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2x12"
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TEMPA 049EP
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Phaze One is the first of a brand-new series by Benga. This double-pack arrives fully charged with six stand-out-in-the-mix jump-offs carved for peak-time raving. "Baltimore Clap" is a pulsing, sweating homage to B-more house. "eyeTunes" and "Mini Moto Cross" have been favorite mainstays in his sets and have also been beaten around the world by Toddla T, Plastician and Skream.
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12"
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TEMPA 043EP
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If Benga's omnipresent "Night" was cheery in demeanor, "Buzzin'" is its deranged and aggressive cousin; equally as infectious, but this time sporting a ragged, unkempt beard. Perfect peak-time rave weaponry already being battered by Skream, Joker, and Plastician. "One Million" is an off-peak roller with a lead bass line reminiscent of Bad Company. Sub-bass stabs topped with brittle drums give the track its industrial exoskeleton, while scurrying glitches and intermittent cymbals provide emotion for the hollow interior of this doom-evoking beast.
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3LP
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TEMPA 010LP
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2012 Repress on vinyl: triple LP version. Substantially different track listing on the vinyl version, with 5 tracks not found on the CD. 9 tracks in total.
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CD
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TEMPA 010CD
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This is the second full-length release by the UK's Benga. One of the original dubstep pioneers, Benga's Diary of an Afro Warrior is one of the most highly-anticipated albums of the year. If Burial's Untrue dominated 2007's end-of-year critics charts, then it's odds on Diary of an Afro Warrior will do the same in 2008. Dubstep's trickle into the mainstream has been steady; Skream and Burial alike have nudged the door open. Benga is undoubtedly the force to smash it through and take dubstep to another level. "Night," the anthemic underground smash track lifted from the album has literally had ravers from countless club scenes, DJs and grandparents whistling and humming its infectious melody for months now. In addition to becoming the first dubstep record to be playlisted on BBC Radio 1, Night represented Benga's tipping point for many DJs and music lovers across the globe, including Gilles Peterson, Ricardo Villalobos, Pete Tong, Zane Lowe, Annie Mac, Herve, Shy FX and many others, regardless of genre. So we know how well "Night" has been received, can we say the same of the album? Once the journey begins, it is clear what all the fuss is about, neither relying on incessant wobbling bass lines to grab attention nor sailing toward the "coffee table" banner, Benga has managed to create an album with duality. For times when your ear is keen and your speakers are of the Bang & Olufsen ilk, the intelligence and quality of production shines through. The superb dance-ability, grooves and emotions remain present on even the tinniest of speakers. Herein lies Benga's massive crossover appeal. Much more than just a straight dubstep album, the tracks on Diary... have been favorably compared to such names as Carl Craig, Underground Resistance, Reprazent and Massive Attack. Vinyl version contains significantly different track line-up, with five tracks not found on the CD.
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12"
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TEMPA 026EP
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Originally released in 2007, and Benga's first release on Tempa. Something of a departure from his usual sound, "Crunked Up" is a grime and crunk-influenced banger that ripped up dancefloors worldwide and is taken from Benga's early 2006 street CD album, Newstep. "Electro Music" has been caned on dub by N-Type. Completing the package, is Benga in deep techno-influenced mode with "Skunk Tip" -- deeper than deep.
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