A while ago I was planning on doing an article on my top 5 Dubstep tracks but I was then put off it as I couldn’t really choose what my top 5 tracks were! After much thought, I still can’t really be certain on what my top 5 Dubstep tracks truly are, but this article will make you aware of 5 tracks that have the possibility of being in my true top 5 (if you know what I’m saying).

Dubstep is a very diverse genre, I’ll have you know! Every single track is different, they may sound similar on top but the production of tracks and the instruments used are always completely different. Dubstep isn’t a limiting genre either. Sure, Dubstep is usually around 140bpm, but if you take note of “usually”, it doesn’t say “always”. Great Dubstep tunes in my opinion are the ones that have a story behind them, have a good base and aren’t always complicated. I’d actually prefer the older type of minimal Dubstep (like Skream, Benga, Distance etc) and not the crazy industrial sounding “filth” that many listen to nowadays. Let’s get down to business.

My absolute favourite Dubstep track (yes, I am certain on this one) is Jahova by Rusko. First off, the introduction is brilliant. Whenever my ears get a sound of the “Jahova” sample when I’m listening to a Dubstep set, I know that a big tune is coming and I get ready to get my skank on. Jahova is a track that I usually drop when things aren’t looking good during a set (when the crowd is dead) or most likely near the final stages of my set. It’s a track that is sure to get the crowd moving again, each time it is played. It’s been my favourite for around a year or so now, and there are no signs that I am planning on de-throning it.

My #2 on this list was only recently bumped up to this position, it’s a track called Sincere by MJ Cole (remixed by Nero). I had heard the track on many mixes and mainly on Skream & Benga @ FWD’s mix. After recently IDing the track thanks to some contacts, I took a good listen to the full length and full quality track. The introduction is calm, the vocal makes it seem relaxed with a good chilled vibe. The drop is the complete opposite. When the track drops, it’s like an explosion, a catalyst making you want to get up and dance, skank and ask for a re-fix of the track (rewind). I cannot praise the use of the vocal enough, it’s a memorable vocal and the drop is epic.

My third track on this so-called favourite list is Lose Control by Skream. The reasoning behind it? I don’t actually know myself. There’s something about the track that makes me want to put it in every mix I do. It’s a pretty simple track, driven by the bassline and a few interesting bits on top and that’s about it. Not to mention the Star Wars sample used which makes me smile every time I hear it. It’s just an all-around good song with a good beat in the background to time your foot-tapping or air-humping (aka the Dubstep dance) to.

Forthly, this track is a triumph. B4 the Duel by Benga, what a tune! Most will hear the intro and laugh at it, but it’s kind of a story within a tune. Half way through the track, the mood just switches. It takes you on a hectic journey to the darkness of space. Just listen to this track, at 2:50, you can hear the mood suddenly switch. The spacey vibes suddenly fade in and the whole scene changes to as if you are a member of the space station. Benga is truly the master of drums and synths. Just take a listen to his other work, especially the work featured on his album “Diary Of An Afro Warrior”, truly spectacular!

Finally, Sweet Shop by Doctor P is my last track that I have decided to feature on my list. I remember buying this track as clear as day. Me, Sam and Jake were discussing the latest Dubstep releases and we talked about this track in particular. We went to visit Catapult Records and guess what? Sweet Shop was playing! I snapped it up then and there. What a tune. Not only the memories of the track make it enjoyable for me, but also the foolery used within the introduction. You expect some old-school dance track to drop when you hear it but you get quite the opposite. A real dance floor filler, a real Dubstep gem.

Sorry for the poor English used in this here blog post. It’s kind of rushed. Maybe I’ll work on it in the future?

vSquared Summer mix 2010

Download link: http://tomspit.com/downloads/vSquared Summer Dubstep mix.zip (43MB approximately)

Thanks for downloading the vSquared Summer mix 2010. I have decided that every year I will compile a mix and release it for free. Make sure that you hit me up around the June / July time every year to get your hands on this free mix!

