In 2014 Hyperdub is 10 years old. Founded by DJ and producer Kode9, the label has grown from its humble origins as a leftfield dubstep label, and spread out to function as a crossgenre hub, absorbing sounds and ideas, keeping listeners on their toes, and refreshing itself while still maintaining its core sensibilities. To celebrate, Hyperdub will release four compilations which cluster thematic highlights from the last five years, all augmented with new material, as well as staging a number of international showcase events across the year. First up comes 'Hyperdub 10.1', a double CD covering the label's dance floor dimension. Disc 1 features almost all new material from Hyperdub regulars such as Kode9 The Spaceape, Quarta 330 and DJ Rashad, along with old and new allies. Opening with the oddball groove of DVA's 'Mad Hatter', we move into young Detroit producer Kyle Hall's 'Girl U So Strong', a slow builder that culminates in a blissedout gfunk groove, Mala's 'Expected', a rock solid, melancholy halfstep bulldozer, Kuedo's 'Mtzpn', Morgan Zarate's recent martial snare anthem, 'Kaytsu' and Helix's clubready remix of Kode9's 2013 'Xingfu Lu'. We also welcome back Flowdan, who appeared on early label hit 'Skeng,' with the malevolent, Footsieproduced 'Ambush'. The pace picks up on the second half of the CD with a volley of woozy and twisted footwork from most of the key members of Chicago's Teklife crew. Taso Djunya's Darwinian 'Only The Strongest Survive' descends into DJ Spinn's bombastic 'All My Teklife', DJ Taye's fizzling RB jam, 'Get Em Up', the immaculate diva vocal cutup of 'I'm Gonna Get You', DJ Rashad and Gantman's squiggly banger 'Acid Life', and the stone cold 'Icemaster' by Heavee. Earl, Rashad Taye's 'Bombaklot' takes Hyperdub full circle with a yardcore bomb like a 2014 upgrade of the label's early days. Disc 1 closes with 'Chasing A Beast', a new gnarly hip hop track from Kode9 The Spaceape, and Tokyobased veteran ally Quarta330, who crafts in 'Hanabi' an epic, uptempo synthesiser jam. Disc 2 spotlights 17 high points of Hyperdub's last halfdecade, proven dance floor material from the grittier end of UK funky, grime, dubstep, hip hop and footwork. Artists featured include Burial, Cooly G, Champion, DVA, Funkystepz, Ill Blu, Walton, Ikonika, Kode9 The Spaceape, Morgan Zarate, Mark Pritchard Om'mas Keith, Terror Danjah Riko, DOK, LV ft. Okmalumkoolkat, and DJ Rashad. 'Hyperdub 10.1' is more an ammunition belt than an album. –Hyperdub Various Artists, Hyperdub 10.1 by Hyperdub
