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: For all his dancefloor destroying singles and party-starting anthems, Brazilian D&B legend DJ Marky hasn't much pedigree when it comes to the album format. In fact, My Heroes is his debut solo full-length, and his first album of any sort since XRS collaboration In Rotation way back in 2004. It's perhaps unsurprising, then, that My Heroes has a celebratory feel throughout, with Marky delivering a range of melodious, soulful, carnival-friendly rollers and spiralling, anthem-like cuts (see recent single "Silly"). These are interspersed with a number of surprising diversions, including two memorable trips into soulful house territory ("Around You", the samba-flecked "Freedom"), and the synth-boogie influenced goodness of "Bella Drix".
Review: Where do you go when all you need are sexy summer vibes and the type of beats that roll for days? DJ Markey's house, obviously. In lieu of actually receiving an invitation to the man's Brazilian maison, may we suggest this double helping of sweet summery goodness - guaranteed to get your feet moving and heart smiling. Marky is the king of soulful drum and bass and both "Silly" and "Firenzi" are hot enough to get things heated on the dancefloor. Set them off and feel the sun come out. Perfect.
Review: Pass the pizza ar kid, Marky's heading up north and he's after something spicy! Teaming up with Dutta for the first of a two part release, this is a seriously tasty dream team where both artists characters' can be heard very clearly and vividly in the mix. "Mochi" flips between sandpaper bass licks and soft funk stabs while "Waffles" flips between a grumpy Bristol style bass and perky piano rolls that gradually get creepier and creepier. Feeling peckish? This will feed your family for three weeks and still have plenty left over.
Review: Marky and Makoto made this almost 10 years ago. Naturally it still stands up to today's production standards with ease as the rolling breaks, a sumptuous string and horn sample and juicy bass undulations fuse to create the epitome of a soulful roller. If this isn't in your collection yet, now is most certainly the time to jump on it. Lovely.
Review: Friction's Brighton-based imprint are doing things in style with this one, as Pola & Bryson meet DJ Marky for a flourishing example of high-level production chemistry that has now yielded its first full length EP: Run The Streets. It's darker than you might expect from two producers who are definitely known more for their contributions to the liquid side of the scene, and whilst 'Trouble' definitely ticks thatt box, it's the pummelling low frequencies which will really get your head nodding. 'Dogfighter' is the highlight in that regard, its striding percussive line walking boldly through a shimmering outer mirage of underground oscillations. Ed:it lands on the remix for track four to tie things up in style.
Review: Not content with putting up with a winter that's outstaying its welcome, Innerground have begun to piece together a work collective that shows off the sundrenched atmospherics of the Brazilian drum and bass scene. Headed up by DJ Marky and S.P.Y, the first track is of course "Yellow Shoes" but with a twist; adding that classic Calibre warmth to drum and bass' ultimate summer anthem tones down the glare, making it much more accessible to those of us bleached by a thousand months of rain and sleet. "Summer Soul" is far less accommodating however, and as the title suggests, it's a Submorphics-flavoured roll through the bassy summer days and soulful vocals that have become a staple of the Brazilian scene. A perfect excuse to ramp up the heating and crack open some Brahmas.
