The first Tectonic Plates compilation was a timely capturing of the major players in dubstep; six years later comes the third volume and it’s time to move things on again. The steel grey cover and the terse names listed don’t make the casual punter feel that welcome but dubstep has never really been about making itself more accessible; it has to be discovered. The usual suspects are present in the track titles – “Float”, “Chrome”, “Evolution” – and the artists maintain their mystery behind faceless identities such as Monky, Tunnidge and, er, Kevin McPhee.
Anyone vaguely familiar with the genre will find themselves on safe ground with the opening track, a slow motion, moody piece by Kryptic Minds with pulsating bass and plenty of atmosphere. The tempo creeps up with the pounding percussion of Addison Groove’s “Phantom”, a track which – like several included here – is designed for a club environment rather than home listening. So experiencing Tectonic Plates Volume 3 from start to finish underlines the schism in dubstep and the Tectonic label itself. Push the bpm count upwards and the dubstep sound morphs into something else – notably here, the riddims of Roska’s “480 BC”. Stick with the more traditional approach and it could be rewinding six years, such as Pinch’s “Blow Out The Candle” – but note, this is a measure of his consistency, rather than suggesting he’s unable to expand his sound.
Thankfully there are a group of newer producers who show that Tectonic and dubstep in general is evolving – adopt, adapt and improve seems to be the order of the day. Illum Sphere had one of the stand out mixes on Radiohead’s recent remix project, Kevin McPhee released the excellent “Get In With You” single last year, Ginz has collaborated with the likes of Joker in the past. They are all at or near the start of their music-making and all show great promise in the tracks here and their other releases. Tectonic Plates Volume 3 isn’t the neat packaging up of a genre, neither is it a definite statement on the future of dubstep. But it does contain several possible directions and it’s a closed mind who can’t find something of promise within. (Jeremy Bye)
Kryptic Minds
Roska
a closer listen 