Review: Gun Fevah' and 'Wise Man' are the latest offerings from Champion Sound, blending halftime rhythms and jungle aesthetics into a seamless package of dub-infused tracks. Formed in the Russian underground, the crew behind this 7" came together through a shared love of reggae. Neekeetone's drums and Koondoongoo's bass laid the foundation, with the pair meeting Distant Roots at Dub Raw Camp in the Caucasus. It's clear that these global influences have seeped into the record. Released on 45Seven, a label known for pushing the boundaries of dubby jungle, this release feels both rooted in tradition and forward-thinking. 'Gun Fevah' opens with echoing horns and skanks before plunging into a murky jungle atmosphere, driven by sharp halftime snares. It's all about building tension, the kind of track that doesn't rush to make its impact but lingers, unhurried yet potent. On the flip side, 'Wise Man' takes a more familiar route, evoking Sesame's Treat with its playful energy, carried by a bassline that's endlessly rolling and hypnotic. The duo's mastery of space and depth makes these tunes perfect for sound system sessions, where each element resonates fully. It's dub music with a jungle twist, looking both back to its origins and ahead to its future.
Review: Vibez '93 bring four new effective jungle heaters to the fold, as ever welcoming yet another unknown (perhaps the same all along) artist. Here they successfully hark back to he early days of jungle (again, as ever), conveying the full retroactive meaning of the sound, 'Then & Now', in conjugating a full sonic sentence. Such is the way with carefully composed music, "lyrical" in comparison with well-written verse; the vibewise arc of the record is sinusoidal, with the title track kicking things off with a colossal shellage, preceding only the glossiest, least viscous of industrial liquids, 'Lucky'; with Vibez 93, ours never really runs out. Then there's 'Danny's Keys', a midnoon synthesis of the two, an outlet for plinky pianos and urban sonic sunshine; then 'Nero Noctis' casts a benevolent shadow upon all the land, guiding us through territories rendered invisible by way of an intense propulsion forward.
Straight To Your Heart (feat Philippa Hanna & Neon Tigers) (4:10)
Say It Ain't So (feat TRAC) (3:48)
Make Time (feat Catching Cairo) (3:47)
We Will Fly (feat Thomas Oliver) (3:36)
Forward (feat SYNGA) (3:20)
Gamble (feat Javeon & Abi Flynn) (4:08)
Never Too High (feat Solah) (3:25)
Stepping Stones (feat Tempza) (4:10)
Colours (feat Javeon & Abi Flynn) (3:26)
Review: BCee returns to Spearhead Records with These Are The Days, a fresh collection that showcases his continued knack for bringing vocal talent to the forefront. This time, he collaborates with thirteen different vocalists, drawing on some of the finest voices in the scene. Over the years, BCee has built a solid reputation not only as a producer but as a tastemaker, steering his Spearhead label to discover and nurture artists who have since skyrocketed - Hybrid Minds and Netsky being prime examples. The tracklist offers a wide range of moods, starting with the title track 'These Are The Days', featuring Zara Kershaw's uplifting vocals. BCee's knack for pairing the right voices with his productions shines through again on 'Imposter' with Degs and 'Lies' with Lauren Archer, blending emotion with groove. Elsewhere, 'Hurt Each Other' sees the soulful Liam Bailey stepping up, while Philippa Hanna and Neon Tigers bring a delicate balance to 'Straight To Your Heart'. Across two LPs, there's a sense of progression and cohesion - from the thoughtful 'Make Time' featuring Catching Cairo to the energised 'Gamble' with Javeon and Abi Flynn. BCee's beats are punchy, yet there's always space for the vocalists to shine. Tracks like 'Stepping Stones' with Tempza and 'Never Too High' featuring Solah maintain the energy, while still offering moments of reflection. This record feels like a celebration of the range of talent in modern drum & bass, with BCee curating the experience from start to finish, ensuring there's something for everyone.
