Emalkay - Eclipse (2011) [Dub Police] // Grade: A-

Martin Knowles, better known as Emalkay, always knows how to produce soundsystem-specific smashers with undeniable rhythm, tension, melody and of course earth shattering sub bass. With such incredible bangers as “Explicit,” “My Story” and everyone’s favorite “When I Look At You,” Knowles has proven he knows how to maintain the momentum and energy of a proper dubstep party without exhausting a listener. Given his excellent track record, it was exciting to finally hear his creative vision in album form with the release of his debut LP Eclipse.

To do justice to this record, grab yourself a sub woofer. What separates Emalkay from your generic, beer-commercial-esque dubstep wobblers is his crisp sonic landscape. When you hear his dub (and I mean dub) influenced sub basslines in the proper environment, you’ll immediately notice the difference between Emalkay’s music and the rest of the pack. Again, listening to this album with good speakers is highly recommended, as you’ll be able to appreciate the full spectrum of sound he’s able to wield. The album kicks off with his latest anthem, “Fabrication.” When bass drops and the subs are right, your hands will immediately go up in the air. “Fabrication” has such a unique bounce that unfortunately a lot of current producers lack, so when you hear a track like this with such momentum on a big system…it really stands out. It makes you want to hear the entire track (imagine that!) and ride out the groove rather than anxiously awaiting the next bass drop 30 seconds later.

Immediately following “Fabrication” is my favorite track on the album: “Crusaders.” Knowles’ roots in jungle shine through on this track, yet sounds current, modern and fresh, not recycled. With it in-your-face low end and screeching guitar ambient sounds, “Crusaders” is riddim you’ll be begging to hear in the club throughout the year.

Eclipse continues to grow on me, and has proven to be one of the better dubstep albums to date. In order for a release to be considered an album—rather than a collection of club tracks—it has to have an overall arch and attitude. The moment that sealed the deal for me while listening to this record that made me say “okay, this is a good album” was how “Flesh & Bone”–another great menacing assault of snares and filthy bass—seamlessly transitions into the wall-of-sound epic “The World.”

Eclipse is worth owning on wax. These tracks are great representations of the best elements of dubstep and what makes lasting anthems rather than flash-in-the-pan Beatport bangers: tension, rhythm, suspense, release, and of course lush sub bass. We’re past the question “will dubstep ever be pop?” It already is and is part of our modern culture. “Eclipse” is a great example of staying true to dubstep’s diverse roots of dub, doing justice to its tradition while still moving the sound further.

- Rx