On booty duty: The melting pot (free Baobinga and ID album inside!)

Sometimes Sean returns with his latest report from the frontline of the ghetto-edged, bass-fuelled corner of the breaks scene

Hip-hop yah don’t stop … you just seem to evolve, as Freerange DJs prove this week with their twitchy big beat styled escapade on Ape Recordings, Back to the Old Jack. This one is a firm nod to the chemical beats of yesteryear but with a keen emphasis on 2010 style production. There always seems to be a call for big beat to make a comeback, so if this track doesn’t ignite the “true” return, then I’ll eat my lopsided, flat-peaked cap.

FreeRange DJs - "Back To The Old Jack" (Original Mix) by =AVE=FreeRangeDJs

These days, however, bass rather than beats is the focus of choice for the eclectic DJ, and ID & Baobinga are certainly running with it. Their much anticipated new album, Bass Music Sessions (as mentioned last week in my interview with I.D) dropped on Monday, for free, and it far surpasses the hype. The LP spans pretty much the most influential styles that are throbbing in the bass scene today, like the dirty south snap-influenced Still Tippin’ or the kuduro-inspired Man Down. Download it here (it's free, but any donations you want to make will go to charity).

African and latin rhythms are a really great element for breaks music in general, adding excitement to those infectious rhythms we always pine for, and plenty of DJs are increasingly including kuduro and other such styles in their sets. On that tip, this week’s top recommendation from me has to be Kitch N Sync vs Wonk – Pumpin My Sh*t (Edu K remix). Edu K may have moved on a little from his baile funk style to what’s known as tropical house, but this one has the lovely syncopation we associate with breaks. In fact, it’s pretty mad how much hip hop features in today's more uptempo dance styles, moving house away from the 4/4. From big beat to baile and tropical house, the family tree is vast, and breaks is sitting right in the middle.