(Cuba Recordings)

After a string of solid tunes, Cuba Recordings have established themselves as one of the premier labels of underground (tech-)house and progressive. Rhythm Code (Asher Jones & Neil Barber) get the honour of their 5th release, and deliver a chunky tribal tune guaranteed to make ears prick up.

The Digital Dub is somewhat of the original on this record, and it serves up some dirty, druggy, percussive grooves that build up into a cheeky little vocal about substitute teacher Sister Mary Elephant. As the shout of Shut-up! comes out, some ‘big-room’ jerky riffs emerge, and it definitely is the kind of track to make people take notice.

Minimal tribal loops get the Class 1 Mix going, until a very solid bass kick drops in, and then tribal rhythms continue to develop. It has this techno kind of feel about it, with the short quick vocal loop, but is significantly less in tempo. The vocal sample comes in early in the remix, and makes it great to mix with. Within the peak, a delayed vocal echo begins to twist with the mind, before jumping back into the tribal sounds. Tribally, techy, and fun – you can easily see why Rhythm Code plays alongside Futureshock, Justin Robertson, and Tony Thomas!

Included is a Thank-apella, which is all too repetitive for my taste, but its always great to get a little tool like this on a record. The B-side really has it here for me, with some great tribal-tech loops, and overall it’s a solid release.

Out 26th Jan 2004.