Part of the beauty of instrumental grime at the
moment is the huge variety of styles that are being produced all over
the world. From the hard-hitting, minimal work of producers like
Rabit and Logos through the dark, rollers of producers such as Wen
and Epoch to more emotive music like some of the tracks by JT and
Murlo it's clear that throughout grime there is a healthy diversity.
Tomas Fraser's imprint, however, have a very clear
mission statement. Coyote Records are only interested in bruising
club weapons. The unifying theme across the first four releases also
holds true with their latest offering by OH91. A member of Bristol
collective Sureskank, OH91 has been causing a stir with his remixes
and specials (perhaps most notably his percy remix). Stealth is one
of his original productions however; backed with a Spooky remix,
COY005 is an excellent reminder that grime can be at it's most
inspired when it is functionalist, high energy, club music.
Stealth is built around a relentless bassline that
drives the track forward. Blasts of percussion add rhythmic interest
while a tough square wave synth hits in 8bar style in this minimal in structure, maximal in sound banger. On the remix Spooky takes
the hint of 8bar in the original and runs with it, flipping the track
into a punchy 8bar riddim that transforms into a halfstep stomper two
and a half minutes in.
A devastating 12”. Not one to sleep on.
COY005 is out on vinyl and digital on October 21.