Nu Levels.

With old-skool garage being heard more and more in the clubs of late, it seemed fitting, way back in July '09, that one of the legends of the deep garage scene would be refreshing the presses with new output on his own Ghost Records imprint. Making his Manchester debut (of sorts: he was booked for a night nearly two years ago but managed never to arrive) at DrumClinic on Friday of last week, El-B's set was a perfect blend of classic tracks such as 'Buck & Bury', 'The Club' and 'Neighbourhood' alongside a selection of more recent bangers (i.e. 'Tron') and exclusive forthcoming tunes. Catching a word with the man himself after his set, HEDMUK quizzed him about the official release date of the much whispered about 'Nu Levels' compilation, its launch and, perhaps most excitingly, his collaboration with serial socialite Burial. The collection, he said, is set to drop in the second week of April (beginning on the 5th), the date being marked with a Ghost Records showcase at Fabric. Speaking vaguely on the collaboration, El-B commented only that "you can tell which bits I've done, and what he's done", which promises something particularly interesting as Burial has previously been open about the influence El-B has had on his own productions, particularly in terms of percussion. So (nearly) a date for the diary then, and if not, just cop this one instead: http://www.boomkat.com/item.cfm?id=163757

.Fukhed.