NOOKIE 黑胶唱片和CD

Review: Two of drum & bass' most rabid underdogs, Nookie and DJ Crystl, the latter returning only recently after a two decade hiatus - make a triumphant return to the foreground, joining Suburban Architecture in aid of the third edition of their Architecture Dubs series. A fresh fusion of old and new motifs, Nookie's remix of 'Renegade Horns' pays homage to a select juncture in the genre's evolution, recalling the era of "intelligent" drum & bass while nonetheless playing into the freshness and cleanliness that could only ever have surfaced after the 2010s. Crystl's version of 'New Horizons', meanwhile, is more refractive and dreamy, taking its required time to bask in its artisanal padwork, in contrast to its raw b-boy sample and frank Amen breaks.

Review: One of the most GOATed of GOATs, Nookie requires absolutely no introduction. And his fist album in over 15 years is an absolutely massive deal this year. Especially when it's on Metalheadz. And especially when it runs the whole Nookie gamut from house to jungle and features the supreme tones of songwriter du jour Ruth Royall. Here are just four examples as Headz gives us a little tease under the vinyl spotlight. The gutsy soul of 'Part Of Me', the timeless Chicago-style vibes of 'In Love' and the beguiling futurism of 'Over & Over', long may Nookie continue to reign.

Review: Goldie's superb Metalheadz label rains almost as influential now as it was during its earliest and most pioneering years. The boss himself has managed to keep on curating tasteful and innovative sounds and next up is Nookie and vocalist Ruth Royall with a brilliant brace which arrives just before Nookie's debut full length album for the label. The uplifting 'Hero' has refreshing drum breaks and lush pianos coverlid up top with some superbly powerful vocal harmonies from new generation talent Ruth. 'We Shall Overcome' then flips the script and explores soulful house music with good times vibes.

Review: Scene veteram - if not downright originator - Nookie returns to Metalheadz with his latest offering, which as the title suggests, finds the London-based d&b producer embracing the creative process as a means of surprise and discovery. Nookie himself calls the tracks on Improvisions "the best I've ever written," and we'd be hard pushed to disagree. Ruth Royall becomes a central figure within the record's story, her voice ringing out over Nookie's jazz-laced, soul-drenched production on 'Part Of Me' especially. There is plenty of dancefloor energy to be found on the likes of 'Over & Over' as well, but vitally this is a d&b artist album from someone whose inspiration continues to flow prodigiously.