Bestsellers All Time

Review: While it might be tricky in these open-minded times for Scuba to shatter preconceptions the way that he did with his Sub:Stance mix a few years ago, this compilation should be seen really as a celebration of the man himself as a DJ. After launching with a decidedly minimalist approach, the mix meanders between pacey techno, bluesy broken beat and rolling dubstep tempos. At times the flow feels unsteady, but then it just rings true that he put this mix together for himself. Without a dancefloor to look after, who knows where many of our favourite DJs might take us?

Review: The Boddika-helmed Nonplus unveil Think & Change, the label's first compilation and what a way to mark such an event. Calling on a cast of the great and the good of contemporary techno and bass music, Think & Change arrives sporting some thirteen tracks, a statement of how far Nonplus has come since its emergence in 2009 as an outlet for the Autonomic family of artists, gradually mutating into a more wide ranging approach, with material from Actress, Kassem Mosse and Basic Soul Unit ensuring a reputation as one of the most respected labels in the bass music diaspora. The highlights on this compilation are many, but you should be checking Four Tet's contribution "For These Times" (easily his best, least fussy club track to date) "Bad Chicago" from Martyn, and Kassem Mosse's excellent "Broken Patterns".

Review: The perception may still linger that Tony Allen's influence on modern electronic music is limited to Afrobeat or broken beat, but as this remix compilation attests, his influence looms large in other, unexpected places. On Chop Up, for example, Carl Craig finally delivers his response to his evergreen 2004 version of Beanfield's "Tides", with hypnotic chants, rolling drums and brassy breakdowns dominating his take on Allen's "Kilode". Equally, Mark Ernestus is inspired to push Allen legacy into the realms of low-slung house, with "Moyege" transformed into a languid, dubby disco rhythm. However, it's not just the more cerebral end of electronic music that has been seduced by Allen's genius: US star Diplo also contributes to Chop Up, with a squelchy, party take on "Fuju Ouija", while other unexpected contributors like Hypnotic Brass Ensemble and Salah Ragab keep the mood upbeat: the former drops an irresistible swaggering version of "Sankofa' and the latter brings a flavour of Notting Hill Carnival to "Ole", as celebratory brass competes with sunny day ivory tinkling. In spite of these joyful renditions of Allen's legacy, the version that we keep returning to is Moritz Van Oswald's take on "Ole". It's fascinating to hear that Allen's tumbling, rambunctious drums informed the Basic Channel member's work in the same way as King Tubby, but even more fascinating is what van Oswald does with Allen's drumming. Transforming them into solemn but understated marching beats, he uses them to underpin the most atmospheric, woozy dub chords this side of "M6".

Review: It's hard to believe that Sweden's Drumcode has been going since 1996, but Adam Beyer's imprint celebrates its fifteenth birthday this year, and as part of the celebrations the label have released this essential 28-track compilation. Instead of looking to the past, as is usually customary with this kind of collection, 15 Years of Drumcode focuses on the newest work of the label's current roster alongside new material from some well known names from the label's past and special contributions from some bonafide techno legends. Highlights come in the form of Slam's powerhouse "Temperance", and the percolating, acid tinged textures of Jesper Dahlback's "No Control", the pulsating robo-techno of Patrick Seich's "Structure", and the dubby atmospherics of Mauro Picotto & Riccardo Ferri's "Asteroids".

Review: Soul:R boss and all round drum and bass legend Marcus Intalex's Trevino moniker has been used previously by Kaye on a split release with Instra:mental for Martyn's 3024 label, but the two tracks on this purple ten inch are much more in line with Al Bleek's material for [Naked Lunch], adopting a rhythmic poise and sound palette that leans heavily on the mid 90s bass heavy techno sound of LFO. "Buried" is the deeper of the two, building nicely from sparse percussive beginnings into a fully formed procession of warm, kaleidoscopic chords and bubbling analogue undercurrents. Those craving something darker will revel in the heady jacking brilliance of "Derelict" which betrays his D&B history via the deviant bassline twist.

Review: Kevin Saunderson's label has released so many classics that this compilation celebrating its quarter century is an embarrassment of riches. Classics provides an insight into Saunderson's diversity as a producer; from the classic late 80s/early 90s Detroit techno-house of "Rock to the Beat" and "The Groove That Won't Stop" through the pop techno of "Good Life" and the deeper, bass-heavy sound of his E-Dancer project, represented here by "World of Deep" and "Bassline", this is a well-rounded snapshot of Saunderson's best-known releases and projects. However, it also wins extra kudos for including some obscure gems like the classy, ominous vocal-led house of "Forces", reorded under the Essa guise.

Review: The Versatile main man and one half of Chateau Flight doesn't drop as many singles these days as he used to, but at least when he holds off he can come correct with some firepower for the floor. Sizzling hats and a solid disco beat set the tone for "Transpiration" while the meat of the track comes in the form of a nasty old-skool rave stab. It's a monster tune that should get sweat pouring from anything in a five-mile radius. The title track is a pacey, Italo flavoured cut that seems to intentionally challenge the demonic moniker, while "Jah Menta" opts for a deeper shade of disco. Highly recommended.

Review: One of Carl Craig's trillion monikers is Paperclip People and here, the Detroit don serves up the 4 My Peepz EP on his own label Planet E, remixed by two of the biggest names in the game: Dubfire and Loco Dice. Pounding, head strong and dirty techno is on the menu and Dubfire's rework of "4 My Peepz", despite its almost hip-hop-esque title, sticks firmly to the underground with its heavy kick drums and whirring sirens. Up "Parking Garage Politics" gets a remix from Loco Dice; minimal and sparse as it is, it's constructed in just the right way as it builds and progresses into a thoroughly hypnotic affair - Juno's pick of the two. Highly recommended stuff.