Some breakbeat records tend to be too arty-farty now days. They try too hard to move away from the “big beat” sound and the negative connotations attached to it that they lose focus, tending to be a mish-mash of sound that leaves you wondering what the hell you’re listening to. Thankfully the Drumattic Twins haven’t done this with their first release “Drumattical”, but instead provide a very listenable and danceable album of wicked beats that ride the spectrum of breakbeat, without becoming cheesy or clichéd.

The album begins with the sound of searching through radio stations, with snippets of talk and music. The latter I suspect are some of their previous releases as “Shades of Rhythm”. This drops into “Smokin It”, which is just a small taste of what you’re about to hear. It’s a pretty simple breakbeat tune that gets your head nodding. This mixes seamlessly into “Start of Something”, a groovy electro influenced tune that builds up nicely to “Feelin’ Kinda Strange”. With it’s sped up vocal and funky guitar loops it is perfect pop, and this has seen it get a lot of air play on JJJ. It will stick in your head, but luckily you’ll want it to stay. After this the album tends to get even funkier, if that’s possible.

“Thinking About You” starts with a soulful sample and then counts down with an old school electro voice (that I just LOVE) to one of the funkiest breaks you’ll hear. “Wormhole” is another nod to electro, being retro without sounding dated. “Mutate the Beat” is one of my favourites, with a groovy bassline underlying an awesome funky wah guitar. “Mind the Gap” is another stomper, with a phat 70’s disco break that will rock many a dancefloor.

Then, showing their abilities to the full come tracks like “Drummatical” and “One Thousand Speakers”, with techno squeals and squeaks; and possibly my favourite, the incredibly dark “Hunt for the Twisted Desire”. This track has an evil bassline over a freaky sample about hunting vampires, then a phat beat that just pounds relentlessly is dropped over the top. The dark, techish mood is continued with “Invincible Bass” and the rolling “Dominate”.

By signing the Drumattic Twins, Finger Lickin’ once again show us they are the leader in breaks, and this album is yet another beautiful feather to put in their cap. Let there be no more doubt that breakbeat has come of age and is maturing beautifully.