Ultra-Obscene Explained

Ultra-Obscene
Type:	studio
Artist:	Breakbeat Era
Cover:	Ultra-Obscene.jpg
Studio:	Studio Drum, Bristol
Genre:	Drum and bass
Label:	XL
Producer:	Roni Size, DJ Die

Ultra-Obscene is the debut studio album by Breakbeat Era, a collaborative project consisting of Roni Size, DJ Die, and Leonie Laws.^[1] It was released on XL Recordings in 1999. It peaked at number 31 on the UK Albums Chart.

Critical reception

Rick Anderson of AllMusic says, "Leonie Laws is not a tuneless singer, by any means, but her approach is more punk than pop, and the instrumental accompaniment is straight out of the 'darkcore' subgenre of drum'n'bass, a style typified by minor chords and creepy, robotic basslines." Laurence Phelan of The Independent called it "the first successful vocal d'n'b album."^[2]

Personnel

Credits adapted from liner notes.

• Roni Size – production, mixing
• DJ Die – production, mixing
• Leonie Laws – vocals
• Roger Beaujolais – vibraphone (3, 15)
• Rob Chant – guitar (3)
• Jeff Rose – guitar (4, 12, 13)
• Adrian Utley – guitar (7)
• Richard Glover – bass guitar (4, 13)
• Toby Pascoe – drums (8)
• Max Sedgeley – drums (11)
• Dave Amso – engineering
• Andy Henderson – additional engineering
• Absolute – additional mixing
• Alex Jenkins – art direction, design, photography

Notes and References

1. Dawning of a New Era. CMJ New Music Monthly. M. Tye. Comer. November 1999. 26–28.
2. Web site: Music: CD Reviews - Dance. The Independent. Laurence. Phelan. 28 August 1999. 26 March 2018.
3. Web site: Breakbeat Era. Official Charts Company. 26 March 2018.