Review: When it came to following up their surprise 1994 hit album "Amplified Heart", Everything But The Girl's Ben Watt and Tracey Thorn decided to rip up the rulebook and do things differently. Previously, their music has been considered, downtempo and - whisper it quietly - Balearic. 1996's "Walking Wounded" retained their inherent beauty and sense of melancholia, but updated their musical blueprint to include far more influences from (then) contemporary dance music. As this half-speed re-mastered reissue proves, they largely hit the spot, with warm deep house cut "Wrong", the sparkling drum and bass pop of the title track and the similarly minded "Big Deal" standing out.
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: Wilkinson's smash hit 'Afterglow' is given a limited repress on a pretty slice of golden marbled wax, harkening back to a time when the drum n' bass artist lay just on the cusp of stardom. The original press of 'Afterglow', arguably one of the most important songs to galvanize drum n' bass as a truly Top-40-worthy style for the 2010s, has long been out of print. However, that never stopped the song from reaching public stardom, in large part thanks to its contributing vocals from Becky Hill and its lesser known jump-up B-side, 'Perforation'.
No Need 2 Be Sorry, Call Me? (feat Maverick Sabre) (4:40)
So Tell Me (5:04)
Conveniency (3:14)
Sunrise Bang Ur Head Against Tha Wall (3:22)
Review: Owing to recent appearances at festivals across the country as well as the world, Nia Archives is a rising star of the UK's underground hardcore scene. The Londoner's music fuses elements of grime, garage, and jungle with introspective and socially charged lyricism. Nia's latest LP, 'Sunrise Bang Ur Head Against The Wall,' naturally touches on themes of social justice and self-discovery, a reminder of afterparty headaches and familial estrangement, not to mention the confusion of it all. Tracks like 'Headz Gone West' and 'Goodbye' are energized analyses of mental health and toxically flippant relationships, set against the ever-present backdrop of jungle.
Review: They hit the limit... The limit hit back! Everything about this EP is awesome: firstly, the partnership of two of drum & bass's most on-point production teams. Secondly, "Mouthbreather" has been on all god-fearing neurofunkologist's wishlist for several years and it doesn't disappoint. Thirdly, "Dead Limit" one of the grizzliest, unruly tunes you'll hear all year. Fourthly, "Inverse" is the ultimate definition of elastic D&B funk. Fifthly, "Omnivore" contains some of the strangest, captivating sound design ever processed for the dance. Sixthly, the artwork is bang on point too. Trust us; this hits hard!
Review: Nothing beats a good old bit of jungle, and this surely is a good old bit of jungle from the Dutch label Vibes 93. Here we have four classic samples dropped into big tunes and pressed on turquoise vinyl to pump any party. 'I Need Your Lovin'' (dirty '97 mix) has a killer vocal that will never fail, then 'Sweet Love' douses you in rolling drums and heartfelt piano chords as well as another old school soul vocal. It's Muniz's '5 On It' that lends the next tune is deep baseline and catchy hook, before closer 'No Diggity' reworks the hip hop classic into a high energy roller complete with the OG keys.
Review: Those interested in the roots of UK bass music have been well-served of late, with a number of books and compilations focusing on the first wave of British dance music in the late 80s and early 90s. Soul Jazz's latest compilation is a superb addition to this growing list. It showcases music made in the post-bleep and early breakbeat hardcore period, where basslines got bigger, drum breaks faster, and ragga influences started to come to the fore. The selections are on-point throughout from the dub-wise rave rush of Babylon Timewarp's "Durban Poison" and the bleep-and-breaks-meets-proto-jungle shuffle of DJ Dubplate's "Tings A Go On", to the rave-rap goodness of The Freaky's "Time & Age" and the heavily edited darkcore/early jungle insanity that is Krome & Time's terrific "Ganja Man". In a word: essential.
