High Contrast At Juno Download

Review: Banging straight in with some epic 8-bit nostalgia, Hospital's golden lad High Contrast ramps up the tempo in "Spectrum Analyser", possibly his most fun piece of work in years. With a noodly bassline that's part classic Linc and part 'Manic Miner', it's a delve into retro gaming that you can guarantee will be lighting up dancefloors at Hospitality raves up and down the country. "Some Things Never Change" meanwhile is pure High Contrast roller magic, with all the lush vocals and tight snares you could hope for, added shifting textures you perhaps didn't expect. Fantastic stuff from a legendary producer who just keeps on giving.

Review: Since first turning junglism on its head with his thrilling 2002 debut album True Colours - perhaps the first true "disco D&B" set - Lincoln "High Contrast" Barrett has become one of drum and bass's most revered artists. With a steadfast commitment to the musical possibilities of the genre and a positive mindset, his albums are rarely less than impressive. The Agony & The Ecstacy, his fourth full-length and first for five years, is no different. Grandiose in design and scale, it mixes kaleidoscopic, upbeat anthems ("Emotional Vampires", "Father, Can't You See I'm Burning") with big name collaborations (Tiesto and Underworld variously lend a hand) and comfy, dowbeat grooves ("The Only Way There", "Not Waving, But Drowning") - all sprinkled with Barrett's gorgeous, rainbow-tinted production.

Review: Hot on the heels of his massive collaboration with Tiesto and Underworld, High Contrast brings us the eponymous single from his highly anticipated album The Agony & The Ecstasy. The title track is an organ-chiming, synth-soaring burst of opposing energies with uplifting strings, thumping drums and cooing vocals from Selach Corbin. There's a tight, stripped back remix from C.R.S.T plus a radio edit. "Father, Cant You See I'm Burning?" is the accompanying deeper, darker six and a half minute venture with enormous, rumbling b-line and buckets of passion. Miss this at your peril!

Review: Following a summer, of co-writing the music for the Olympics Opening Ceremony with Underworld, High Contrast brings us the fruits of this labour on this nine-track, digital-only EP on Hospital Records. As featured in the Athlete's Parade, these tracks, written at 120bpm really epitomize a long march with uplifting melodies, driving beats and a true sense of ceremony reigning supreme in title track "The Road Goes On Forever". Cuts like "Ghost Dance" have a more choral / tribal patter to them, whilst "Moonwatcher" has a nostalgic glow and "The Long Way Home" a driving, heart-warming feeling of camaraderie. Make sure you add this to your music collection.

Review: Arms straight up in the air for the long awaited return of the mighty High Contrast. His first proper studio material since 2007's Tough Guys Don't Dance LP sees him team up with dance music heavyweights Underworld and DJ Tiesto on "The First Note Is Silent", a dizzying slice of uplifting D&B with a stirring vocal and a large dollop of trancetastic synth. This is likely to have mass appeal across the board and will no doubt have everyone and their Mum reaching for those lasers! All bodes well indeed for his forthcoming fourth studio LP.

Review: Well, artist line-ups and collaborations get no bigger than Hospitals High Contrast, the legendary Underworld, and the worlds biggest DJ Tiesto. The result is simply amazing and on every major players set list for the past month. Its now yours to grab and play to the masses with this great remix from Tiesto himself, expect maximum destruction when this is dropped and for the ravers to be requesting left right and centre... This weeks essential!!