As Bass music becomes increasingly structured around colossal bass drops and distorted chattering synths, its refreshing to hear tunes that are blatantly dubstep yet eschew belligerence in favor of atmospherics and grooves. The Tribesman Ep is the second release from Squarewave’s New World Audio label and brings together Nasha Records veterans Sukh Knight and Shandy in a consistent and aptly-named offering of Eastern-influenced techno bass. The title track conjures images of a steamy rainforest, combining breezy bird whistles with crisp percussion and an urgent bassline reminiscent of Nomad-era Headhunter. Sukh Knight’s “Shankle” lurches along in his classic style with chunky, repetitive bass punctuated by edgy synth stabs that prod the tune forward with a nervous swagger. Shandy’s “Synthy” merges reggae keys and flourishes of sitar atop a lightly distorted bass groove, and Squarewave’s “For Earth” finishes it off on an atmospheric tip with subtle rippling pads and airy flute passages.
The Ep is available on Beatport here: http://www.beatport.com/release/tribesman-ep/387053
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