Review: The summer might be coming to an end, but raving season is only just heating up and is set to stay at this refreshingly positive high for the foreseeable. Together is a great example of why as a crack team of new generation talents and serious OGs collide for this special Moondance collection. Updates and new retro flavours galore as the likes of Danny Byrd goes stunningly loco on Acen's 'Trip To The Moon', Benny Page tears Shades Of Rhythm a new one on 'Sound Of Eden' and Dope Ammo, DJ Rap and Jasmine Knight team up for the rush-inducing 'Together'. Elsewhere Ray Keith takes us back to his 96 'Dark Soldier' era with his recent breakbeat assault 'Back In The Day', hardcore heroes Liquid and Billy Bunter lock horns on the euphoric 'Dove Removal Machine' while rising ravesmiths Origin8 & Propa close the EP with an update on their swaggering, stabby breakbeat banger 'Massive'. Come together now.
Review: 25 years! The big H celebrate a quarter of a century in the drum & bass game with this phenomenal collection of remixes, reboots and revisitations by some exceptional names from firing new talent to the sagest of OGs. From Dillinja's remix of Urbandawn's 'Come Together' to Makoto's flip on Nu:Tone's classic remix of Lenny Fontana's 'Spread Love' via L-Side's immense remix of B-Complex's 'Beautiful Lies' and A.Fruit's dusty jazz take on the early 2000s 'Beautiful' from Phuturistix, the whole Hospital rave rainbow is covered by one of the best talent line-ups outside of their festivals. Whiney to Winslow, Remarc to Ray Keith, this is a fantastic document that reflects both Hospital and drum & bass on the widest possible level. Happy anniversary!
Review: Hospital Records do compilations better than most, partly because there's always something for them to celebrate. This time around it's the second year of Hospitality in the Beach, their new 4 day exercise in beach-based beats, featuring some of the best artists in the game. A huge album, the LP has 33 tracks - 25 of which are brand spanking new. Whiney's remix of Etherwood's 'Begin By Letting Go' is a highlight, the original's smoothness roughly transformed into a pummelling display of techy force. With Bou, Kasra, BOP and others making an appearance, this LP has all bases covered.
Review: New State have the honour and privilege of unveiling this extremely hard hitting original collection from the living legends: Stanton Warriors, with their new album project 'Dance Floor'. The album from start to finish gives an excellent showcase of what is going in bass music worldwide, with a selection of originals from their in house label: Punks and more. From listening through, our highlights have to include the subtle, techy flavours of Foundry's 'About Your Love' remix, featuring Lily Mckenzie, along with the punchy collaboration with Taiki Nulight entitled 'Beat Up' and of course Left/Right's spooky rethink of the title track 'Rise'.
Review: Word! It's the return of the Byrd and he's back in fine fettle for his fourth longer. Taking things back to his high energy, break heavy jungle influenced roots, the entire album is loaded with unassailable thumpers as the title track "Atomic Funk" and fellow slap-about sessions such as "Lizard Steppa" and "Devil's Drop" set the rampant choppy tone while vocal moments such as "Money Calling" and the badboy switching "Starting It Over" add a little soul to proceedings. With stacks of disco and funk deep in the mix (such as "Better Life" with Maduk and "Holy Star" with MC Foxy), this is full spectrum of Danny Byrd at his realest, happiest and gulliest.
Review: It's rare we see the high profile combo of Danny Byrd and Hospital not pull of some exceptional results. This brand new track entitled "Salute" is an example of how to turn a drum & bass dance into a zoo in three simple steps. First of all, the vocal presence of MC GQ plays as the perfect host for the track as it rolls out with fantastic drum arrangements beneath. When you couple this with lethal sub weight and emotive horn-like synthesis, it's hard to not find yourself moving to this one!
Review: The fourth instalment of their Fast Music series, Hospital Records now hit the tracks with one of the most genius compilations to date. Running and drum & bass are the perfect companions; consistent enough in speed to keep momentum but broad enough in shades and styles to keep you occupied as you pound the streets, there's a real sense of positivity and driving drama across the 50-track collection of standards and forgotten classics. Complete with two mixes from Nu:Tone, this is a win from every perspective. On your marks, get set, go...
Review: Ever the bastion of modern drum & bass from the smooth and liquid to the rough and ready, Hospital have decided to take stock with a bumper pack of classics, some of which have been remastered for the occasion. Logistics spells it out by kicking things off with the hyped up energy of "Jungle Music", while Danny Byrd brings a cosmic effervescence with "Amen Alley". All the label regulars are here with some bona fide gems from the vaults, whether it be London Elektricity or High Contrast on the buttons. Whatever the case, for newcomers to the label or those needing a refresher, this is a perfect one-stop hit of uptempo breakbeat mayhem from a British institution.
