Played by Ricardo Villalobos Lady Blacktronika AKA “the first lady of beatdown” brings three solid productions with All In Vain EP, the next instalment on Bass Culture Records. Discovered on Myspace by Mike Huckaby back in 2007, Lady Blacktronika’s sound brings a gritty edge from her street days, while simultaneously oozing a unique female sensitivity. Making an impressive transition from the days when the DJ boys wouldn’t let her play with their toys, she runs multiple labels, Sound Black Recordings, Sound Kemystry and is co-creator of Cocaine Records, as well as releasing on Deep Explorer, Skylax, Underground Quality and now Bass Culture. Jumping straight in with Learn Me Baby, the A side sets the tone with a deep and pounding, powerful groove. The title track takes it up a notch, the most incessant of the package, built for that peak-time dance floor fury. While the techno undertones remain, Lord Knows is a beautiful swirling house number that infuses the ears and body. The common denominator in all cases is the resonating voice of Lady Blacktronika herself, adding the human touch… a touch of soul.