Review: If there is a more hyped artist in the world right now than Fred... again we aren't sure who it might be. The lad who grew up close to Brian Eno and has since worked with him in the studio is a global star who has also collaborated with Four Tet and Skrillex, played all over the world, won various awards and dropped several albums now presses up his acclaimed USB to gatefold double vinyl. It is a collection of his early singles that captures his lo-fi, lived-in, diaristic sounds across a range of experimental electronic styles.
Review: Everybody's favourite drum & bass disorienter Aural Imbalance (Simon Huxtable) swats the sonic spirit level out our hands with 'Coded Frequency', dizzying our sense of poise on the dancefloor with four cosmic jungle numbers. You'd think the likes of 'Deep Sea' and 'Echoes In Time' would quell the soul, but to our ears they'd seem to combine stress and relief in equal measure, their crack combo of histamine breaks and zoneout pads seeming to portray the experience of having one's spacesuit tether snapped, thus confronting the aural astronaut with the voidal cosmos: do you thrash against its cold oblivion, knowing you're going to float endlessly, or do you accept the situation? Just when we think we've settled on the latter, Huxtable reintroduces a 'Sense Of Space' on the B1, opening up the breaks texture to a farther distant vanishing point, whilst the closing 'Regolith' hears us rejoice, having landed on civilisational (yet alien) soils with the celebratory rattles and stasises of 'Regolith'.
Review: Electronica artist and producer Alix Perez shares his latest long player, Entanglements. Building on a now long career's worth of extra-poured-over drum & bass beatscapes - mainly operating in the liquid, atmospheric and modern ends of the genre - Entanglements riffs on the selfsame formula: going deeper and deeper into the sonic possibilities yieldable from the two-stepping, sloshing sound he's known best for. From the jump, we're met with a title track that melds lumbering, industrial rhythms with more effortless, blossomy serenities, pegged by a mumbly piano, filtery vocal and licky snare. The ensuing tracks duck and weave through continually entangled emotions, moving away from liquid's basic attachment to "emotion" and into a set of more greyscale, mottled, overdetermined, dubious feelings, such as 'R2R' (which echoes ragga and dub) and 'Dark Pulse' (which amps up the elastic, rubber-band bass to the toothiest degree, producing an equally aggressive and tearful track).
Red (feat Joe Peng, Joe Burn & Trafic - X-Amnt 2023 remix) (3:08)
Review: Laid Blak, the Bristol-based collective known for their genre-blending reggae sound, are back with a limited-edition release that's bound to excite fans. This strictly limited Trans Red 7" vinyl features the iconic track 'Red' from their debut album Red & Blak. Originally released in 2012, 'Red' has become a festival anthem, celebrated for its infectious chorus, "My eyes are red, I been burning!" Laid Blak's evolution from a studio project led by DJ Bunjy and MC Joe Peng into a powerful live act is well-documented. Their sound is a vibrant mix of dancehall, roots, ska, and hip-hop, with hints of jungle, bhangra and soul. The first side of this release introduces a fresh jungle remix by DJ Bunjy and DJ Kickback's side project, X-AMNT, offering a new take on the fan-favorite track. With more remixes on the horizon, this limited 7" is not just a collector's item but a celebration of Laid Blak's enduring influence in the reggae and jungle scenes.
Review: Hospital Records is celebrating 20 years of Logistics' iconic drum & bass track Together with a special repress that pairs it with the underground favorite 'Krusty Bass Rinser' on Side-2. Together remains a standout in the genre, known for its uptempo energy, crisp production, and unforgettable melodic hook. Originally a dancefloor staple, it crossed genre boundaries, appealing not just to liquid drum & bass fans but also to jungle and techno enthusiasts. This repress offers a chance for collectors and new listeners to own a piece of drum & bass history, especially as original copies have become increasingly rare.
