If you are a fan of drum & bass looking for something different, you could do a lot worse than to spend $7 on this CD. Stumblebum has used a lot of the proceeds for this CD to support his girlfriend’s overseas mission trip, so the money you spend on it is going to a great cause.

The Vitals

Label: N/A (Independent artist)
Genre: Drum&Bass
Number of Tracks: 10
How you can obtain a copy: The full-length album is available for purchase at www.stumblebum.net.

Factor Scores:

• Production: 6.8
• Programming & Arrangement: 6.5
• Entertainment Quality: 7.0
• Total: 6.8 - Above Average

Summary:

Trance-infused drum&bass rhythms flow throughout Frequency as Stumblebum’s first full-length release reveals the artist’s unique perception of the genre. The eclectic, yet unfailingly melodic project aggressively explores varying avenues of delivery, ranging in style from the storming, epic sounds of Passion (feat: Karneel), to a less intense, grooving approach in Undeserving. The result is an occasionally triumphant, but thoroughly interesting work.

Factor Scores:

Production quality: 6.8

There aren’t any severe production gaffe’s to complain about, but the majority of this album isn’t quite polished enough to be well-suited for big-room sound systems. A lot of the beats on the album have a slight but detectable harshness that could benefit from a touch up to soften them. Also, (as usual) I am disappointed with the paltry utilization of stereo effects, because this CD could be a lot better if panning were used to accentuate more of its quirky stabs and samples. I’m giving the production score a lot of credit for it’s excellent sound quality, because the recording sounds crisp, clear and well balanced.

Programming & Arrangement: 6.5

The album’s persistent motif of abstract synthesizers, peculiar looping riffs, and choice beats is a great concept that provides a few stellar moments, but at times it feels forced. Some of the tracks, including Liquid and Deeper Than Before, feature sub-par melodies that give them an overly experimental feel. The arrangement and song structuring are very good, though, with superb hooks and timely tempo changes that powerfully energize the album’s best songs.

Entertainment quality: 7.0

Drum & Bass deejays will find two very strong peak-hour tracks on this album in Passion (feat: Karneel) and Where Are You Going. There is a notable drop-off in quality after those two, but even the more ordinary moments of Frequency are creative enough to be interesting, and the album’s uplifting vibe is a refreshing contrast to most other drum & bass CDs on the market.

Total: 6.8

Frequency is hindered by a few nagging errors, but it’s still a solid debut effort by Stumblebum. The album’s pair of hands-in-the-air tracks and innovative departure from typical genre guidelines may not be enough to achieve widespread exposure, but they are more than enough to justify the release as a worthwhile purchase.

Bill’s Take:

If you are a fan of drum & bass looking for something different, you could do a lot worse than to spend $7 on this CD. Stumblebum has used a lot of the proceeds for this CD to support his girlfriend’s overseas mission trip, so the money you spend on it is going to a great cause.