This Week

Review: Samurai, the hugely respected drum & bass label that under the watchful eye of DJ Presha brings the world the finest in deep, dark beats from beyond the 170+ realm. This time they've hit up ASC once more for his own mashed up brand of techno-infused drum & bass straight from his own cold, calculating mind. Close, creeping and stunningly hard, although "Polemic" is softened slightly by a swirling sci-fi synth, there's no mistaking its clinical edge. "Oracle" takes off-beats and creates a master work of atmospherics with them. Minimal and clean, it builds to a shuffling crescendo amidst the smallest of pad interference. Unnervingly good.

Review: Think of DJ Hazard and what do you see in your mind's eye? Put that hectic mayhem and those sweaty dancefloor shenanigans together into a two track release and you've got a good idea as to what BassBrothers are all about. "Royal Rumble" is a knockout blow from the very start, punching well above those jump up expectations and delivering some serious originality and a seriously stinking bassline to boot. "Jamaican Thug" puts dancehall vibes to work, smashing dancefloors and convincing crowds they can all do an adequate dutty wine, where destructively deep bass gives in to a ridiculous build up.

Review: Mixing upfront jump up with jungle has made the Jungle Assassins series of releases a total necessity for all fans of either genre. Vol 4 is no exception, starting off with Levela's hard-hitting remix of "Dangerous" featuring the unmistakeable vocals of Solo Banton. Bouncing hard but still keeping track of Benny Page's floorfilling original, it's a tune to suit every party. "Rumple Stinkslit" is another Benny Page jump up masterpiece, plus, who doesn't love a good anagram? Big, brash and ready to tear up your dancefloor, like Red Bull-fuelled raving in a china shop, don't expect to stop until everything's destroyed.