the smoky grooves of Alphabet Ooz . Label founders Fracture & Neptune dig deep into their archive for Whatever , a previously unreleased track updated for 2017 that pays homage to Astrophonica s roots with trademark attention to detail and an ear for rhythmic sensibilities. Fracture also flies solo with Back Up In This , a lean and aggressive dancefloor wrecker. Completing the picture are two new talents: Irish-born, London-based producer Lewis James displays his blend of cinematic compositions and hard-hitting beats on Snook while Antwerp s Tusais does an equally efficient job of pummeling the dancefloor with the menacing Blackout .

*Gradients* is a glorious celebration of Astrophonica s growth as well as its stylistic roots and forward-thinking ethos. Each of the 13 tracks has been tested in the clubs for the past year to ensure an all-killer-no-filler experience. And as with previous releases, the compilation sports artwork from Utile Creative whose striking design adds an all-important visual touch to a new milestone for the label.