The mixing itself isn’t the best you will ever hear, I’ll admit it, but I feel that the track listing is brilliant, so I hope you will enjoy it in that aspect. I’m still an amatuer DJ and I’m constantly improving. I’m available for free sets at any event, I DJ alongside my co-partner, Samuel Crossley-Lewis, if you want to know more, email me; “me[at]tomspit[dot]com”.

Artist — Track — Label
Chrispy – Roll Out – Dubplate
Flux Pavillion – Normalize – Circus
Bar 9 – Faded – APhreaks
Skream – Minimool – Dubplate
Noah D & No Thing – Unknown Suspect (VIP) – Subway
Kelly Dean & Steady – Teflon – Dubplate
Plastician – Japan –     Terrorythm
L-Wiz – Girl From Codeine City – Dub Police
Sub Focus – Coming Closer – RAM
Rusko – Da Cali Anthem – Mad Decent
12th Planet & Juakali – Reasons (Doctor P remix) – Dubplate
Benga – Stop Watching – DSoundboy
Benny Page – Step Out – DSoundboy
Datsik – Retreat – Rottun
Doctor P – Gargoyle – Circus
Shackles – Sound Of My Dreams* – Incognito

^ Dubplate indicates track is a free release / unknown label.
* Forthcoming track on Incognito Records.

Big up to the whole Cardiff crew including Catapult, Aperture, Neuropol. A special thanks to all the Dubstep artists, keep up your great work for the genre! If you like the tracks featured in this mix, please buy them! Finally, my email address is “me[at]tomspit[dot]com”. Take it easy.

> http://incognitorecords.com

Once again, if you’ve read all of this and haven’t found the download link; http://tomspit.com/downloads/vSquared Summer Dubstep mix.zip (43MB approximately)

The mixes are back! You may have noticed that the VinylVirgin (vSquared) YouTube channel is finally alive again after an exact month mixless (heartbreaking, I know). Head on over to the channel and get with the new mixes. More are to come over the next few weeks > Seriousss. http://www.youtube.com/VinylVirgin

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7hSlpatGWo

Wow is all I can say. I decided to do a Drum and Bass mix after listening to Riff Raff by DJ Marky and S.P.Y, which also has been selected to open this mix. I feel that this track listing is the biggest I have ever done, including some the the latest and greatest Drum and Bass tracks that are sure to make you want to go crazy! Along with this mix comes a free download of one of the tracks, so be quick and make sure you download this 320kbps MP3 before it expires!

DJ Marky & S.P.Y – Riff Raff,
London Elektricity – Attack ships on fire,
Netsky – Iron heart (forthcoming, 2010),
DC Breaks – Devil,
Ed Rush & Optical – Bacteria (Pendulum remix).

Snap up the free download of DC Breaks’ promotional track “Devil” for a limited time http://bit.ly/9S3xH3 – Grab it before it expires! Also, don’t forget to check out my blog which includes not only personal posts but also vSquared related content too! Link below.

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FACEBOOK ~ http://facebook.com/VinylVirgin/

TWITTER ~ http://twitter.com/VinylVirgin/

WEBSITE ~ http://tomspit.com/

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C+C is always appreciated as well as discussion about Drum and Bass + Dubstep.

I’m selling 6 various Drum and Bass 12″ Vinyl records. To view pricing and full information including track listing, condition, etc, please visit; http://www.discogs.com/sell/list?seller=TomSpit

The vSquared Podcast is now available on the iTunes store! Simply open up the iTunes store and search for “vSquared”. Or, if you’re lazy just like me then simply click here. Showcasing the latest Dubstep and Drum & Bass released and even some of the older, more well-known classics. The vSquared Podcast also discusses some of the tracks’ information and artists’ details. If you love Dubstep, Drum and Bass or even BOTH then this is a Podcast you definately won’t want to miss! For more information, click here or search “vSquared” in the iTunes store! Enjoy the music, Tom / vSquared / Vinyl Virgin.

VinylVirgin presents the vSquared podcast. Out now on the iTunes store at http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=368993205. New episodes hit every few weeks / months. Thanks for downloading!