TuneLab
Scuba, Bakongo, Effy Hotflush takeover in The Lab LDN
A Hotflush Records takeover in The Lab LDN, featuring Scuba, Bakongo, and Effy, promises a deep, bass-weighted journey through the label's storied history and its modern offshoots. This is for the heads who remember when 'dubstep' meant space and swing, and who appreciate that lineage being channeled into house and techno frameworks. The vibe is dark, intelligent, and relentlessly cool. Spanning 54 tracks, the set is a marathon of subtle shifts, averaging 128.4 BPM but capable of climbing into faster, broken territories. The key of 12A acts as a frequent tonal center, but the journey through 3B and 7A shows a preference for moodier, more introspective harmonies. The mixing style across the three DJs is seamless and deep, with long, layered blends that prioritize bass weight and rhythmic texture over obvious melodies.
The energy profile is overwhelmingly focused on a thick, sub-aquatic low-end, with minimal mid-range clutter and sparse high-end accents, creating a hypnotic, almost subterranean pressure. The crate digging is exceptional. They open with the driving, percussive tech-house of Cappo & Mondragon's 'Comedown'. Simoncino & Chez Damier's 'Inga's Creme' is a timeless slice of deep, jazzy house history. Cajmere's 'Brighter Days' is a classic vocal moment that cuts through the fog with pure soul. Redeyes' 'Long Ago' might be a deeper, more atmospheric cut for the heads.
The inclusion of a monster like Wally Lopez's 'Burning Inside' remix, stretched over 18 minutes, shows a commitment to letting grooves fully marinate. Harry Romero's 'Revolution' provides a shot of straight-up, peak-time Jersey funk. The journey is epic in scope: starting with the sleek propulsion of 'Comedown', building through the deep, bass-heavy center of the set, and finally arriving at the anthemic, melodic release of Eric Prydz's 'Every Day'. A full tracklist that showcases the breadth and depth of the Hotflush legacy.