* "Though most people will think of Massive Attack, Portishead or even Roni Size when asked about Bristol's influence on UK music in the late 80s and 90s, really none of them have had anywhere near as much of an impact as Smith & Mighty. With a hand in the development of jungle, dubstep and the particular of-Bristol-ness that so defined the aforementioned artists, their influence is comparable to that of the city itself." Crack
* "Smith & Mighty are producers and originators. From 1985 onwards they took lovers rock, mixed it with heavier modern beats and came up with a new sound. All you needed was the drums, the voice and that spatial dub awareness to create something special." Test Pressing
* Celebrating 30 years since their first release, on November 9th foundation laying forefathers Smith & Mighty release 'Ashley Road Sessions'. This special one-off double label partnership between Pinch's Tectonic and Peverelist's Punch Drunk is an endeavour in homage to their Bristol neighbours, whom they both hold in high regard.
* "Smith & Mighty are true pioneers in music whom I've found deeply inspirational on many levels. Tracks like 'Closer', 'U Dub' and 'Same' are some of my all-time favourites. To be putting out these unreleased gems is such an exciting project for both me and Tom. We both took a great deal of influence from Smith & Mighty - especially from 'Bass Is Maternal' - the album and era from which most of this compilation's source material originates." Pinch
* It's irrefutable and well documented that Smith & Mighty are integral to the story of Bristol music, but the duo (and occasional trio) are accountable not only as key proponents of that local sound, but also for propagating the wider array of much urban and electronic music, to this day.
Despite being inextricably linked to the South West England sound, 'Ashley Road Sessions' proffers an array of styles, the breadth and spectrum of which might surprise. Breakbeat, hardcore, balearica and acid house all feature as prominently as the dub, reggae, hip hop beats and soul for which they're most commonly associated. "Smith & Mighty's lack of genre tribalism and melting pot approach certainly influenced how I make music", comments Peverelist.
* Especially timely in light of the recent breakbeat and jungle revival, this important document feels both historical and relevant, with the classic hip hop sample, crisp breakbeats and Gat Décor bass of perky opener 'Always Be There (Step Up)' sounding remarkably current.
* Airborne dub fx float around heavy beats on the sparse pulse of 'Stalagnate', which wouldn't seem out of place on Bokeh Versions, sounding both vintage and very now.
* The aptly titled 'Morning Light' surely soundtracked the end of long orbital rave nights, straddling funky hardcore breaks, emotive melody, sub bass and heartening Balearic optimism.
* The deft break chopping of 'Film Score' shows they could do deep jungle as well as anyone, contrasting with 'Higher Than Tempo' - a cerebral slow IDM trance dance, that was post 'E2 E4' and pre 'Landcruising'.
'Dub Song' seamlessly blends hardcore, jungle and steppers with a smooth liquidity, whilst frenetic sixteenths, hard snares and purring bass drive the skeletal head-snapper 'Through A Dark Cloud'.
Percussion and drum machines meet melodic chords on 'Leaving Pt 1 & 2', which exemplifies the plaintive, melancholy British bass, later made famous by Massive Attack.

LP Tracklist : a1. Always Be There (Step Up) a2. Stalagnate b1. Tumblin' (Death March) b2. Latent Energy c1 Morning Light c2. Filmscore c3. Higher Than Tempo d1. Dub Song d2. Fruits d3. Through A Dark Cloud

Sicherheits- und Herstellerinformationen / safety and manufacturer info (GPSR)
WAS - Word and Sound Medien GmbH
Liebigstrasse 2-20
DE - 22113 Hamburg
Germany
Contact: [email protected]More

* "Though most people will think of Massive Attack, Portishead or even Roni Size when asked about Bristol's influence on UK music in the late 80s and 90s, really none of them have had anywhere near as much of an impact as Smith & Mighty. With a hand in the development of jungle, dubstep and the particular of-Bristol-ness that so defined the aforementioned artists, their influence is comparable to that of the city itself." Crack
* "Smith & Mighty are producers and originators. From 1985 onwards they took lovers rock, mixed it with heavier modern beats and came up with a new sound. All you needed was the drums, the voice and that spatial dub awareness to create something special." Test Pressing
* Celebrating 30 years since their first release, on November 9th foundation laying forefathers Smith & Mighty release 'Ashley Road Sessions'. This special one-off double label partnership between Pinch's Tectonic and Peverelist's Punch Drunk is an endeavour in homage to their Bristol neighbours, whom they both hold in high regard.
* "Smith & Mighty are true pioneers in music whom I've found deeply inspirational on many levels. Tracks like 'Closer', 'U Dub' and 'Same' are some of my all-time favourites. To be putting out these unreleased gems is such an exciting project for both me and Tom. We both took a great deal of influence from Smith & Mighty - especially from 'Bass Is Maternal' - the album and era from which most of this compilation's source material originates." Pinch
* It's irrefutable and well documented that Smith & Mighty are integral to the story of Bristol music, but the duo (and occasional trio) are accountable not only as key proponents of that local sound, but also for propagating the wider array of much urban and electronic music, to this day.
Despite being inextricably linked to the South West England sound, 'Ashley Road Sessions' proffers an array of styles, the breadth and spectrum of which might surprise. Breakbeat, hardcore, balearica and acid house all feature as prominently as the dub, reggae, hip hop beats and soul for which they're most commonly associated. "Smith & Mighty's lack of genre tribalism and melting pot approach certainly influenced how I make music", comments Peverelist.
* Especially timely in light of the recent breakbeat and jungle revival, this important document feels both historical and relevant, with the classic hip hop sample, crisp breakbeats and Gat Décor bass of perky opener 'Always Be There (Step Up)' sounding remarkably current.
* Airborne dub fx float around heavy beats on the sparse pulse of 'Stalagnate', which wouldn't seem out of place on Bokeh Versions, sounding both vintage and very now.
* The aptly titled 'Morning Light' surely soundtracked the end of long orbital rave nights, straddling funky hardcore breaks, emotive melody, sub bass and heartening Balearic optimism.
* The deft break chopping of 'Film Score' shows they could do deep jungle as well as anyone, contrasting with 'Higher Than Tempo' - a cerebral slow IDM trance dance, that was post 'E2 E4' and pre 'Landcruising'.
'Dub Song' seamlessly blends hardcore, jungle and steppers with a smooth liquidity, whilst frenetic sixteenths, hard snares and purring bass drive the skeletal head-snapper 'Through A Dark Cloud'.
Percussion and drum machines meet melodic chords on 'Leaving Pt 1 & 2', which exemplifies the plaintive, melancholy British bass, later made famous by Massive Attack.

CD Tracklist : 1. Always Be There (Step Up) 2. Stalagnate 3. Tumblin' (Death March) 4. Latent Energy 5. Morning Light 6.. Filmscore 7. Higher Than Tempo 8. Dub Song 9

Sicherheits- und Herstellerinformationen / safety and manufacturer info (GPSR)
WAS - Word and Sound Medien GmbH
Liebigstrasse 2-20
DE - 22113 Hamburg
Germany
Contact: [email protected]More