Scientist Launches Dubstep into Outer Space pitted legendary Jamaican dub controller Scientist against producers such as Mala and Kode9, while the Pinch & Shackleton collaboration LP – released sans fanfare by Honest Jon’s at the tail end of 2011 – delivered eight beguiling tracks of drawn-out, exotic hypnotics.īut while many of the original vanguard have distanced themselves from a scene that has, since it’s early years, changed almost beyond recognition, Pinch and the Tectonic label continue to fly the flag for progression within the 140 bpm tempo range, lending space to heady purist strains (Jack Sparrow, Jakes) and the occasional mellower import (Pursuit Grooves, Flying Lotus).
Instrumental in bringing the nascent dubstep sound from London to Bristol (where it quickly found its natural second home) he has remained in the city, running not only his Tectonic label but also much loved club nights Subloaded and, until very recently, Dubloaded.Ģ007 saw him release one of the most fully realised dubstep LPs to date in the form of Underwater Dancehall, while the past couple of years have seen him tackle a number of equally ambitious projects. Hypnotic, driving and nuanced, his music is both futurist and - in these days of rabid cross pollination - resolutely, and recognisably, dubstep.įervent advocate of vinyl, lover of British soundsystem culture and champion of headstrong, meditative bassweight, Ellis has quietly contributed a refined and lasting catalogue to the more rooted and elemental end of the hardcore continuum.
Rob Ellis, aka Pinch, is one of the more uncompromising producers working within modern electronic music.