Rock It Science

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    Tue, Jul 8, 2003, 04:19
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  • Total Science is a name that most people who have listened to drum n' bass, will know. More importantly, if you've been to a gig in the last five years, chances are very high that you would have heard their tunes, as their distinctive beats and sub phonic bass lines have laced many a junglist dance.So as they pack their bags full of dubz and jump on a plane to the other side of the world, here's a bit of insight so you know what you're in for (and you know not to miss out on it.) '"Persistence over Resistance" and over the years this philosophy is what has earned them reputation as both DJs and producers that they have today.' Starting up with a (almost mandatory) love of hip-hop and electro when they met in about '87. Spinback (who was still in school) hooked up with Q Project and started DJing hip-hop in their hometown of Oxford. The progression from hip hop into the burgeoning house and techno scene saw their music tastes branching out to further absorb more styles. Naturally next up was a mass of illegal warehouse parties where Spinback was playing at while Q Project was burning many a midnight lamp at the computer constructing beats under the watchful eye of 'Invisible Man'. Next up saw the release of Junglist anthem Champion Sound (and huge 'Alliance' remix) on their first label, 'Legend'. Big riff, cop show horn stabs and a runnin' rhythm section made this tune something that still demands a rewind to this day. Add to this the atmospheric Airtight under the guise of 'Funky Technicians' (which Bukem sighted as one of his favourites for '96) and you can see these guys were getting ready to take over. A slew of releases ensued for massive labels like Moving Shadow, Good Looking and Reinforced, all of which are regarded as highly successful labels (especially at that time). Forward to the later end of the 90's and after Legend folded, C (omputer) .I (ntegrated) .A (udio) was born and a fresh approach with a new recording name in 'Total Science'. This really sets the tone for where we stand today, with four labels (C.I.A, Advanced, Fix and down tempo label Skin Deep) all running consecutively, keeping both the quality and the output high. What has to be realised is that in the drum n' bass world, these guys are like hit machines. Tearing up any place with massive tunes like Squash (complete with Bad Company remix), Murder Ting and fresh mixes of Dubplate (Can't forget their Ghost Life remix on the new Metalheadz EP - so, so dope) this Oxford duo have the artillery to rip any party to pieces, leaving all wanting more. As we look back at the past couple of years, we see Total Science smashing every label from Renegade Hardware to Hospital, Creative Source, True Playa'z and Metalheadz. If that's not having all basses covered then what is? All in all, the duo is one of only a select group who can claim to have been around 'since day one' and have a catalogue to show they've been hard at work throughout that time. With over 12 years DJing and producing experience, they have come a long way since their humble beginnings. They still maintain that their main objective is to push the music further and to never jump on any band wagons (which seems to be more popular these days as junglists start making some money). It's been a rough journey but as they say, "Persistence over Resistance" and over the years this philosophy is what has earned them reputation as both DJs and producers that they have today
RA