Bass imprint Hessle Audio is set to gather some of its finest cuts on the new compilation ‘116 & Rising’.
Formed by three then-unknown bass fans in Leeds, Hessle Audio has grown to become one of Britain’s most influential dance labels. The handiwork of Pangaea, Pearson Sound and Ben UFO the label is now split between Leeds, London and Berlin but remains a pivotal force in bass music.
Beginning as more of a straight dubstep imprint, the label has diversified to reflect and challenge the British bass scene. Tempos have shifted, with 140 BPM and half-step making way for the vibrations of UK Funky.
However the attention to detail has not changed. Due for release on May 16th, Hessle Audio’s new compilation ‘116 & Rising’ gathers some of the labels finest cuts for an excellent primer to their output.
Label head David Kennedy donates a number of cuts under his two pseudonyms. Ramadanman’s vital dubstep anthem ‘Blimey’ makes an appearance, alongside Pearson Sound’s ‘Stifle’.
Often overshadowed, Pangaea has included a few of his own releases. ‘You & I’ formed the flipside of 2008’s ‘Router’ while the soulful garage of ‘Why’ was released on last year’s double pack.
Elsewhere, ‘116 & Rising’ contains a track from James Blake, while dubstep heads such as Untold and Blawan are also represented.
Spread across two CDs, the compilation does more than summate Hessle Audio’s output to date. The album contains a few unreleased tunes, giving some hints as to what fans can expect in the future.
Ben UFO of course is not represented. Focussing on his DJ work, the label head does not produce yet still exerts a huge influence. ClashMusic recently hosted a back-to-back DJ set featuring Ben UFO and Oneman – check it out HERE.
Hessle Audio are due to release ‘116 & Rising’ on May 16th. Tracklisting:
CD1
01. Elgato – Music (Bodymix)
02. Untold – Cool Story Bro
03. Blawan – Potchla Vee
04. Pearson Sound – Stifle
05. Joe – Twice
06. Randomer – Brunk
07. Pangaea – Run Out
08. Cosmin TRG – Bijoux
09. D1 – Subzero
10. Addison Groove – Fuk Tha 101
11. James Blake – Give A Man A Rod (Second Version)
12. Peverelist – Sun Dance
CD2
01. Pangaea – You & I
02. Untold – Test Signal
03. Blawan – Fram
04. James Blake – Buzzard & Kestrel
05. Untold – I Can’t Stop This Feeling
06. Joe – Rut
07. Ramadanman – Blimey
08. TRG – Put You Down
09. Joe – Level Crossing
10. Pangaea – Why
11. TRG – Broken Heart (Martyn’s DCM Remix)
12. Ramadanman – Don’t Change For Me
