What Happened to the "Step" in Dubstep?

[overdose]

I first got into dubstep through the Grime compilation on Rephlex. I can't get enough of tracks like "Pump up the Jam" or "Stargate 92" or "Dub Weapon." Proper bangers there! And Dub Child's "Voodoo" is just dope, as with the rest of his stuff. Yet, now the sound has become more downtempo and focused on deep melodies, ambience and samples. Don't get me wrong though, Dubstep is still the music that I listen more than anything and I love all the latest directions of the sound, but what happened to the breakbeaty, uptempo bangers?! Recommendations? Comments?

[ufo over easy]

Yet, now the sound has become more downtempo

What've you been listening to?

Check an n-type set or something, you'll like them.

[cure]

????

There are tons of "Bangers" out there...



Juju, Mala, Skream, Benga, Coki, Kudos etc etc... all move the floor when I play

[overdose]

I've been listening to everything I can and loving it, including all the latest sets posted here or on barefiles (including N-Type) and all of the dubstep CD's yet released. And maybe "downtempo" isn't the right word to use, but I'm just saying there's a big difference between Midnight Request Line and Stargate 92 and I've just noticed that the sound is now mostly Midnight Request Line. Just my opinion. I guess it depends on your ears. By the way, I picked up Distance's My Demons last night, and while I was at it I laughed in the face of the record store owner, who said, about a year ago, that dubstep wouldn't last. Case in point: Distance: In my comment, I'm talking about the difference between "Traffic" and "Cella." Like I said, I just don't here enough Traffics these days.

[overdose]

Just to clarify, I know that there are still many upfront, floor-killing bangers being produced and they make me pull over and puke, when I'm driving, but for the most part, it seems that the more downtempo, spiritual dubstep is what I hear most these days. I mean seriously, there's a huge difference between Dub Child's Voodoo floor-killer sound versus Burial's spiritual sound (yes, that versus pun was intentional).

[paulie]

Dubchild pretty much makes breaks, and Stargate 92 is also pretty much a breaks tune. You should listen to breaks.

[r33lc4sh]

so what happend to breakstep? is it breaks now?;) and where is it?

[skrewface]

Breakstep?
Isnt that just DnB on 33rpm?

[ytee]

Dubchild pretty much makes breaks, and Stargate 92 is also pretty much a breaks tune. You should listen to breaks.

[overdose]

But I've listened to the breaks and it's just not my deal. I guess what I'm missing and looking for now is the breaks with the sub-wobble bassline, like stargate 92 or Dubchild's stuff. So then, is that what "breakstep" is? If so, yes, where did it go? And any recommendations?

[digital]

Sounds like your into the darker grime stuff. Search online record stores.

[paulie]

But I've listened to the breaks and it's just not my deal. I guess what I'm missing and looking for now is the breaks with the sub-wobble bassline, like stargate 92 or Dubchild's stuff. So then, is that what "breakstep" is? If so, yes, where did it go? And any recommendations?

Breakstep is something that some people called some music that was coming out a few years ago.

[rogue star]

The way i see it its all part of the same sound and there's plenty going round and comming up.

Check out the releases on our label Urban Graffiti and don't forget Storming and Destructive (my apologies if i forgot any1, its late and my brain aint workin lol)

Like i said there will be plenty going round in the next few months and beyond so keep those ears and eyes peeled

[docdoom]

But I've listened to the breaks and it's just not my deal. I guess what I'm missing and looking for now is the breaks with the sub-wobble bassline, like stargate 92 or Dubchild's stuff. So then, is that what "breakstep" is? If so, yes, where did it go? And any recommendations?

Breakstep - Check out Storming productions label, toastyboy, Hot Flush, Vex'd, Warlock, Rag n Bone, Reso, Search n Destroy and Mark One i guess too.

And maybe consider looking into the breakbeat garage styled stuff like Zinc (as Jammin') on Bingo if u haven't?

[corpsey]

Basically dubstep's fucking rubbish now and everyone listens to prog-dancehall instead.

[shonky]

Breakstep?
Isnt that just DnB on 33rpm?

No it's halfstep at 78rpm

I can remember a few years back when it seemed to be just Tempa, Soulja and Texture putting out anything that seemed to be under the dubstep banner at the time and Texture definitely had a more breaky edge (probably due to Oris Jay's influence).

Not really a fan of breaks in the slightest, but some breakstep was pretty good. Think the better parts of the genre have more in common with jungle and garage than modern breakbeat which seems to get more trancey, forgettable and plodding as the years go by.

Wouldn't mind hearing a few breakier tunes myself if they were done well, do get the feeling with some dubstep tunes it's just trip hop with heavier bass, and I wouldn't mind a few shifts away from headnodders into something with a bit more personality on occassion.

There was a tune on Southwest Recordings years ago called Lost 1z which I think was by Jay da Flex (the ep was mostly him and El-B) which was pretty breaky yet retained the garage swing with some rude bass for good measure - always had a good reaction whenever I've played it out.

I think it's inevitable with the original garage heads and the influx of dnb folks that it'll return in one form or another, especially if the more techno and 2 step tunes start coming through.

[owengriffiths]

The 'Lost' track was J Da Flex with some guy called Uncouth Youth from the breaks label Mechanoise. It was a pretty good tune.

I like that point about breakstep being half step played at 78! To be honest though it used to be that every time I went to London to buy tunes I would promise myself to limit the amount of 'breakstep' ones I bought, only to come home with a fair few. The thing about it though is that it's better in small amounts. The Back to the Underground CD was good, but you wouldn't want to listen to 3 hours of it.

For a good mix of the classier side of 'breakstep', have a listen to Warlock's Dirtage mix when Barefiles gets back online.

[dubplodocus]

dark grime - plastician

breaky- mrk1/mathhead

original wobble dubstep - digital mystikz

new step/wobble - skream/benga

im loving it all though...i mean it all mixes well so why argue it? if the dubstep scene lives on doesn't that make the most difference? that not only shows the sophistication that it has as a genre but it breaks the stereotypes that classify it as some "sub" genre of grime or dnb. ive been a dubstep head for some time, but it took me a while to become an avid listener and lover until the end of last year. for the most part it gives off an aura, and dubstep is really something spiritual. im tryna build a following where i am and some are starting to catch on. so the more influence and different interpretations can make the genre move as an entity.

let the bass roll on

[groovesgirl]

But I've listened to the breaks and it's just not my deal. I guess what I'm missing and looking for now is the breaks with the sub-wobble bassline, like stargate 92 or Dubchild's stuff. So then, is that what "breakstep" is? If so, yes, where did it go? And any recommendations?

Breakstep - Check out Storming productions label, toastyboy, Hot Flush, Vex'd, Warlock, Rag n Bone, Reso, Search n Destroy and Mark One i guess too.

And maybe consider looking into the breakbeat garage styled stuff like Zinc (as Jammin') on Bingo if u haven't?

Perfect answer. Toastyboy is what got my "second glance" towards dubstep.

Also recommend Joe Nice chimming in on this thread.......he always comes up with some dope "upbeat" tracks.

For the kind of breakish sounds originally discussed in this thread, I recommend Kraddy and Bassnectar. Two of the most orginal people I have ever known.

Hope ya find what you're looking for.

[keith p]

BRING BACK THE FUCKING BREAKS.

That's what I think.