(Marine Parade/Inertia)

You’d be forgiven for thinking Adam Freeland has been keeping Tom Beaufoy and Pat Pardy locked up in a cellar churning out music for his DJ sets. Since winning his praise with a demo tape, production work from the two, better known under their guise of Evil Nine, has featured prominently in Freeland’s DJ projects. So much so that on first listening to this album half the tracks were instantly recognisable for this very reason.

Tom and Pat first teamed up in 1998 to produce music together. Through such singles as Cakehole and For Lovers Not Fighters, as well as with standout remixes for the likes of Ils and UNKLE, Evil Nine have carved a niche for themselves in the breakbeat scene with a recipe of open mindedness and originality being the key ingredients.

As avid fans of everything from rock to hip hop to techno and anything in between, Tom and Pat aren’t afraid to let any of it show through in their music. You Can Be Special Too is their long awaited debut album, an album whose release was threatened with the recent, albeit temporary, liquidation of Marine Parade.

“Sshh, the baby’s sleeping” a voice whispers before a low, growling bassline introduces opening track Crooked. Initially aired as an instrumental in sets by Freeland and James Lavelle, Tom and Pat sent the track to Aesop Rock for a touch up. The beat, which has become characteristically their own, is almost acoustic in sound and seemingly somewhere between hip hop and breaks. As it progresses, additional percussion and effects helps build momentum over the snarly bass, which is ever present and slowly throbbing. The track works well in it’s own right through the way it builds and creates atmosphere, however Aesop Rock’s vocal contribution is a special touch that adds a little more fun, making it a great album opener. Their strong delivery and catchy lyrics are suited perfectly and you soon find yourself chanting “we don’t like it when the pigeons breaks wings and we can’t get down….” Listen and you’ll understand!

The stripped back beats contrasting with everything from guitars to strung out synth effects typifies the Evil Nine sound as found on this album. The Marine Parade theme of self consciousness also filters through via short skits and samples based around the albums title. Vocal contributions range from the rapid fire Aesop Rock on Crooked; to the nihilistic chanting of “Witichita, Witichita, Witichita …” by Juice Aleem on Pearl Shot; to the soft sweet voice of Mary Shodipo on We Are Not Through; and the ragga of Toastie Taylor on Restless.

From the bouncy For Lovers Not Fighters to the transitional Hired Goons, Evil Nine have delivered an album that is very much their own. Breakbeat purists, as they’re affectionately referred to, apparently balk at the obvious influences of rock and hip-hop. Give the album a listen and you’ll hear a multitude of contrasting sounds coming together for one of the standout albums of the year thus far. With a limited number of copies making it on to Australian shelves in August, expect a proper release again ASAP with the recent announcement of Marine Parade being back in business. Don’t forget to check out the boys on the Australian tour with Infusion in September/October.