- Soul Jazz celebrate the success of their ‘Box of Dub’ compilation with the release of a limited edition, heavy-vinyl 12” from Skream, dubstep's most celebrated prodigy. The EP is just two tracks, but it's a good yardstick of Skream’s abilities. Covering his more mature side as well as the playfulness found on some of his album tracks, it's a record that suggests that all of Skream's successes haven’t yet taken away from his youthful joy and creativity.
The A-side is the better of Skream’s two tracks from 'Box of Dub'. ‘Sub Island’ is a brooding and cinematic piece of sci-fi dub that opens with forlorn stabs that echo out into ambient space in all directions. The sandy flashes of anxious rhythm, phased hi-hats and dramatic fades all add up to a perfect party track that is signature Skream.
On the B, ‘Pass the Red Stripe’ is a lighthearted tribute to the favourite beer of Jamaica, and by proxy, England. Brasher and less engaging than 'Sub Island', it's a solid track nonetheless, build on magic show special effects, a simple horn riff and later a comic fat man bass. Carnivalesque and brimming with character, 'Pass the Red Stripe' is the sound of cheap drunken mayhem.
More nice work from the master.
TracklistA Sub Island
AA Pass The Red Stripe