Where does dubstep find itself right now? It's a question that Tempa's scene-defining "Dubstep Allstars" mix CD series has always asked, right since the genre's inception and Hatcha's first instalment back in 2004. Each volume has returned new answers; capturing its own snapshot of a specific side of the sound. The truth, as the series so far has proved, is that dubstep has always been in a state of flux.

And so for "Dubstep Allstars Vol.9" Silkie and Quest waste no time in providing yet another fresh set of answers. Their sound is a hybrid vision: as core members of the Antisocial Entertainment collective, they have over the past few years honed a sound as soulful as it is sub-heavy, seeping grime, jazz, funk and electro into the equation. These aspects to Silkie's music 'came from a desire to emulate the music I loved - garage and 90s R&B,' he explains. 'I feel a compulsion to add the jazz and the soul to the music, and find it harder to leave it out.'

Like many of the series' earlier editions, the duo draw the music on "Dubstep Allstars Vol.09"'s tracks from a small pool of close-knit producers who share a similar attitude. As well as their own music, chief among their contributors is Swindle. It's his "If I Was A Superhero" that opens the CD, electrifying the mix to life. From there the energy swiftly ramps up, passing through Quest's bounding "The Seafront" and Swindle's electro-shocked beast "Belfast" before delving into deeper territory with Quest's slinky "Somewhere". Later, the dread ramps up to staggering intensity with Mala's "Eyez VIP" (a track exclusive to this mix) and the intense pressure of Quest's "Overcome". Throughout, the duo's mixing mirrors the swift responsiveness of their club sets - sometimes wild and unruly, sometimes softer and more languid.

All these threads culminate in the mix's closing 20 minutes in a devastating run of tracks, with Silkie's remixes of Skream and Katy B drawing finally into Quest's rootsy 'Stand', completing the circle and harking back to the genre's origins. It's an appropriate note to end on, remaining respectful of the travels of dubstep past, but always with an eye towards the next step.

STAFF COMMENTS

Philippa says: This Tempa compilation series brings us the choices of these two core members of the Antisocial Entertainment collective. Over the past few years they've honed a sound as soulful as it is sub-heavy, seeping grime, jazz, funk and electro into the equation. Here we get 24 tracks by them and their pals.

TRACK LISTING

01. Swindle - Superhero
02. Silkie - Lucky
03. Quest - The Seafront
04. Swindle - Belfast
05. Silkie - Get Up And Dance
06. Quest - Somewhere
07. Quest - Deep Inside
08. L Wiz - 4.42 Oz
09. Silkie - Selva Nova
10. Silkie Vs. Von D - Snowed In
11. Swindle - Do The Jazz
12. Mala - Eyez VIP
13. Mizz Beats & Jay Retro - Level O
14. Quest - Overcome
15. Quest - The Unknown
16. Silkie - Concrete Jungle
17. Swindle - Forest Funk
18. Silkie - Mellow Yellow
19. Silkie - Cyberdub
20. Skream - Filth (Silkie ReMiX)
21. Silkie Feat Truth - Feel
22. Katy B - Witches Brew (Silkie RMX)
24. Quest - Stand

"Listenin' To The Records On My Wall", is the perfect introduction to why Skream's current level of success is just the beginning. It's a joyful, ragingly energetic celebration of the last quarter decade of British street music, inspired by the hardcore and jungle records used by his older brother Hijak who was part of Grooverider's Internatty Crew. It's also a brilliant pop record that makes perfect sense to everyone who grew up surrounded by the breaks and beats of the 1990s - and to those who didn't.

This, however, is not a revival record. A natural born modernist, Skream has selected 14 tracks that cover hip hop ("8-Bit Baby", with LA rapper Murs from Living Legends), bass-wobbling dubstep (the self-explanatory "Wibbler"), dreamy electronica ("Perferated"), a dark and tribal track with La Roux, and a strong dose of euphoric jungle on "The Epic Last Tune"; a track that is inadvisable to listen to whilst driving - unless you want another six points on your licence. "Outside The Box" is the sound of an artist who is ready to take his considerable talents to a wider audience without compromising any of the raw, hedonistic, emotional, lose-yourself madness that has made him literally legendary to the hundreds of thousands of people worldwide. There's the 8-bit computer game inspiration of "CPU"; the Daft Punk styled vocals of "How Real" featuring Freckles; the tuff but soothing heart-beat of "Fields Of Emotion" and the Jocelyn Brown-sampling "I Love The Way", which sees the first lady of disco pitched right down.

It was at DMZ that Soulja first heard "Ongie Bongie". Several months later the track becomes the the kick-off riddim for "D1 V3", D1's latest double-pack offering from Tempa. Sounding out the way ahead with the latest sonar technology, "Ongie Bongie" begins at a cautious speed whilst familiarising itself with this new territory and then picks up pace with a funky propulsion that saw it light-up underwater dance, DMZ. Following on from this peak-time dancefloor energy, "Joy" swells progressively, in waves of euphoric chords pieced together with steadily stuttering congas. The second plate is headed by "Cave", a deeply hollowed-out production, heavily sub-led and a current regular in Youngsta sets, whilst anchor track "BG" employs infectious, cascading bass-stabs, which envelop the accompanying trumpet to create the kind of skank out riddim which wouldn't be out of place on a Jammin' era Bingo Beats release.

"Dubstep Allstars Vol. 6", the next in the massively acclaimed series that brought the scene its very name, is curated and mixed by Bristol based Producer-DJ, Laurie 'Appleblim' Osborne. Alongside Skull Disco partner Shackleton, Appleblim has forged a sound of his own in both his production and DJ sets affording him interest from Ricardo Villalobos, Radio Slave and Kode 9 amongst others. With his taste falling somewhere between dub and techno, Tempa made the decision to draft in the acutely talented Appleblim in order to showcase another face of dubstep after the dancefloor immediacy of N-Type's "Dubstep Allstars Vol. 5". As with each instalment of the Allstars series the DJ has full control of the selection and as a recognised ambassador of Bristol's musical talent it's no surprise that Bristolian producers including Pinch, Peverlist and Komonazmuk are represented on this CD.

Tempa come through with another cutting edge instalment of the pioneering "Tempa Allstars" series, combining established names with new talent. From Croydon originator Benga's dubplate smasher "Roller", to rising Bristol talent Komonazmuk's sharp as razor production, via the West London sounds of Orien's grimey halfstepper "New World" to Rusko's deep "Jah Love" featuring roots reggae vocal, this is a cutting edge representation of what is working on the floors of dubstep events worldwide. Rounding things off is a refreshing 2-step flavoured offering from Martyn, more known for his d&b productions but making waves in dubstep, and a deep dark Youngsta styled roller from The Others.