Review: Nookie's The Rest Is History Part One is a highly sought-after boxset that is now getting pressed up to several different 12"s, starting with this one on nice blue wax. Nookie is a storied artist who has long been a key part of the rave scene from the very early days of hardcore right up to more modern drum & bass worlds. Across these four cuts and one Cloud 9 Remix, we're treated to a selection of his best early work from a time before genres were so clearly delineated, which means you get a real melange of everything from breaks to rave, hardcore to techno, acid and plenty in between, all with a healthy dose of the old skool sound.
Review: Vibez 93's Flights Booked EP brings a fresh take on drum & bass with a blend of melodic rhythms and distinct vocal styles. The title track, 'Flights Booked,' opens the EP with a downtempo groove that carries a futuristic vibe, enhanced by a unique hip hop lyrical flow that sets it apart from typical drum & bass tracks. 'All I Need' follows with an energetic burst, maintaining the EP's momentum and showcasing Vibez 93's knack for dynamic beats and engaging melodies. On Side-2, 'Blue Dream' stands out with its rhythm and blues vocal flow layered over crisp drum & bass production. The smooth vocal performance contrasts with the energetic rhythms, creating a great party track, before the EP closes with 'Selfish,' continuing the exploration of diverse soundscapes while staying rooted in the drum & bass tradition.
Review: 'Born With It' by Mungo's Hi Fi, featuring Aziza Jaye, Gardna, and Eva Lazarus, is a high-energy anthem blending UK Garage and 90s rave vibes with a powerful dose of Drum n Bass. Aziza Jaye's searing vocals, Gardna's dynamic delivery, and Eva Lazarus's fierce dancehall attitude create an explosive party track. On Side-2 'Back in the Dayz', adds nostalgia with a deft rap over rave-infused breaks, sure to evoke memories of old-school rave scenes. This 2024 12" vinyl, eco-friendly and pressed in Scotland, includes unreleased instrumental versions and a dub mix of 'Back in the Dayz', making it essential for summer festivals, clubs and sound system parties.
Review: Mind Over Matter', the latest release from ASC, continues his explorations into atmospheric, breakbeat-driven soundscapes with striking results. Opening track 'Desire' sets the tone with a lush beat structure, punctuated by sharp cymbal strikes. Subtle whale song samples are woven into the mix, accompanied by a warm bassline and tender piano melodies, while swirling strings ebb and flow, creating an almost tidal sense of movement. 'Voidscaping' follows, launching immediately into crisp, striking breakbeats. The throwback pads recall the heyday of Good Looking, but ASC's meticulous sampling and deep reverb work keep the track fresh, merging nostalgia with modern complexity. On the flip, 'Let Go' brings in the sounds of nature, with metallic bongos and a restrained choral vocal riding over playful, energetic hi-hats. The atmosphere builds, layering strings, synths, and ASC's trademark vocal elements, each listen revealing new intricacies. 'Meltdown' wraps things up with a darker, more anxious vibe. Minimal breaks and elusive hi-hats give the track a creeping tension, while ambient pads and a yearning female vocal add a layer of emotional depth. It's a finely balanced track, blending melancholy and intensity in a way that ASC has mastered.
Review: A classic from the mighty Hooj Choons back catalogue, Lustral's 'Everytime' gets a much welcome reissue here, featuring all the mixes from the original version of the release back in 1997. There's Nalin & Kane's sensual and evocative remix which is a true zeitgeist of the progressive house sound in the late '90s - if we've ever heard it. Label co-founder Red Cherry's saucer-eyed and bittersweet sunset breaks makes for an equally memorable remix too, as well as the sunny house vibes of the original mix featured last on the B side.
Review: JLM opens the EP for Spatial with 'Consensus Reality', an uplifting track driven by lush keys and filtered breaks. The melodies are woven from a range of harmonious elements, while crisp apache breaks are expertly introduced, showcasing JLM's signature style. 'Salva Veritate' shifts to a darker, more intense atmosphere. Whooshing synths and dense soundscapes are layered over hefty 'Hot Pants' breaks, with tuneful 808 basslines and blippy sub-melodies adding texture to this suspenseful track. On the flip side, 'Hotspot' starts with mellow, jazzy keys before bursting into life with juddering snares and smooth 808 basslines. Dreamy strings and pads sweep through the mix, creating a paradox of energy and calm. The EP closes with 'Nova', a soothing track featuring soft, flowing synths and delicate beats. Subtle effects and cosmic breaks aplenty - an exceptional release.
