Local Hard Afro frontmen DJ Rowan and DJ Frantik step up with their initial long player under the Hard Afro guise. The Album takes it name from the first track – Point Blank – as it starts off with a hard hitting beat pattern and rolling vibe. Beefed up by acid bleeps and samples, it builds up to a looping synth, which provides the main basis for the song. This hardsteppin’ vibe rolls on through Black Circle and Hack and Slash, though these tracks are given a more futuristic feel rather than an all out dark assault.



Reach rolls round as the album takes a lighter note with the aptly named track overflowing with trancey synths washing over less prominent beats to produce a more dreamy, thoughtful track. Keeping the mysterious feel, Spiral kicks off with a fitting sample and an almost X-files like synth line builds up to the rolling beats interspersed with samples for good measure. Dirty Talk gives a more musical feel as echoey samples roll around driving beats and incidental piano strings.



Madness rinses a more complex beat pattern, showing programming dexterity as the track builds gradually to reverberated mid range and spiralling synths, breaking down to a long X-files sample, which gives the track its title. Madness keeps the lp’s futuristic feel flowing.



Big Box starts on a different note: with an almost hiphop tempo it quickly builds frenzied breaks around rolling beats, only to break down again to a more relaxed flow with the ‘girl watching’ sample providing a summertime feel. This track could be played out in the club or just as easily at home when kicking back in the lounge.



After a lurking build up the beats rock in on Close Encounters, another well titled track, with eerie sampling giving that “something just behind you” feel. A Miami Swift influenced tearing breakdown converts this track into a dark amen smasher ready to crush the dancefloor at any opportunity. The Album ends with the VIP rework of The Bomb, this tracks sample puts it well, and the programming matches up with the rework, giving more beef to the sooped up mid range – providing a killer break down worthy of a heavy set. Quality production skills distinguish this release and we can only anticipate the next one from the Hard Afro boys.