Alaska “Ancestral / Shiver” (Arctic Music) [AM001]
Paradox kicks off his fourth concurrent label – this one a welcome throwback to the mellow side of early-1990s Drum & Bass – with a special white-vinyl 12″ under his atmospheric guise. Alaska has been fairly quiet for the past five years while new atmospheric D&B has been for the most part wedded with techstep, but he’s back in 2006 and expect no sign of that trend here. Call it roots atmospheric; the vibe is epic and exultant but in a polished, controlled, understated manner. “Ancestral” is an amen smasher with a sustained sub line and a patina of ethereal reeds. “Shiver” shakes along with an unusual gait and bouncy bassline, punctuated by bursts of flutes and breathless film samples about clairvoyance.