Review: Sleepnet is the now, firmly established solo alias of Noisia's Nik Roos. Splitting off from the trio after their disbanding in 2020, this is the second edition in what is now set to be a continual slew of releases under the name, the self-referential Sleepnet coming as the follow-up to 2021's First Light (which housed the no less badass, era-defining seraphic neurofunk cut 'Angel Blade' in its ranks). With only four out of seven tunes counting as solo endeavours here, this is Roos' first outing under the name in three years. After a dramatic introductory piano expurgation on the A1, 'Doorway', Sleepnet hears Sleepnet raise his snapneck audio-synaptics to all-out haywire levels. The mood is continual (as if we're picking up from where we left off in 2021, well into the throes of an evolutory, hi-tech (post-) vision quest) as the uncanny gurgle design of 'Face Dancer', and/or the brisk angelo-triumphalism of 'Surrender', stand out as the most biblically impressive of the bunch.
Review: Whether you know OneDa's unique witty twang, empowering messages and contemporary style from her work with Sam Binga, Vibe Chemistry or Virus Syndicate, or her recent solo singles 'Power Slaps' and 'Pussy Power', one thing is certain... You won't forget her. Sharp, sassy, slippery like Missy, and armed with a powerful nose for toplines and chorus, here she navigates a full Grandprix of her range and style, tearing up the tracks and showcasing everything she's about. From the deep bubbling dnb of cuts like 'The Western Way' and 'Superwoman' to the smouldering slower jams like 'Let Me In' and 'Major Pay', this is a proper debut album with all the bites and bangs you'd expect from such a real straight-talking and inspiring MC.
Review: Java steps up as the Redskin label surges on through double figures with a new EP, Nightfall, that covers a stylish range of jungle sounds. 'Brockout' has ld school signifiers like the ragga vocal and clipped vocal yelps, but some super smooth and silky pads and a serene sense of cosmic energy. '16 Stripes' is another collision of those different worlds - deep space ambience and more warehouse-ready jungle styles complete with some nice sci-fi bleeps. Closer 'Fi Di Girls Dem' shuts down with some nice crisp breakbeats and soulful vocal touches to ignite any party.
Review: Fittingly, Tape Pack's 'World Unknown' hears the breakout junglist weave a short haul of looming sonic looms for the Loom label. Unfortunately, as is often the case with much midnight jungle of this kind, we don't hear the call of the mythical loon (not loom) bird on this release, but we can forgive the oversight, for want of a similar letter. Beginning with a short teasing of talent with the titular 'World Unknown', we then move into the ferric amen-fuzzes of 'Desolation Sound'- which to our ears sound richer than desolate, with its interspersed timbale and furtive vocal moans - and the technical fluidities and syntonic sound-bursts of 'Cascades', where breakbeat debris and meltwater pelt our shoulders at the foot of the trickle-down (sound) system. Finally, the impressively glacial freezings-over of 'Galatea' augurs a promising return to a sonic ice age; the refractive, cryo-preservative breakdown is especially striking in this regard.
Review: Return To Disorder welcomes Evighet Records label head Marco Bruno for some brilliantly controlled sonic chaos on this new electro exploration. His Sharp Focus EP brings together ambient, breaks and techno to snappy electro rhythms of the sort that he has already showcased in style on labels such as Blueprint Records and Machine. This one opens with the sleek, future-facing and speedy sounds of 'Storyteller' before 'Values Over Ego' gets more textured and raw with knick-snapping hits and prying synth lines making for real turbulence. 'Twist Of Fate' is a jungle workout that ducks and dives on warped bass and 'Karmic Pattern' is a slow but textural and intense closer with rueful chords.
