Twisting junglisms into irregular shapes since 2017, Manchester’s pride and joy Alex Lowther-Harris brings Thugwidow to Sneaker Social for a ruff yet refreshing ride through the rave. No doubt his skin in the game reaches back further than his first recorded output, but just trying to get a handle on his released catalogue is work enough. In 2019 alone he released no less than six albums and three EPs, laying down immense slabs of material on tapes as much as wax. As well as coursing through the dense undergrowth of the cassette scene, his 12”s have appeared on labels like Western Lore, Warehouse Rave and Astral Black, and he’s collaborated with Dead Man’s Chest and Bruised Skies.

Make no mistake, this is hardcore-rooted music, but it feels closer in spirit to that ill-defined period before scenes became delineated and tribal. All the ingredients are there, but Lowther-Harris teases them, fires them off at funny angles or flips them on their head. ‘Post Modern Assault Ethics’ maintains a sparse, restrained demeanour throughout even as the diva vocal slices ping endlessly through the mix and the bass wobbles away underneath. ‘Invisible Shell Of Energy’ juggles lesser-spotted breaks through a cloud of downcast pads, only to trip over and open the filter up on the loose and funky bassline at the final stretch. ‘The Sacrifice’ turns the break damage up, but keeps the moody vibe front and centre, and ‘The Voices Beneath The Earth’ wraps things up with a heavy-hearted belter that runs the risk of achieving anthemic status. 

For all the snappy programming, crisp edits and artful low end, it’s the pervading sense of emotional depth which makes Thugwidow such a powerful presence in the contemporary jungle scene. Pairing those all-consuming moods with his non-standard structures, you’ve got exactly the kind of renegade we love to carry here at Sneaker.

THUGWIDOW - Invisible Shell Of Energy

Slowed Not Throwed Bass To Taste
"Instra:Mental's 'Watching You' stands up to the quality levels set by Nonplus 001 and continues the fusion of original vocals, Detroit influenced chords and their trademark tight percussion. Ice-cold robotic vocals and heart-warming chord stabs will make the hairs on your neck stand on end listen after listen. This tune is a timeless piece of music that no amount of jargon can justifiably explain."  (Courtesy Nonplus Records)

Instra:Mental - Watching You (Neefertem Mix)

From the slamming science of “Ricochet,” through the jittery ghost-rave of “Survival” and the outer-space lover’s rock of “Dubbing You,” to the manic magic of “Finest Illusion,” this collection of early EPs by rave legends Foul Play tracks an astonishing evolution across barely more than a year. Some of the top tunes to come out of the hardcore > jungle > drum & bass journey? Yes, but also some of the most thrilling and gorgeous music of the entire ‘90s.

Simon Reynolds, author of Energy Flash: A Journey Through Rave Music and Dance Culture.

Re-mastered by Beau Thomas of Ten Eight Seven Mastering and re-issued for your aural pleasure.
Don't sleep on this one!

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Information (provided by Discogs.com):
FOUL PLAY - ORIGINS
Label: Sneaker Social Club – SNKRG 001
Format:	10 x File, FLAC, Compilation, Remastered
Country: UK
Released: May 22, 2020
Genre: Electronic
Style: Breakbeat, Hardcore

Remastered At – Ten Eight Seven Mastering (Remastered By – Beau Thomas)

Collection of all tracks from Foul Play's first three releases:
Tracks 4, 5, 8 and 10 from Vol. 1 (1992).
Tracks 2, 3, 6 and 9 from Vol. 2 (1992).
Tracks 1 and 7 from Finest Illusion / Screwface (1993).

Origins

Foul Play - Dubbing You

Hooversound Presents: Special Request and Tim Reaper

Elysian Fields (Tim Reaper Remix)

Crud

HENRY'S REVENGE

Stairfoot Lane Bunker

Stairfoot Lane Bunker (Minor Science Remix)

dgoHn

Dolorous Dick'ead

formerly known as SNØW, also formerly known as Interface!! Producer, Mix Engineer & DJ. One half of @jusnowmusic. Co founder of @moretimerecords

Crud

Sam Interface