Drum & Bass Recommendations May 2010

Review: Metalheadz unleash four powerful and atmospheric D&B steppers courtesy of Jubei and his collaborations with SPY and Dbridge. The "Nothing Ventured, Nothing Gained EP" is an assault on the sense from the word go.


"Carbon" is a bouncy number that is all about the hardstep snares and heavy swabs of bass. The breakdowns are atmospheric with the synths that hint at its arrival taking over the soundscape for those short moments. "Alignment," the second solo effort from Jubei here, sees old school sounding pads joining cruising, moody bass and contorting breaks. It is an entirely bass heavy track that sounds almost ambient if it wasn’t for those huge breaks. However, there are a wide range of emotions embedded into this track with what is actually a minimal range of sounds. SPY joins Jubei for the rattling, jump up track, "Project 1." Keeping things rather uncomplicated until the breakdown, we come out the other side amid dense sound layers and hectic FX.


Finishing the release, Dbridge is the collaborator on "Patience." Arguably the finest track on here, "Patience" has a haunting atmosphere created by ominous sub bass, spooky synths and agile warehouse syncopations. Sticking to it’s genre’s name, aside from the occasional FX, this tune is simply drums and bass. Nowhere is that more apparent than at the drop following the echoed breakdown in the middle. That sentiment seems to mark the ethos of the whole EP. A return to simple, undiluted drum & bass comes from Jubei in what has been a difficult year for the genre.

Review: Digital Soundboy plough forward with another two tracker courtesy of DJ Marky and Spy. "Riff Raff" has crunching breaks, lightning quick percussion, swirling sub bass and a wonderfully unique brass laden funky breakdown. "Time Moves On" takes on a grimier sound but still drops some exquisite breakdowns.

Review: Autonomic unleash two fierce collaborative drum & bass tracks on "Acacia Avenue". The title track is D'Bridge, Instramental and Skream all working together on a synth flip out that layers over deep, murmuring sub bass. "Detroid" is D'Bridge and Instramental nurturing a real monster out OF a baron sound field.

Review: A truly stand out pair of tunes from Hospital favourite Nu:Tone, featuring lead song "Hyper Hyper" which has been getting support from some of the biggest D&B players over the past few months. It's no surprise given the sheer level of sophistication at work here - As well as some tough, full-throttle beats, there's also some truly standout synths - check out the breakdown halfway through when they're given maximum room to shine. "Set Me Free" is for all the chillheads, riding a half-beat and plenty of lush string-synths to smother yourself in. Having been with Hospital since 2003, it's clear he's one of the shining stars of the label, and clearly still on the grow.

Review: Hospital drop the second Sick Music comp upon their incredibly loyal fanbase and the good news is that it's a real stormer with a really tasty range of songs from the mega successful D&B label. Some highlights include Muffler's "Pinball Fantasies", which rocks an interesting glitchcore/Planet Mu-style lead melody, an unusual sound for a Hospital banger. Another surprise is the slinky, tech-inspired vocal tune "Turn Up The Music" by Camo and Krooked, a tune that craftily keeps the listener on tenterhooks as it threatens to spill out into complete mayhem. Every bit as strong as the first time around, this is yet another chance to gorge on 22 unmixed D&B future classics from Hospital. Sick indeed.