It Spills - Hassan Abou Alam (Naive)

 

Title: It Spills

Artist: Hassan Abou Alam

Label: Naive

Cat Number: NAIVE015

Genre: Break Beats

1: It Soills

2: Unkindled

3: Breathe

4: Khamaseen

5: All Used Up

Known as “Cairo’s foremost breakbeat master” Hassan Abou Alam has, with ‘It Spills’ managed to put his own stamp on a genre that is absolutely everywhere at the moment. And, more to the point, bring something new and distinctive to it. Each of the tracks here blend breaks, bass, deep complicated strange noises and an original take on syncopation. The ultimate effect is one of beat intrigue and fascination. What I like most about the tracks herein is that they are as abstract as one might expect while remaining cohesive and representational. Particular favourites are ‘Unkindled’ and ‘Kharmaseen’, whose aural emissions are just that little bit more twisted and, to my ears at least, completely typify this particular sonic approach. What it is though, I can’t say.