Jonny Wears Black – Up In Flames (Rebel Sonix Mix)
When I first read in the press blurb that Megadeth’s long serving bassist David Ellefson had collaborated on this track I got pretty excited: Ellefson is a brilliant bass player. Initially, I was disappointed to hear that Rebel Sonix had created their own bass and cut all traces of Ellefson’s playing out, until I got about 20 seconds in and then I realised why. This is a monstrous mix made purely for shaking dancefloors to pieces. I dare say it does just that too (I’ll forgive them for their previous misdemeanour). This remix is killer!
Reeson – Hold On
Not only is Reeson absolutely gorgeous, she also has a lovely voice. The Retrix D&B mix on this 8 track remix edition is one serious slab of quality dancefloor music. The vocals have been used in a very subtle manner and the burbling synth sound that rides across the top of the mix has such a full and rounded sound you just want it to run for ever. You’ll love this if you love easily accessible, floor friendly D&B!
Calyx & Teebee – Elevate This Sound/Hurting - RAM
Like all who are signed to RAM, these fellas are consummate professionals and masters of their trade. ‘Elevate This Sound’ is sublime in every aspect. With an oh-so-smooth vocal hook that will have even the staunchest of head-nodders singing into their cans of red stripe, the word to sum up all 5 minutes and 18 seconds of this brilliant record is ‘perfect’. ‘Hurting’ is another triumphant effort that blends effortlessly smooth vocals and twisted noise to create a sure-fire dancefloor smasher. Quality, but you wouldn’t expect any less from these two would you?
Mars Records 005 – Split EP – Mars Records
Mars Records fifth release sees ex-hardcore punk Klute, remix Mute & Mako’s ‘Essential Forms’. Klute has done it justice. With a smooth ascending bass line and soothing vocals adorning the track throughout, there are nonetheless a few surprises coming your way across the length of the track. Side B sees one of my current favourite producers Random Movement team up with Jaybee to create a luscious liquid affair that just rolls and rolls and rolls. Everything sits oh so right in ‘Same ‘Ol Me’. You need this in your life!
Fields – BTC/Elemental – Utopia
Fields comes from a metal and punk background, which he has used to influence this two-tracker from Utopia. A-side ‘BTC ‘yields something quite difficult to describe and thoroughly fascinating to listen to, the percussion is in a league of its own. Sparse and neurotic with a very definite experimental edge, it utilises late 90’s downward synth swirls and technoid bleepage to create a soundscape that is the complete anti-thesis of the average 4 minute D&B track. Flip ‘Elemental’ might best be described as synthetic jazz. Rolling and writhing at every turn, this is one for the liquid lovers!
DRS (Ft Enei) – Count to Ten/Holding On (Ft Lenzman/Jhest/Riya) – Soul:R
If we had to choose a star studded cast for D&B, this line-up would come close. DRS teams up with Enei on title track ‘Count to Ten’, spitting his unique brand of northern grit over a stark musical backdrop. The concept of D&B based Hip Hop is appealing and DRS delivers it straight with no messing about. Flip ‘Holding On’ sees him team up with Lenzman and Jhest, however it is soulstress Riya that really makes this impressive release shine.
Wilkinson – Automatic/Hands up! - RAM
This juddering, stuttering track borrows a used and abused ‘automatic, feel the panic’ hook from Public Enemy: which is probably best remembered by hardcore heads as the sample used on the old ‘Rabbit City’ track by Force, Mass Motion. This track holds its own against that history and ‘Hands Up’ is just as good. It half steps with an odd kind of B-Boy attitude that will be every street dancers dream come true. It also has a very unusual middle-eastern flavour like the kind used by Cypress Hill on their later albums. Weird, but in a good way!
Rollers EP – Vol. 2 – Advisory
Although the title clearly states that these are rollers, they transcend that term with ease. Connecta & DNK come with some mucky stuff on ‘Dirty Pool ’ though ‘Gold Nugget’ is easily the best track of the release. DJ Tricky blends a gorgeous male house vocal with deep, growling sub pulses and up-lifting synth lines. Awesome stuff. Macky Gee gives us ‘Money Maker’ with snappy snares and some filthy warped synth lines: do not play this gothic snarler to your children. It will give them nightmares. Finally Shookz brings ‘Vicious Liberty’ to end the collection and it’s evil too. Sounds like early R&S on warp speed. Brilliant by anybody’s standards.
Benny Page Ft Solo Banton /Psycho Frued – Dangerous/Perdominent – High Culture
Yes! The current un-disputed master of raga-rave teams up two MC’s of comparable stature to deliver everything you’d expect from a collaboration of this sort. Scaling basslines, blissed out reggae vibes and simple beats keep your ears focused on the vocals and brass hooks across each of these great tracks. This release may be radio friendly but there is no doubting its infectiousness. Lord ‘ave mercy!!
Fathom Audio - Promises/Ridges – Different
There will always be a steady collection of ear bashing, floor caning monsters appearing in D&B but these two pieces from Fathom Audio are the complete opposite. Every now and then something completely off-the-wall will appear, something totally unafraid of experimentation and completely devoid of formula. This month, this is it. Four-piece Fathom Audio have left their inhibitions at the studio door and delved deep into the creative possibilities of drum & bass with ‘Promises’ and even more so with B-side ‘Ridges’. Think Aphex Twin and D*Note combined, mind blowing!
