Dubstep Allstars, Vol. 8

DJ: Distance .
Photographer: Shaun Bloodworth.
Since 2004, the Tempa label's Dubstep Allstars series has offered a highly reliable survey of the genre: each volume has been mixed by an established or emerging DJ in the field, including such eminences as Hatcha, Kode9, N-Type, and Ramadanman. The eighth installment in the series is mixed by Distance (who runs the Chestplate label), and it serves as something of a return to the verities: there is nothing poppy here, and there are no excursions into jump-up jungle or hip-hop fusion. Instead, you get a full hour of the angry-robot mutterings, up-from-the-pit basslines, and shambling stutter-step rhythms that first started taking the British underground club scene by storm around the turn of the 21st century. Distance provides several of his own tracks (including the very fine "Knowing," with it's Police-derived bassline, and his gorgeous remix of Above & Beyond's "Sun & Moon") but focuses on showcasing the work of old-school masters like Benga (on the brutal "Chemical Compound"), Deleted Scenes, and Tunnidge (the especially creepy "Blame"). This is not an album for those wanting to see the future of dubstep; rather, it's for those who wonder what the big deal is, and who want to understand the foundation of this most unlikely of club phenomena. ~ Rick Anderson