Sister of Groovedge Records, and highly celebrated off the back of its first two killer 7s, Mystery Booms brings together the Lyon electronic scene for new exercises in soundsystem-friendly, earth shattering dub!

First appearance is naturally delivered by previous contributor Irie Mona. Knowing perfectly how to inject new digi-attitude in an old school roots way of dubbing productions, "Po.Int" is pitch black dread. A sub-low bass rattling foundations as echo-drenched vox and sirens plague the mix. Comparisons could be drawn to Space Ape and Kode 9, or indeed the heavy digital steppers soundsystem scene that used to grace Manchester and Bradford; but this stands out all on its own as one monumental slab of new and powerful dub. 

Meanwhile, "UV Dub" also clatters around the echo chamber, an equally slaying exercise in bass pressure with beautifully executed spring reverberated vox carrying us through. 

Honestly, this is probably the best new digi-dub track we've heard for some time in here. Get those orders in quick! 

STAFF COMMENTS

says: Mystery Booms continue to prove why they're my no. 1 go-to choice for new, soundsystem slaying digi-dub and elecro-roots. Major TIP!

To close the 3 EP reissue series of Neville King and Lee Laing's King & City label, the all female group Charisma are presented with their summer infused Lovers cut, Everything Is Fine.

Three Lewisham friends, Angela Richardson on lead vocals, with Geselle and Janie backing, were active from 1982 to 1990, but are really remembered for the early recordings made with Neville King. Their debut, Everything Is Fine rides the Lovers sound at its peak. Written with One Blood's Lloyd Robinson, with the rest of band of Robinson brothers providing the rhythm section, this is pure South London sound system music.

Recorded again at TMC (Tooting Music Centre) Recording Studios - working alongside the likes of Dillinger, Tradition and New Musik - Everything Is Fine rides a beautiful soul reggae rhythm as Trevor (Drums) and Lloyd (Bass) Robinson set the foundations, while One Blood provide the Dub mix.

A true love's lament, a song of hope, serenity and pure vibes. Label head Chuggy slides behind the mixing desk for an extended Discomix that stretches, loops and dubs the vocal and dub back forth, to close a glimpse at this uniquely British phenomenon, taking reggae closer to it's heart and soul.

Setting themselves a breathless pace with four albums in three years after the brilliance downbeat bliss of their breakthrough LP "Maim That Tune", the eclecticism and organic warmth of Fila Brazillia's electronica continued to amaze on "Power Clown", a previously CD only release from 98. Laid-back jazz-funk grooves straight out of the '70s are the foundation of the record, but hints of Stevie Wonder-esque soul, hip-hop, bossa nova, ambient, spacey techno, house, minimalist electro, big-beat and trip-hop all pop up here and there, as do touches of ethnic percussion, acoustic guitar, saxophone solos, new age-y synth flourishes, and the occasional odd vocal sample or sound effect. What really pushes "Power Clown" over the top, though, is that the group maintains their focus throughout, never meandering and changing things up often enough to keep the grooves from becoming repetitive. One of the finest and most over-looked electronic-dance releases of 1998.