Track analysis: Benga ‘The Cut’

Track analysis: Benga ‘The Cut’

24 April, 2008 | 8.28AM

• Written by: culprit1
• Filed under: Music News: benga, tempa, track analysis

Benga’s masterful new album ‘Diary Of An Afro Warrior’ hasn’t left my CD player for over a month.

The album contains a fantastic selection of bass-driven music, made all the more astonishing when you take in to account that this talented British musician is just 21 years of age.

The production on standout composition ‘The Cut’ is an exercise in clarity and power, making it a perfect choice for the latest track analysis feature.

‘Diary of an Afro Warrior’ is available in full from Beatport, but if you’d like to get a flavour of ‘The Cut’, check out this Youtube vid and follow the track using the timescale:

0.00

Benga kicks things off with a low cymbal crash.

Under a smattering of well-produced FX and brooding reverberation, we can hear the main percussion riff slowly rising in volume.

It’s accompanied by a barely-audible ring modulation effect, subtly enforcing the jaunty off-beat rhythmic pattern.

0.07

The first entry of the foreboding yet sparingly-used synth bassline.

This is a major theme in the track and later on, we’ll look at the methods that Benga uses to manipulate this motif in order to retain listener interest.

0.14

Benga adds a smattering of delicate hi-hats to the mix.

Although a very subtle addition, this extra percussion has a noticeable effect on the vibe of the introductory passage.

0.27

The first entry of the lower, sub bass.

Layering basses is one of Benga’s specialties, and he has spoken previously of EQing multiple basslines at both mid and low frequencies.

The menacing percussion continues apace.

0.43

As a precursor to the main section, Benga employs a slow-rising synth FX pattern before the music fades for a moment at 51 seconds.

0.53

That now-familiar killer synth bassline heralds in an almighty beat – the drums hammering their way through the sonic landscape.

Comprised of scattering hi-hats, a prominent snare and taut bass drum, the beat sounds crisp, fresh and powerful.

The expertly-produced sub-bass feels as though it’s trying to break out of a steel cage, simply seething with tension and danger.

In a nod to Benga’s dancefloor sensibility, there’s also some excellent rave-style vocal yelps on the offbeats, accompanied by some beautiful synth drones delicately sitting atop of the sturdy drum pattern.

At this point, it’s impossible not to feel like a real tough guy; the beats are so powerful, that one can’t help but imagine themselves pounding around South London in a massive padded jacket.

Or maybe that’s just a personal fantasy?

Anyway…

1.21

A tightly quantized drum roll leads us in to…

1.23

...the introduction of a fast-moving, taut synth pattern that adds even more movement to the unyielding rhythm.

This percussive synth line creates a real sense of propulsion and adds to the overall dramatic vibe.

1.47

A rapid-fire, rolling kick drum pattern moves seamlessly into a brief musical break and serves to reinforce that original rhythm.

1.56

The beat is ushered back in via a very effective double kick-drum pattern.

The beat lifts off once again, but on this occasion, there’s some smart filtering applied..

2.14

The phat, dirty synth bass receives a brief solo outing, followed by another teasing musical break.

2.24

And we’re rolling again, with the booty-shaking sub-bass now becoming even more interesting, thanks to another dose of sharp filtering.

2.44

Another low cymbal crash ushers in a longer breakdown, as that fantastic percussion pattern builds once more — this time with the added use of some appealing delay FX at 2.56 and 3.07.

3.11

Just when you were expecting that synth bass again, Benga employs a somewhat inverted version — a sinister three-note downward pattern.

This surprise is followed by the introduction of a totally different, even phatter, slow-moving main bassline.

Also note that the hi-hats are now programmed in 8ths (quavers) as opposed to 16ths (semiquavers), creating an artificial effect that the track is slowing down somewhat.

3.39

This apparent lack of pace is soon destroyed by the addition of extra hi-hats and swift conga percussion.

Extra congas then double up on the original pattern, solidifying the new beat at 3.53.

4.04

Another well-positioned musical gap, before the percussion builds again and the beat re-enters at 4.14.

Benga incorporates a very brief and subtle delay effect at 4.18, which is highly effective.

4.38

Following a final blast of that lush synth bass, the space echo effect is employed more vigorously as the track floats away into the night.

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