- In conjunction with the release of the Teamplayers album, Aquasky present a selection of 4 cuts from the album in DJ friendly 12 format and a neat cross section of sounds and styles from the realm of breakbeat. The collaborators in question are USA's DJ Icey and Marlon, the Autobots, Tayo and Earl 16 and the Drumattic Twins.
Bring It On Down with The Drumattic Twins
The opening synth stab and booming bass should give a clear indication that this one is a big room electrobass number and Aquasky and the Twins drop a massive, party rocking breakbeat guaranteed to get butts moving. A big bassline melody makes it's presence felt during the first breakdown before the big b-line and breakbeat crashes through for the main verse. This one's for the b-boys as it features old skool hip hop vocal stabs, an electro lick, a synthetic percussive break and an old skool synth in the vein of Mantronix.
Looking For A Session with Tayo featuring Earl 16
Tayo lends his infatuation for ragga infused breakbeat to this tune and his influence can be clearly heard from the beginning as bleepy dub stabs, effects and echoes take control of the speakers before a dubby breakbeat and very familiar dub bassline kicks in. Dreadzone's Earl 16 lends his vocal talents to the tune giving one up for his love of the reefer, his love of parties and the breakbeat scene. During Earl's 2nd verse, the bassline changes to a bigger and rockier melody and is accompanied by a screechy synth line.
Across The Water with DJ Icey featuring Marlon
Aquasky cross the Atlantic water and team up with Florida's king of breakbeat, DJ Icey and vocalist Marlon. This time the sound is on a ravey 4/4 rhythm featuring an acid synth line, a simplistic 2-note bassline with Marlon singing his vocals as if he were back in the old rave days. The main feature of this tune is the acid synth which sounds like it is played on 2 keyboards, each keyboardist competing with the other for more airtime.
Dreamland with the Autobots feat Teri
Label co-owners of Breakspoll 2006's Breakthrough label award, the Autobots have certainly been making their presence felt in the scene with highly acclaimed singles on their own Broke label as well as releases and remixes for labels like Afterdark, Skuff, 20K Freaks. Dreamland starts off with a massive rave-influenced intro with "ugh" vocal stabs and massive electro arpeggios the way that the 'bots love them. Once the first breakdown comes in, Teri on vocals makes her presence felt as she sings on top of a massive, room-filling bassline sounding like she's singing for a rock song rather than a breaks number. The 'sky and the 'bots bring back the madness from the intro, build on that and incorporate Teri's vocals on top of it - this is one that can be classed as a stadium rocker. This tune is also the one that instigated the whole Teamplayers concept as well.