Review: Does drum and bass get any better than this? Two of the finest names in the genre club together for "Run Away", met in the middle by the man like Fox who puts his vocal stylings into the mix. Rolling out smooth, it's that lulling bassline and softly-spoken chorus that takes the edge off punchy drums and signature Intalex-style strings from the pad section. Fans have been waiting for a release on this for some time now - finally, it's ownable. Showing that they can still deliver tastier goods for the dancefloor, "Something Heavy" is a funk-fuelled hips-mover with Fox sending out his raggamuffin sounds over down and dirty bass. You've heard it in the dance, now get it on repeat.
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: Drum & bass's most unique gentleman Calibre plunders his vaults to compile a new collection of unreleased gems through the ages. As you'd expect, the end result is a timeless assault of lush grooves, soulful sonics and sweet skippy riddims. From the soft jazz insistency of "Honey Dew" to the hollowed harrowed bass tones of "Bellamee" via the harder, rave-referencing "Sagan" and the deep bass gurgles and DRS's reggae-style vocals on "Eschaton", the only issue here is the fact Calibre hasn't released them sooner. Unarguably incredible.
Review: This special anniversary edition of Squarepusher's debut album Feed Me Weird Things is released almost exactly 25 years to the day after the original. Back then it came on Aphex Twin's now defunct Rephlex label and has not been available on streaming platforms ever since. All remastered from the original DATs and with a new, original booklet filled with note and ephemera it is an essential cop for fans old and new. The record broken out of the tight genre restrictions of the time to pair complex rhythms with disarming melodies.
Bun Ya Too (feat Marcus Intalex, Chimpo, Rolla, Skittles & Strategy - Enei remix) (4:31)
Review: Hugeness: "The View" was one of the small selection of D&B tunes that really brought all DJs from all subgenres together last year. Now under the crafty scalpel of Calibre, it's been subtly polished for the new year. Flip for a mechanical funk shake up of "Bun Ya" by Enei. Loaded with some of the funniest and sharpest lyrics DRS, Skittles, Chimpo, Rolla and Strategy have ever penned, Enei has paid full respect to the elements while upping the aggy factor by at least 50.
The Horn Track (Micky Finn Foghorn mix 1992) (6:16)
The Horn Track (6:44)
Review: Strap yourselves in for the return of Missile Vintage with a fifth transmission and this one is a track from the boss himself. Missile Records founder Tim Taylor crafted this banger back in 1992 and released it on the legendary FFRR imprint. It soon made its mark on the rave scene of the time and has remained influential to generations of DJs, dancers and producers ever since. Now it comes back to vinyl in original form, as well as next to a huge Foghorn mix from Micky Finn and a more physical and breaks-lead remix from Blade. A great package that joins the dots between then and now.
Review: Since launching last summer, Pixel & Mystic Pulse's Rasta Vibez label has carved a niche for itself among the drum and bass community for those seeking out some dub and reggae flecked jungle cuts for the dance. Number four in the series sticks to that formula with typically rowdy results with A-side track "Fussin & Fightin" the one here. Pixel & Mystic Pulse beef up the Dennis Brown classic of the near-same name, adding some sub weight and plenty of junglist breakbeat ripples. The more adventurous selectors might want to try mixing this with "Armagideon Time" by Willie Williams.
Review: It's about time... Fresh off the heat of his Trevino album, Marcus returns to the D&B source with a full-fat foursome on his label's spotless Four:Fit series. Each cut a 24 carat diamond, shining in its own special way: "Mixed Bag" is a DRS-polished soulful addition to the ever-growing halftime annals, both "Step Forward" and "Stingray" are brittle two-step heads-down headbutts while "Jupiter" is an amen-rattled jungle shake-up. Timeless, deep and spacious; Marcus never fails.
