[Tempa]

Making his debut on Tempa after catching my ears with refreshingly steppy beats this past year, Cosmin Nicolae, better known as TRG, is pushing the sound forward by going way back in time. Many will compare the 2-step rhythms and ambient stabs to Burial, but a better reference point would be Horsepower Productions’ 2000-2002 output. “Decisions” is deep and moody, rarely letting up its rolling syncopation, and compliments what artists like Martyn and 2562 are doing with similar ideas. It is Nicolae’s best work since last summer’s “Generation” on Naked Lunch.

The b-sides offer two more interesting throwbacks. “Harajuku” starts with an off-kilter kick and Hawtin-esque rimshots, going on to sustain an urgent half-step groove for a good seven minutes. Made in collaboration with Selector Dub U, it first appeared on Dubstep Allstars Volume 6 mixed by Appleblim, as did the title track. Finally, “Back In The Days” is a fun stomper full of blips and bass that takes its cues from both turn-of-the-century UK garage and early-nineties rave. TRG is proving to be a versatile dubstep producer, but is really hitting the mark with a sound well-informed by the roots of the genre.