- The Y4K series steps into 2003 with Tayo, Dread At The Controls. Tayo is undeniably one of the most promising and respected Breaks DJ in the UK. He is the label head honcho at Mob Records, and hosts his own show on Kiss FM, and is undeniably a great talent at picking out tunes that do immeasurable damage on the dance floor. This latest mix closely follows the pretty impressive Bedrock Fractured release from Hyper, and Tayo makes another impressive mark for the crew at Distinctive Breaks by compiling a 160 minute extravaganza of chunky beats and dirty baselines.
The retro beats and vocals of “Hacker” by Anthony Rider begin the Tayo ride. Acid Rockers & George Thompson liven things up early with their eye-catching remix of “No Way Out” by Australian outfit Highland. Koma & Bones provide a killer bootleg of X-Press 2 entitled “I Want Your Muzikizm”, using an eerie melody and a moody vocal sample. The tribally drums of the Blim mix of Bill Hamel’s “Phazon Frequency” fill the air, while we are soon met with a massive rumbling baseline of Christian J’s “Nightfighter”. The mix maintains a steady flow as VIP provide their second remix of the disc, the latter of Rennie Pilgrem & Uberzones “Cous Cous”, as the baselines get noticeably stronger by the tune. Tayo & Acid Rockers then rework Dave Clarke’s modern classic in “Compass”, giving it a more twisted breakbeat interpretation. The disc then ends with Phil Kieran’s brilliant “I Love You”, arguably saving the highlight of the mix for the conclusion with its subtle piano riffs and garage baseline.
While disc one was a much deeper and dirtier affair, disc two takes a more bright approach, although you may not notice with Spike’s “Toxic Culture” that opens the disc with another roaring baseline. The speakers continue to growl with the reggae meets baseline inspired “The Warriors” by Mafia Vs. Dreadzone. Sporks twisted “Let It Ride” has sparks flying early in disc two whereas Aux 88’s “Break It Down” takes the retro highway. “Viper” by Atomic Hooligan is sure to lift the spirits with its smooth synths while two geniuses in Rennie Pilgrem and BLIM combine for synthesised mayhem in the madness that is “2 Freaks”. The subtle melodies and wails combine with up-tempo beats in Silencer’s “Believing” while the sinister drums and sweeping chords of the Tiger Style Remix of Forme’s “Kick a Hole” take things to another level. The early 90’s inspired piano cut by Lee Coombs & Meat Katie’s “The Hum” concludes what is arguably the most impressive breaks release this year.
What can be said apart from the expected? Tayo delivers, and was it ever in doubt. There are some great moments on this mix. Be it the BIG baselines that shatter the speakers on your sound system, or the intricate drum patterns such as “Kick a Hole”, or the beautiful piano of “The Hum”, this mix keeps you locked on to the action for the duration. But then again, Tayo, and indeed the Y4K series to date, has set such high standards that it’s a bit hard to be surprised by this album. Nothing short of a purchase is warranted here.
Disc One
1. Anthony Rider – Hacker
2. Highlander - No Way Out (Acid Rockers & George Thompson remix)
3. Initial Research – Hunted
4. X-Press 2 - I Want Your Muzikizum ( Koma & Bones Bootleg Breaks mix)
5. Bill Hamel - Phazon Phrequency (Blim Remix)
6. Klaus 'Heavyweight' Hill - Bubblegum
7. Drummatic Twins - Invincible Bass (VIP remix ) - Exclusive Mix
8. Christian J – Nightfighter
9. Soul Of Man - The Drum
10. Rennie Pilgrem & Uberzone - Cous Cous (VIP remix) - Exclusive Mix
11. Loco - 8010 (Panic In The Streets remix)
12. Dave Clarke - The Compass (Tayo & Acid Rockers Remix)
13. Tayo Meets Acid Rockers Uptown - Prophet Dub
14. Phil Kieran - I Love You
Disc Two
1. Spike - Toxic Culture
2. Mafia Vs Dreadzone - The Warriors
3. Lexi Love - Dreams (remix)
4. Spork - Let It Ride
5. Aux 88 - Break It Down
6. Care In The Community - My Loose Tooth
7. Atomic Hooligan - Viper
8. Autobots - Rocky
9. Initial Research - Step Up
10. Rennie Pilgrem & BLIM - 2 Freaks
11. Silencer - Believing
12. Forme - Kick A Hole (Tiger Style Remix)
13. Freakazoids - Let Your Body Freak
14. Lee Coombs & Meat Katie - The Hum