Review: 25 years in the game! The world's longest-standing D&B platform continues to represent drum & bass culture in the best and most upfront way possible with this incredible collection of tracks from right across the whole scene. Loaded with legends and new generation cats alike, with all ages and styles in between, the album ranges from the likes of Bukem's first release in many years - 'Flip The Narrative' to J Majik's hardcore-heaving 'Blake' by way of Bcee & Dynamite's 'Run', A.M.C's carnivalesque 'Brazil' and Visages & Kyrist's squelchy, dark funk piece 'Mirai'. These are just some of the many, many highlights on offer. With names like Particle, Digital & Charla Green, Ben Snow, Athena, Trex and so many more, this is a fantastic way to celebrate a quarter of a century in the game. Here's to the next 25 years.
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: 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: The one and only Digital celebrates his label's 50th release with this incredible V/A collection featuring some of the most important names and artists in the movement. Calibre, Klute, Kiljoy, Need For Mirrors, Drumsound & Bassline Smith and many more all feature on the album, ensure the Function signature broadsword, open-armed sound remains as developed and varied as it's known for being. Highlights include Calibre & Jet Li's drum-heavy drama stepper "Least Loved", the unabashed bashment of Digital's own "Dub Conscious", Seba & Jr Vallo's epic growler "Wasabi", DJ Trace's wild breakbeat ruckus "Spirits" and Klute's insane "Sick Of It All". These are just examples of a completely killer collection with no filler whatsoever... All contrasts, shades, styles and energies, Digital doesn't not mess around!
Review: Technique Recordings, founded by Drumsound & Bassline Smith back in 1999, is turning 20 this year and they're releasing a huge remix compilation to celebrate. Featuring remixes from artists old and new of Technique's best tracks, mostly originals from the founders themselves, this album stretches across 27 heavy, dancefloor numbers. The first outing, a remix of 'Come With Me' by Bladerunner, is classic KoTR vibes and we love the array of twisting, snarling basses that fans of this producer will recognise. Shouts also to Digital for his swirling remix of 'I Need Somebody', featuring some classic amens, and also Smooth for his popping remix of Tantrum Desire's 'Vybez'. Top stuff from a stalwart of the scene.
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.
Review: Cor blimey, Jungle Cakes aren't messing around with their Welcome To The Jungle series are they? Hot on the heels of Ray Keith comes another stone cold OG; Nicky Blackmarket. Digging deep across the classics and sparking up a whole forest of fresh fires, it's a 40 track, 2 mix, 10 FX tool trove of pure jungle magic curated with the wide-armed style you'd expect from an originator. With classic ranging from well known such as "Incredible" and "Pulp Fiction" to cult such as "Keep It Raw" and "Gangsters" and upfront jams flexing from all the right names (Serum, Aries, Serial Killaz, Drumsound & Bassline Smith), Blackmarket has absolutely smashed this out of the mark.
Review: Thought Technique's last 15 year celebration compilation was huge? You've seen nothing yet. It's their quinceaNera, dammit, and they're not giving up the party yet. Drumsound & Bassline Smith hang on to those summer vibes with two inclusions and artists like Tantrum Desire, Tremah, L Plus and Document One hold the fort with similarly stonking tunes. Unbelievable variety from the label that just keeps on giving. Then giving some more.
Come Alive (Lauren L'aimant remix) - (4:06) 59 BPM
Review: The latest massive release from this production supergroup is pure fire. Already blowing the roof off every venue across the UK, the remixes offered up on this are pretty special too. Alongside a stonking VIP of "Come Alive", Hugo Massian has crafted a house cut from the bare elements, proving that genres love to be twisted. Lauren L'aimant chips in to seal the deal with a fresh deep house take perfect for the beautiful people of the dancefloor to revel in their moment in the spotlight. Perfect weekend sounds.
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