2 Ruff, Vol. 1

UKダンス・ミュージック・シーンで圧倒的な存在感を放つChase & Statusが10曲をコンパイルしたミックステープ、『2 RUFF VOL. 1』のリリースを発表。

Designated as a mixtape rather than a full-length, 2 Ruff, Vol. 1 (the fifth Chase & Status release to hit the Top Ten in the U.K. album charts) is a brief but potent set of dancefloor heaters. While nearly every track sports guest producers and vocalists, it feels like its meant to resemble a pack of raw dubplates rather than a more polished studio album. Stefflon Don leads the charge with her guest turn on the brassy, ragga-tinged opener "Selecta," then drill rapper ArrDee breathlessly recalls a debaucherous night out on "Liquor & Cigarettes." The release seems much less drill-influenced than the preceding Chase & Status album, however. "Baddadan," a Flowdan-featuring anthem that took over festivals and reached the Top Five in the U.K., appears in a slightly extended version, and its one of the most commanding tracks here. Some of the other songs with guest vocalists dont leave as much of an impression, but "Say the Word" (with Clementine Douglas) is a sweet, levitating pop moment, and "20 Man Down" (featuring MIST and IRAH) strikes a balance between tense grittiness and social consciousness, though it could use an additional verse or two. "Massive & Crew" and "Get Got" are buzzy near-instrumentals that seem like stripped-down club tools on the surface, but are actually quite intricate and end up being two of the most exciting tracks on the mixtape. A mishmash of charting hit singles and other ideas that are likely to be explored further on future records, 2 Ruff, Vol. 1 isnt intended to be a definitive Chase & Status release, but for anyone in the mood for a half-hour dose of exhilarating dancefloor drumnbass, it does the job well. ~ Paul Simpson

ダークステップ化やジャングル回帰など時期によって色合いを変えつつ20年近くフロア支持を獲得し、メインストリームにも食い込み続ける無敵のドラムンベース・デュオ。『What Came Before』から1年で届いた新作はミックステープ扱いで、それゆえにほぼ全曲がゲスト入りのキャッチーな作りだ。フロウダンらがマイクを握るブウとのコラボ曲"Baddadan"が全英5位まで上昇し、アルバム自体も全英4位を記録済み。ステフロン・ドンがアクの強さを見せる"Selecta"で幕を開け、ヘデックスとアーディーを招いたウォブリーな爆走チューン"Liquor & Cigarettes"など、どこを切っても最高すぎて今回も文句ナシ!
bounce (C)出嶌孝次