Hylu & Jago – Anansi Riddim – Unit 137
While this is predominantly a reggae release (and a very good one at that) the track of interest here is surely the Run Tingz Cru remix of ‘Have No Heart’. With David Boomah on vocal duties and giving a sterling performance to boot, this little beauty will bring any dance floor alive in seconds. David has an instantly recognisable voice that sits perfectly over up-tempo jungalism and the RTC have done just enough to bring this dubbed out slow jam to life for the D&B massive. Proper!
Random Movement – Drawn By Intrigue - Intrigue Music
Florida based Random Movement is my flavour of the month for sure. He is such a talented producer that quality oozes from every bar of music he creates. This latest 4 track EP on Intrigue sees him pulling out all the stops and creating some truly great productions. ‘Boundary Lines’ sees him in full flight with late 90’s style wobbliness, ‘Thought Lust’ brings out the jazz keys, and on ‘Drawn By Intrigue’ we really see the depth of his creativity in full bloom. Liquid D&B is an acquired taste to some, as is jazz, but If any of you out there remember D*Note and the beautiful 1995 LP ‘Criminal Justice’ you will have a rough idea of what this track is all about. Musical in every sense. ‘She Had Better Days’ tops of this collection of awesome drum and bass from across the pond.
Dynamic – She Got That Groove/Transatlantic Love Story – Prestige
Another American release, this time from Prestige Music in Los Angeles, California. Dynamic has created something very smooth with ‘She Got That Groove’, yet it still packs a punch. With a very subtle hint of late 70’s disco poking through into this fast composition there is no question of the talent on offer here. Over on the other side, Dynamic has teamed up with Intelligent Manners on ‘Transatlantic Love Story’: a soul soaked clapper that evokes thoughts of sun kissed beach parties at dawn.
Muted & Grimm – Furious Stranger EP – Future Thinkin’
Finishing off August’s batch we have a four-track release ranging from dark and sinister styles to full on floating dreaminess. This EP from the Future Thinkin’ camp presents ace value for money if you want to play a broad range of styles in your sets. The stand out track is Pouyah’s ‘Stranger’, which had me dancing straight up! If deep, edgy D&B is more your thing then the other three tracks will be more your style! What a month this looks set to be!
The amount of good D&B out there right now shows that while the economy might be taking a nose-dive, the worldwide drum and bass scene is still going from strength to strength. There are a wide range of styles gracing this months column; collaborative efforts, remixes, split EP’s and more from across the globe.
Jonny Wears Black – Up In Flames (Rebel Sonix Mix)
When I first read in the press blurb that Megadeth’s long serving bassist David Ellefson had collaborated on this track I got pretty excited: Ellefson is a brilliant bass player. Initially, I was disappointed to hear that Rebel Sonix had created their own bass and cut all traces of Ellefson’s playing out, until I got about 20 seconds in and then I realised why. This is a monstrous mix made purely for shaking dancefloors to pieces. I dare say it does just that too (I’ll forgive them for their previous misdemeanour). This remix is killer!
Reeson – Hold On
Not only is Reeson absolutely gorgeous, she also has a lovely voice. The Retrix D&B mix on this 8 track remix edition is one serious slab of quality dancefloor music. The vocals have been used in a very subtle manner and the burbling synth sound that rides across the top of the mix has such a full and rounded sound you just want it to run for ever. You’ll love this if you love easily accessible, floor friendly D&B!
Calyx & Teebee – Elevate This Sound/Hurting - RAM
Like all who are signed to RAM, these fellas are consummate professionals and masters of their trade. ‘Elevate This Sound’ is sublime in every aspect. With an oh-so-smooth vocal hook that will have even the staunchest of head-nodders singing into their cans of red stripe, the word to sum up all 5 minutes and 18 seconds of this brilliant record is ‘perfect’. ‘Hurting’ is another triumphant effort that blends effortlessly smooth vocals and twisted noise to create a sure-fire dancefloor smasher. Quality, but you wouldn’t expect any less from these two would you?
Mars Records 005 – Split EP – Mars Records
Mars Records fifth release sees ex-hardcore punk Klute, remix Mute & Mako’s ‘Essential Forms’. Klute has done it justice. With a smooth ascending bass line and soothing vocals adorning the track throughout, there are nonetheless a few surprises coming your way across the length of the track. Side B sees one of my current favourite producers Random Movement team up with Jaybee to create a luscious liquid affair that just rolls and rolls and rolls. Everything sits oh so right in ‘Same ‘Ol Me’. You need this in your life!
Fields – BTC/Elemental – Utopia
Fields comes from a metal and punk background, which he has used to influence this two-tracker from Utopia. A-side ‘BTC ‘yields something quite difficult to describe and thoroughly fascinating to listen to, the percussion is in a league of its own. Sparse and neurotic with a very definite experimental edge, it utilises late 90’s downward synth swirls and technoid bleepage to create a soundscape that is the complete anti-thesis of the average 4 minute D&B track. Flip ‘Elemental’ might best be described as synthetic jazz. Rolling and writhing at every turn, this is one for the liquid lovers!
