Kevin Martin aka The Bug is a methodical figure who has explored a wide spectrum of jazz, punk, hip hop, and bass related music in the last two decades. Released on London based imprint Ninja Tunes (which recently celebrated it’s 20th anniversary) , the Infected EP is a brief but alluring interlude to the forthcoming dub album produced alongside renowned producer Adrian Sherwood. The Infected EP features two new tracks complimented by personally commissioned remixes by The Bug from Scractha DVA and seminal IDM duo Autechre.

Heeding the green agenda in a world where an excessive amount of popular waste is illegally (and legally) dumped. On lead single ‘Catch A Fire’ The Bug recycles popular release ‘Skeng’ with fresh impetus fusing woodwind and guitar (courtesy of Techno Animal sidekick Justin Broadrick) to create a pensive departure from it’s menacing original. King Midas Sound singer Hitomi broadcasts a public service announcement proclaiming “let’s clean this city with burning flames of fire // Crackheads, Pissheads, Hoodrats, I’m dead” a frank social cross- examination of the London underworld and a supposed call to eradicate society’s ills.

Prominent UK Hip Hop artist and fellow labelmate Roots Manuva jumps onto ‘Tune In’ with an unending choral reprise of “Time is running out, tune into my voodoo”. The stern and melancholic tone of Mr Smith in tandem with the juddering bassline makes for a truthful parable filled with haunting obscurity on this version of ‘Poison Dart’.

Whilst, former Aftershock crew member and Rinse FM favourite “Scratcha DVA” switches up ‘Poison Dart’ one of the highlights from 2008’s critically acclaimed London Zoo LP from a pure undiluted subbass affair to a 2-step,funky induced riddim. The echoic vernacular warcries of Jamaica’s Warrior Queen “though mi nah sling no gun, a boy think sey me soft // but mi a real poison dart” compliments the sinister mood and alters the track into sure-fire stomping territory

‘Skeng’ is probably the most well known of Martin’s discography as the Bug and Warp Records duo Autechre readily exert their minimalist influence on the track. Long time collaborators MCs Flow Dan and Killa P of Roll Deep spit their respective verses to the backdrop of a thudding percussion pattern and analogue bleep sounds.

The Infected EP is further evidence of The Bug’s metamorphosis into a pioneer of the bassweight sound and testament to the assiduous attitude Mr Martin has applied to electronic music in recent times. Both remixes are distinctly dark, keeping in the same vein as Martin’s intriguing catalogue highlighting the producer’s musical nous. The as-yet- to be named new LP is likely to be met with great anticipation from existing fans and new alike. Yet, one certainty which remains is that the Bug will infect you (via a subwoofer) very soon.