SILKIE/QUEST MEDi011, MEDi012 (Deep Medi Musik)

 

December 15, 2008
By DJG

Mala’s Deep Medi Musik imprint is quickly solidifying its place as the Metalheadz of dubstep – a staple of quality, a gold standard. The label features a catalog of forward-thinking, envelope-pushing, deep and personal dance music that can arguably define a whole niche of the dubstep sound on its own. In my mind there are few other artists that embody this ethic more than Antisocial Entertainment’s own Quest & Silkie, The Dubstep Dukes of West London.

Popping off on the A-side of Silkie’s second 12” for Deep Medi is Sky’s The Limit, a forward-thinking hybrid of rich jungle techno breakbeat drums fused effortlessly with a buttery melody that would make Stevie Wonder proud. The track builds on layers of funky and bubbly instrumental melodies into the sickest second drop I’ve heard in ages. Pure musical vibes. On the flip of MEDI011 we have Poltigeist, something of a ghostly skanker that arouses visions of lurking through dark London streets and smoke-filled Brixton nightclubs – moody but slinky, soulful yet playful.

On MEDI012 it’s Quest’s time to shine on his crucial second effort for Deep Medi – and shine he does with the deep sub-intensive, meditative anthem Stand. Utilizing unique drum patterns and moody strings, the track builds up slowly over time with an eventual crescendo into a beautiful breakdown that cuts through the coldness of the intro with warm sweeping pads and soulful vocal cutups. Deep deep deep. It’s Eden however that may be one of the top songs of the year for me personally, this is one of those tunes that literally makes me smile every time I get to drop it. The rugged dubbed out beats and thumping bassline are juxtaposed so perfectly with the emotive guitar/horn samples and soaring pads. This is like the dubstep soundtrack to a car ride around the coast of Monaco, or maybe the song that comes into your mind as you recall happy memories with your girl.

These are two very fine records and a perfect example of how to push the dubstep sound forward while maintaining all the elements that made me fall in love with the music in the first place.