Review: Original No U-Turn crew! Ruffkut's 'I Can't Take It' originally landed as one of the earliest releases on Tim Reaper's Future Retro. Deep, spacious and laced with the type of shimmering hypnotic dubby vocal you might expect to rattle your soul at Rupture at 4am, it enjoys two crucial remixes; Deep Jungle bossman Harmony whips up the breaks and gives it more of an icy edge but the Reaperman goes full-on militant with his energy. Back to 93!
Review: Iconic label/record shop from the mid-90s Remix Records is back courtesy of Kniteforce! And this five-piece party pack from one of London's most consistent breaksmiths right now - man like Dwarde - is the perfect way to herald their hardcore legacy. Big pianos, pitched up vocals, swashbuckling Amens and house samples galore, Dwarde takes everyone to 1994 on a big old ravey magic carpet but with an edge and energy that will fit all junglist sets at the same time. Magic.
Review: Mako returns with Oeuvre - Part 2, his latest record on Metalheadz, continuing the legacy of his acclaimed 2020 album Oeuvre. This 16-track collection showcases Mako's intricate production skills and deep connection to the drum and bass scene. His music remains a standout in an age where individuality often gets lost in the noise. The album features notable collaborations with long-time partners Fields, Hydro, Villem, and Mikal, alongside a special posthumous contribution from the late Marcus Intalex, adding depth and richness to the project. Tracks like 'Suspension' pays a sleek tribute to techstep, embodying Mako's versatility. "Come Closer' injects pure energy, a dancefloor anthem that has garnered praise from Goldie himself. Oeuvre Part 2 isn't just about the high-octane; it also explores reflective moments, with 'Overshare' weaving graceful melodies. This release reaffirms Mako's place as a masterful producer within the Metalheadz family.
Review: It's the anthem that just won't quit. Having celebrated a decade of Gold Dust with a whole stack of remixes earlier this year - even though the tune is actually closer to 12 or 13 years old - the Bad Company founder-turned-popstar DJ Fresh now serves up this special gold vinyl edition for Record Store Day. Complete with the VIP and instrumental (which are still arguably the best versions out there) it's yet another way you can get blasted with one of the most iconic and euphoric hooks in modern drum & bass. You can't get enough of this style.
Review: There is no more iconic figure in the world of drum & bass than Goldie. In fact, he has pretty much transitioned to natural treasure in the years since he operated at the genre's bleeding edge as a DJ, label boss of Metalheadz and producer. His Timeless album, now a hard to believe quarter of a century old, was his big breakthrough and took d&b into new realms. The epic title track will always be the benchmark by which all others are judged by the whole flow the record, precision beat work and lush synth sounds have rarely been bettered.
Review: Chase & Status ride a new wave with their sixth album, honouring their long-held time in the limelight as two of the UK's most powerful bangercrafting hitmakers. While still managing to nod to times past, this limited new LP also works in brand new UK sounds - drill MCs Unknown T and Backroad Gee, for example, make standout appearance on the tracks 'Run Up' and 'When It Rains', while still retaining elements of creativity that are endemic to Chase & Status only. Meanwhile, UK dancehall maintains its strong standing, with Popcaan and IRAH featuring regularly throughout.
Review: Welsh jungle legend Aphrodite had a momentary sideline working with QED on the Aladdin project, and it yielded some truly legendary material. Now he's gathered some of the best joints together on this 12", buffed up with a fresh pressing which sounds positively compared to an OG copy getting on for 30 years old. First up you get the iconic 'Mash Up You Know' with its classic double bass drop, and then we slam straight into moody roller 'So Good'. 'We Enter (Heavenly Remix)' is another stone cold classic full of deft break edits, and then 'Geni (Lost In Zanzibar)' edges towards a techier sound which hints at the direction Aphrodite would head in as the 90s wore on. This is quite simply high grade stuff that's been out of print for too long.
