Battlecreek II
Various Artists
| Formats | Tracks | Price | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12" Vinyl Single | 4 tracks | £3.49 | Out of stock |
| CD Single | 4 tracks | £1.99 | Out of stock |
| Download Single (MP3) | 4 tracks | £3.00 | |
| Download Single (FLAC) | 4 tracks | £3.00 | |
| Download Single (MP3) | 4 tracks | £3.00 | |
| Download Single (FLAC) | 4 tracks | £3.00 | |
| Download Single (MP3) | 4 tracks | £3.00 | |
| Download Single (FLAC) | 4 tracks | £3.00 | |
| Download Single (MP3) | 4 tracks | £3.00 | |
| Download Single (FLAC) | 4 tracks | £3.00 |
Description
Various Artists - Battlecreek II
Deadly Avenger and Illicit Recordings return to the barricades with the second chapter of the genre defining and critically acclaimed Battlecreek series. After getting off to an absolute flyer at the beginning of last year with three huge single releases and plaudits from radio, press and DJ¹s alike, Illicit Recordings and Damon Baxter (aka Deadly Avenger) stepped back and took some time out to properly set up the label, and for Damon to really get his album together. Dividing time between Deadly bass camp in Hinkley and Milo studios in London, with occasional forays with his trusty record box to gigs across Europe, Damon¹s debut album, tipped by many as one of the albums to watch in 2000, is set to blow the doors off when it is released towards the end of the year. It all begins here. This EP marks the Deadly return. Damon has once again taken the role of player-manager, bringing together a fine line up of like-minded beat maniacs for the annual OEBattlecreek¹ hoe down. Last time round the OEBattlecreek¹ EP became Pete Tong¹s most played record of the month, and Deadly Avenger was joined by Jadell, Bronx Dogs and Pepe Deluxe. The gameplan remains the same for round two: to bring together the brightest and best beat assailants, all dropping fresh and original tracks for the floor. This time round Touche from The Wiseguys, Andy Organic Audio and, making their vinyl debut, Portishead DJ Andy Smith and Scott Hendy of Dynamo Productions have taken up the call and turned up the pressure. Everyone looking to out do each other with Deadly Avenger storming through with some fresh AV8 goes Philharmonic type shit. Four invigorating tracks of sweet Battlecreek quality.
Reviews
Music 365Following on from last year's groundbreaking EP of hip-hop and hybrid beats, Deadly Avenger (aka label boss Damon Baxter) weighs in witha funky eclectic track. There's also a debut recording of Dynamo Productions, a duo made up of Portishead DJ Andy Smith and sometime Cup Of Tea producer Scott Hendy. They've come up with a fresher take on Big Beat, while there's a reasonable and entirely typical Wiseguys track and Organic Audio round it off with some invigorating Latin rhythms. It's not as accomplished as the original 'Battlecreek EP', but is still worth investigating. 4/5
DJ
The first Battlecreek EP was one of last year's best releases. The second follows in a similar vein, bringing together four of the best beat maniacs around for an all out ruckus. Deadly Avenger, the man behind Illicit and the Battlecreek concept, Kicks off proceedings with a hard-hitting, string heavy hip hop assault. Like all Avenger material, it kicks arse. Next up Portishead DJ Andy Smith and Scott Hendy make their vinyl debut in fine style with a floor-friendly sample extravaganza. The Wiseguys roll out a future party fave, dropping phat carnival brass over their trademark crunching breaks. Organic Audio rounds things off with possibly the best of the bunch, nothing too fancy but the rock solid beats and dancefloor flavour will do the damage. Once again the Battlecreek proves a fertile breeding ground. Barry Ashworth: 'I love this one, I'm a big Deadly Avenger fan anyway and I'm playing his track, but i especially go for the Wiseguys tune, it's rocking. It's the most up-tempo track on there, so it's better for a bigger dancefloor. The first Battlecreek was stand-out and maybe this isn't quite as good, but it's definitely still up there'. 4/5
Dotmusic
The sequel to last year's 'Battlecreek EP' once again sees Illicit Recordings' Damon Baxter assemble some like minded beat junkies for a four track hoedown. Exercising far greater quality control than the usual noisy, head-banging big beat nonsense, 'Battlecreek 2' opts for a funk filled, rump-shaking collection of cuts.
Baxter kicks off proceedings with 'Fast As Daddy Love' under his Deadly Avenger guise, marrying Buster Rhyme-esque keyboard stabs with his trademark disco breaks. Layered with lush strings and the odd cheeky sample demanding that you 'get your hands up', the track switches direction midway and recalls the work of the mighty J. Saul Kane (aka Depth Charge).
Dynamo Productions, (featuring Portishead DJ, Andy Smith) make their vinyl debut with the excellent 'Bust A Beat' with the Wiseguys and Organic Audio making up the numbers, both opting for a more laid-back approach.
A treat for all beat hands the four tracks here don't disappoint with Dynamo Productions winning by a nose. Bring on part 3.
Tracklisting
12" Vinyl Single (ILL12004)
- Showtime
- Hey Yeah!
- Give Some Space
- We're Through
CD Single (ILLCDS004)
- Fast As Daddy Love
- Busta Beat
- One For The Ladies
- Water Boogie