Pound for Pound: Science Faction

Thursday, January 18, 2007

Science Faction - Grime

Regal Players, "Rude Boy (remix)" (YSI link)

Ribz, Nappa, Flirta D & Shizzle, "Pull Up Dat" (YSI link)

Jammer, "Murcle Man" (YSI link)

I had actually written a sunny, upbeat post about some glorious underground disco, but it's snowing and I read the news and I haven't received a message back from someone and yadda yadda yadda here's a post on a nice grime compilation. It's sad that there are only a few compilations that have made it into wide distribution in the states for this music, as it's some of the freshest, most interesting music of the past decade easily.

I recently came across this new compilation from Science Faction, a label dedicated to covering the underground genres that have popped up recently or have just got attention from the blogs and DJs, like dubstep and Baltimore club. This grime compilation seems too little too late, as there's a sense that this movement has begun to splinter. In essence, this is the sort of thing that everyone outside of the UK was clamoring for a few years back. But, I don't want to take away from a great CD with that kind of bitching. Let's be thankful that we got anything at all, let along something that compiles the big names and some up and comers that I hadn't heard from before. It's all mixed by DJ Cheeky, meaning that this isn't much help for the DJs out there. What you do get is a decent overview of the scene at this time, particularly the more rhythmic music of the scene.

The first half of the CD is the strongest, bringing the harder beats and the harder lyrics. It's got a more varied, dance-y sound than the Dizzee Rascal, early grime sound of the pirates. While I prefer the older, dystopic, brutal shit, this is nothing to sneeze at. I feel like Wiley looms over this compilation, and not just because he has a song or two on here. Rather, he has always seemed the most open to other sounds and opening grime up from its lo-fi beginnings and that permeates throughout. While I wish 2004 could have lasted forever, I'm excited to hear where this scene goes. I'm gonna try to do a better job staying on top of this, please get in touch if you can point me in the right directions. Go here to buy this one, look for it at most major CD stores as it's got good distribution.

-Philly, you need to be here, as Broadzilla drop their first 2007 party. They will change your life. "A Total Destruction Dance Party For You and Yours."