DRS (Ft Enei) – Count to Ten/Holding On (Ft Lenzman/Jhest/Riya) – Soul:R
If we had to choose a star studded cast for D&B, this line-up would come close. DRS teams up with Enei on title track ‘Count to Ten’, spitting his unique brand of northern grit over a stark musical backdrop. The concept of D&B based Hip Hop is appealing and DRS delivers it straight with no messing about. Flip ‘Holding On’ sees him team up with Lenzman and Jhest, however it is soulstress Riya that really makes this impressive release shine.
Wilkinson – Automatic/Hands up! - RAM
This juddering, stuttering track borrows a used and abused ‘automatic, feel the panic’ hook from Public Enemy: which is probably best remembered by hardcore heads as the sample used on the old ‘Rabbit City’ track by Force, Mass Motion. This track holds its own against that history and ‘Hands Up’ is just as good. It half steps with an odd kind of B-Boy attitude that will be every street dancers dream come true. It also has a very unusual middle-eastern flavour like the kind used by Cypress Hill on their later albums. Weird, but in a good way!
Rollers EP – Vol. 2 – Advisory
Although the title clearly states that these are rollers, they transcend that term with ease. Connecta & DNK come with some mucky stuff on ‘Dirty Pool ’ though ‘Gold Nugget’ is easily the best track of the release. DJ Tricky blends a gorgeous male house vocal with deep, growling sub pulses and up-lifting synth lines. Awesome stuff. Macky Gee gives us ‘Money Maker’ with snappy snares and some filthy warped synth lines: do not play this gothic snarler to your children. It will give them nightmares. Finally Shookz brings ‘Vicious Liberty’ to end the collection and it’s evil too. Sounds like early R&S on warp speed. Brilliant by anybody’s standards.
Benny Page Ft Solo Banton /Psycho Frued – Dangerous/Perdominent – High Culture
Yes! The current un-disputed master of raga-rave teams up two MC’s of comparable stature to deliver everything you’d expect from a collaboration of this sort. Scaling basslines, blissed out reggae vibes and simple beats keep your ears focused on the vocals and brass hooks across each of these great tracks. This release may be radio friendly but there is no doubting its infectiousness. Lord ‘ave mercy!!
Fathom Audio - Promises/Ridges – Different
There will always be a steady collection of ear bashing, floor caning monsters appearing in D&B but these two pieces from Fathom Audio are the complete opposite. Every now and then something completely off-the-wall will appear, something totally unafraid of experimentation and completely devoid of formula. This month, this is it. Four-piece Fathom Audio have left their inhibitions at the studio door and delved deep into the creative possibilities of drum & bass with ‘Promises’ and even more so with B-side ‘Ridges’. Think Aphex Twin and D*Note combined, mind blowing!
Hylu & Jago – Anansi Riddim – Unit 137
While this is predominantly a reggae release (and a very good one at that) the track of interest here is surely the Run Tingz Cru remix of ‘Have No Heart’. With David Boomah on vocal duties and giving a sterling performance to boot, this little beauty will bring any dance floor alive in seconds. David has an instantly recognisable voice that sits perfectly over up-tempo jungalism and the RTC have done just enough to bring this dubbed out slow jam to life for the D&B massive. Proper!
Random Movement – Drawn By Intrigue - Intrigue Music
Florida based Random Movement is my flavour of the month for sure. He is such a talented producer that quality oozes from every bar of music he creates. This latest 4 track EP on Intrigue sees him pulling out all the stops and creating some truly great productions. ‘Boundary Lines’ sees him in full flight with late 90’s style wobbliness, ‘Thought Lust’ brings out the jazz keys, and on ‘Drawn By Intrigue’ we really see the depth of his creativity in full bloom. Liquid D&B is an acquired taste to some, as is jazz, but If any of you out there remember D*Note and the beautiful 1995 LP ‘Criminal Justice’ you will have a rough idea of what this track is all about. Musical in every sense. ‘She Had Better Days’ tops of this collection of awesome drum and bass from across the pond.
Dynamic – She Got That Groove/Transatlantic Love Story – Prestige
Another American release, this time from Prestige Music in Los Angeles, California. Dynamic has created something very smooth with ‘She Got That Groove’, yet it still packs a punch. With a very subtle hint of late 70’s disco poking through into this fast composition there is no question of the talent on offer here. Over on the other side, Dynamic has teamed up with Intelligent Manners on ‘Transatlantic Love Story’: a soul soaked clapper that evokes thoughts of sun kissed beach parties at dawn.
Muted & Grimm – Furious Stranger EP – Future Thinkin’
Finishing off August’s batch we have a four-track release ranging from dark and sinister styles to full on floating dreaminess. This EP from the Future Thinkin’ camp presents ace value for money if you want to play a broad range of styles in your sets. The stand out track is Pouyah’s ‘Stranger’, which had me dancing straight up! If deep, edgy D&B is more your thing then the other three tracks will be more your style!
