Hailing from Croydon's neighbouring district Mitcham, James Boyle, aka Breakage, would often pass the now-famous Big Apple Records, but never fully understood what was brewing beyond its flyer-caked door. Perhaps never having succumbed to the allure of the now infamous shop explains why diversity is the optimal word for Breakage; whilst still pushing drum and bass back to its percussive jungle roots, as he has done since 2000 with his reworking of Nasty Habits' 'Here Come The Drums', Breakage has managed to maintain a versatile output spanning myriad genres and BPMs. Having created the half-time masterpieces that are 'Clarendon' and 'Shroud' in 2007 (released on Shy FX' Digital Soundboy imprint, as will the Foundations LP be), before tearing 2009 apart with 'Together', the now unavoidable 'Hard (feat. Newham Generals & David Rodigan)', his collaboration with Roots Manuva entitled 'Run 'em Out' and of course the massive 'Higher', it was beginning to look like a question of whether he could continue this good form and deliver an album as diverse (and, most importantly, successful in this diversity) as his previous output. The good news: he has. Standout tracks include 'Vial', a collaboration with Burial reminiscent of a more minimalistic version of El B's Buck & Bury; the beautiful upbeat stepper 'Over (feat.Zarif)'; and two downtempo tunes 'Justified (feat. Erin)' and 'Speechless (feat. Donaeo)'. Nevertheless, each track on Foundation is wonderfully produced and true to Breakage's sound, whatever genre that may be; making one and all glad that he stayed away from that shop.
The Foundation LP gets its official release on Monday 15th of March, with the album launch partyfeaturing the man himself, Shy FX and Redlight following on the 19th.
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