Various Artists
Mixpak Pressure: Volume Two

 

Over the years, the Mixpak Records name has swiftly become synonymous with dancehall, thanks to label owner Dre Skull’s production work with Vybz Kartel, Snoop Lion, Popcaan, Tifa and more. So it’s a natural fit that the second volume of the Mixpak Pressure compilation series is chock full of 12 dancehall-inspired riddims. Inside Volume Two, a curated selection of top producers from the dancehall and underground electronic world turn in instrumental or near instrumental tracks that prove you don’t need a full vocal for a dancehall riddim to hit hard.

Following the first southern rap-inspired installment, Mixpak Pressure: Volume Two represents a strong collection of vibes, from big and bashy club hits to chilled-out rockers. Twelve producers from three continents give us their unique twist on the distinctive dancehall beat, embracing the driving syncopated rhythm and heavy bassline. Built without the weight of a vocal in mind, they unleash the musical life of the instrumental to its fullest, resulting in tracks that span from melancholic to euphoric, ready for dancefloors from Kingston to Boston.

Douster’s dreamy ‘Cajon’ floats around bed squeaks, eerie echoes and near- spiritual choral synths, while Murlo’s ‘Krakatoa’ pushes the pace with UK flavor, blending vocal stutters and vibrating crescendos. Estonia’s Bert on Beats drops into soundclash territory with ‘Bob Riddim’, a deadly combination of wavy low frequencies, militant brass loops and a clapping drumline, while WILDLIFE! draws on electro influences for ‘Klouds’, Nadastrom’s ‘DTLA’ slips into drum n bass patterns and Wordlife lean into bhangra with ‘Life Is Riddim’. Elsewhere, TJ Records, Suku, Poirier, Rizzla and Blk Adonis, So Shifty and Cadenza all show their love for the Jamaican foundation and push the sound forward. Wheel and come again.

ABOUT THE MIXPAK PRESSURE SERIES

Riddims are the very foundation of dance music, and Mixpak Records has become known for having some of the hottest in the game. The Brooklyn-based label, owned by DJ/producer Dre Skull, pay homage to its favorite subgenres with its Mixpak Pressure compilation series. The collection enlists cutting-edge producers to deliver fresh instrumental tracks that prove the power of riddims.

The Mixpak Pressure tunes are ready for DJs to bang in their sets or on mixtapes, vocalists to vibe over or casual listeners to get deep into a sound.