The sequel to last year's 'Battlecreek EP' once again sees Illicit Recordings' Damon Baxter assemble some like minded beat junkies for a four track hoedown. Exercising far greater quality control than the usual noisy, head-banging big beat nonsense, 'Battlecreek 2' opts for a funk filled, rump-shaking collection of cuts.
Baxter kicks off proceedings with 'Fast As Daddy Love' under his Deadly Avenger guise, marrying Buster Rhyme-esque keyboard stabs with his trademark disco breaks. Layered with lush strings and the odd cheeky sample demanding that you "get your hands up", the track switches direction midway and recalls the work of the mighty J. Saul Kane (aka Depth Charge).
Dynamo Productions, (featuring Portishead DJ, Andy Smith) make their vinyl debut with the excellent 'Bust A Beat' with the Wiseguys and Organic Audio making up the numbers, both opting for a more laid-back approach.
A treat for all beat hands the four tracks here don't disappoint with Dynamo Productions winning by a nose. Bring on part 3.
