Commix – Call To Mind [Metalheadz]

Commix are the only act to have ever been offer an album deal by Goldie for his Metalheadz label. That really speaks volumes in itself. Their debut LP certainly lives up to the expectations – with a classy sheen running through, reminding us why jungle was so fresh and exciting in the first place. Opener ‘Be True’ weaves deep, hovering bass tones beneath sumptuous Bukem style atmospherics – strings and delicate pianos, and just the right amount of echo and reverb for that big room feel. ‘Burn Out’ sees them flex their downtempo hip-hop style skills with some seriously chunky shimmy-shimmy beats, while ‘How Ya Gonna Feel?’ with future-soul merchant Steve Spacek is probably the strongest cut – a heartfelt, folorn DnB love song which oozes warmth and pheremones. The title track recalls Adam F at him most original – with a teasing beat pattern, and unhurried bass sitting it somewhere between hip-hop and deebee. There’s some straight-up rollers too, such as ‘Change’ with The Nextmen and ‘Satellite Type 2’, more experiemental fair of ‘Belleview’ and even some lush deep house on ‘Spectical’. Don’t miss Underground Resistance’s chunky, euphoric technosoul re-rub of ‘Satellite Song’ as a bonus track either.

A superb album full of maturity, depth, diversity and soul. These guys clearly know their history – something which a lot of young DnB heads would do well to take heed of. Joins the ranks of Reprazent’s ‘New Forms’ and Adam F’s ‘Circles’ as a classic of the genre.

9/10

Commix- Call To Mind (ARTIST ALBUM) [ Metalheadz] | Buy

Commix- Be True | Buy

Commix- Burn Out (Fade Away) | Buy

Commix ft. Steve Spacek - How You Gonna Feel | Buy

Commix - Emileys Smile | Buy

Commix -Call To Mind | Buy

Commix ft. Nextmen - Change | Buy

Commix - Satellite Type 2 | Buy

Commix - Belleview | Buy

Commix - Japanese Electronics | Buy

Commix -Spectical | Buy

Commix -Strictly | Buy

Commix - Satellite Song (Underground Resistance Remix) | Buy

Reviewed and credited by Ben Gomori