DJ Fresh - "Dancing In The Dark" (feat Buunshin) (3:16)
Heavyweight (AMC remix) (4:37)
Review: DJ Fresh is a legend at this point. Whenever he drops new heat it is worth tuning in, especially when it's a 12" picture disc like this from Breakbeat Koas. The A-side is a collab with Buunshin. 'Dancing In the Dark' is a hardcore gem with pitched-up vocals and monstrous breaks over spin backs, raw bass and thrilling synth lacerations. Then comes an AMC Remix of DJ Fresh's 'Heavyweight' that is just that. It rides on silky breakbeats with a rising sense of tension that keeps you locked until the explosive bass and jump-up drum head to the level.
Review: Low-cal melodic pop d&b done from a new-gen perspective: Piri & Tommy's take on drum & bass has been a runaway success in the last two years as the couple bring their own unique song writing signature to the genre. Now to mark this year's RSD, their debut album Froge.mp3 enjoys a limited vinyl outing and it sounds amazing for it. Cuts like the sing-along 'On & On' and the lofi dreaminess 'Slowly But Surely' and the sun-kissed summer joint 'Beachin' all still sparkling as bright as they did when they first dropped last year, this is a significant moment for Piri & Tommy. Happy Record Store Day!
Review: Goldie's timeless remains a drum & bass benchmark, but also one of the most seminal albums in all of electronic music. The man behind it celebrated its anniversary last year with various different projects and now follows that up by handpicking a selection of remixes to take his most treasured material. There is a mix of old school dons and new school talents from all over the world here, each adding their own unique spin. Searchlight, aka Irish drum and bass producers ZeroT and Beta2, are signed exclusively to Goldie's Fallen Tree 1Hundred label and bring some lush jazz and broken beats to 'State of Mind' and later 'Sensual' while Metalheadz tastemaker J Kenzo brings dark, minimalistic and tribal sound to his Tribute remix of 'Jah'. These are just some of the many standouts.
Review: Brighton imprint Furthur Electronix continues full steam ahead with its prolific output this year, and it's a big week for them. Alongside a great EP by Aussie Lou Karsh, we have this new one by Greek producer George Kontogiannidis aka Pera Sta Ori, who has racked up some impressive releases thus far on Musar, Brokntoys and Yellow Machines. As on previous works, the Sick Apian EP further explores Kontogiannidis' love of classic UK rave sounds. For instance A side cut 'Antio Zoi (TGRCCC)' utilises pitch shifted hardcore breaks underpinned by a dystopian electro atmosphere. Over on the flip, its '95 all over again on the breakneck junglist stepper 'Xypna' followed by the complex and hypnotic riddims of 'KodS0520 Fyllorroo'.
Review: Immortal Ventures is a magnificently well-rounded new album from Torn on the mighty Samurai Music. All 13 of the cuts are fantastically well crafted and mix up a range of moods from broody and mediative to deep and hypnotic. 'Knowledge' kicks off with dark and unsettling ambience and 'Reckless' then melts the mind with deft percussive loops over groaning sounds of a depraved underworld. There is more cinematic atmosphere to 'Invisible Turmoil' with its creepy sense of open space and 'Inner Battle' is a kinetic jungle cut with thunderous energy and dystopian eeriness. This is the sort of music that works as well away from the club as it does in it.
Review: With 'Vibes', Dutch drum & bass/jungle outfit Cat In The Bag temporarily let the feline out of the case, yet they still retain enough integrity, and rein in the shellage, to the extent that the cat is nonetheless seduced back in after a certain time. Such is the art of alley-cat drum & bass, comparable in mood to "rollage"; it's all about a fine balance of hard-hitting impactfulness and careful vibe-restraint, else the mog'll arch its back and dash off elsewise. No wonder the first tune's called 'Level Vibes'; Dial-M and Msymiakos achieve an intricate, intelligent mood of levity, a belief-suspensory dread zone in which level-headedness serves as a proxy for the execution of a skittish agility, as of a cat. Our feline reccy no less reliably scours the 'Frontline'; amens penetrate hard garrisons of bass and atmoss with relentless keratinous claws, proving retractable paw-blades really can break walls. The B-siders, 'Warehouse Dub' and 'Dub Rock', provide more novelty appeal, preferring to build sound(e-)scapes that both build upon and take flight from the warpath.
