various / 14 tracks

14 tracks doffing caps to the Bristol new school

Bristol already left its mark on UK Bass culture back in the late 80's and early 90's via the Wild Bunch, Massive Attack, Portishead and Tricky, but over the last few years a new wave of producers has once again placed the city right at the innovative heart of the underground. This week's selection focuses on some of these characters, including Rob Ellis, aka DJ Pinch (owner of the Tectonic, Earwax and Kapsize labels and noted producer in his own right), Tom Ford, aka Peverelist (producer extraordinaire, and the man behind both the pivotal Rooted record store and the Punch Drunk imprint), Rob Smith, aka RSD (Luminary of both the first wave of the original 90's Bristol scene as part of Smith & Mighty and now under the RSD moniker), Joker (central figure in the whole Wonky movement), Headhunter (responsible for next-level Dubstep meets Techno innovations for Tempa), and many others. In short, Bristol is once again laying claim to be one of the most, if not THE most important British city in terms of underground culture and forward thinking musical progressions, and with a new wave of young producers like Gemmy and Guido upping the ante, it looks like the spread of the city's influence is only just beginning to hit its stride. Watch this space...