Search - Caspa & Rusko :: Fabriclive.37

Dub Steps Into Your Lives

Mo Hossain | Charlottesville, VA | 03/15/2010

(4 out of 5 stars)

"FabricLive is a series of 50 mixtapes that represents the talents of different artists and DJs. The album "FabricLive.37" by Caspa and Rusko is a prime example of technosonic music and demonstrates a reincarnation and transformation of early Jamaican dub music into the more modernized dubstep. Essentially, dubstep is the link between reggae and contemporary electronic music. Dubstep has its roots in London around the early 2000s and is known for emphasis on bass with interesting variations in the treble and mids - connotating a sense of "darkness". Just like in dub, lyrics are not a central part of a song in dubstep. The song is fundamentally studio-driven incorporating layers of different samples and melodies and may including live elements such as scratching. In "FabricLive.37", the dubstep duo from West London put together 29 beat-pumping tracks that exhibit the musical foundation of dub and dubstep with traces of their own personal effects.

Each track blasts a heavy baseline mixed with a fast-paced tempo that provides a continuous flow of energy and does not give the listener any time to relax his/her mood. The mix of bass and snare displays a looping trend with a 2-step rhythm; this entrancing rhythm becomes engrained in the back of our heads causing us to not pay attention and get lost in the music. There are no lyrics in the songs but sometimes there are voices creeping into the songs that sound like they have been bleeded into the melodic recordings. Most songs on this album feature a "wobbling" baseline - synthesized beats from an oscillator; these distortions are what give each song their own identity.

The album displays its own theme; it is like a story with an introduction, a build-up, climax and an end. Each track follows in the same fashion but they all come together to fulfill a more significant connotation. The journey begins with calm tracks, like "Born To Do It" and "Cockney Violin" embracing samples of violins, voices, reggae beats, and a smooth, light bass background. The musical tone starts changing at tracks "Jahova" and "Terminator" as the album moves away from a serene ambience and starts building up. The hard upbeat bass accompanies "Too Far" and the following tracks. The fast bass in these songs make the body shake and tremble; these tracks are short and change within two to three minutes so you don't get bored and can't stop listening to the songs. The pinnacle of the album's story comes in "Cockney Thug" with explosions in the background; alone it may not show any significance but when collaborated with the rest of the album, it takes all the energy of the previous songs and conveys it in this one track. After this, the energy slowly eases downhill with melodic tunes and chanting vocals - cloud music - and ends with "Forever" advising the listener that this is not really the end.

There are few albums that leave me flabbergasted from the first listen and, needless to say, "FabricLive.37" was one of them. Never having listened to dubstep before, I was left both hooked and surprised. Caspa and Rusko do an amazing job revealing the hidden charm of this genre that will appeal to both newcomers and avid listeners. "FabricLive.37" is definitely a keeper.

"

Get Rinsed.

C. J. Marshall | Oxnard, CA USA | 08/09/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I gave this set to my friend and he rocked it in his car. He didn't know what Dubstep was about and he got a good headache for his troubles LOL.



This is a great introduction to Dubstep. The mix is pretty consistent throughout and it really keeps the momentum. I've listened to too many mixes that were just a mish-mash of random tunes with no real purpose. As the previous reviewer stated, it gives you a good taste of all the style has to offer.



I also have to big them up for not over-doing it on the sweep-heavy, warbly tunes. Tracks like that should complement a set, not overwhelm it.



Overall, if you don't have decent bass in your earphones or a quality system at home or in your car...I'd stay away. You will just absolutely be unable to appreciate what it's all about.



I DO recommend you find a club where someone's spinning. You'll be hooked."

Fantastic Dubstep

Shawn Stepper | San Francisco, CA | 10/22/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is the absolute best dubstep mix I've found yet. I can't get enough. If you are curious about dubstep but don't know where to start, this is it!"