Review: Sir Hiss and 4AM Kru set up a dialogue between London and Bristol, a stellar dialectic giving rise to a supreme form of lo-fi jungle. 'Earshots' samples a bhangra vocal cry, mixing it up with the scratchy factory movements of cut-throat jungular breaks. It marks a break from Sir Hiss' usual grime parlance, and adds to a refreshingly-named new series handled by their parent label Embrace The Real, called 'No More Mailouts', an explicit callout of PR in the electronic music industry which aims to lead by example. Power to em.
Review: A new artist emerges here on Valencia-based label HC Records as Andrey Orenstein, a multidisciplinary musician and member of the alternative rock band Tequilajazz, makes a bold mark. He has explored various solo projects, including the IDM and breaks of Amor Entrave and acid house of Do You Like Trains? but as 50DIX, he presents a blend of Chicago footwork, UK bass, funk, jazz, and acid elements, all at high-energy BPMs. 'If U Want 2' is a perfect mix of frenzied drums but soothing pads, 'Foolz' is all about the pinging bass and 'Ice Feels Keen' is more blissed out and sun kissed. It's a colourful collection of highly impactful sounds.
Abstract Drums & Optimystic - "Energy To The Universe" (6:33)
Justice & Metro - "Shadowkid" (5:40)
Pixl & Peeb - "Koi Fable" (5:49)
Sicknote & Escher - "Trouble Part 2" (5:48)
Review: Proper pristine, technical drum & bass here from the Transmute crew, expending far more effort than most junglists in fleshing out the body, weight and polish of each constituent sound. Mostly forgoing sampled breakbeats, the 'DUOS' EP hears refreshingly unusual sound design choices dance over a more straight-up rollage in the rhythm section(s). From the opening washer pads of Abstract Drumz & Optimystic's 'Energy To The Universe', to the closing techstep clanks of Sicknote & Escher's 'Trouble Part 2', this EP brings a variety of emotions to a gestalt whole, unified by its consistently clean production.
Circles Revisited Reboot (Adam F & Pola & Bryson 2024 Reboot) (4:37)
Review: Adam F has been rolling out a series of rebooted classics on his label, 181 Recordings, co-founded with vocalist Kirsty Hawkshaw. As a lead-up to his forthcoming album, he's released revitalized versions of 'Brand New Funk' and 'Music In My Mind.' Now, he turns his attention to Circles,' his iconic Drum & Bass track, presenting both a fresh reboot and a new version in collaboration with Pola & Bryson, which has been making waves on d&b dancefloors globally. 'Circles' was a groundbreaking track for Adam F, allowing him to blend his diverse influencesifunk, soul, reggae, and jazziwithin the framework of Drum & Bass, a genre that evolved from hardcore rave and jungle roots. According to Adam F, the track's enduring appeal lies in its deep textures, with saxophone, trumpet, keyboards and synthesisers creating a fluid arrangement that reflects his passion for jazz and his imaginative soundscape. This reboot of 'Circles' retains the essence of the original while introducing new layers and elements, ensuring its place as a timeless piece in the drum & bass genre. It's a legendary track, now refreshed and finely tuned for a new generation.
Review: That the word 'funk' should take on an almost entirely new meaning under the aegis of drum & bass is telling, but that shouldn't deter us from interrogating the ideaistic chain connecting the funk of the 1960s and 70s to today's modern, 170BPM+ *neuro*-funk, *drum*-funk etc.. Take, for example, Adam F. His classic track 'Brand New Funk' came about after he bought a second hand Fender Rhodes Electric Piano, Vocoder and Clavinet D6 Honer. All staples of the funk era, the ensuing track paid solid homage to that era, combining compelling collieries with dastard drums and, in so doing, effortlessly fusing the spirit of the former funk with the synaptic sonic overloads of the latter. Now rebooted and revitalised, 'Brand New Funk' bespeaks a timeless retelling of one of Adam F's most ingenious eureka moments.
Review: As well as this one coming on pink wax, Adam F is also dropping it on nice classic black vinyl. It features his classic track 'Brand New Funk,' which emerged after he acquired a second-hand Fender Rhodes Electric Piano, Vocoder, and Clavinet D6 Honerikey instruments of the funk era. This track pays tribute to its predecessors by blending classic funk elements with intense drum patterns, merging the vintage funk spirit with modern sonic complexity. Revived and refreshed, 'Brand New Funk' represents one of Adam F's most innovative and enduring sounds.
Review: Agonis' debut album Neutropia receives a well-earned remix treatment here. Originally released in 2021, the album showcased Agonis' evolution beyond deep, hypnotic techno by incorporating half-paced drum & bass, rolling amen breaks, trip-hop and futuristic techno. Neutropia Remixed broadens this palette further with four distinctive reworks. Carrier slows 'Thermo' into a half-time rhythmic masterpiece, Christina Vantzou crafts a mesmerising drone trip, upsammy injects shimmering dynamics into 'Algoflash' and Felix K transforms 'Pyrchid' into an intricate drum workout.
