What’s up everybody.  Today we are going to take a little journey back in time.  First we are going to go back to a time when Dubstep was just starting to gain the title ‘Dubstep’, as it began to branch off the Dark Garage that was being made in the late 1990’s – early 2000’s.  From there we will slowly ascend into the later years of the 21st century highlighting tunes that really began to cement Dubstep’s foundation as a musical genre and, most importantly, as a culture.  For some of you this might be preexisting knowledge, and if that’s the case there is nothing wrong with hearing classics one more time, but for some of you this could very well serve as a great history lesson of the music you love.  We believe that regardless of what particular style of Dubstep you fancy, be it the aggressive ear-piercing saw waves, or be it the deeper, spacious, and more meditative sounds, it is important to understand the roots of where it all came from.  So here we go.  Today we have 6 songs for everybody that, in a very incomplete manner, show the evolution of Dubstep.

This first tune is one produced by, arguably, the most influential person in the early formation of Dubstep music.  Lewis Beadle, aka El-b, is a man who has been innovating sounds since the days when we were just elementary youth’s.  Owner of Ghost Recordings and all-around badman, he has been keeping sounds fresh and forward-thinking.  The tune that we have for you today is one from late 2002, titled ‘Buck & Bury’, still has many elements of garage but also shows the emphasis on low-end bass-lines that had began to show in the music.  Just a heads up, the HIGHLY anticipated album, ‘Ghost Chaser’, from Ghost Recordings is due out soon.  This is something you should definitely keep your eyes open for as it will surely be a milestone release for bass music.

El-b ft. Juiceman – Buck & Bury

The second tune is from another frontman of Dubstep.  Running the FWD> nights and spreading music through hand-to-hand exchanges of CD’s, Hatcha was a busy man, as he still is today!  Catch Hatcha alongside Crazy D every Tuesday on Kiss FM 12-1 am.  The tune we have for you from the badman Hatcha is titled ‘Dub Express’ and was released on Tempa back in 2003.  Again, we see that Garage break-style drum sequence, but the bass-line has much more presence.  Lend your ears.

Hatcha – Dub Express

The next track hails from the productions of Digital Mystikz.  Composed of two unrivaled producers, Mala and Coki, this production group has released some of the most prolific tunes in the history of Dubstep.  But these guys are more than just a musical icon.  Their philosophies on life, love, and the spirituality of human being’s is of utmost admiration.  These philosophies show through their music as they incite an immense amount of emotion with each tune.  The one we have for you today is a release from 2004 called ‘Pathways’, released on Big Apple Records.

Digital Mystikz – Pathways

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The next track is one that EVERY SINGLE person who calls themselves a “Dubstep head” should know.  If you don’t know this track just pretend that you do, because not knowing is just embarassing.  The production, titled ‘Midnight Request Line’, is by far one of the largest tunes that was, and still is, ever released.  Coming from the world-acclaimed production of Oliver Jones, aka Skream, this tune perpetually flooded the airways of every radio station exhibiting Dubstep music.  Nuff’ said about this one, just turn the sub up and skank out.  Released 2005.

Skream – Midnight Request Line

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This next one is from the likes of Walsh and Kromestar and is a melodic roller with vibes similar to the Dub music made in the late 1980’s from influences such a King Tubby and Scratch Perry.  This one, released in 2006, is truly a spliff riddim’, despite its title of  ‘Panik Room’.

Walsh & Kromestar – Panik Room

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The final tune that we have for everybody today hails from the deepest dungeons of Dubstep music, the archives of Distance.  This tune, ‘Radical’, gave way to many of the purely evil sounds that have been adopted by so many producers today.  Owner of Chestplate Records and some of the heaviest tunes to reach peoples ears, Distance is one our favorite producers to ever grace this earth.  This one was released in 2007 and is an absolute necessity to any heads’ collection.  Be afraid.

Distance – Radical

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Alright people hope that history lesson broadened your horizons a little bit.  That’s all for today.  Be sure to check back Friday for new heat.

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To the gods.

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-Bassweight Society