Shiva Soundsystem - Phasmatis In Machinas

Shiva Soundsystem might sound worryingly like a bunch of dreadlocked psy-trancers from the 1990s, but they're actually an eclectic collective of producers and musicians from east London. Phasmatis In Machina is a sampler of 15 cuts from their eponymous label, and it’s a mixed bag of bass-inspired miscellania. All tracks take the template of drum ‘n’ bass – the Amen breaks, the drops and breakdowns and, well, the bass – and subvert it into new forms. Some, like the Pendulum-like thrash of Outlaw by D-Code featuring Nerm, fail to excite, and the death-metal-meets-D & B of Fray by Nerm & D-Code vs Orifice Vulgatron (yes, really) is an experiment that must never be repeated. Most successful are the downtempo numbers, especially the innovative Eighty-Five by Subterra & Dekko, or the warm, swooping Bukem update of Jason by V.I.V.E.K. There are some genuinely exciting tracks on here, but best to get on iTunes for a bit of pick and choose.