Drum & Bass Recommendations Best Of 2012

Review: Sub Focus made his comeback on Hospital this year and it couldn't have come soon enough, being in dire need of some of his signature drum breaks and electro-filtered synth lines. The original mix features Alice Gold's spiritual and soothing vocals, riding its beats like a galloping train, while on the B-side, wobble meister Xilent unleashes his fury in the form of squealing, relentless drum stabs and bass howls.

Review: D Bridge's Exit Records continues its boundary pushing endeavours within the confines of the drum & bass genre with this much anticipated collaborative release from Manchester based Dub Phixix and Skeptical. That anticipation is down to "Marka", surely one of the most forward thinking D&B tracks in recent times, and accompanied by a spookily suitable video that's clocked up half a million YouTube views in little under two months. Combining a half-step rhythm with warped bass growls, metallic lined woodblock snare hits and sinister atmospherics, it's nonetheless given its unique character by Strategy's menacing, dub leaning vocal contribution. "Rags" meanwhile proves to be just as vital, utilizing minimal percussive tics with vinyl crackle and sharp snares, teasing as it threatens to break into an all out assault. Highly recommended.

Review: Another Ram release, another banger! That's the adage at Juno HQ when a new delivery from the Hornchurch hotspot comes in. If someone doesn't say it, they get charged a fiver by the boss. Them's the rules. And the rules for this particular pair of bangers? Easy - play them or insult your dancefloor. "I Remember" was first aired on Andy C's Nightflight 5 and we'd been itching for it ever since. The perfect balance of euphoria and funk and coated in spine-tingles, this is a head nod to early Hospital material but with added bass cojones. Meanwhile on the flip "Troglodyte" does its own balancing act between a deep rolling groove and heavy tech elements and cheeky fun. Another Ram release, another banger indeed...

Review: Jungle Cakes smash down the doors of 2012 with another heady double drop of rolling goodness from label boss Deekline and studio cohort Ed Solo. "Paella (Blaze It Up)" sees the veteran bass bin terrorists call on the heavyweight vocal talents of Million Dan, founding member of original UK hip-hop crew The Demon Boyz and an MC whose unique verse spitting is a perfect fit for the bass heavy D&B riddims! It's backed with a typically rambunctious Ed Solo and Deekline remix of Rack N Ruin's "Soundclash" that wisely retains Jessie Ware's guest vocals but adds plenty of the duo's trademark bad bwoy vibes, energetic rhythms and rippling square wave bass lines

Review: Taking a step away from the likes of Perez and Rockwell, Shogun boss Friction's Led Astray EP is a slab of unashamed drumstep filth. Screeching synths, bass groans, catchy vocal hook and warm instrumentals all feature heavily. Culprate's remix is heavy, transforming the original into a punishing dubstep lurcher. The Sigma remix of "Stand Up (feat. Dynamite MC)" accompanies, bringing the 2010 original bang up to date with a cool twist.

Review: Ministry Of Sound came good this year and has given us a string of releases. Amongst them, we have the pop-filtered breaks of Utah Saints and Bassline Smith, whose original "What Can You Do For Me" is taken apart by three bass explorers. Herve gives the track a tight electro rework, whilst London's Ill Blu heads down the bashment aisle, breaking those vocals up and spreading them all over its wicked snares; finally, Tantrum Desire goes hard and dirty with his wobbled-out remix.

Review: Possibly one of his strongest releases to date, the inimitable talent that is Rockwell's half-time D&B offering "Childhood Memories" is here remixed by Neosignal and Metrik. Neosignal provide a devastating remix which adds a generous dose of tech-ed up neurofunk to the proceedings, whilst the Metrik remix is straight up stadium-pleasing dancefloor fun with buckets of energy. An essential release.

