In 2006, Zero Db came out with an exhilarating debut album: Bongos, Bleeps and Basslines. It ignited a uniform response of worship form critics across the board, it announced the arrival of a new producer duo making infectious, unconventional dance music. Their music was hailed “Modern, nutty jazziness, conceived in clubland” (MixMag) or “Like having Notting hill carnival run through your head in 7 minutes” (Touch). The underground duo where being compared to the likes of Kieren Hebden aka Four Tet, Reprazent and Red Snapper (DJ Magazine) with Trevor Jackson proclaiming the debut as the best release Ninja Tune have ever put out, “EVER!”

Now four years later and after the beat broth was running the risk of settling, they return with their rhythm seductive One Offs, Remixes and B sides released on another great independent label—Tru Thoughts.

The decision to mix a big bag of groove and jazz with a strong electronic spoonful is characteristic of Zero dBoys Chris Vagado and Neil Combstock, and thankfully the trend continues here too. Outstanding injections of their influences from hip hop samples, to Latin horns and even afro-beat drums adds further to the core dance element of the project, which contains more complexities of flavour than your granny’s stew.

A 2 CD, 23-track monster the release offers big names and rarities from the likes of Bonobo, Quantic, Nostalgia 77 and Domu. It’s also the place to find completely new exclusive material along with a handful of sought-after-cuts; Hextatic’s ‘Distorted Minds’ (Zero dB remix), Inverse Cinematics’ ‘Seven by Seven’ (Dave Da Gato Mix) and the monumental Zero Db diamond—‘The Snare’.

Percussion frenzy ‘Conga Madness’ along with lengthy drawn out ‘Mas Fuerte Que El Sol’ will bring back the summer festival blues. ‘On The 1&3 Vs Know What I’m Saying’ is for those jazz hip-hop lovers, while the repetitive nature of ‘The Snare’ with contagious looping piano chords and an inviting sax will induce uncontrollable twitching in your left leg. Two thumbs up. Invest and get this.

Words Ali Raymond
Buy One Offs, Remixes and B sides