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Article written by Kmag.co.uk

Alix Perez’s highly anticipated album ‘1984′ landed on my doormat this morning and I was excited to hear it as Alix has been one of my favourite producers of recent times. He’s risen through the ranks and taken the drum & bass scene by storm in the last few years and this is his debut album. Here’s what the press release has to say:

“‘1984′ transcends the club / home listening divide with ease providing not just another drum & bass album but something so much more special. Going against the grain Alix has delivered an album for real music lovers the world over. Crossing the genres he delves from blissed-out downbeat and experimental hip hop to funk, soul and of course his beloved drum & bass, fusing them all together in the ultimate urban electronica album for 2009.”

This has been billed as a potential drum & bass album of the year so my expectations were high before I listened to it. I’m glad to say that I wasn’t disappointed. There are great individual tracks but it also works as a complete listening experience from start to finish; what great albums are all about if you ask me.

The fact that only about half the CD is drum & bass might disappoint some of his hardcore followers but Alix is obviously looking to reach outside the genre and all the tracks are quality anyway. Most of the drum & bass tracks will appear on the vinyl sampler anyway. I wasn’t familiar with Alix’s downtempo and hip hop productions before now but they really fit his style well. His hip hop track ‘Calm Of Cast’ featuring UK MC hip hop Yungun doesn’t sound like any hip hop out there just now, totally original. I expect we’ll be hearing a lot more of these type of tracks in future, both his own tracks and producing artists from these genres.

The overall vibe of the album is sparse and minimal, even verging on techno sometimes, but it’s not machine music, there’s deep emotion and soul and it retains the all important funk. It’s noticeable how slow the tracks are, particularly the drum & bass tracks, but this gives them room to breathe and hopefully others will follow. Whoever thinks that drum & bass still hasn’t anything fresh and progressive to offer any more should listen to this album. Look out for a feature on Alix Perez on the site in the not to distant future…

It’s going to be released as a CD, vinyl sampler and limited edition 10″ vinyl by Shogun Audio on October 12th.

www.myspace.com/alixperez
www.shogunaudio.co.uk
www.myspace.com/shogunaudio