Review: Despite releasing enough singles to fill a small set of IKEA Expedit shelves, Cambridge D&B duo Commix have been pretty slow on the uptake when it comes to albums. So far, they've only released one original full-length, Call To Mind - a pleasing set that won many plaudits on its release in 2007. Curiously, this second full-length is not a new album per se, but rather a collection of previously unreleased cuts recorded between 2003 and 2008. It is, though, a superb set, perfectly showcasing their brand of melodic, musically inclined drum and bass. As ever, the beats are loose, organic and snare heavy, the basslines hooky and the melodies sparkling, offering a near perfect balance of dancefloor chops and home listening nous. Highly recommended.

Review: Appearances by D Bridge on Metalheadz come few and far between, but this time Darren White has a whole 12" to himself, over which to stretch his soulful take on D&B. A-Side "The Little Things" fits and starts with its clean beats and smooth pads, keeping things thoroughly linear and emotive for those more sensitive moments in the dance. Things get rougher on "Cornered" as a cheeky drum break ups the ante while the bass comes in growling and submerged. As ever the production is flawless, and with two diverse tracks to choose from there's plenty to get out of nabbing this release.

Review: As we've already pointed out, Juno HQ has a hidden love for Ram Records. The guys over in Hornchurch still manage to bring the funk out of those harsh breaks and squealing basslines. This time Loadstar steps up with a two-tracker, featuring "Passenger", a neo wobble-step leviathan whose power is not to be taken lightly. Next up, "Bombers" brings back the drums and the bass-es - a shimmering jump-up cacophony in true Ram style - we still bobbin'...

Review: And the winner of the best label name of the week goes to.... Jungle Cakes. Fondant funk and breakneck beats: What's not to like? Naturally the audio on this 12" is baked to perfection, too. "Brighter Day" oozes sun-splashed soul and doesn't sound dissimilar to any track that features Darrison's dulcet tones. And the vocal vibes keep pouring; "All Love" rides with more of a lover's rock feel. If you're looking to woo a lady, or you want your dancefloor to start wooing each other, drop this.

Review: Ram have been on another signing spree this year, D&B stalwarts Calyx & Teebee being just one of their latest savvy business moves. "Scavenger" is a head nod to Ram's formative days as THE darkest, steppiest, techiest imprint. Raving and rampaging with whirling hoovers and heavily processed synths, there's more than a wee whiff of Ram Trilogy or Bad Company throughout. "Stepping Stones" meanwhile, is a head nod to Ram's current position as the go-to imprint for all things D&B. A jazz-flecked roller with equal parts old school and new, this is a quintessential lesson in cool, understated drum & bass.

Review: Nightrider marks a long overdue return to Nu Directions endeavours for Swedish producer Seba! The Secret Operations boss first graced Tricksta's long running imprint back in 2003, but it's not like he's been slouching in the subsequent period so we can forgive the belated return to Nu Directions. The title track has long been a secret weapon in Seba's armoury, effortlessly gliding forward on a slick sheen of contemporary liquid funk aided by some shexy vocals dipped in just the right amount of delay. Those seeking something with a bit more edge to it should head straight for "Sharkskin" on the flip where Seba goes deep into the darkside.

Review: Brazil's DJ Marky is one of the few D&B guys still nurturing and developing his sound. It's a delicate mix of exotic, samba-filtered melodies and stunningly beautiful drum arrangements. The title track is exactly what we like to see: shuffling drums, esoteric melodies and suave lyrics. On the flip, "Love Affair" is similarly enchanting and Marky once-again proves everyone wrong by doing what he loves best. TIP!

Review: S.P.Y makes his highly anticipated debut on Hospital Records with Love & Hate, a four-track journey into the darkest depths of D&B with plenty of old skool influences, marking a return to core values and a pure sound. The title track is dominated by pounding sub bass stabs with moody atmospherics and twisted diva vocals. "Clouds" blends brooding virus synths with machine funk for a techstep banger, whilst "Sleepy Hollow" sees S.P.Y strip back production to a Detroit influenced sound with epic synths. The S.P.Y remix of Submotion Orchestra's "All Yours" rounds things off in style.

