Music Reviews - May 2003 - Testube Babies Posted by on May 12, 2003 - 9:18:00 AM

PAUL MADDOX FEAT..NIKKI MAC “REACH OUT” (TIDY TWO)

Its been a busy year or two for Paul since his plunge into the hard house circuit with his debut- the hard house remix of N-Trance “Set You Free” in 2001...and it doesn’t look like he’s about to slow down either with another anthemic release here from Tidy.
On the A side we have the original mix, an energy fuelled, slightly techy hard dance anthem complete with vocals from Niki Mak, whom the serious Anorak Brigade peeps will recognise as the late great Tony de Vit’s vocalist [/end blatant name drop]
The track kicks of with an unusual sounding sort of double beat overlaid with a touch of percussion and Niki’s occasional vocal input…. “Reach Out”. Into the break and we have heavy use of those vocals over slow percussion until that riff rips in over the top. The track churns away in this manner; with little chance to hold you’re breathing or reach for your mate’s skanky water bottle…need I say more?
On the flip we have Lee Pasch assigned to remix duty…he gives a good alternative to the A side with less use of the percussion and few more of those old familiar hooverish sounds we’ve all come so familiar with. The breakdown has a nice touch of breakbeat and a little less wailing from Niki…meaning this side is probably going to get a bit more attention from the less mainstream Hard House DJs.

Clubtheworld rating 3/5.

OVERLOAD “ DUEL” (TOOLBOX RECORDINGS)

So Toolbox returns with its latest offering, Overload’s “Duel”. This track originally came out on white label in 2000. It received big support back then by the likes of Paul Glazby and key players! Now it returns for a full release on Toolbox and also features two Cracking new remixes! First up is the Simon Eve mix, Simon uses a lot of the main elements from the original making this a good 2003 update. Good use of the acid and main riff keeps this mix interesting! If you like the original then you will love this mix. Next up is the Testube Babies remix! This mix is a lot different from the others, only using the main riff from the original! Wicked rolling bassline and acid keep this track growing and growing towards the breakdown. Then that fierce riff returns to complete the climax. Wicked stuff! Make sure you grab a copy!

Clubtheworld rating 5/5.

JAMES LAWSON/ANDY FARLEY/SPENCER FREELAND “FRANTIC RESIDENTS EP” (NUKLEUZ)

James Lawson & Andy Farley - 'Coming Up'

Now Nukleuz and all its associates would first like to announce that they in no way condone the use of drugs in any way shape or form.... not that this track would suggest otherwise.. *cough* hehe! What can be said about this track that you wasn't already expecting?! This is the result of taking two styles and coming up with something slightly different, effective and very f*cking good. Rolling bassline styled in not your basic offbeat structure (a farley bit there mefinks), absolutely stomping kicks, and percussion tighter than the ducks feathery rear! One killer synth line that drops in the main break, and some nicely effected synths throughout... and of course who could not notice that vocal?! Well put together and a very welcome break from the norm... wicked stuff!

Clubtheworld rating 5/5.

James Lawson & Spencer Freeland - 'The Music'

James once again on collaboration duties, but this time with the help of Mr Freeland, who's also been doing the rounds recently with stormers like 'Society' produced with the boy wonder, Ali Wilson. Rhythmic percussion this time and a solid kick backing it up for good measure! Alot of work gone in here already to get it full fat and flavoured without spoiling the brew. Deep pulsing bass, stabs and the occasional vocal give us some variety, with phased synths jetting in and out to supply the pace. From the break arises a riff that'll have your pants around your ankles and your shoelaces around your head! Quality production and smacking it up! Nice.

Clubtheworld rating 3/5.

PAUL GLAZBY  “HOSTILE/PH4” (VICIOUS CIRCLE)

Like it hard do ya? I mean really hard... the kind of hard that football hooligans are made of... the kind of hard that porn studs give it to their female co-stars... the kind of hard that made Paul Glazby what he is today... a living hard house legend.

Originally called 'Fu*king Hostile' this has been driving clubbers mad since CDR's of it filtered into the hands of Karim, BK, Andy Farley and Tidy Boys as well as Glazby hammering at every opportunity.

So what's all the fuss about? It's that heavy metal vocal that rattles everyones bones and so rightly it should. Complimented by heavy metal guitars this is one track that is in high demand.

Renamed 'Hostile' this could be Vicious Circles biggest release to date!

Clubtheworld rating 5/5.

If you would like any of your tracks to be reviewed on clubtheworld.com then please feel free to drop me an email at alan@testubebabies.co.uk. Cd or vinyl preferred please.