Knowledge

58 (Dec 2003)

Aquasky

Touching base on every corner of the drum & bass scene in the past eight years, it should come as no surprise that the triple-threat of Dave Wallace, Brent Newitt and Kieron Bailey (aka Aquasky) have been shaking things up in the nu-skool breaks scene as well.

From their infamous 777 and Shadow Breaks floor-killers on into the ragga, rave and hip-hop influenced bits that continue to make their mark on dancefloors, the one thing that unifies all their productions regardless of tempo is the hi-energy, top-notch production that simply doesn't quit.

While individually each can lay claim to pedigrees that carry them back to the early breakbeat / hardcore days, the Aquasky tale proper doesn't begin until the mid-90s when the boys all linked up on the spur of the moment and produced a couple of d&b tracks.

Supported by the likes of Krust, Fabio and Bukem from day one, the Bournemouth-trio went on to produce a number of 'Speed' anthems on labels like Moving Shadow and Reinforced before flirting with the majors for a brief unsatisfactory stint and quickly returning to the underground with a vengeance.

Their 1998 Bodyshock LP and the resulting remix project Aftershock (both on Moving Shadow) served to provide an early glimpse at the boys interest in varying tempos and musical genres. The influence of hip-hop, classic breakbeat and even funky house shined on through and it was around that same time that a chance meeting with none other than Adam Freeland led to their involvement in the fairly fresh nu-skool breaks scene.

"Adam Freeland definitely brought us up to speed on the whole breakbeat movement which we hadn't even heard of at the time," remembers Brent. "He started sending us CDs and tunes and trying to inspire us I guess, which eventually worked, mainly because the scene was wide open for experimentation.

"It was just developing and while there were some people doing wicked things there wasn't anything that was dancefloor the way we're used to dancefloor coming from the d&b side of things. That's where we thought we'd focus our energy and hopefully create something that could change the scene."

And change the scene they did. With the Botchit & Scarper family behind them all the way, the boys drew upon early rave culture for inspiration and began to develop a nice and dirty sound where the emphasis was on turning up the heat on the dancefloor. Coming up with the clever moniker of Aquasky vs. Masterblaster for their breaks excursions, the trio went on to chart a solid course that included their smash single 777 (Botchit's best-selling single ever) and last years hi-energy Beat the System LP.

Linking up with Moving Shadow's newly formed Shadow Cryptic imprint this time around, Aquasky's full-length breakbeat project, Stayfresh retains that chunky, epic vibe the boys are known for and yet continues to move the sound forward. With special guests like the infamous Ragga Twins and Daddy Freddy, "the fastest lyricist in the world", the album is definitely aimed straight at the party people on the dancefloor.

Still, there's that classic Aquasky twist on things: bits like 'Fairlight' flashback to the piano-orientated hardcore days while 'War' with Daddy Freddy not only brings in the Jamaican / reggae influence but takes a political approach to the current state of world affairs. The Ragga Twins, of course, keep the good times rolling, and never fear, there's a healthy dose of the hard and dark bits for all the speaker-freakers out there.

"The point of the title is that we did want to stay fresh," explains Brent. "We wanted to test new waters and try things that maybe hadn't been done. With our last album we were inspired by drum & bass history and we wanted to bring that sound and energy into breakbeat but with this one we definitely wanted to work with influences from different sources."

Preparing for a thirty-date world tour, as well as a heavy-duty release schedule on their three imprints, Sonix, Incident and the breaks-orientated Passenger, the Aquasky crew definitely have their hands full. With releases from the likes of Paul B. & Subwave, Garon, Infekto and Backdraft in the pipeline, things are looking good far into the new year.

Wondering when they boys will return with their own drum & bass burners? Have no fear, the groundwork is already being laid for the unleashing of an ungodly dose of Aquasky d&b as well as a drum & bass mix project featuring released and unreleased bits from the Sonix and Incident catalogues.

Compiled and mixed by Aquasky, the mix brings together what the boys are feeling on the breaks and drum & bass side of things with Daddy Freddy on shout-out duties throughout:

1. Baitercell & Schumacher - What's Down Low (Passenger)
We were sent this track by these guys from New Zealand and whoa... we were hooked. It has everything we appreciate in breakbeat: gnarly bass, tough beats and an infectious soulful groove. And when those vocals drop... fucking badass!

2. Aquasky Vs. Masterblaster - Shadow Breaks (Keep On Moving mix) (Shadow Cryptic)
Shadow Breaks is given the once over into a storming belter of a track that doesn't let up from beginning to end. We have seen what it does to a dancefloor, so be prepared for anarchy. One of the toughest breakbeat tracks we've written.

