Jimmy Mofo gives Beatportal his Breakspoll breakdown

Jimmy Mofo gives Beatportal his Breakspoll breakdown

14 January, 2008 | 10.03AM

• Written by: Caleb Rakes
• Filed under: Music News: beat assassins, breakspoll, jimmy mofo, mofo

In the lead up to this year’s Breakspoll Awards at Fabric, London we are asking all those involved and tipped for awards within the breakbeat community to contribute their ideas and opinions as to who they think are going to be the winners.

First up, we asked Jimmy Mofo, head honcho behind Mofo Recordings, Editor and Chief behind breakbeat’s biggest fanzine, Mofo Mag and one half of the Beat Assassins.

Best Album

The album that blew me away in 2007 was a compilation by Deekline & Wizard called ‘Live from Brixton To Brisbane’ on Rat Records.

In my opinion, Deekline & Wizard’s productions are way better than most in the breakbeat scene right now.

They have captured the essence of Miami booty bass and combined this sound with underground UK breakbeat.

Their sound encompasses phat beats, block-party breaks, fun vocals, booty lyrics, scratching, cheeky samples and a totally unrelenting party attitude to their music that creates hedonistic meltdown in the clubs.

There is no compilation out there on the shelves quite like ‘Live from Brixton To Brisbane’.

I think this album could be in with a chance of winning Best Album at Breakpoll 2008.

Other possibilities are Ils ‘Paranoid Prophets’, Ed Solo & Skool Of Thought ‘Random Acts of Kindness’ and ‘This Way Up’ mixed by Friction on Passenger. 

Best Single

Again, I think Deekline & Wizard have had the best singles out this year.

‘Steam’, ‘Special Dedication’ or ‘Woah’ all could easily win.

Of course, I have to say Beat Assassins ‘We Run Tings / Play the Game’ [Mofo Recordings] might get a nomination.

Everyone from the heavyweight tear-out boys to the funkiest spinners dropped this kut — it has massive crossover appeal.

But if I’m going to be really honest here, I reckon its going to be Lady Waks & Hardy Hand ‘Minimal’ on Menu, probably the biggest tune this year.

Best Label

Last year, Finger Lickin’ Records pulled out the playing field because they kept winning.

If they are back in this year, I expect they will hold up the trophy.

But I hope they aren’t in the running, because then it’s anyone’s game.

Functional have been very strong this year, as have Menu Music.

Sub Frequency Funk are smashing it with artists like Napt and Far To Loud.

Then, of course, Hardcore Beats have been bringing the tear-out breakbeat bangers alongside Broke.

On the tech front, LOT49 have been unstoppable, as have Passenger throwing down everything from electro-house-breakbeat to jump-up, booty shaking breaks.

Who will win if it’s not Finger Lickin Records? I really don’t have a clue; it’s wide open. 

Best Producer

I really hope it’s Deekline & Wizard because they really deserve that award.

Wizard is, without a doubt, the bad boy producer in the breakbeat scene right now.

His beats are über phat and his mix downs are the phattest and loudest in the business.

People like the Chemical Brothers should pay this guy to mix down their albums — that’s how good he is.

Wizard has the cream of the house scene banging on his studio door begging him to mix down their tracks.

He is the über geek, and alongside Deekline, they work magic in the studio.

I really think they could be in with a chance.

I’d love to see Aquasky get a nomination.

Last year, they were relentless with their productions and have been sub-genre hopping with ease, joining the dots between the many fractions of the scene.

The mighty Stanton Warriors must be in with a big chance — they’re always dropping dancefloor gems!

I think it probably will be The Stantons. 

Best DJ

I have always voted Freq Nasty as best DJ at Breakspoll.

In my opinion, he is the best breaks DJ on the planet.

His sets have consistently blown me away, but he never gets nominated, so maybe it’s a waste of vote?

Rennie Pilgrem has been outstanding this year and has really found his form as a DJ. I would love to see Rennie get a nomination.

But if you’re asking me who will win? It’s going to be Atomic Hooligan.

Breakthrough Producer

OK, I’m going to go all out now and blow my own trumpet: Beat Assassins are the main contenders for this award.

We’ve had the longest running breakbeat track in Jay Cunning’s Kiss FM chart and we’ve had more No. 1s than the Spice Girls.

We’ve had numerous plays on Kiss, Radio 1 and XFM, plus we’ve consistently sold records all round the world.

All the big names support our tunes and Rennie Pilgrim even listed us as one of his Top 5 producers.

We’ve played gigs in Spain, Poland, Australia, Austria and the UK, while dropping six releases — all of which have enjoyed Top 5 positions in the Know How Records Chart.

If that’s not breakthrough, then I don’t know what is! 

Breakthrough DJ

I’d love to say Jimmy Mofo — well I was 21 last year, but let’s be realistic here. LOL.

This category usually gets won by whoever has the biggest mailing list, unfortunately.

Taking that aside, I’d say Flore, Plaza De Funk, Ben & Lex or Def Inc. could all be in with a big chance.

All those artists deserve to win. 

Best Website

www.nuskoolbreaks.com, without a doubt.

It’s the hub of breaks, the epicentre of everything that is breakbeat on the net and the largest breakbeat forum in existence.

(At least I think that’s the case; you never know, the Spanish might have a bigger one.)

Plus Jimmy Brayks (head honcho of NSB) is the boss man of breaks in London. He is the Don Corleone. 

Best Live Act

This award surely has to go to Freestylers.

They were the first breakbeat act to form a band and have been consistently amazing live.

I think they will win but Atomic Hooligan could well steal the accolade.

Best Large Club Event

Can I say Glade Festival?

It’s not really a club, but it has been responsible for what must be the largest platform for breaks in the UK.

I’d love to see the Glade Festival win this award.

If we’re talking strictly clubs only, then Eargasm and Spectrum can battle it out.

Best Small Club Event

C64, of course, and not forgetting Jimmy Brayks and the NSB parties.

Both have been top dollar and one of these should win.

• (1) Comments
• (1825) Views
• Get Mofo Mag's Best of 2007 Chart on Beatport