The original tracks are a sharp contrast to the Scientist mixes; most of them sitting on the more minimal end of the spectrum. This is the dubstep of deep sub bass, half time rhythms, and locked delays; crazy wobbles and “filth” are nowhere to be found.
This compilation is a meeting of the minds, a mixture of the current dubstep sound and the classic dub of the Scientist (who has been active in the Jamaican dub scene since the mid 1970’s). This two disc set is split in to two distinct halves: The first disc is being a Scientist remix disc with the likes of label boss Pinch, Kode9 & Spaceape, Mala and Loefah being reworked, while the second is all of the original tracks (exclusive to this compilation) that were used.
The Scientist mixes all fit together like an artist album and do not, for a second, feel as though as though they are part of a compilation; the feel overall is warm and very human. Layers of delay and reverb collide against each other slightly out of time providing tension within the music. At times things feel out of place but are pulled back in with the down tempo beats. In listening to this disc, one can almost see Scientist mixing the tracks live, pulling parts in and out at the mixing desk.
The original tracks are a sharp contrast to the Scientist mixes; most of them sitting on the more minimal end of the spectrum. This is the dubstep of deep sub bass, half time rhythms, and locked delays; crazy wobbles and “filth” are nowhere to be found. While some of the tracks may sound a bit sterile or cold, the second disc is not without its gems; Distance’s “Ill Kontent” and Cyrus’s “Footsteps” both shine.
Overall, this is a great concept for a compilation and pays homage to the roots of dubstep while taking a snapshot of its current state.
Scientist Launches Dubstep Into Outerspace is out now on Tectonic. [Listen | Purchase]
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