The Ballistic Brothers - "Come On" (Simon Templar remix) (6:09)
Omni Trio - "Nu Birth Of Cool" (6:28)
PFM - "One & Only" (6:53)
Skanna - "Find Me" (6:31)
Count Basic - "Speechless Drum & Bass" (6:49)
Hunch - "Visible From Space" (Aquasky remix) (5:53)
Space Link - "Time Zone" (7:09)
Earl Grey - "The Lick" (4:52)
Review: Kruder & Dorfmeister's Conversions mix album takes you right back to 1996, when the Austrian duo were taking inspiration from the UK d&b pioneers and giving the sound their own lounge-y twist. For the first time since the mix was released, it's being presented as a partially mixed double vinyl edition, giving you access to some of the seminal cuts which make the mix such an enduring classic. From the easy lead in of DJ Unknown Face's 'Dat's Cool' to the soulful vocal licks and skittering breaks of Omni Trio's 'Nu Birth Of Cool' on to the cosmic jungle of Space Link's 'Time Zone', it's a masterclass through and through.
Review: As one of the instigators of the UK 2-Step sound that paved the way for the seminal movements in Dubstep and Grime, Zed Bias, aka Maddslinky, is a true pioneer and stands as one the Godfathers of the UK Bass scene. With a prolific career spanning more than two decades, we're honoured to welcome him into the Unchained family with his debut release on the label.
His powerful 4-track EP echoes both cutting edge modern electronic as well as the nostalgia of UK dance history. All tracks wander into upper BPM territory and sonically span very wide ground; whether this be "Beijing", a track sure to carve itself a place in classic anthem history; or "DoenCa Tropical", a tune which draws new broken-beat boundaries around the 160bpm ethos.
Two tracks feature collaborations with Strategy and Bugz In the Attic's G Force - both music defining legends in their own right.
Spanning both the Drum'N'Bass universe and thought-provoking left-field bass, we hope this fresh release has you covered from club to couch.
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: 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 pairing of LSB and DRS is up there with wine and cheese. Having smashed 2015 with "The View", the pair return with another beautiful, emotion-soaked gem "Missing You". With its soft pianos and space for DRS to ruminate, it's another soulful smash that will stand the test of time. "Tumult" shows the complete flip of LSB's ever-perennial skills as he rolls out a darkside roller with a serious hurricane bassline that's powerful enough to take you back to the 2001. With his debut album around the corner, both tracks do well to remind you just how on-point LSB is.
Review: After some wicked EPs by Yosh, Etch and Tom Jarmey, here is some proper underground UK flavour courtesy of Burnski's Vivid imprint - a new sub label of Constant Sound. The latest one this week is by the enigmatic Tamoshi. On the A side, we have the snarling minimalist roller called 'The System' which is quite reminiscent of early DJ Krust. Over on the flip, hear a convincingly old school junglist stepper, the fittingly titled 'Darkside' that goes all the way back to '95. One for the heads.
Review: Here comes an exemplary slice of dub/drum & bass hybridization from Congo Natty, who has been helming up slick fusions of these genres since the early 1990s. His first album in eight years, 'Ancestorz' as a title should be indicative enough. The LP explores the indigenous roots and influences of jungle music, from its historic use of African rhythms to samples of Native American flutes. Collaborations with artists as far-flung as Eva Lazarus, Blackout JA, Akala, Maverick Sabre, Courtney Melody and Shabaka Hutchings are all in tow, showing off Natty's love for contemporary bass music and maturer sounds in equal measure.
Review: Fokuz return with another blink-and-miss limited white label. Fully anonymous, due to the nature of the sample, here we're taken right back to a thrilling time in pop as the swooning chords, twinkling synths and famous falsetto of 'Human Nature' are given the d&b treatment. Faithful to the original but given a turbo-charged twist (and a VIP rub), it's one of those end of night hug-it-out jams you've been yearning to play all lockdown. Grab this quicker than you can say Shamone.
Review: Now well into its eight year and still on a mission to bridge the gap between drum and bass and classic dub and reggae, the Rasta Vibez label now has a firm place in our affections. This one from the in house crew kick off with a tune packed with wellborn samples over a variety of beats from high speed drum & bass to digital dub and back again. 'Warning' then builds the tension with a blistering, speaker busting drum & bass on slaughter speckled with lasers, ragga tones and and samples.
