(Mantra Breaks/Expanded Music)

Naples based MADOX (aka Miele) is one of Italy’s true break beat dj’s. This EP focuses on the darker side of breaks with some definite techno influences also native to Naples.

Opening the EP with “Olz Kool” we get a taste of the more sampled production work of MADOX. This track has a definite old school flavour due to the use of rave type stabs and samples that make up the track. The techno influences are closer to a Dave Angel type of sound that has been tweaked into a breaks track. It’s a pretty interesting sound that would definitely get a reaction on a packed dance floor. Olz Kool is already getting club play by Rennie Pilgrem who described it as “Really wicked”.

On the B side the sound takes a much darker approach again. “Da Rooz” is a percussive driving tech stormer; the percussion keeps the music interesting from the onset and once the deep dark bass line kicks in it is obvious that this breaks track would be at home in a techno set just as much as it would in a hard breaks set. This track is thick with atmosphere and really driving, some Lo Fi effects give this track an even dirtier feel that really compliments the sound.

Finally “Locked Beez” is a more traditional breaks track that sits nicely between the two previous numbers. Not quite as funky as Olz Kool but not as dark as Da Rooz, Locked Beez has more of a NuSchool sound with its deep punchy bass line and solid drum structure. The track progresses really nicely and slowly builds with the use of some great white noise effects.

The three tracks are diverse but weave into each other to make an interesting and catchy EP. The sounds aren’t at all close to each other but the production tends to leave them sounding slightly familiar. With recommendations from Rennie Pilgrem, Meat Katie and Tayo and The Plumps and Jay Cunning pushing the EP on their radio shows you can be sure you haven’t heard the last of this release.