The Latest release from Nottingham’s Tumble Audo, a label that has had an impressive start to its tenure — having birthed itself out of the home of Robin Hood’s vibrant club scene a mere 18 or so months ago – comes in the form of Bristol instrumental grime don Boofy’s impressive Nank EP, backed by remixes from Hi5 Ghost and Nativ.
Opening number “Nank” fuses classic grime tropes and riddims with, huge dubstep pinched sub-lines alongside experimental acidic twangs, pizzicato strings and Boofy’s signature high-end synth wails, ticking every box, in the process creating a sure fire dancefloor destroyer.
“Warzone” – the tougher of the two original numbers – uses scatter shot claps, a barmy, funky indebted bassline and miscellaneous perc shots to great effect, creating a uniquely Boofy rolling grime number filled with deep subs and Bristolian attitude.
Frequent collaborator and fellow Bristolian Hi5 Ghost provides us with his twitchy interpretation of “Nank”. Toughening up the drums and syncopating the rough bassline, Hi5 imbues his refix with a pounding, yet fidgety energy that drives the tune into peak time dance territory.
Nativ then flips “Nank” into a driving UK funky banger akin to some of the work co-label boss and recent Formula Records signing Killjoy has been peddling of late. Using the pitter-patter of Funky’s rhythmic backbone with the grime sounds of Boofy’s original tune, Nativ’s version smacks you in the face like a wet fish, creating a versatile number able to fit into a DJ set of many different styles and moods be that grime, funky, house or even techno.
All in all, Tumble and Boofy once again prove why they are forces to be reckoned with in the urban-centric, instrumental grime and funky scenes they peddle their wares within. A big release all round.