Following DJ Q’s vinyl-only ‘Brandy & Coke’, Local Action’s second release of 2012 comes from Slackk – one of our favourite DJs and producers. Paul Lynch has been one of London’s best kept secrets for years – he founded the pirate radio website Grimetapes, and produces as both Slackk (releases on Numbers) and Patrice & Friends (last year’s Cashmere Sheets album featured high on FACT and The Wire’s best of 2011 lists). Raw Missions is his most substantial statement yet – a tribute to the widescreen grime of producers like Ruff Sqwad, Wiley, Oddz and Alias, all massive influences on both him and Local Action. It’s heavy with a tinge of longing, and full of power. First pressing comes housed in an album-style sleeve with spine. Early support from Ben UFO and the DJs that know. “It’s wicked man, been playing it” – Ben UFO “This is wicked, like Streets of Rage done by Wiley and Rapid” – Deadboy “90 Years is a proper banger” – Brackles “Vital” – Blackdown “Like Blue Sleet, will play that” – Elijah (Butterz) “Single of the month” – Mixmag