Quest for the Sonic Bounty (Vinyl)

Horsepower Productions are dubstep's foundational producers. HP were responsible for the now classic, early scene-defining tracks "Gorgon Sound" and "Classic Deluxe" and for dubstep's first LPs - the revered 'In Fine Style' and 'To The Rescue' released on Tempa.

'Quest for the Sonic Bounty' is Horsepower's stunning return LP, their first in six years.

"Horsepower were definitely the biggest influence in my early production days. As a kid, sitting in the studio with Benny ill was inspirational."
-Skream

"The bottom line is this: There would be no dubstep. Not even one bar.. let alone Top 10 hits.. without Horsepower..."
-Mary Anne Hobbs

"Deep, musical, sometimes raw, often cinematic and always sophisticated. This album goes beyond the simple word dubstep..."
-Laurent Garnier

Horsepower Productions return to Tempa with their third album; a bold and intrepid Quest For The Sonic Bounty.

If you were to unearth the flourishing dubstep tree youd find Horsepower at its roots. Their debut album 'In Fine Style' was the first LP to be released on Tempa, featuring the now classic, scene defining tracks "Gorgon Sound" and "Classic Deluxe". It was the press release for 'In Fine Style' back in 2002 that first gave the fledgling genre it's name - and the cover feature in XLR8R Magazine (July/Aug '02) that first used the term in print and immortalised the name.

Horsepower are the revered, ground zero catalysts of the sound which is now capturing the imagination of the new rave generation. Originally an 8 strong collective, featuring amongst others Lev Jnr, Nassis, Simon D, The Culprit and Jay King, the current incarnation of Horsepower includes Matt HP aka Lev Jnr, Nassis, and Jay King with the indomitable Benny ill at the helm.

The quest for the elusive sonic bounty begins with tentative steps in the Rain and journeys over land and across the seven seas all the while weaving a rich, musical tapestry. The pulsating, staccato bassline of "Mexican Slayride" and it's tale of a band of mercenaries challenging a despotic bandit overlord gives way to the epic voodoo chronicle of "22" - witch-doctor bones rattling beneath the distant drums in this dramatic tale of the mysteries of the Caribbean. "Water" tells the story of a scorched and war-ravaged Earth, where power over the survivors is held by he who controls the water. Suggestion: listen to this one as loud as your sound system can go... The two tracks featured on Horsepower Productions most recent 12" for Tempa (Special Edition Double A-Side, Tempa 042) "Kingstep" and "Damn It" make a re-appearance here, having been revamped and extended specifically for Quest For The Sonic Bounty.

If there were a signature to 'Quest...' and indeed all Horsepower Productions music it is the unparalleled production value which allows the listener to conjure a living colour rendition of what they hear in the minds eye. So vivid are Horsepowers sonic paintings that when listening to this album were transported to the side of Benny and Jay King to witness the majestic march of Kingstep and then party with them in the other world jamboree that is 18th Special.

The penultimate track is a remix of "Exercising" - a track from Lee 'Scratch' Perry's recent album "The Mighty Upsetter" - and is dubstep at it's best: deep, dark and moving. Just wait for those violins! The remix takes us to India, Jamaica and beyond; rising up beyond the clouds of the heavenly mountain, sacred instruments play us along our spiritual journey.

'Quest for the Sonic Bounty' is wrapped up by the hauntingly beautiful "Poison Wine". In the words of Horsepower lynchpin Benny Ill: "Welcome to the New Territories of Hong Kong, and that ancient tale of the 108 heroes of Liang Shan Po. A story of a royal bounty, and a barrel of poisoned wine employed to aid in seperating that bounty from it's former owners..."

For those wanting a pleasant coffee table album, be warned 'Quest for the Sonic Bounty' is a rigorous aural and physical experience. When its finished with you, you will understand that their unerring quest, carving new tributaries and exploring far flung lands, is indeed what creates our very own sonic bounty.