Review: The legendary Fokuz label outta the Netherlands hits a 110th release and opts for a selection of remixes from various artists. AirK & Cephei open up with 'Desire,' a slick roller with booming bass and epic synths. Break then comes through with tight remix of A2 Soligen & Type 2 's 'Can't Go' complete with expertly design hits. Break then goes it alone on the original 'Coming 4U' with its low end oscillations and closes out the EP back in remix mode. His take on 'What Are You' is a roaming, textural affair with twisted leads and flurries of toms.
Subarctic Signal - "Subarctic Signal" (Subwave remix) (5:37)
Review: Five new elysian liquid come techfunk tracks from Rotterdam's Fokuz Recordings, the cornerstone of Dutch drum & bass since 1999. A relentlessly dreamy energy is immediately conveyed on the pragmatically named 'Remix EP', led up by Alpha Rhythm, Ritual and Rezilient with 'Venus Fly' and 'One Day At A Time' on the A-side and Etherwood, Subwave and Natus on remix duties of former releases 'From The Ashes', 'Subarctic Signal' and 'Tranquility' on the B. This is liquid drum & bass of a certain character; the handicraft is impeccable, each track giving off an ultra-sleek yet still impactful post-singularity character.
Review: Alphonse pens a love letter to jungle on this new EP for Klasse Wrecks. It's a flurry of drum breaks and powerful rhythms all served up through a classical lens with hefty bass underpinning each tune. This is a real journey into jungle with epic 12-minute plus opener 'Android Mash' twisting and turning through a flurry of tumbling snares, police sirens and yearning vocals. 'The Eagle' is a more soulful sound but still dense in its arrangement and tense in its rhythms. 'Elevation' closes down with plunging basslines and dark soul atmospheres.
Review: Strap in for the latest transmissions from Amazon II, aka a collaboration between Tony B and Gavin King (aka Aphrodite) that has its roots playing on classic 90s hardcore station Pulse FM. This EP pulls together four of their best originals and each one brims with old school brilliance. 'Big Booya' opens at blistering speed, with wild spin backs and diva vocal cries. 'Control Yourself' will nail you to the floor with its precision drums and silky basslines, while 'Lovely Feeling' is more of a deep roller with killer soulful vox. There's an air of new age melody and heavily bliss to closer 'Deep In The Jungle' that leaves you feeling high.
Andrey HoT - "Cold Blooded Murdarah" (Barbitura Re-Hot) (5:02)
DJ 1312 & Dima Pulsar - "Jungle Ting" (4:40)
Barbitura - "Dark Room" (Jungle mix) (4:03)
Review: Sweet murderation! Russian roustabout Andrey HoT gets scorchio on his latest blaze-up for DanJet - 'Cold Blooded Murdarah'. Thing Remarc getting up close with Benny L and that's where we're at. Need more drummage? Roll on for Barbitura's Re-Hot remix. Flip for more Russian rawness; DJ1312 and Dima Pulsar's 'Jungle Ting' has all the edits and Dread bass style reverse warps you could ever need while 'Dark Room' closes the EP with a palpable whiff of tension. Yum.
Review: Anile's latest release exemplifies his mastery in blending emotive melodies with intricate drum patterns. The tracks are meticulously crafted, each offering a journey through deep basslines and atmospheric textures. This collection not only pays homage to the roots of drum and bass but also pushes the boundaries with contemporary production techniques, resulting in a sound that's both nostalgic and forward-thinking.
Review: Apparel Wax on Apparel Music records has recently started a 7" series of which this is the third instalment of. These 45 DJ friendly records are sure to be hits with house music DJs and fans both. The music does the talking as the tracks are simply called 'Track 1' and 'Track 2'. The first blends jazz, funk into a house instrumental frenzy that has all the makings of a classic late night success. The second one is quite unusual and unique, adding a broken almost jungle beat that goes great with the piano. This gives us some real early 90s UK rave flashbacks! This versatile 7" should go over great with those who hear it!
Review: On 'Ten Steps' and its accompanying tracks, new Fokuz signee Archangel nails a much coveted mixture of sweetness, simplicity and maximalism, etching and planing each final mix as though they were blocks of marble to produce a muted, yearning and propulsive set of workouts in hard liquid. Higher powers and penitent milestones are invoked on the title track, with its memoric cascades of yearner vocals and una corda pianos set against piston-powered breaks. 'U & I' goes on to swirl its vocal samples into sloshy sci-fi garbles of emo science, while 'Darkside' near-perfectly hangs the balance between headbang jump-up and resolute emotion. Serious stuff from the 12" newcomer.
