- Twenty eight year old Jason Sparks - who's acclaimed influences include diversities from Bob Dylan to Lauryn Hill - is renowned for his heavily break influenced tracks featuring charasmatic jazzy rifts. When listening to his new album Heroes and Villains it would be easy to mistake Jason's productions for a score from the latest Hollywood action film; not one of the twelve track lacks emotion and content. Heavy, pounding breaks are enwrapped with classical and jazz synths and some tracks are softened by suiting lyrics.
The first track 'I'm In U' features a male vocal and builds up into a heavy breaks track.The second track, 'Secret Places' verges on the melodic and, I must say, a really nice female vocalist accompanies the track very well. Left 2 Live 4, track 3, gives the impression of a somewhat dirtier, industrial track. Heroes is a faster production and could almost be drum and bass.
Overall, the album shows Jason Sparks' ability to bring a wide range of different styles to breakbeat. As I metioned, it is hard to believe the quality and power of these productions and especially when you consider that Jason produces most of his records at home on humble tools - a great credit to his ability.