Most of what people associate with dubstep is the wall-rattling warped basslines that come at club-night peak hours, or even -- yikes -- just the kind of wobble that's now being filtered down in a lite version to the likes of Britney Spears. But dedicated fans of the genre recognize it for what it is: a surprisingly flexible palette to express any number of moods and stylistic influences.
Case in point: the new Transnational Dubstep compilation on Six Degrees Records, which bills itself as "the first major compilation to document the fusion of dubstep and global roots music." Even a cursory listen proves this, the mission of Generation Bass bloggers DJ Umb and Vincent Koreman, to be true.
Instead of collecting some more hard, obvious tracks, they impressively attacked the morass of Internet tracks to come up with a final selection of 15 creations from both established producers and the relatively unknown. Even the more established names here are firmly still underground; only the most dedicated downloaders will likely recognize Midival Pundits and the Bandish Project.
Still, what the comp lacks in marquee names it makes up for in creativity. Here, dubstep meets almost every possible major world beat. That ranges from electronic-friendly sounds like South American cumbia and Indian sitar, to more unexpected traces of Balkan and even Chinese music.
For a sample, stream a mini mix of the compilation below, and download a free track. It's called "Rude Profile," and is the work of Santra Cruz, California-based duo Flesh & Fish Finger. The track is billed as "flamenco-step," but its atmospheric textures and soothing flute samples mean it wouldn't sound out of place in a hip salon or restaurant.
Miami hosts a listening party for Transnational Dubstep on February 6 at Bar at the Sunday-night party Down, which recently celebrated its one-year anniversary. Admission is free.
Transnational Dubstep listening party. Sunday, February 6. Bar, 28 NE 14th St. Admission is free; age 21 and up. 305-633-9345; 28ne14st.com
Generation Bass Presents Transnational Dubstep Compilation Promo (Excerpt/Taster Mix) - 1 FEB 2011 by djumb