Review: A year on from their debut appearance, Archangel is back at it on Dutch d&b label Fokuz with more of the atmospheric, emotionally-charged gear they delivered on their two previous EPs. This is a suite of moody rollers in the cinematic sense of the term, all brooding melodic arrangement and forlorn vocals atop crisply programmed beats. Hiraeth's epic remix of 'Sound Of Silence' originally arrived on prior dici-only EP Android Waltz, but it was more than deserving of a chance to step out on wax, while Faction gets busy weaving deft tech step touches around 'Life Indoors'. It's a powerful, captivating listen from a talent firmly on an upward trajectory.
Review: After a brief pause to allow their frankly huge 36-track VA compilation to sit and breathe a while, Motive Hunter Audio is back at the sharp end of the jungle scene with this new EP from the brilliant ARKYN. It's a lovely slab of grey wax that revives a blend of hardcore jungle techno that is not for the faint of heart and comes with a tasteful homage to this subgenre's roots. Packed with piano stabs and 4x4 kicks, the EP delivers controlled mayhem that is perfect for the club as collaborations with SYNTAX, DJ B, and ARKYN's alter-ego DJ TUF all bring depth and hints of early Dutch rave influences.
Review: Heads will know 'As We Enter' as the name of the Breakage tune that set the stage for many more things halftime to come - not to mention a Damian Marley & Nas song released around the same time - so we're more than pleased to learn that one next-gen producer has taken on the name as an alias. However, something in the aura of this release tells us this artist is no debutante; 'Lover To Lover' brings wubbing Reesebound rollage and summery fluting funk together in quick step, with complementary numbers 'So Gone', 'Come Again' and 'Shifting Gears' flaunting a respect for the many different facets of drum & bass, from techstep to early jump-up. This one gets more and more sinister as it progresses; despite the cover, whatever's entered the room feels more elephant than pigeon.
Review: Mindgames' dedication to capturing the golden era of jungle while incorporating modern production techniques aligns seamlessly with ASC's unique style. In these two EPs, the maestro blends the vast soundscapes of his Spatial releases with the raw energy of his 2020 jungle trilogy for Samurai Music. From the driving beats of 'Shadow Of The Beast' to the smooth, deep stepping vibe of 'Phaaze' and the expansive sounds of 'Cells Interlinked,' ASC demonstrates his deep jungle expertise once more. 'Snowblind' is a gem that pays homage to Photek's space jazz, while 'Flux' features a mesmerising groove wrapped around an infectious bassline. What an EP.
Review: With the Waveforms series, spacefaring drum & bass titan ASC moves away from the pure cosmic thematics for a much more formal take on his craft. Having released these tracks in wavy serial form since at least the end of 2023, specially on 10", these 'Waveforms' could be said to track a tidal movement in ASC's psyche, with the releases therein following his many capricious oscillatory whims i.e. as he sees fit, whether in response to lunar cycles or otherwise. Still, that hasn't stopped him from releasing over three additions to the series, though: now, waveforms 11 and 12 emerge. Both tracks extirpate ASC's sound as something purely formal - without the usual metaphysical or outer-spatial fetishisms - yet still take up huge amounts of bandwidth (though not to the point of sounding undynamic) and stir up a primal rancour in us by way of militant techstep on the A, and string-baked Arcadian amens on the B.
Review: There's seemingly no end to ASC's offerings to the drum & bass world and so it continues on this beautifully packaged black splattered yellow 10" from the Waveforms series. 'Waveform 03' is an airy jungle excursion with explosive amens set off against vast expanses of pads, while 'Waveform 04' locks into a sleeker, techier approach where the icy atmospherics have more space to stretch out. No one is even close to the quality and quantity of ASC, and this is yet another essential addition to his huge legacy.
Review: Cosmic drum & bass voyager ASC once again proves that his sound is like no other, topping up his now likely uncountable backlog of time-dilatory journeys with a fresh four-tracker, 'Moving Through Dreams'. Indeed, for those in the know, the boundary between outer space and inner unconscious astrals can be blurred; it's clear ASC is clued in in this regard, with this hat-trick-plus-one of both rollers and breaks frenzies showing off an understanding of the format than only seasoned somn-journalists can handle. On the dreamier end of the spectrum, there's 'Things Left Unsaid', a wordless foray into the latent parapraxes that only real dream work can consciously upturn; and on the wilder end of things, there's 'Contrast', which apposes, in stark *contrast* - the industrial scrape of a techstep break with the depth-scouring swells of nebulaic pads n' basses.
