At face value the garage and west London broken beats scenes have little in common.
But then that's what separates innovator's like Zed Bias aka Maddslinky from also-rans: the vision to fuse and create.
Milton Keynes' Zed Bias is no stranger to innovation. During the years 1999-2000, alongside El-B, he set the template for the growth of dark jungle-inspired garage that currently thrives at London's monthly Forward>> night.
But it was the 'Deep Down' EP as Phuturistix in 2001 that hinted at a new deep and jazzy direction. Only now do we see the results, surfacing on west London's Sirkus label. Only Hospital's Landslide also moves in these uncharted waters.
It's a great time for jazzy albums: Maddslinky, Cinematic Orchestra and Jazzanova have all taken different inspiration to create amazing long players.
'Make Your Peace' contains no out-and-out jazz, more the kind of licks and tones, the inspirations and moods from jazz that have shaped the equally beat-driven west London scene. Indeed west London's Kaidi Thadam from Bugz In The Attic pops up to play keys.
The whole album fuses garage's tough yet funky backbone, built with Zed's crisp production, to the gentle west London state of mind.
'Future Chicano' is a remarkable offworld exploration. 'Suburban Sermon pt's 1+ 2' drops the tempo into contemplative poetry. 'Desert Fog' drops upright bass licks like Roni Size's 'Brown Paper Bag' mixed by Seiji.
'Reject' contains the satirical monologue: we live in a violent society, weirdoes all around, get them before they get you… Zed's response is to promptly drop a disgusting bassline.
Best thing for violence really, funky bass. Make your peace? Make your own masterpiece more. Like Mr Maddslinky.
