Until now Adam Jackson made his mark on bass music from behind the scenes as proprietor of Immerse Records, hosting tunes by Kontext, Sigha, and TRG. Jackson emerges from the shadows as Kidkut with ILove04/Lilt, his debut release arriving on Apple Pips. Constructed from a bevy of samples, “ILove04” is a Frankenstein of dance music history: Drumkit work from James Brown’s beatkeeper forms the skeleton, drilling stabs are the ‘ardkore-referencing nervous system, iconic chords from 808 State’s “Pacific State” provide the flesh, and rambunctious bass wobbles are the digestive system. Despite its pastiche construction the overall effect is catchy and mostly removed from its sources. “Lilt” is better and fresher still, a tropical romp through slurring steel drum melodies and finely chopped, indigenous percussion that grows more compelling as it’s buffeted by delayed waves of synth tone. Jackson seems as equipped for the front lines as he was behind the ramparts.
ILove04 is awesome, reminds me of times goneby when breaks were fresh and exciting