Review: Next up, we return to Fokuz for another powerful collection of remix additions, this time welcoming back Sub:liminal, exploring three powerful overhauls. First up, Silence Groove arrives with a vibrant overhaul of 'Second Spring', giving us big emotive synthesiser sweeps, charming vocal samples and a punchy low end to match, before Command Strange gives a super liquified rethink to 'Future Lines', a valid title track jam-packed with aquatic energy throughout. Finally, the enigmatic production techniques and unique drum processing of Bert H are shown off in full force as 'Motions' receives a hard hitting rework, linking murky synthesiser pulses with those inviting vocal lines above, rounding off the project with a touch of the unexpected!
Review: Massiveness from one of V Recordings' most consistent artists in recent years - Russian badman Command Strange. Four tracks, four straight up dancefloor slap-abouts: 'Welcome To The Future' (with Alibi) goes straight in with its tightly knit percussion and hardcore stabs, 'Blossom' brings the soulful vibes while 'Krusty Fingers' is all about deep dark dubby vibes. Throw in a massive L-Side remix of 'Brand New Style' (with Singing Fats on mic) and you've got yourself an absolute killer EP. Full Command!
Review: This compilation arrives with a rich heritage of V Recordings compilations behind it, and Planet V has for a number of years been the flagship series for Bryan Gee's label. Edition four comes to a whopping 73 tracks and includes a mix as well, and all the familiar V faces are present, from Alibi to Paul t & Edward Oberon. All of the tunes have already seen the light of day in a previous form, and Disrupta and Duskee's 'Deep Thoughts' is one of the standouts, as Disrupta lays down a minimal yet funky beat for Duskee to rap lyrical over, something he does with serious presence. New gun SL8r makes several appearances, including on the excellent 'What U Need', which bounces along in a synthscape of serious depth and texture, its funky nodes nodding to the beat of a vintage blend. Crossover outfit Think Tonk also shine with 'Tom & Heavy', an offering unique in its stepping, breaksy percussion and one which oozes soulful class. There are dozens more to have a gander at, so take your pick.
Review: This VA is jam-packed with some of the scene's best liquid maestros, and it's of the movement for Liquid Drum & Bass 4 Autism, a group which seeks to raise awareness and money for those who have autism. Low:r, Furney, MsDos and more have gotten themselves involved, and the result is a lovely, serene walk through some of 174's most nonchalant moments. 'Eyes Closed' by Low:r is especially gorgeous, with his trademark organic sound fluttering in the wind of his creativity like usual. Changer is characteristically deep with 'Only To Be', and it's just the iceberg of what is a brilliant album for a brilliant cause.
Review: V Recordings sublabel Chronic has developed a reputation for putting out beats that are even more venomous than its big sister, and their long-standing rollers series is getting a beef up with the fourth instalment. Featuring a litany of acts from a range of eras and a diversity of styles, Chronic Rollers Vol. 4 is a perfect addition to the arsenal of any DJ. 'Blindspot' from Nectax blends a soulful sample with an oscillating warp of juddering bass energy; Mancunian upstart SL8R gets subby and rolling with 'Roundabout'; and Brazilian label long-timers Alibi roll things out tidily on 'Sentinel'. Banging.
Review: Bryan Gee and V Recordings do not mess around. They never have in the past, they're certainly not right now in the present and judging by this highly anticipated Future album, they're going to mess around any time ahead. 25 tracks from some of the biggest, best and baddest names in D&B (Dillina, Serum, Benny L, Paul T & Edward Oberon, Roni Size, DJ Marky, Drumsound & Bassline Smith, Bladerunner, Saxxon, the list goes on) this one's been a long, long, long time coming... And it's been well worth the wait. From L-Sides massive remixes of Dillinja and Krust to Need For Mirrors super-revved "Lambo" to Benny L's incredible remix of "Days", this sums up why Bryan and his label are as influential and respected in the game as they are today. Don't mess around.
Review: Command Strange is back for his first EP in quite a while and the Kazakh producer is taking any prisoners, with a return to form in his rolling, pacey style that focuses on swaying basslines and pummelling drums. The title track is vintage V, with a combination of funky stabs and a bouncing, stabby bassline that is wicked at getting the head nodding. He teams up with Dr Meaker on the heavier tones of 'Fruity', before ending things with a bang on 'Loco'. Crazy stuff indeed.
