Reissue of this influential 2010 single that encapsulated the multi-genre approach of labels like Hotflush and Hyperdub. "The Shrew Would Have Cushioned The Blow" followed Joy Orbison's biggest hit, "Hyph Mngo," and re-challenged the listener (and DJ) with hard pulsating beat that cleverly morphs into a tradition UK two-step beat. It's almost as if he was like "Hyph" got too popular, let me take it back to the bedroom. Following that underground vein, "So Derobe" is that Joy Orbison track that uses the Human League sample that's so filtered you only get the essence of the original. Lastly, Werk Discs head Actress, feeding off the creativity, amplifies "Shrew" into a minimal stormer.

• music label: Aus Music 2010 / 2013

reviewed by the mgmnt 11/2013