3. Backdraft - Labrat (Passenger)
Backdraft has always impressed us with their productions. Coming from the same angle in breakbeat as we are, they like to produce tunes that tear up the floor and we can safely say that this one does just that.

4. Infekto Vs Will Power - Bystander (Passenger)
Finland's Infekto has a real passion for old school, d&b and breakbeat so it was inevitable that we would become mates. Will Power is the bassist from Bombfunk MCs and is one big bastard.

5. DJ Deekline - 4x4x4 (Aquasky Vs. Masterblaster remix) (Botchit & Scarper)
Nick Deekline is a hard working kid with some naughty ideas and a great future. He made this tune originally as a 4/4 thing and it was such a blinding bit that to be asked to remix it was real nice.

5. The Ragga Twins & Co Gee - All in Check (acapella) (Botchit & Scarper) [over the 4x4x4 remix]
Co Gee was the one responsible for the Ragga Twins making the move from reggae sound systems to the rave scene. You have to give props where they are due...

6. Aquasky Vs. Masterblaster feat. The Ragga Twins - Coffee (Shadow Cryptic)
This is our lead single for the LP. We wanted to try something different so we added a 4/4 flavour into the mix but kept a strong heavy bassline for the Twins to shine.

7. Aquasky Vs. Masterblaster - Dominatrix (Shadow Cryptic)
We couldn't write the album without bringing the darkside along with us!!! This one is all about taking drugs and losing your marbles!!!

8. Aquasky Vs. Masterblaster - Perception (Autobots VIP remix)
The original came out late last year on Passenger and as luck would have it, the Autobots did this VIP just as we were putting the mix together. Expect this to be blowing up floors over the next six months.

9. Darqwan - Raisin' Kane (Passenger)
Oris Jay is a top boy. He's recorded tunes for the forthcoming Dynamite LP and runs his own label, Texture, out of Sheffield. This tune is a serious piece of ammo and will be coming out in the new year.

10. Aquasky Vs. Masterblaster - Cobra VIP mix
Another never to be released VIP, we did this one to create a link for our DJ sets where we get asked to drop both breaks and d&b. You have to make the transition clean and this does the trick. 'Cobra' originally came out earlier this year on Passenger backed by 'The Krush Groove'. Hunt it out!!!

11. Future Tech - Rhythm (Technique)
We remember Simon Bassline Smith smashing it up at all raves when we were kids. Alongside his partner Drumsound, this duo have produced some of the scenes best rollers and this one is definitely on point!

12. Garon - Raw Power (Sonix)
Straight out of New York, Garon is a name to keep an ear out for. He sent us a demo, we passed comment, asked him to keep us up to date and this bastard of a tune landed on our doormat six months later. Keep it up G.

13. Xample & Bane - Influence (Incident)
Xample is another producer who sent us a demo after we played his night in Liverpool. Once we heard the battle-scarred Gauze he did with Sol (which we released on Sonix) we knew he had the talent. Here he teams up with Bane and produces a clean liquid roller that has enough balls to stand up against the heavier end of d&b.

14. Aquasky feat. The Ragga Twins - Dirty Entertainers (Sonix)
These boys were a big influence on us as we remember seeing them at many raves back in the day. We really wanted to get them in on our last LP and were made up when we got their number. We team up with them once again on this heavy little roller that keeps things simple but interesting.

15. Mathematics - One Day (Incident)
This is something we got to hear earlier this year and we were instantly hooked. No bullshit involved, just solid beats and a bassline to make you shake.

16. Aquasky - Brasil 66 (Incident)
The flip to the above, we titled this one Brasil 66 as a sign of respect to Sergio Mendez and his band of the same name. Influenced by the work of Azymuth and Jorge Ben this track brings the jazz back into Latin jazz. If you're feeling adventurous, check the LP we wrote for Latin label Mr. Bongo under the name Tenth and Parker. That'll freak you out!

17. London Elektricity - Different Drum (Photek Tek-Dub remix) (Hospital)
Really nice to hear Photek back again smashing it up. Here he takes the essence of the original and flips it around into this tough, dark production. We look forward to hearing what else he has up his sleeve.

18. Aquasky feat. Joanna Wickham - Highlife
We just finished this one. We had the loop knocking about for a while but felt that it needed a vocal hook to complete it. Jo had been to our studio for another project so we thought we would see what she could do with this one. No idea when or where it will be out. You heard it here first though!