Review: V Recordings do some of the best compilations in the business and their brand new Foundation series is a natural recognition of that fact. They're not being hyperbolic with the usage of the term 'Foundation' either, because this is truly an overview of some of the scene's most foundational producers. Old-school Dillinja, Krust, Roni Size and DJ Die, amongst others, make up the roster of acts that formed an integral part of the genre back in the day. The new crew is also represented, however, in the form of L-Side, Think Tonk, Nasza Linez and loads more, all of whom bring some of that V-style heat. Wicked album - one for the heads.
Review: Command Strange and Alibi is a combination to be reckoned with. With the former from Kazakhstan and the latter a duo from Brazil, this partnership spans both the globe and D&B's more sophisticated, classy end. Don't be fooled by that sophistication though, this is still music that's gritty and rooted in the scene's penchant for tough beats and urban sonics. 'Stardust' is a subby roller that reminds us of 'Skyline' from the same artists, and 'Major Groove' is a dirty, junglist piece of naughtiness with serious attitude. V Recordings does it again.
DJ Chap & C.A.B.L.E. - "Be With Me" - (4:25) 176 BPM
Murdock - "Raw Power Moves" - (5:14) 174 BPM
DJ Andy - "Acid Reflux" - (4:33) 174 BPM
Chromatic - "Footprint" - (4:58) 174 BPM
Need For Mirrors - "Go Easy" - (5:23) 174 BPM
Peshay - "Nitro" - (6:43) 175 BPM
DLR - "Dafunk" - (5:55) 175 BPM
Bailey - "Computer Life" - (5:10) 174 BPM
Simplification - "Therapy" - (5:18) 172 BPM
Alibi - "Machine Head" - (5:36) 174 BPM
Nymfo - "Warrior" - (3:49) 170 BPM
DJ Limited - "Love Is Blind" - (4:12) 58 BPM
Jumpin Jack Frost - "Chronicles" (continuous DJ mix) - (1:08:09) 178 BPM
Review: Chronic is a sub-label of V Recordings that's specifically for rolling, rapid and rough tracks, the ones that are too naughty for the main label yet too good to throw out. Jumping Jack Frost as curated this latest compilation for Chronic and it's simply too good, with a wicked mix of vibes. From the snarling funk of Philth's 'Sanctuary', the wobbling energy of 'My Flava' by Command Strange or the rough jungle on Bailey's 'Computer Life', this LP injects the old-school vibe into new-school clarity. Arguably the stand-out though is DLR's 'Dafunk, a combination of stuttering drums and upbeat samples wrapped up in typical DLR-esque fashion.
Donovan 'Bad Boy' Smith - "After Party Vol 2" (continuous mix By Donovan 'Bad Boy' Smith) - (1:13:40) 178 BPM
Review: The compilations that come out of the V Recordings camp are as legendary as they come. A whole host of different ideas and concepts such as Planet V, Liquid V Club Sessions and V.I.P - I could go on - have landed on the label and brought us happiness. This time around it's instalment #2 for the Afterparty series and it's an LP with more soul than God, honestly. The sultry piano riff of 'No One Can Hear You Read' will have you tingling with excitement; the dulcet American tones of T.R.A.C go perfectly with Macca & Loz Contreras' iconic sampling on 'Leaps & Bounds'; and 'Summer Dayz' by L-Side and Addiction is a pure funk roll out. Another impeccable V Recordings compilation out the way, then. Smashing stuff.
Review: Astronauts and astronomers alike have been searching for the paradise planet known as Planet V but only one man knows where it is. That man is V don Bryan Gee. Luckily he's happy to take us the planet, and right now he's charging up the rocket for our third trip on pure turbo charge VIP power. For this particular sampler Alibi & Command Strange's collabs from last year both get a variation twist. "Skyline" gets a whole turbine in the bass engine while "Ahead Of Me" is given a subtle twist in the groove department while maintaining that all important roll. V flickingly sublime.
Review: With a title such as "The Vibe is Coming", you'd expect this all-star excursion from the Sun and Bass Recordings camp to be chock full of breezy dancefloor positivity. DJ Patife and David WS deliver just that with the soulful reggae/D&B fusion of the title track, which features some wonderfully slick and emotion rich vocals from Fats. Alibi delivers two lilting chunks of audio sunshine: the hot-stepping dreaminess of "Feelings", where piano motifs and delicate horn samples tumble across the sound space, and the notably sub-heavy punch of Command Strange collaboration "Ahead of Me". Simplification and Translate join forces for closer "Don't Forget", a warm and attractive roller smothered in rubbery synth bass, whistling synth melodies and yearning vocals.
