3CDs it’s going to be a big one.

The Worlds Heaviest is a series of compilation CDs brought out by RESIST, a record label that specializes in genre-based compilations.  Their previous series The Worlds Greatest has a good standing in the music community.  They’re also responsible for the At the Controls series that features mixes from James Holden and M.A.N.D.Y.

Ok, I know what you’re thinking, “Oh, it’s one of those dumb ass compilation CDs that try to jump on bandwagons and make a few bucks off hyped up music.”  Well that’s what I used to think about such things. I was burned many years ago by This is…Jungle.  I found it pretty dull and nothing more than a compilation of second-rate tracks that would never have made it onto a mix CD anyway. 

I bought it because I wanted an entry level into the Jungle genre.  I didn’t know anything about it or anyone who listened to it.  The internet didn’t really exist at the time like it does today and CD burners were expensive.  You needed to know people in the scene and get underground mixes on cassettes.  And yeah, I didn’t know anyone.  So when I heard This is Jungle I was like, is this it?  This is what people are raving about? (no pun intended)  It put me off Jungle for a while until I was re-introduced to the genre later on properly.  But who knows, I could’ve missed it completely because of a cheap gimmick.

The point is, if you’re going to make a mid-priced compilation CD set that is aimed at opening people up to new genres you have to do it properly otherwise it ends up hurting the music genre in question.  Because of my previous experience by the This is….. series I’ve completely bypassed genre based compilations completely.  But after listening to this one I’m going to have to re-appraise that situation because I think this compilation rocks.  The key here is the mixture of classic tunes and the latest release. Established artists and fresh new talent. Anyone can listen to these compilations and get someone out of it. From people wanting to get a set of ears onto emerging genres to the long-term fan.

CD 1 – DUBSTEP
Yes, it’s dub step.  I’m sure you’ve heard about it by now.  Either from someone who loves it, or someone who hates it.  In either case no one can deny that there is a lot of buzz about this new musical movement.  It’s probably the most innovative of the 3 CDs and my personal favorite.  The mixture of new and old artists is pretty consistent with classic tracks spaced out with new ones that even avid dub step fans may not have heard.  Bombing tracks include, Loefah’s ‘System,’ N-Type’s ‘Way of the Dub,’ Pinch & P Dutty’s ‘War Dub’ and Elemental’s ‘Tribute.’  But the absolute killer on this CD is the Burial remix of Jamie Woon’s ‘Wayfaring Stranger.’ An absolutely killer track and probably the musical highlight of the entire 3CD compilation.

I’m a bit of a dub step fan, so I’m a little biased here but I definitely think that this CD is perfect for new and old fans of dub step.  There’s nothing too outlandish here but just enough to leave the listener wanting more.  Now go out and listen to more dub step!

CD 2 – GRIME
Grime and Dub step used to get confused.  It’s kind of hard to understand that listening to this second CD.  In essence Grime is the UK’s own version of hip-hop but it’s not UK hip-hop, dig?  Coming from the same Garage and 2-step roots as dub step the beats are fast and bass heavy with lots of electronic sounds.  The style is wide, with no two tracks sounding remotely similar.  The lyrics are gritty, urban and border on being completely random in places.  Everyone’s heard Dizzy Rascal and Wiley right?  Yeah, it’s like that. 

Whether this is your style or not is another question.  It’s definitely the most unconventional and removed of the 3CDs.  It almost doesn’t fit, but does somehow.  Yeah, I’m confused.  I don’t know what I’m talking about.  I need to listen to more Grime.  I kinda like it.  I want some more.  Hey, isn’t that what these CDs are supposed to do?

Killer tracks include; Lady Sovereign’s ‘Chi Ching,’ Sway’s ‘Baby Father,’ Man Like Me’s ‘Oh My Gosh,’ Virus Syndicate’s – ‘Neva Argue,’ David E Sugar vs Ears’ ‘First OK.’