Review: Delta Heavy have been making a name for themselves thanks to the trusty Ram Records, bridging the gap between post-pop and jump-up. "Get By" is all snares and guns ablaze, broken down thanks with some lyrical voices and luscious chords. "Turbine" is just downright Ram dirt, with its pounding bassline howling away like there's no tomorrow. "End Of Days" is another peak-time romper stomper complete with long, swaying bass oscillations, but it's "Make It Rain" that tears everything down to pieces - menacing, full-on dubstep wobbles here - BEWARE!

Review: The long awaited From The Shadows LP is almost upon us... The Dutch D&B dons are returning to their purist roots and the rapid mechanical gritty grooves they've been peddling for over a decade sound tighter than ever before. These remixes act as the perfect starter course with Mindscape, Neonlight, Telekinesis and Jade all cooking up some major flavours. Our favourites include Neonlight's exceptionally slamming Noisia-flavoured neuro romp and Jade's body-bopping roller. What are your favourites?

Review: There's something decidedly bleak, almost heartbreakingly sad, about this collaborative album from sometime D&B producers ASC (head honcho of Auxiliary) and Sam KDC. As with ASC's most recent full-length, the steadfastly ambient The Light That Burns Twice As Bright, it's a moody and atmospheric affair, dealing mostly in FX-laden drones, slow-burn melodies and near-endless chords. At times it sounds like a post-modern take on the drifting ambience of Pete Namlook, at others a weary comment on the current state of Western society. Throughout, there's an odd warmth and emotional resonance that belies its introspective approach. Closer "No Safety Zone", for example, seemingly shimmers with toasty warmth.

Review: Scene stalwarts Blu Mar Ten can always be relied up on to deliver quality underground D&B so it comes as no surprise that these remixes in part one of the "Love Is The Devil" remix package are top notch too. Bringing in the talents of Exit boss D Bridge and Soul:r's head honcho Marcus Intalex, this one's a winner. First up, D Bridge lends his hand to the sublime "Sweet Little Supernova" and ramps it up with deep, undulating bass, chiming atmospheric sweeps and plenty of dark, brooding flavours. Accompanying this is Marcus Intalex's re-lick of "All Thoughts Are Prayers" which charms the soul with its intricate melodies, shuffling breaks and murmuring bassline. Highly recommended.

Review: The Prototypes have been on a roll since day one. And while most of their previous work has ridden the crest of the new wave, electro-inspired D&B, both cuts here are no-nonsense, undiluted bangers where you either hold on tight or get blown away but their heavyweight nature. "Pandora" leads with gritty neuro bass and pummelling beats, with a short euphoric drop adding a little respite before slamming you back into the darkness. "Abyss" is the eerier member of the set that kicks off with a build up that doesn't sound dissimilar to an old Pendulum climax. Naturally by the time the drop comes, the eeriness is out and the industrial strength bass is in. Possibly The Prototypes' best single to date.

Review: Whilst Joe Goddard's attentions have since turned back to his day job as affable foil to Alexis Taylor with Hot Chip, the enduring qualities of summer solo hit "Gabriel" refuse to go away quietly, with Soulwax providing a high profile remix of the track on this remix 12". The Dewaele brothers' remix retains only Valentina's fragile voice amid the sort of acid techno madness they grew up on, but it's the Calibre version that really impresses, flipping the track into a heavy stepping drum and bass rhythm that matches the delicate vocals with piano tones of equal measure.

Review: The evergreen Hospital Records imprint provide a prelude to Fear Not, the soon to be released fourth studio album from label mainstay and "much-respected purveyor of the finest jungle flavoured rollers" known as Logistics with this suitably bombastic twelve inch. Having debuted on Bailey's 1Xtra show earlier this year, "We Are One" gets flipped in immense style by the talents of by Logistics himself along with older brother Nu:Tone under their Nu:Logistics guise. Their amen bashing monster of a remix that squeezes every last drop of crashing joy out of the much used drum break. Backing this up is "Timelapse" a solo endeavour from Logistics that highlights his much lauded talent for juxtaposing euphoric flourishes with relentless punchy rhythms and is an exciting insight into how Fear Not might play out.