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Review: Sticky - Pedal Riddim' [Single]

Big Dada // "...with each listen it grows and I find myself dancing about behind my desk more and more"

by ShenSalih, October 24th, 2012 and has been Read 807 times.
Last Edited by: Ffion Davies October 25th, 2012.

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What I've always loved about Sticky and his input into the UK Garage scene, back in the day when it was more of a scene, was his ability to create such tracks that had you bouncing around and singing along, his talent at finding some of the freshest vocalists and creating the perfect track for them was impeccable. Tracks like 'Boo!' featuring Ms. Dynamite and 'Things We Do For Love' featuring Kele Le Roc tore the dancefloors up back then and still tear them up today, Sticky's tracks stood the test of time and still go down a treat.

So, I was excited to see Sticky's latest offering, and first release for Big Dada, pop up in my inbox, it'd been a while since I'd heard anything from him and I couldn't wait to hear what he had to bring to the table. The UK music scene has changed so much since the days when garage was at the forefront in clubs and on the airwaves and now for old garage heads like me it's a treat to find a decent old school garage night amongst the house heavy club nights around. So what can Sticky offer us in 2012?

WATCH // 'Pedal Riddim'

Well, forget his signature "triplets" style 2-step rhythms with jabbing strings and thumping bass lines. Forget sweet vocals with smart, urban lyrics. What Sticky offers us with 'Pedal Riddim'' is something very far removed from his renown style. It's a purely instrumental track and is of a house tempo and rhythm and funnily enough, as the track name might suggest, is set to the rhythm of bike pedalling (so I'm told, I wouldn't have a clue, last time I got on a bike was back in the day when it had Tony the Tiger reflectors on the wheel spokes that you got free in a box of Frosties!).

But is 'Pedal Riddim'' a good track? Yes, I think it is. Is it going to set the world on fire for being fresh and groundbreakingly different? No, I don't think it will. What Sticky has done is new for him, but it's not new to house. Whilst it's a decent house track, it just kind blends in. Don't get me wrong, with each listen it grows and I find myself dancing about behind my desk more and more, and cranking up the volume a little more each time too, but it's just nothing new. I'm sure many a cyclist will have it pumping into their ears keeping them going on those steep inclines, and with our memories of the Olympics fading day by day as we get back into the doom and gloom, the video is a welcome reminder of how amazing the Olympics were, so bonus points for a card well played there Sticky!

WATCH // 'Boo!' ft. Ms. Dynamite

If you're after classic Sticky this isn't the track for you, but do check out the remix, cleverly titled 'Pedal Riddim' - The Sequal', as that is distinctively more Sticky-esq and has the proper old Garage vibe to it with a rolling bass line and Sticky's signature build ups and a sick Garage drop!