Formats: AUDIO / WAV 2-CD SET
Score: **** 4/5 stars
You know, in my opinion you can never have too many drum loops. As a self-confessed beathead I'm always on the look out for the next loop that will get my creative juices flowing. It seems that I'm not alone in this quest, and to help us poor rhythm addicts along, AMG have served up a two-CD (one audio, one WAV) sequel to their well received Vinyl Frontier collection of drum loops.
CD one contains all the audio, with tracks 1-92 each featuring an extended drum loop. The beats cover a nice spread of tempos, from a chilled 58bpm to a head-spinning 187bpm, with each loop coming in at between 25 seconds and a minute in length. The last seven tracks (93-99) contain a hefty collection (over 100 kicks alone) of assorted single drum hits, to help with a spot of beat-based DIY.
Playing and programming is very good, with the emphasis on urban breakbeat styles such as hip-hop and drum and bass, but the nice spread of tempos ensures that the loops included never get too 'samey'. The low-fi beats work well, with plenty of snap, crackle and pop, while the frantic drum and bass loops assault your ears with real ferocity. After a little editing, some of the more mid-tempo processed loops would slot nicely into most modern breakbeat productions, and the slower hip-hop grooves roll along well.
Processing of the loops is solid, with some good filtering and effective delays, but it is occasionally overdone, with the effects getting in the way of the loop's underlying groove. I would also have liked to see a few more dry loops with no processing at all, allowing the user to add his or her own effects.
One word about the track order: mixing up all the tempos makes sitting down and listening to the collection as a whole much easier on the ear, and speaking as a reviewer this is rather welcome, but speaking as a producer I would prefer the loops sorted into some loose tempo groups. This would make the more important task of finding the right loop for a track much quicker and easier.
Nevertheless, overall The Vinyl Frontier 2: Boiling Point is a solid and comprehensive collection of extended beats and grooves, featuring some quality programming and playing, that has something to offer a wide range of breakbeat-obsessed producers.
£59.95 including VAT.