Aphrodite has done it again. Aftershock is a CD that all d&b artists should model themselves after. This guy IS d&b. The only thing that I struggle with on this album is how to fully express how much I liked it. The beats are wicked - tight and full of anticipation. The bass follows through with punches and rolls, not unlike the styles that Roni Size puts into his music. Containing rises and falls galore and a great balance of jump up and straight-up groove, its utter uniqueness puts Aphrodite a mile above the world of d&b as we know it.
The first thing I noticed about the CD in its entirety was how, depending on the mood, it was great for getting pumped up. One of those to get woken up and into the world of the living. On the other hand, the album is so smooth and consistent with its melodies and solid flavours that it can be put on during those times when you need a steady background groove. I wouldn't recommend the background thing, though. There is too much on the disc to pay attention to.
"Put a Cut On It" featuring Rah Digga has to be the one track that sticks in my head the most. It's one of those songs that just makes you smile. The looping drums make its rhythm flow so naturally, and Rah Digga's vocals add a great melodic element to the already super-solid base. These components define d&b for me - another example of Aphrodite's genius-like talent.
Other tracks carried with them a definite ethnic flavour. "All Over Me" featuring Barrington Levy gives a taste of just enough Rasta to crave hot sun and a cold beverage. "Calcutta" starts off with some muffled beats and spins into a definite Asian-flavoured bamboo melody.
Although exploration is plastered all over this disc, "Ganja Man" reminds us that Aphrodite really does know where it's at. A perfect cross-over into the mainstream hip-hop world, this track is driven with a synthed-out organ sound and the never-ending roll of heavy bass. If anything is going to boost Aphrodite into the world of conventional radio, its got to be this song. Although in this day and age, getting radio-play could be an insult…
'Aftershock' made me feel invincible as I listened through it. There is a great empowerment about it. Whether it's the relentlessness of the incomparable beats, or the general fast-paced confidence that Aphrodite exudes through the songs, it speaks only of pure strength and wisdom.
