Back catalogue: Drum And Bass/Jungle

Review: Mike Parker, a master of ice-cold wormhole techno, returns to Samurai Music with an EP that pushes the boundaries of 170BPM dancefloor devastation. 'Envenomations' sees Parker apply his steely, rigorous approach to the drum & bass template, crafting a collection of tracks that are as hypnotic as they are relentless. The A-side features two lean, rolling workouts, 'Voc-1 Robot' and 'Ee-Yo', their minimalist aesthetic and atonal synthesis recalling the icy cool sounds of mid-90s Krust. On the flip, Parker delves into more spacious territory with two tracks originally released digitally, their hypnotic grooves and alien textures showcasing his signature sound. With its blend of techno and drum & bass influences, 'Envenomations' is another standout release from a true auteur.

Review: Presha's debut EP RATS gets pulled apart and restructured by a crack squad of drum & bass talents on this fresh new red 12" from Samurai Music. Up first, 'The Spell' (Artilect remix) is a mix of heavy drum breaks and paranoid synth lines snaking about the background. Sam KDC's remix is another dark one with double time drums and drilling bass. The Untouchables remix keep it funky with their lolling loops and icy hi hats and the Last Life remix of 'Vedetta' goes for a textured, industrial vibe to make its mark in a blackened warehouse.

Review: Presha's Sacrifice: Rituals EP undergoes a transformative journey as a handful of esteemed producers delve into its sonic depths, reshaping each track with their unique perspectives. Dom & Roland's remix of 'Raven' sets a menacing tone with its hard-hitting beats and ominous atmosphere, invoking a sense of impending doom. Forest Drive West takes on 'Anaconda,' infusing it with languid, slow techno vibes that gradually evolve into a spacey light drum n bass pattern with soundscapes, characterized by dark undertones and hypnotic rhythms. Meanwhile, Homemade Weapons brings a nostalgic nod to 90s jungle with their remix of 'Temple,' featuring vocal samples and urban-inspired beats that transport listeners to the gritty streets of the past. Finally, Torn's remix of 'Sacrifice' delves into the depths of growling jungle, immersing listeners in a menacing and dark sonic landscape. With its deep, menacing tones, this remix encapsulates the EP's theme of ritualistic sacrifice. Overall, Sacrifice: Rituals displays the versatility, creativity and power of Jungle a nd Drum & Bass music.

Review: Hardcore drum & bass flavours lent an ethereal, darkside sonic twist. Welcomed to the Samuari Music shogunate for the first time ever - despite a longtime, shared presence on the scene - Pugilist, Tamen and Onyx make for a thoracic, thudding collab. Suspensory pads lock us in vial-pods of stasis on the opening 'Conquer', on which our somatic reserves end up totally vampirised by precision shellage. Scapular breaks break our kneecaps on 'ESS', which comes squared off by tweezed hats, while 'Resu' and 'Mise' go on to bloodlet a jungular jugular, with the final track meliorating the soul with its tuned 808s, sculpted distortion and pulsate, futuro-spa ambiances.