Review: One of the savviest axis-flexors in the D&B / jungle game, DJ Hybrid has an all seeing eye across the soundboy spectrum with his two labels and mixed-style signature. Here the full focus is on his flagship label Audio Addict with his first exclusive-powered mix album that covers all the crucial corners. Every track rattles and shakes with energy and subversion: the jungle chaos of his own "Mix & Blend", the iced-out atmos and toxic drop of Swerve's "Massive & Crew", the gunshot bass holes caused by Lost Dynamics "New Funk", the jaw-dropping ruthlessness of Ray Keith's take on "Badboy", the list goes on... DJ Hybrid levels up once more.
Review: Format Music DnB have a sampler coming out for a forthcoming compilation LP, which looks set to be a testament to the strengths of the label, spread out across multiple artists and tracks. The sampler is three tracks long and the prevailing wind is expressed by Crisis & Ikon-B on 'Humanize', which rests upon a supremely punchy percussive line, the main action taking place in the streaming, pitched up and aggressive bassline. DJ Twiz's 'Danger Time' is more sub focused, with a spattered drum line and a wobbly underbelly of force. Excellent.
Review: The beats are big and the vibes are plentiful in this massive remix release from the Deep In The Jungle crew. Already releasing a massive anthology of anthems earlier on in 2015, they return with refixes of some of the more devastating tracks. Bringing in the likes of Kartoon, Brian Brainstorm, SR and Digbee to bring new life into these tunes has made this EP one of the tuffest jungle releases in a long time. If junglism is your thing and you're tired of pale imitations, you need an injection of this in your system. Turn it up and feel that dub!
Review: Following the likes of Ray Keith, Nicky Blackmarket, General Levy and many artists of high don calibre, Dope Ammo and DJ Hybrid are the next to take the controls as Jungle Cakes' Welcome To The Jungle series. As always, the selection digs deep across the board to include classics, absolute bangers that have been criminally forgotten and no less than 10 exclusives made strictly for this album. From the sun-kissed soul and key-tickling evangelist jam "Salvation" to the absolute rave carnage of "What's Going Down", the boys have gone in on this collection maintaining its still spotless reputation as one of the most consistent and prolific mix series available in the genre. Pay close attention to the Jukebox Jungle track, too. This needs your loving.
DJ Monk - "I Spy (Eye Nu See)" (Conrad Subs remix) - (5:09) 175 BPM
Java - "Retreat" - (4:33) 175 BPM
Opius - "Naughty Call" - (5:51) 175 BPM
Pablo G - "Ya Dun Know" - (4:50) 175 BPM
DJ QT - "Guitar Lick" (remix) - (4:59) 175 BPM
Midway - "Kill A Bwoy" - (5:25) 172 BPM
Tribe Steppaz & Dagga - "Down" - (6:26) 58 BPM
DJ Monk & Tico - "Good Body Girl" (Stevie Sp 2019 Relick) - (5:37) 175 BPM
Review: KLP Records are turning 25, a crazy achievement that puts them right up there with Metalheadz et al, and so they're celebrating with a big compilation of tunes. Nicky Blackmarket, Klips & Outlaw kick things off on remix duties for DJ Monk's Touch Me, Tease Me. It's a classic combination of artists and the end result is equally timeless, with a sense of vocal softness descending into hard percussive knocks and grating jump-up synth work. It sets the tone for the rest of the album, which features contributions from Dublic, DJ QT, DJ Vapour and a load more. Unbelievable.
Review: Deep in the Jungle know how to do jungle. The clue is in the name, really, and they're proving it again with this huge compilation of 40 huge jungle anthems from some of the best rising stars of the breaksy side of the scene. RMS, SL8R and DJ Hybrid all make an appearance, as do Kumarachi, Veak, Schematic and Epicentre. This is a very strong roster and its reflected in the tunes, with Schematic and RMS teaming up on 'Take It' to combine roughshod, vibrant breaks and moody atmospherics in glorious fashion. Check this one.
Review: It's been a killer year for DJ Hybrid's Deep In The Jungle imprint; kicking off with the Anthems album in January, he's proceeded to drop a cannon of rollers and brock-outs throughout '17... But this has to be the biggest yet: 20 brand new remixes from across the vaults by some of the label's closest allies, every track guarantees deep mix pleasure and heavy dancefloor appreciation. Highlights include DJ Cautious's outstanding rework of the Kartoon's "Soundboy Surrender", Galvatron's rifle-kick drum jitters on Bassflex's "One Amen A Day", Pull Up Collective's rough scuzzy bass on Sharpz "Junglist" and the absolutely brutal twist of Sound Shifter's take on Crisis & Ikon B's "Who Runz Tingz". Trust... Deep In The Jungle run tingz round these parts!
Review: One can throw the word 'legend' around all day long... But few match up to the might of DJ Monk. A mid 90s instigator who returned to critical acclaim several years ago and has since re-inked jungle's tattoo to the past with authentic melting pot roughhouse clarity. Here we find his label KLP reflecting and forecasting in equal measure with a great range of names: Ray Keith duffs up the drums on his modern take of "Deal Wid It", Serial Killaz skank up the dance with a spacious dancehall shake down "I Spy", Lion-UK hits a nine on the richter scale with the slinky sub funk take on "Jungle Riddim" while Serum seals the deal with his precision balanced jungle soul on "Good Body Girl". Legendary.
Review: Deep In The Jungle is a label dedicated to resurrecting the jungle stylings of yesteryear and bringing them back to their rightful place at the front and centre of the dancefloor. This behemoth of a compilation spans the full spectrum of jungle, from the ragga sounds of summer to the dark rollouts of the deepest basement party. With - count them - 22 tracks of pure jungle vibes, there's no stone left unturned here, offering the very best from newcomers and veterans alike. Expect to get feet moving on this one - it's an essential purchase.
Review: Any jungle is festival jungle when dropped at the right time, but if you're looking for out-and-out skanky bumpers that guarantee arena meltdowns look no further as Vinyl Junkie and Rachael EC have selected 48 (yes 48) cuts that promise to raise all kinds of bodily temperatures, noises and movements. Serum's wobble-funk "Rat Trap VIP", Rob Blaze's system-slaying "Sound Boy", DJ Hybrid's Headz-style drone bass snake-wrestler, the iconic rave vocal emotion on Vinyl Junkie & Sanxion's "Ninja Bizznizz", Billy Bunter's chaotic dancehall skanker "Killa Sound".... We could list the highlights for days on end. An epic collection.