Review: If you don't love ASC, do you even like electronic music? The master studio technician never makes anything less than thrilling sounding whether exploring ambient, jungle, or in-between worlds. Both characterise this new EP on Spatial which comes on lovely splattered vinyl 12". 'Synergy' pairs busy Amen breaks with lush pad work, 'Suspended Animation' is an icy and deft jungle workout in the farthest reaches of deep space and 'Repetition' is a super chill, slick and emotive excursion to the stars. 'Pharaoh' is another pristine production with infectious drum funk at its core.
Review: Samurai sign out of 2023 with this stunning expedition from longstanding craftsman ASC. One of the deepest to do it, here on 'House Of Leaves' he whips up a beguiling sense of atmosphere as we gradually ramp up the intensity from the tense and stretched out title track opener to the savage cymbal slaps of the finale 'Exploration #4'. In between we find our souls soothed by the relentless drumfunk of 'The Navidson Record' and our brains shattered by the cosmic turbo zaps of 'The 5 1/2 Minute Hallway'. Far out.
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: Hyaku marks the 100th vinyl release for Samurai Music, so shout out to the crew for staying dedicated to the format. It also celebrates nearly 17 years of dedication to quality music and timeless design and, for this milestone, the label has assembled producers who epitomise the current Samurai sound. Each track offers a unique take on that from the crunchy breakbeats of ACS to the relentless energy of Sam KDC's 'Mutilate.' Together, these contributions form a diverse collection that highlights the artistry and innovation of this talented crew while also reflecting the journey Samurai has been on for all these years. Here's to many more.
Review: Originally released on the cult V4 Visions label in 1991 & 1994, Ashaye's 'Dreaming' and 'What's This World Coming To' epitomised the essence of street soul, a genre blending soul, r&b, and hip-hop that resonated across London's pirate radio stations in the 1990s. With the surge in UK soul's popularity in recent years, DJs and tastemakers have championed these tracks which has in turn elevated their demand and value. 'Dreaming' has become nearly unattainable on the second-hand market, while 'What's This World Coming To' commands prices upwards of L50. Snap up this fully licensed RSD release however and you will have both tracks for an affordable price.
Review: Okbron Records welcome Atlantiq to the roster, and in so doing reccy an uncharted subaquatic terrain, in which drum & bass production requires specialist handling. Limited to just 350 copies, and bundled with the statement "No repress."- full stop duly noted - Okbron are implicitly aware of the (anti-)gravity of this release. 'M33' sounds as if its liquid jungle source deposits housed a yet undiscovered respiratory gas for an unidentified life-form; its all-to-easily recognised breakbeats are the only orthodox productive choice on the title track, whereupon every other element sounds born of a hidden underwater civilisation, not a mere synthesiser, and surrounds the mix as though we'd embarked on a serene coralline safari. B-sider 'Nothing To Lose' takes a seedier turn in terms of vibe, with sistrum rattles and brooding crime-drama basses hearing whackout breaks set to an otherwise ruminant sonic mystery.
Review: Audio Soul Project returns with fresh vinyl here in the form of their Simurgh EP, which is named after a mythical Persian bird. Across the tunes you'll find a fusion of dub, d&B, house and even r&b to make for an alluring sonic trip. Opener 'Deliver Me' brings the warmth and soul with balmy chords over raw, woody drums with a big diva vocal up top. Things are paired back for 'Azizam Dub' which has a subsonic bass line bump and synth stabs bringing the energy. 'Internal Vybrations' is d&b powered by monstrous bass with hi-hats, shakers and maracas detailing the rhythm, and last of all 'Celebration Dub' brings a funky and summery house vibe perfect for outdoor dancing. This is as varied an EP as you'll hear this season.
Review: Aural Imbalance is in a super productive and super good run of form that has seen him serve up a wealth of great EPs over the last year. Now he is back on his own Spatial platform. This latest one comes on translucent grey smokey and green splattered vinyl, starting with the busy and unrelenting amen breaks workout of 'Spacewaves' then pulling back into more suspensory and delicate synth realms on 'Tranquil Sea'. On the flip, the crisp snares and underlapping drum loops of 'Concordia' have you in a state of meditation and then last of all is another sublime bit of ambient laced and dreamy jungle in 'Fading Fields'.
Review: Simon Huxtable's Aural Imbalance is one of drum & bass's most cultured projects. It's a pretty prolific one too, with great new music coming on a steady basis on labels like his own Spatial and Okrbon. It is the former he returns to now with a lush translucent blue vinyl 12", Retrospective Feelings. 'Blue Sky' is a deft mix of ambient cosmic synth work and meticulous drum patterns that suspends you in mid-air. 'Starburst' douses you in dazzling light and 'Frozen Tears' is deeper, tighter, more melancholic. 'Moonlit Clouds' is the classy closer which again pairs a lightness of rhythm and melody into something heavenly.
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