As a child of original UK reggae, a student of sound system culture, and a brave innovator on the frontline of the jungle/drum ‘n’ bass revival, DJ and producer Shy FX has his finger pressed firmly on the pulse of today’s British urban music scene. And that of the rest of the world as well. I love this particular track because it reminds me of listening to classic drum ‘n’ bass albums by artists like Roni Size and Goldie some twenty or so years ago. I loved those records — and I still do — and I’ve always thought it was such a shame that the sound was relatively short-lived. So, it’s always refreshing when I hear a new artist doing it like Shy FX. On his new single, “Roll The Dice,” he delivers some jittery beats and percussion that will have you bouncing in your seat, feeling manic or both. (Or perhaps you’ll get up and jump around?) Stamina MC and Lily Allen both deliver joyful vocal contributions, putting the cherries on top of this hot fudge sundae. My only complaint? That it’s too short. Just when I’m really getting into it — when I’m about to get up and start dancing — it’s over. Even if they’d just repeated the exact same thing a second time, I think I would like it better because there would be more of it to get absorbed in. But, hey, that’s OK, I’ll just put it on a playlist two times in a row and problem solved!
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