So I went out on a friday night to checkout a gig. The poster implied it was a dial-a-dj service where you press #1 for the "latest sound", press #2 for the "greatest dj" or press #0 to "talk to an operator". I generally start smashing the #0 button as soon as the call connects.
Still I was subtly surprised. Not only were there local producers laying down their local beats, but the floor was actually full of head nodding goodness. What was this genre? I had to reference my obscure guide to all things dance but it didn't seem to be listed. So I used the infallible bpm method but again came up square.
It all halved out as techno, but my astute techno ear told me this was no kind of techno known to man. So I asked the guy at the back of the room stroking his chin "whats this sound?".
Apparently he had dialled #1 and preceded to inform me that it was the "latest sound!". Something the locals called dubstep. A genetically modified hybrid form of dub and two-step that was putting the underground back into breaks [since original forms of Drum & Bass have reduced to break-beat equivalents of uplifting hand bag house].
The only question remained, why half the bpm of techno. Why not just double down and step back in to the light, truth and electronic purism of 'techno'. But the Dj pulled out the floor, spun back the rewind and droped it again to answer my question. Its all the original tricks with a completely new step. I Loved it!
