South London's Hydrogen Dukebox imprint has been steadily gaining a reputation for putting out innovative and quality electronic hybrid sounds. With a diverse range of idiosynchratic artists on it's roster such as James Hardway, Harry K, Globo, Norken, Metamatics and The Lithium Project, it's difficult to know exactly what to expect from a HD release, though the chances are it's gonna be pretty good.
This compilation is a good place to get an overview, as most of the label's artists are represented. Starting with Norken's Detroit influenced tech-scape 'Spring Themes', the album takes us on a journey through a plethora of styles and sounds. Justice blends up some nicely rolling hip hop beatwork with eerie chant samples on 'Monk Rock' while Lithium Project break out some light, jazzy drum & bass riddims on 'Passo Fundo', and labelstay Metamatics offers up some equally subtle dub-influenced electronica on 'On (What's Wrong With It)'.
Chamber's 'Big and Bouncey' does what it says on the tin, combining large sounding tech-edged beats and bass with some quirky bleeps and squeaks. Harry K 'Turns It On' with a funky selection of breakbeat action and A1 People keep the hip hop vibe flowing with their wibbly-wobbly 'Happy Talk'.
Leccy Men take things into less cheerful and more abstract territory with 'Window Shade Dust', while Globo provide the denouement with their brooding but slick 'Hope and Glory'. All in all, this is a good profile of an up and coming label that isn't afraid for better or for worse - to explore a multitude of musical avenues.
