LAB017 represents the long-awaited return of Zed Bias to Aquatic Lab, this time in the guise of his seminal, futuristic broken beat alias, Maddslinky. Hammerhead marks the first Maddslinky appearance on vinyl since 2012, and is accompanied by three dynamic re-interpretations from the extended Aquatic Lab family.
The original cut of ‘Hammerhead’ is a unique composition from an artist often associated with deep club anthems. A minimalistic excursion of dark atmospherics and whirring bass, this is Maddslinky reimagining the rolling spirit of early 2000s breakstep, in truly fine style.
On the flipside comes the vinyl debut of Berlin-based producer Bardeya. This transformative version opts for a route of smokey and cinematic soundscape, before a crushing elephant dub march to the finish. Think Kanding Ray meets The Bug!
The digital release includes a debut Aquatic Lab appearance for Bristol based producer Sam Binga and a return for Sydney bass crew Cliques, who follow up from their mighty vinyl debut on LAB016.
Cliques deliver a tech-stepper, detailed percussion underpinned with smatterings of wet delays and sinister reverb, switching up on the original with livewire rave anxiety and blown-out distorted bass.
Sam Binga lays down a dubwise footwork framework, the session is a cruising ride built for the Sunday afterparty. With busy snares, pulsing bass and vibrant stabs, this piece of kit is for when the sun meets the sea.
Mastered at Dubplates and Mastering and cut on 180-gram vinyl.
Digital tracks mastered at Optimum.