French Dubstep Revolution

Someone can write all they want about music, but the true test of it comes down to the listen. So sure, Sa Bat Machines say they make a conscious effort to create dubstep departing from the expected elements. But listening to their music makes such a comment superfluous.

In one song, gypsy folk styles blend with dub tendencies and melodic wobbles. Here, the wobbles take on a percussive aura, trickling along like rapid fire drums. There, jazzy instrumentation creates the foundation. Overall, a powerful sense of songwriting prevails.

One of the benefits of being involved in a genre during its youth is that everyone who comes to it arrives from somewhere else, bringing along their varied experiences. The backgrounds of these four Parisians are certainly evident in their music. One is a bassist, another a trumpeter. There’s also a turntablist and a jazz singer. Two teach computer assisted music. The common interests among them are breakbeat, jazz, jungle and African influences.

Although dubstep’s tribal primitiveness first attracted them five years ago, they weren’t content to leave it at that. And now, at the turn of the century, they’re contributing their own unique perspective to the global dialogue.

Listen to Sa Bat’s “Sylvia” on the Melodic Wonkster mix, or buy it at Juno. “No Money” (in the player above) is expected to be released in September. “Time Dub” is a CS dotplate for now. Peep the new MPFree category!