The world isn’t flat. Writing about grime – a musical form inherently and intrinsically British – while living across the Atlantic can be maddening at times. You can catch the tracks and peep the videos, but that boots-on-the-ground intel and visceral experience will always be missing.

That’s why grime needs Mixclique, the duo comprised of DJ/producer Neon Beats and DJ Ethic. A couple of grime heads from Ipswich, Mixclique have been making waves in the scene for about a year now. With major DJs supporting Neon’s instrumentals, and Ethic’s steady hand keeping the trains running on time, Mixclique aims to touch every part of the grime scene – from production and DJing to music and mix releases.

Their most exciting project is Mixclique Vision, a series of interviews, freestyles and DJ sets that the guys are recording for a global audience. They’ve already interviewed heavyweights like the Butterz crew, Dexplicit, and Spooky (of Keep Watch mix infamy). For grime fans outside of the UK, Mixclique Vision is quickly proving itself to be an essential resource.

Sonically, Neon Beats is coming into his own as a grime producer, building off last year’s Ahead of Grime and Just in Grime EPs. His bootleg mash-up of Teddy’s “Afghan” and Darq E Freaker’s “Cherryade” blends two major grime tracks into one banging instrumental. Here’s P Money doing his thing on the beat:

Neon Beats – Afghan Cherryade – Elijah & Skilliam Ft P Money, Royal-T, Starkey, Swindle – 14/07/11 by Neonbeats

Neon Beats’ hottest track yet “Too Much,” a collaboration with Lady Leshurr, who spits like a machinegun over the hyperactive riddim. Here’s hoping Neon has some more of these beats in the queue. If he does, Mixclique will have the tracks and the vision for a true grime experience. Even if you’re not there with them.

- Chris Kelly