The dubstep release with the highest profile in 2008, Diary of an Afro Warrior is the second album from Croydon producer Benga, following 2006's Newstep, but it might as well be considered his first, given the push behind it. Like Burial, Benga roams outside the rigid strictures of dubstep -- entailing the form's stout-but-agile, tightly coiled rhythms and arsenal of imposing effects, from wide scythe-like synth swipes to stunted raygun zaps -- but here, the crossover could easily pass for what was termed IDM in the early to mid-'90s or, in a couple slightly reaching instances, West London broken beat. Opener "Zero M2" is an immediate challenge to those who expected a straight-up dubstep album, its fusion-informed twinkles of plangent Rhodes and acoustic bass taking the spotlight. The producer is often most effective when he strips it down, as he does after the midpoint in "Light Bulb," where gaunt but restless percussion, crisp handclaps, dark-hued shimmers, and a distant chant produce terrors as deep and lasting as any of its stockier counterparts.
Having previously heard Beni Uthman’s (a.k.a. Benga) track titled Music Box on Mary Anne Hobbs’ The Warrior Dubz, I picked up his first full length release on Tempa. The fourteen track album is a total trip through some of the deepest, groovy and at the same time melodic dubstep that I’ve heard to date. Operating out of South London, Benga’s previous numerous 12-inchers appeared on genre
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7/10The album opens with super smooth melodies and chill tempos. "Zero M2" eases the listener into the cycle as gently as sliding into a warm bath. The light jazz melodies dance playfully with dubbed- out drums while sultry basslines sink deep into weary muscles. The effervescence of "Night" follows with the sonic equivalent of turning on the bubbling jets. Choruses of different instruments...
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Benga ~ Diary of an Afro Warrior (Tempa)Having arguably the biggest underground dance hit of 2007 and probably quite rightly leaking into 2008 with the Coki co-penned Night, Benga could probably shift a few units of his second long player without the rest of the album being any cop. But there`s not much chance of that happening now, is there! Notably, the CD version of the album is very differe...
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This one's a smoker mog.comMore about this songShare
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It was way back in October when I first reported about the release of "Night," the first single off Benga's new album: Diary of An Afro Warrior. The single dropped on schedule, 5 November, and the album was due "shortly after." Well, as of Xmas time, I still wasn't able to find a copy for sale anywhere and no word on what happened. Over the holiday I found myself listening to an archived Rin...
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7/10The album opens with super smooth melodies and chill tempos. "Zero M2" eases the listener into the cycle as gently as sliding into a warm bath. The light jazz melodies dance playfully with dubbed- out drums while sultry basslines sink deep into weary muscles. The effervescence of "Night" follows with the sonic equivalent of turning on the bubbling jets. Choruses of different instruments...
More >
Benga & Coki's dubstep smash hit "Night" officially has more remixes than any other tune I can recall in the last year. This tune has infected everybody and it just won't stop! I can't be sure about this latest one, but the gory hyperbass lettering reeks of L-Vis 1990 and the user who uploaded it has a similar name: sivl09. So, it's probably safe to say that this is a hyerbass remix of "Nigh...
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Finally! Exciting news from the dubstep trenches about master woofer-wobbler Benga - he is set to release his sophomore LP (I can't believe it's only his second full-length, I have so much vinyl of his music, but I guess they're all singles). The album is titled Diary of An Afro Warrior and the first single will be "Night." The single is set for release on 5 November and the album is said to...
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Having previously heard Beni Uthman’s (a.k.a. Benga) track titled Music Box on Mary Anne Hobbs’ The Warrior Dubz, I picked up his first full length release on Tempa. The fourteen track album is a total trip through some of the deepest, groovy and at the same time melodic dubstep that I’ve heard to date. Operating out of South London, Benga’s previous numerous 12-inchers appeared on genre
More >
We've got three great dubstep remixes from Elite Force for you to listen to!Datsik - Retreat (Elite Force Re-edit) Bar 9 - Shaolin Style (Elite Force Re-Edit) Benga - 26 Basslines (Elite Force Re-Fix) Elite Force SoundCloudElite Force MySpaceBe sure to also check out U & A Recordings - the label run by Elite Force. Artists with production and remix work on U & A reads li...
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These are songs from the year 2008 that I like. Ten words.
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Benga ~ Diary of an Afro Warrior (Tempa)Having arguably the biggest underground dance hit of 2007 and probably quite rightly leaking into 2008 with the Coki co-penned Night, Benga could probably shift a few units of his second long player without the rest of the album being any cop. But there`s not much chance of that happening now, is there! Notably, the CD version of the album is very differe...
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| Title | Lyrics | Buy |
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| 1 Zero M2 |
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| 2 Night |
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| 3 B4 the Dual |
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| 4 E Trips |
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| 5 Someone 20 |
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| 6 Light Bulb |
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| 7 Crunked Up |
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| 8 Go Tell Them |
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| 9 The Cut |
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| 10 Emotions |
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| 11 3 Minutes |
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| 12 Pleasure |
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| 13 26 Basslines |
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| 14 Loose Synths |
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Click to purchase…
© 2006-2009 Mog Inc. All Rights Reserved
 "Diary of an Afro Warrior")
