Having smashed stages worldwide wide via the all-conquering behemoth that is Godzilla Dub, Kents finest, Ash aka ZeroFG, explores an oft-overlooked but (for certain Pineapple lovers) absolutely foundational sub-genre of UK Bass… Breakstep. If tunes such as Zinc 138 Trek, Darqwan Said The Spider or Jameson Urban Hero still get you going behind the decks - and believe me, they still get people shocking out on the floor - this updated take on the oft-overlooked early-2000s genre is essential weaponry in your set. Elemental perfectly captures the feel of picking up a Runnin Records white label - crunchy breaks, a rolling bassline and infectious riffs. Hypnotic dancefloor pressure that 2004 Zinc would have been proud to crank out of the EMU. Dabber takes things that bit darker, with Oris Jay-style bleeps and a dark-garage set of bass warps perfectly crafted to that moody flex which has always been an integral part of UK dance music. Atonal 96 style atmospheres keep the adrenalin flowing for everyone involved… Heads down crew, your time. Wheels Of Steel closes things out in very cheeky fashion - a classic break, cut-up stabs and a sped-up rap vocal youve definitely heard before all sit over some proper bouncy sub-bass juice. Constantly evolving and looping atmospheres bring that essential smooth element to contrast perfectly with the roughness. Btw, in case youre wondering what on earth IS Breakstep? Well here goes… Emerging in the early 2000s, and perhaps peaking in terms of popularity with Zincs classic 138 Trek, Breakstep or Breakbeat Garage took elements from sounds such as Jungle, Garage, the emerging Grime scene, and the ruder end of Breakbeat to create a sound that was (in our humble opinion), an essential mix of rolling drums, bass pressure and UK attitude. For a while, these tunes were popping up in sets from range of DJs as diverse as Slimzee and J Da Flex, to Bugs In The Attic and Dubchild, but while a choice Bingo Beats 12 has always been a cheeky weapon for those that know, its not a sound thats really seen much of a critical re-evaluation - possibly because it was quickly swept away by the incoming dubstep / halftime innovations - although artists such as Slaughter Mob and Search & Destroy were a key part of that crossover, and created music that remains some of my favourite from that era. The Elemental EP started life as a collection of WIPs on ZeroFGs Instagram, and when I heard them, I had to instantly reach out to make sure I wasnt mishearing things, and this was in fact the work of someone who also appreciated this era of dance music. Weve since spent way too much time on WhatsApp comparing notes over rare Shimano 12s and DJ Hype remixes, but what is dance music for, if not encouraging nerds to flaunt their obsessions in a safe environment??? Distributed by Label Engine - www.label-engine.com