Review: Club Glow powerhouse and all-round Bristol bass-bin baiting badman Borai returns to his Higher Level label with three new drops of elevated breakbeat science. As well as his work alongside Denham Audio, L Major and Mani Festo in Club Glow, Borai has been busy landing uptempo slammers on Hardcore Energy, Vivid, E-Beamz and Infiltrate in the past couple of years, and he returns to home turf in peak shape.
The A-side lights up with the dizzying break-juggling ruffness of 'Lights On', a surefire call to squeeze the last juice from the party, while 'Bobbi' opens the B side treading an artful line between deep and depraved as immersive tones face off against taut, driving rhythms. 'Sargasso Sea' smooths the proceedings out good and proper in true B2 style with a pitched-down slice of soul-charged broken beat that smacks where it counts, Borai's established instinct for forward-facing melody shining through in the interplay between 90s keys, diva vocal samples and illustrious pads.
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.
Review: By 1997 Photek had already marked himself out as a wild card in the rapidly evolving d&b scene. He'd had three years to carve out some frankly dizzying displays of break editing wizardry and such was the innovation on display there just had to be an album coming. Modus Operandi smartly stepped to one side of the dancefloor, offering a smoky reflection on where jungle and d&b had got to, highlighting the compatibility between half-speed downtempo and breakneck drums and bringing inherent jazziness to the forefront of the beats, which avoided all the usual cliches. It's a masterpiece which hasn't dulled with time and here it's getting a heavyweight reissue across three slabs to ensure the loudest cut. All the better to blow your mind with, all over again.
Review: He's back! It's been a while since Bungle last graced our turntables; his 2011 album Memories to be precise. But he's returned. And he's done so with a double-sided disc of pure D&Beauty. "Aura" is an emotion soaked stepper laced with all the grace of an early 90s ambient record but beefed up with Autonomic standards. Already being pimped as an 'impossible to top' tune of the year by some of the biggest names in the game, it's unarguably essential. "Astral Travel" is equally stunning. Rolling with a heavier rhythm but dosed with the same amount of star gazing whimsy, it's another faultless moment from the Brazilian DJ. Welcome back Bungle.
Review: Nu:Tone is a drum & bass giant and a longtime mainstay of the legendary Hospital label. He hasn't put out any solo material since his last album way back in 2014, so this new two tracker is a big deal indeed. After all the classics on that record he has a lot to live up to but does so, with both tunes showing this artist's pioneering approach to drum & bass . Opener 'Sweeter' is the heartfelt and super soulful cut we all need right now with London-based singer and songwriter Maiday providing the icing on the cake. Do It Right' is a nostalgic roller with big rave pads, Av it.
Review: Since he first landed on our radar via Vivid a few years back, Yosh has dished out enough high grade garage and breakbeat gear to fuel the scene on his own. Not only a prolific producer, he's also got a razor sharp flair which edges him in front of a crowded scene, and now he's back to Vivid to show us exactly what he's about with a 12-track double-pack, his biggest release to date. In one sense you should know exactly what to expect - elevated steppers and deft rollers, but the fundamental appeal of Yosh is all those ear-snagging traits which make his tracks sparkle, and you never know what they're going to be until the needle's tracking in that groove. Now you can enjoy that sensation 12 times over - a good deal if ever we saw one.
Review: Bless up Marcus Intalex! Whilst he's engaged on delivering techno tools of the highest order as Trevino, the Manchester man is not letting his Soul:R empire slack one bit. Here the prospering Fourfit series returns and it sees a full release from the excellent LSB, who delivered a soulful highlight of the last edition. Much the same can be said of the four tracks here, with LSB really showcasing the breadth of his production palette. Lead cut "Snap Funk" rolls with an alluring darkness, whilst "Mist Of You" possesses some quite beautiful piano tones. Deep junglist vibes run through the pensive roller "Walking Blues" whilst "Omega" stands tall with brushed steppah vibes and industrial strength basslines.
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