Dj locks - "Batida Dos Arabes"

Good secrets are hard to keep. Great secrets are a scientific impossibility - by definition, everyone already knows about it.

In short order, this author is no depository for confidential information. With the mere of an pedestrian W. Mark "fe-cret", this author is overwhelmed by sensation deep within his throat. Chords begin to tickle; the tongue profusely sweats. Still enigmas and confidences play a hallowed role in society. Where, for example, can a prolific 1960s Teamsters leader be found? Any guess is as good as any other guess. Wish to turn the white house red with anger? Try writing but some anonymous sentences about a certain Persian nuclear program. Otherwise, turn to Ed Snowden and ask him how easy it is to develop a taste for borscht.

The point being that no matter how forbidden the fruit might be, a reptile with an unhinged jaw is mighty persuasive.

Such is the nature of Dj locks - decidedly more secret than serpent. A Black$ea Não Maya affiliate, this Almada based beat-maker wears two hats. From south of the River Tejo, the first cranial accessory Dj locks wears is that of, well, a Dj. His inclination leans toward ten and twenty minute mixes. The second hat, though, is much more interesting. In addition to acting as a party engineer, Dj locks produces original sounds. His songs are rhythmic and fast; very, very fast. Where standards are concerned, a Dj locks tracks will feature one or two vocal samples. Yet the truth is far less generic.

Dj locks does have a style all of his own. More so than his contemporaries, locks is willing to exploit overlaps between his beats and 'global electronic dance' sounds. Once the groove is found, it is not adjusted. The length of samples are not comparatively shorter than those of other Djs. Locks sample, though, adorn the beat more so than drive it. Listeners with a craving for footwork must look no further than the bass: rich, pounding, and never susceptible to substitution. Give this funana, which features a portion of Os Detroia's single, a spin or two.

Released just last week, "Batida dos Arabes" is fast. But this song showcases more than simple speed. As the title suggests, the album length production does not fit into a single genre. Rather, Dj locks incorporates a collection of ideas into a single track (hardly a new concept). Immediately of note is the beat, of which there are ultimately three (maybe four?) variations. While the snare+hi hat combination is reminiscent of kuduro, the djembe working on first and third beats sounds; vaguely like batuco. Following three false starts care of the song's predominating guitar, as well as a bar of anticipation afterwards, the first section begins. Most intriguing portion, however, begins just past the ninety-second mark. Although "Batida dos Arabes" features a plethora of sounds - strings, multiple vocals, and synth all being heard at different times - it is how the manner in which the guitar is used that merits attention. After sharing the melodic limelight with a melodica, the six-stringed tool of the troubadour switches to rhythmic duties.

"Batida Dos Arabes" is a dense dance track and even more can be done on the tune's structure. Regardless, a solid effort in every respect. 

- John Noggle