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In the disparate world of bass music, dubstep has unravelled itself in multiple directions. This month, this is no better demonstrated as one of dubstep's most unique pioneers Shackleton returns with two killer EPs on Honest Jon's. Also on the radar are great new EPs from Falty DL, Kowton, Cosmin TRG and Badawi, new talent Duffstep's cosmic downtempo first album, and not forgetting James Blake's much talked about debut.

Our brand-new City Focus: Bristol podcast presents yet another opportunity to reflect on dubstep's short but intense history. Two giants of the scene, Pinch and Headhunter, are interviewed amidst tracks by Peverelist, RSD, Guido and Orphan101, giving an overview of one of the truly integral cities in the development of the genre.
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EP released 18-02-2011 on Honest Jon's Records
Following his epic 75-minute Fabric mix of last year, Shackleton lets two gripping EPs loose side-by-side on Honest Jon's. One of these, 'Fireworks' presents a new track as well as some exceptional remixes by T++ and Mordant Music, proving how flexible the term 'dubstep' has become.

Whereas his Fabric mix evoked primal forces in its rhythmical wickedness over its duration, 'Fireworks' unsettles with its extreme spaciousness. Shackleton's trademark doom-laden percussion drives the track whilst its title is reflected in the spectacular snaking rushes of noise.

Former remix partner T++ returns, using an older alias with his 'Aussen Vor' remix referring to a Dynamo EP from the 90s. Reinventing the track with clusters of bone-dry percussion, T++ shifts the original into a creaking, writhing reincarnation.

'Undeadman' sees Shackleton wonkily resurrecting 'Deadman' as featured in the other simultaneous release on Honest Jon's. Rearranging its elements almost completely, only its hypnotic vocal hook is left as a distinguishingable trace.

Finally, the Mordant Music remix undertaken by Baron Mordant piles up luscious noisy-synth beams before deconstructing the track into beautifully discordant squeaks and loops. Evoking the bizarrest of nightmares, as the Mordant Music label has always excelled in, this is a brilliant end to an all-round stunning release from some of the most stimulating minds in electronic music at the moment.
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Maxi-Single released 18-02-2011 on Honest Jon's Records
Taking 'Deadman' from his highly-acclaimed Fabric mix, Shackleton's hissing and sizzling percussive finery is twice reworked by Kevin Martin. The King Midas Sound remix imbues a beautiful desolate atmosphere with Hitomi's vocals, whilst The Bug's version fixes further beat abstractions to it. Very fine.
Maxi-Single released 14-02-2011 on Ramp Recordings
Killer new track from New York's FaltyDL with gut-bending multi-directional rhythms under unforgettable aching vocal hooks in deadly combo, building on the darn brilliant 'Phreqaflex' EP from last year. Jamie XX does a fine job on the remix, adding dynamic drops and a fruity bassline. Massive!
Maxi-Single released 04-02-2011 on 50 Weapons
Cranking out his very fine harder techno style again, Cosmin TRG's latest EP divulges from his recent housier outings on Rush Hour. The dry, quaking big room techno with muddy undercurrents of 'Separat' is counter-balanced by the wickedly spiked-synth punisher 'Izolat'. Excellent.
EP released 02-02-2011 on All City
The first part of All City's new 'Collabs' series has technostep master Martyn side with hip-hop experimentalist Mike Slott. 'All Nights' is a killer house track with a percussive dupstep groove beneath its Shed-style chords, which his followed by 'Pointing Fingers', a playfully abstract downbeat exercise in a FlyLo vein.
EP released 14-02-2011 on Ghostly International
Napalm Death/Godflesh/Techno Animal veteran Justin K Broadrick returns with a new Pale Sketcher EP on Ghostly, taking his sound from euphoric drone dubstep to reflective, guitar-plucking downbeat electronica across four tracks and a spine-chilling, earth-shaking King Midas Sound remix. Weighty!
EP released 14-02-2011 on Numbers
After their debut release on Hyperdub last year North London production duo Ill Blu head for Numbers this time around with their 'Meltdown EP': Three tracks of hard-hitting funky house, combining Kwaito-inspired percussions with ravesignals and chipsounds abound. Heavy!
Maxi-Single released 11-02-2011 on Tectonic
Illum Sphere lands on Tectonic with a bang: 'Dreamstealin' could be a piece of grain-synthesised neo-classical music, if it wasn't for the junglistic dubstep beats that convert to hip-hop breaks after the break. Backed by the wonky 'Blood Music' and an Indigo remix. Unique and recommended!
Album released 08-02-2011 on Ghostly International
Shigeto's glistening fantasy-rich debut album gets a thorough remix treatment. Mike Slott's is smooth and flowing with iridescent atmospherics, Samiyam cranks up the slo-funk factor while Take, Om Unit and Charles Trees provide excellent unhurried spins on Shigeto's original visions. Sweet!
Maxi-Single released 14-02-2011 on R&S Records
The jittering electro-workout of 'OFI' from the reformed Model 500 late last year is given contrasting remixes from two young UK talents. First up hip-hop experimentalist Bullion turns the original into a comic-strip Dilla-esque explosion, before cosmonaut SDC steers it smoothly towards planet funk. Ace.
EP released 15-02-2011 on Rush Hour
Policy follow up a first release on Car Crash Set last year with 'Speciality Party' on Amsterdam's prestigious Rush Hour imprint. The title track sets echoing vocals and lopsided melodies against a stumbling rhythmic background, while 'Lights Over Fort Lee' takes a more jazzy turn. A speciality indeed.
Compilation released 15-02-2011 on Eat Concrete
Bloom turns to Gloom. Continuing his series of broken beat experiments, Aardvarck teams up with fellow Dutchman Kubus for this EP on Eat Concrete. On seven tracks in total abstract, wonky jazz-stepping by Aardvarck meets Kubus' more sinister leftfield dubstep. Recommended.
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Shackleton, Jamie XX, James Blake
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