
One of he UK's most forward thinking and constantly inventive labels, Hyperdub, is five years old in 2009. To celebrate, then label has put together a retrospective of five years of the label - a first disc of classic and favourite tunes like Kode's '9 Samurai', the next an exciting collection packed with new tracks, unreleased gems and the new blood currently invading the Hyperdub camp including Darkstar, Cooly G and Ikonika.
Hyperdub have released special 12's of some of these tracks, with the final few to come from Mala and Cooly G and Quarta 330 and LV, showing just how far the label's input to intelligent electronic music really reaches. The album is out imminently, and from a few listens, it's clear that the future of Kode 9's label is concrete. We went to experience the album playback at Plastic People's immense soundsystem, where we experienced Joker and Ginz's 'Stash' and Darkstars 'Aidy's Girl's A Computer', amongst others.
What's more, there's even better news. Hyperdub will host 'We Fear Silence' at Corsica Studio's on November 21st, and is the FIRST Hyperdub night since 2001! Result! Featuring Kode 9 and The Spaceape live, King Midas Sound live (Roger Robinson and The Bug's project with an album due next month), Darkstar live, Ikonika live, Videeo, there's also a three hour set from Mr 9 himself aside from barrel-loads more.
Go and buy a ticket for Christ's sake - while music follows its linear trends, the Hyperdub camp continue to sidestep the chancers and boldly move into its own direction... much like the humble origins of proto-dubstep emerging from the garage scene in the first place.
Photography: George Gatsas
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