Bleep

Gqom Oh! The Originators is a showcase of the past/present and as always the future sound selections of this always vital labels survey of what makes up the high velocity sound of Durban.

As with every Gqom Oh! record/tape/DL we are near instantly blown away by the sheer innovativeness of each track they wheel up. Each release they feed us acts as an imperative gateway to this crucial, but a lesser-explored corner of the worldwide hardcore continuum. While it is of course at full capacity with bangers, we'd say the must check choices are undoubtedly Rude Boyz, stepping up with the halftime techno lurch of Umshudo, they sound like the very best moments from Actress or Rezzett if they turned the VHS fuzz down. Elsewhere, names we are unfamiliar with inc. Griffit Vigo gift a rather excellent yet pushed to the edge grime flex on Gqomu 5, leaving behind any fancy titles and just letting the tracks sheer velocity uncoil over 7 and a half tense minutes. Perfectly primed to bulldoze the soundsystem the second the needle hits the wax. Rees vibe blends total screwface minimalism with a scattering of techno drum hits that's like a punk remix of Electric Indigo's recent ICM LP. Yet its the fresh-faced Goon Club Allstar DJ Lag who goes at it the hardest. The LPs opening gambit Daisies rides a zip wire through the classic grime and funky sounds associated with the Gqom Oh! imprint, yet arrives at a platform that is utterly and entirely new and fresh AF sounding. While it may start the comp off, DJ Lag's Daises sets us off, queue jumping down the fast lane fwd.