Madox is the Italian breakbeat talent who’s also known as Stefano Miele. He likes to define his style as ‘locked break grooves with techno energy’. In 2003 he was approached by Mantra Breaks, the first Italian breakbeat label. It was love at first sight. Nominated as a ‘Breakthrough Act’ at the 2005 Breakspoll Awards, as well as Best Producer, DJ and Remixer at the 2006 event, Madox has settled in the UK and completed his eagerly anticipated album, turning out a tasty mish-mash of funk, electro, drums and techno in Urban Plastic.

Madox says, “I’m really interested in all the kind of roots music from my country, Italy, which has a strong music tradition – and I think that some kind of traditional music like the Brazilian or the percussive African ones are very groovy and full of energy. That’s why I tried to melt those sounds with breaks grooves and rolling basslines. The result has been amazing for me, and the dancefloor goes nuts every time I play those tunes.”

The album announces itself with a long guttural scream that distorts into a prolonged electronic progression. Then it’s straight into Plastic Fantastic with vocals provided by Ashley Slater. This tweaked-out stomp is the first single from the album. Heel of God introduces some modified African drums to break up a plodding bass line. “This is the true sound of Africa,” it states. Immediately apparent is the lines that are blurred between breaks, house, & tech/electro. Similar in feel to some of Dopamine’s work, the boundary between genres is less apparent than most producers that emerge from a specific scene.

The Funk really stood out to me on a first listen. Apparently, “In 1970s Nigeria, everything was funky, everything was cool, everything was definitely alright.” Madox’ productions are packed with electronic bleeps & squeaks but the tight drums and rhythms keep them sounding organic and vital. We switch continents for Cabeleira and El Magnifico feat. Cabal & DG where some Brazilian rhythms and shout outs keep things diverse. Some elements of the widespread influence of Bailefunk also sneaks in.

Interestingly named Le Plaisir Analogique brings back some techfunk into the proceedings with robot laser melodic lines and electric stabs. Just when you think Madox has peaked too early along comes a succession of breakbeat blinders near the end of the CD. Dope On Strings is a luscious broken journey of highs and lows. New breed Aussie maestro 9 Lives The Cat appears on Check Electro with a highly catchy refrain. Hypnotic Funk sound checks some Drummatic Twins and Soul of Man with a distinctly Fingerlickin’ feel, a label Madox has worked with before. A real highlight. Trip 1 closes the LP with another epic slice of precision broken beat.

The strength of this album is obvious. It’s packed full of tight productions with cutting edge sounds drawing inspiration from a wide variety of world music genres. It’s dancefloor based, everything at around 132bpm, and I’ll bet DJs of many different styles have some Madox tracks off Urban Plastic right up front in their record cases. Remember this young Italian’s name; he’s going right to the top, if he isn’t there already… An impressive debut LP.