- Despite a mass exodus of producers and labels to house and techno and the gradual disappearance of regular, dedicated club nights, dubstep continues to quietly flourish, with Mala in particular finding plenty of creative potential left to mine for his Deep Medi label.
This 12-inch by Gantz is a case in point. Thriving on the contrast between nimble percussion and profound sub-bass, "Spry Sinister" admirably lives up to its title. An ominous bass note opens the track, joined by a triplet of clacking percussion and a stippled vocal sample. From the rimshots to the kicks, everything is hard-edged and bone-dry, making for a nice counterpoint to all that inky low-end. Yet it feels a little clinical until halfway through, when Gantz strips away everything except the sombre bassline, and gradually reintroduces the percussion, the elements coalescing into a tough syncopated workout. On "Rising" the focal point is string and vocal motifs—possibly samples of music from Gantz's native Turkey—that are a compelling contrast to the murky pool of bass and more functional percussion. The track's spectral melodies make it less stark than "Spry Sinister," but it's none the worse for it.
TracklistA Spry Sinister
B Rising