CD 3 – BASS
Oh, this must be the party CD.  You can tell it’s a party CD because the first few tracks “hype” the listener with lyrics like, “You gotta get up if wanna get down.” and “I wanna get you off, I wanna take you home.”  Oh dear god if this CD is all that Booty Bass crap I’m going to kill myself.  But, the track listing says that Deekline, Aquasky and Freestylers are on here.  So when does it get good?  Oh, Track 4 is where it becomes listenable.  Phew. 

Ok, this CD is an upfront collection of breakbeat and nu-breaks tunes that centre around big dirty basslines.  After you’re through the first few tracks you can get down and start having a good time.  There is nothing new here but that doesn’t matter because the tunes are phat (ed – is this in common usage? I left it in regardless).  Highlights include Anti Science meets Bassrock’s ‘Locked on,’ Scam’s ‘Killer - Deepcut Remix,’ Backdraft’s ‘Popcorn,’ Freestylers and Pendulum’s ‘Painkiller’ and Aquasky & DJ Friction’s ‘Control Freak.’

Overall these 3CDs pack a lot of bang for your buck.  They’re good for entry-level listeners curious about emerging genres and die hard fans.  While you may be into one of these genres chances are you may not be as familiar with the others.  The 3 different CDs work well and complement each other.  Each has their place and they’re all somehow related.  At the end of the day there’s about 45 quality tracks here for not much more than $30.  You don’t need much else really.

My faith in genre compilations is restored!  I’ll be keeping my eye out for more of The Worlds Heaviest.

For comments on this review go to:
http://www.teknoscape.com.au/forums/showthread.php?p=1494250

Disc: 1 
1. Cockney Violin - Caspa 
2. Halogen - Clue Kid 
3. Wear The Crown - DQ1 
4. System - Loefah 
5. Custard Chucker - Caspa & Rusko 
6. Way Of The Dub - N-Type 
7. Shank Step - White Boi & Komonazmuk 
8. War Dub - Pinch & P. Dutty 
9. Stuck In The System - Joker (2) 
10. Wayfaring Stranger - Woon, Jamie 
11. Back To Chill - Goth-Trad 
12. Mass Dampers - Ekstrak 
13. Tribute - Elemental 
14. Bahl FWD - Skream (2) 
15. Love - Komonazmuk 

Disc: 2 
1. Oh My - Faith SPX & Hypa Fen/Marchiephonix/Flirta D/Big Mighty/Earz/ Jammer/YO/Narstie 
2. Chi Ching (Cheque 1 2) - Lady Sovereign 
3. Baby Father - Sway 
4. Play Around - Doctor & Desperado/Jender/Frames 
5. Don't Talk - Icekid & Sickman/Stylo G/Little Dee/Lioness/Dizzman/Young Do t 
6. Oh My Gosh - Man Like Me 
7. Meet The Boss - Yes Boss 
8. Grim - Eskiboy & JME/Ears 
9. Reign - Team Shadetek & Skepta 
10. Neva Argue - Virus Syndicate 
11. Carry Out Orders - Eskiboy & JME 
12. My Yout - Stylo-G & Icekid/Sickman 
13. Music Money - Rossi B & Luca/Gully Gang 
14. Flame Grilled Whopper - Roll Deep 
15. First OK - Sugar, David E. & Ears 

Disc: 3 
1. Handz Up Right Now - Deekline & Ed Solo/MC Flipside 
2. Have A Good Time - Aquasky & Acafool 
3. Get Back - Napt & Skibadee 
4. Off The Wall - Backdraft (1) 
5. Locked On - Bassrock Meets Anti-Science 
6. Blood Runs - Shane The Cutter 
7. Babylon Breaks - Ed Solo & Skool Of Thought 
8. Killer - SCAM (2) 
9. Extravaganza Man - Baobinga & ID 
10. Popcorn - Backdraft (1) 
11. Pressure - Breakfastaz 
12. Special Dedication - Deekline & Wizard/Top Cat 
13. Painkiller - Freestylers & Pendulum/Sirreal 
14. Woah - Deekline & Wizard 
15. Control Freek - Aquasky & Friction/Spyda