A1 – Christopher Ledger – NRG [HDF003]

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Since the first edition of his Hidden Folder series, Christopher Ledger has subtly shifted into full throttle peak-time territories with each release, and the third EP produces another heavyweight injection of power tunez. Ledger is predominantly known for his eclectic and mind-opening sound, but his HF label has become somewhat of an artistic release for the Rome DJ to unleash an alter-ego and inner raver that can twist a dance-floor as well as take it into the upper echelons. So much of the time artists can feel boxed into a specific sound, but Ledger is a firm example that it’s possible to do both, and it’s this artistic diversity that has landed him releases with like-minded genre defying labels including X-Kalay and Craigie Knowes.

It’s safe to say that HDF003 uses some firm inspiration from the halcyon era of UK Rave, tilting between garage and breakzy territories before a super-charged housey-high closes the EP, including a shifty remix of the B1 from Donnie Cosmo.

A1 – ‘NRG’ is a juiced-up blast of classic UK speed-garage, no-nonsense power and maximum dance-floor impact. Ledger fully utilises a killer blend of highly-charged bass combinations, and sprinkles some gleaming synths in the higher frequencies to add an element of euphoria into the bassline. A2 ‘How Do You Like It’ takes a down-turn into merky UK bass territory with a proper mid-set pouncer and produces another system-crushing infusion of bass-play and some killer snares.

A3 – ‘Back 2 Bass’ keeps the breakz juices flowing, but climbs out of it’s bass heavy worm-hole with a more high-spirited vibe. B2B maintains the high energy levels and has that end-of-set trance where smiles are on faces and the whole dance-floor is fully inter-connected. Unlike the first two tracks, Ledger opts to have a singular, warm and purring bass to do the talking to fuel the embers of the track. As the bassline progresses, a sweet blend of over-lapping, gleamy synths are introduced to re-enforce the feeling of ecastacy.

The peak-time weapons just keep coming and coming on this record, and the flip serves up another atomic bomb for the B1. ‘This Way Please’ exudes in 90’s style housey hysteria courtesy of it’s shifty undercurrent of breaks, enrapturing bass melodies and plush synth-lines; all the right ingredients of a nostalgia inducing festival stomper.

Donnie Cosmo closes the EP with a splash of the tenacious Medellin funk that we’ve come to expect from the in-demand DJ. His remix of ‘This Way, Please’ applies a more seductive, minimal re-imagination of the original and slaps like a cool breeze with it’s swirling basslines and lush groove.

Link below for our Soundcloud premiere of the A1 ‘NRG’