Gilles Peterson’s Brownswood label has been ticking over very nicely without much fuss – but if the music on his fifth selection of ‘Bubblers’ is anything to go by, there are a whole load of artists here deserving of further investigation. Soul, funk and a bit of jazz are all in the melting pot, though it would be foolish to group all the artists in here together, as they’re too individual for that. Safe to say one of the best is Analogue Monsta, with the clever rhythmic crossfire of ‘Nxt Msg’, then the striking ‘Searchin’ 4 Funk’s Future’, where Dam-Funk pulls a very unusual rhythm out the bag that isn’t quite drum ‘n’ bass, but operates at the same tempo. Classic soul can also be found here from Electric Wire Hustle, and all of these elements add up with thirteen other tracks to be part of a highly recommendable compilation. Brownswood is fast becoming one of the UK’s most vital sources of new soul and original beats – and it’s time more people knew.
5 Out Of 5
Reviewed By: Ben Hogwood
