What is it about that broken beat sound? Characterized by up-tempo, invigorating multi-grooves culled from funk, soul, d’n'b, hip-hop, house and dancehall, this producer-driven movement has got the kids dancing like they’ve got ants in their pants, and in no small way thanks to the super collective Bugz in the Attic.

The nine-man group based in West London is responsible for some of the most popular remixes in the genre, including those for and with fellow heavy hitters Jazzanova and IG Culture. They’ve been around for a little minute – in 1999 the group started Bitasweet Records to build a home for the plethora of remixes and singles the group’s members have released – but it’s only been in the past two to three years that the genre has become more audible internationally.

This tour is a good sign of broken beat’s continued climbing popularity with the dance-a-billy population. Although individual DJs from the collective have toured the far reaches of the Earth, this outing is being called the maiden North American Bugz tour. However, only two of the Bugz – G Force and founding member Afronaught – will be visiting Montreal in support of the collective’s latest compilation, Fabriclive 12. It’s an assembly of sleek and edgy tracks replete with the genre’s characteristic jerkiness made smooth by tight melodies.

Melissa Wheeler
Bugz with DJs Scott C and Andy Williams, and art collective HVW8, at La Sala Rossa, Nov. 29