Best of 2005: Dubstep

Dubstep. Ah, dubstep, dubstep, dubstep. I've waited bloody years for something like this to happen, and I know that I'm not alone. Something with so much bass, something that still leaves space for soul, mood, movement; something that sounds like London, as jungle once did. Hood aside, it's blotted out pretty much everything this year; apart from anything else, I've spent so much money on vinyl that I simply haven't been able to afford to keep up with other stuff.

Thus far, DJ Youngsta's "Dubstep Allstars Vol. 2" set is the only officially-released compilation and, while utterly stunning, it's somewhat limited in scope; that said, the much broader tracklisting for Kode 9's follow-up in the new year looks awesome. A better and more immediate overview is gained by listening to the procession of Rinse FM sets, recorded and made available by heroic forum (http://dubstep.forumsplace.com/) members. The relatively small, largely unprofitable nature of the scene means that so much of this stuff is still unreleased, and every fresh set leaves another wad of mental notes, future wages reserved for essential purchases.

In the meantime, you really need to hear these, and a few others besides....

Loefah - Root / Goat Stare (DMZ)
Digital Mystikz - Neverland / Stuck (DMZ)
Digital Mystikz - Officer / Mood Dub (DMZ)
Skream - Midnight Request Line / I (Tempa)
Skream - August 05 mix (download)
DJ Distance - Fallen / Taipan (Boka)
Vex'd - Degenerate (Planet Mu LP)
Burial - South London Boroughs (Hyperdub)
Kode 9 - Kingstown (Hyperdub)
Toasty Boy - Angel / Take It Personal (Hotflush)
Scuba - Timba / Sleepa (Hotflush)

And if you can't track those down, somebody's helped you out. I hereby point you at the landmark dubstep showcase on Radio 1's Breezeblock show last night:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/dance/breezeblock/

You may choose to listen to two hours of Digital Mystikz, the utter genius that is Skream, Vex'd, Hatcha, Loefah, Kode 9 and Distance, each playing a whole bunch of tunes that have made the last year very special (and expensive) indeed for yours truly. Or you may choose a colourless, cheerless January instead.