Review: After a stupendously prolific 2013 and 2014 (wherein he delivered no less than four albums), Calibre appears to have taken his foot off the gas and slipped into a more comfortable release-rate. Following his "Strumpet" EP on Exit comes this ace four-tracker that represents all his drum & bass styles: "Boogeyman Bullshit" is Dominick Martin at his darkest and most mischievous, all wobbly bass and slippery. "Smother" (featuring long term compadre Marcus Intalex) slaps with big washy chords that chime with an almost Detroitian hypnotic affect, "Multi Tasking" is a swam of sonic bees that have set up a nest in Metalheadz HQ circa 1997 and show no sign of budging. Finally, with its twinkling arpeggios and major chords "Dream Of You" is Calibre at his dreamiest and most emotional... Then drop comes and, once again, his sub bass melts your cones. Immaculate.
Review: The legendary Zed Bias is stepping out with a new label I Feel Good Records and intends for it to spread good vibes only through a diverse roster of talent and sounds that span house, bass and beyond. He has more than a quarter of a century of experience in the game and of eyeing new talents and helping them to shine and has always had a collaborative approach to music that will continue to define this label's MO. Zed is minting the label with a new single alongside award-winning d&b MC Inja. 'You Should Dance' pairs his warming tones with infectious garage drums and smeared, soothing chords that radiant heat. It will, indeed, make you feel good. D&b mainstay Bladerunner serves up a remix that has been doing the rounds for a while now and never fails to make an impact.
Review: Back to 93! Deep Jungle dig deep into the vaults of a true player... Pascal, the man behind so many big labels and events throughout jungle d&b history. This one was one of his most pivotal pieces. Co-produced with Sponge, both left, right and the unreleased versions of 'Nosebleed' capture that darkside melting pot that was frothing over in all directions throughout the 92/93 era. 'Future' meanwhile captured that icy sci-fi soul that would very quickly merge and melt into deep atmospheric jungle and sounds that Bukem and Fabio would be pioneering at Speed. Straight up seminal.
Review: Response & Pliskin continue their relentless exploration of the darker side of d&b with this new drop for Tempo. Prior albums for Northern Front and Western Lore have been masterclasses in their cinematic vision for brutalist breakbeat science, and now they're bringing that scope to the always-essential Dutch label Tempo. There are snarling slammers, pad-soaked dreamscapes and oddly-angled experiments which prove how much the Manchester duo are capable of. Pressed up on three heavyweight slabs and ready for your shelling pleasure, this is what upfront d&b is all about.
Review: Mike Paradinas is a veteran producer and owner of Planet Mu but he keeps on serving up thrilling new sounds. Grush is his latest, a new album packed with energetic tracks that he hopes reclaim the "dance" element of IDM. Inspired by the melodic dance music of the genre's early pioneers, Grush blends sweetly nostalgic melodies with dynamic, road-tested rhythms. Many tracks were developed during times on the road and from the spiralling notes of 'Hyper Daddy' to the aquatic acid footwork of the title track, Grush traces Paradinas' musical journey with signature style and invention. With influences from early Black Dog to Drexciyan funk, it's a vibrant, live-inspired record that works in a wide range of contexts from the club to the sofa.
Review: The unstoppable production powerhouse that is Paul Woolford aka Special Request is back with another of his frankly ridiculous run of releases. Never one to just drop a single tune, this year he has several albums on the way off the back of his superb re-imagining of the KLF's cult 'What Time Is Love?' and this Portals Box Set Project is one of them. It is a multi-part collection that "uses today's modern technology to bring you the sound of tomorrow" and each limited edition 12" comes with its own custom artwork by Nic Hamilton. As you should expect, these are all utterly monstrous bangers and this first part has the high-pressure techno bounce of 'Hectic' and 'Pure Potential' to welcome you to the Portal.
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