Artist: Chable & Fernandez
Title: Before You Break On Me / Before You Beat My Box
Label: M Theory Records
By: Simon Jones | 19 November 2003
Tracklist:

• A: Before You Break On Me
• B: Before You Beat My Box

Chable & Fernandez "Before You Break On Me / Before You Beat My Box"

It would seem not a month can go by as of late without at least one record featuring the talents of Luke Chable and Jono Fernandez. Both have been prolific figures of the progressive scene for the last few months, with remixes and productions from each all released to acclaim from progressive junkies and breaks purists alike. Both represent the nu breed of talent coming out of Australia at the moment, so you can imagine that putting these two together is almost like the irresistible force meeting the immovable object. This head on collision has resulted in a huge single. That single is 'Before You Break On Me'.

From the moment the track unfolds with some crisp drum patterns and ethereal melodies leading in to the the main section, you get an early feeling of what to expect, but in a way it's very understated as when the bassline shudders its way beneath layers of intricate effects and rumbling beats, you cannot really be prepared for the soundscape that is created. Building to a sublime atmospheric break, the melody is left to bubble of it's own accord, before the beats are rolled back in from underneath, sending a rippling effect through the groove, and setting up the finale, where a barrage of beats smother the drifting melody, culminating in a rather smooth finish indeed. 'Before You Break On Me' fuses elements of breakbeat and downtempo in an innovative way that reflects the experimental side of these two young producers, and is a guaranteed reaction maker and floor filler.

However, not ones to rest on their laurels, Luke and Jono revisit the track and come up with 'Before You Beat My Box'. There is nothing understated about this track, as the crisp beats of the original version are replaced with tougher rolling beats, sounding like pneumatic jackhammers as they chip away at the rumbling bassline. Synths rise slowly out of the groove, with the drifting melody bringing an emotive edge to an otherwise filthy soundscape. Everything falls out as the break rises like a brick wall, twisted beats and loops weaving back into the rumbling groove, with the outro continuing the chaos in on a more twisted tangent. This trippy, upbeat revision of the track is a monster, and will blow the minds of all in it's path.

It's always hard to find fault with the work of Luke Chable and Jono Fernandez, but this single is without a doubt one of their most accomplished projects yet, individually or collectively. They have set a standard that will be hard to equal or surpass for themselves, so it will be interesting to see if other forthcoming releases from this pairing can have as much impact, but all you need to know about this single right now is that you should own a copy. Everything else is irrelevant.