Review: From the peace of Kent comes Jrumhand, Soul Deep's latest bright new talent. Offering up his world of vibrant old school influences and rolling soulful sounds in four big, tasty tracks; this EP gives a taste of what this longtime underground producer is all about. Blending brass and melodic vibes with dancefloor savvy beats is his strength and in tracks like "So Good" and "Since I Woke Up" there's a strong sense that junglist rhythms are deep at the heart of everything Jrumhand produces.
Review: Soul Deep Recordings is one of a new breed of drum and bass labels. Unlike many of the scene's more established imprints, they eschew vinyl releases in favour of digital-only EPs, largely from up and coming or little-known talent. This EP from Jrumhand - an outfit whose previous releases have all come on digi imprints - is a fine example. Offering a snaking, soul-flecked take on the classic liquid D&B sound, the four tracks here combine sturdy, live-sounding rhythms with floating melodies, deep keys and cute touches (snaking sax lines, vocal samples etc). The quality threshold is high, with the ethereal "A Time To Reflect" and forthright "Fusion Groove" standing out.
Review: Timeless soul rollers from Midland maestro Payback. Restrained and focused, there's a golden, sunset hue running throughout the EP; the slinky sub of "Distant Dream", the woozy pads of "The Remedy", the perkier disco horns and sharper, steppier drum magic of "Seeing Stars" and the classic London Elektricity style sound of Payback's remix of Jrumhand.... It all adds to a repertoire that gradually building with confidence, clarity and stone cold groves. Pay forward.
Review: Soulstructure's new Origin EP delivers five slices of beautifully evocative atmospherics propelled by dynamic drum and bass hallmarks. Highlights include SoulStructure's jazz-flecked remix of 'Kyoto" and the live bass-boasting "Melody Is Life". Both are productions that hark back to the rolling and flamboyant early years of Hospital, and moreover, the EP is upbeat to the point of being euphoric without reaching the point of being cheesy, as you'll find on the skipping and melodious "Origin" and "Together".
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: Pure Brazilian high grade; longstanding Sao Paulo stable DNBB reflect over some of their most touching, soulful rollers and gossamer grooves with this third volume in the Golden Team series. Highlights can be found across the entire 23-track collection but instant bliss and pure uplift can be found on the likes of Mystific's piano-pimped "Into The Sky", Motta's lavish soul and sample craft on "True Romance", the sultry Latin purrs and nylon strings of DJ Roots "Sorriso De Flor" and the emotional key lilts and hurricane atmospheres of Cosmikk's "Lea". Nothing but vibes, sunshine and soul, when they say gold, they mean gold.
Scott Allen - "Deeply Rooted" (original mix) - (6:58) 176 BPM
Blok One - "Falls In Drops" (original mix) - (5:52) 175 BPM
Review: The word jazz is criminally misused. One can wear jazzy trousers. One can flash jazzy hands. Shucks, one can even cook a recipe called 'jazzy potatoes'. But real, actual, jazz - the idea of fusion, improvisation and the notion of not following formula - is hard to find outside of the genre itself. Until you hit the fringes and deeper or classical side of drum & bass. Textures Music Group's Jazz Legends series is a great example; the wily drum dynamics on Soultec's "The Happening", the stroppy sub bass wriggles on Blade's "Back In The Days", the cosy synth nests between the snares on Aquasion's "Sax In The City". The true spirit of contemporary jazz is alive and kicking at 170BPM right here.
Al Pack & Quality Control - "Blow Your Top" - (6:36) 176 BPM
In Deed - "When The Time Is Right" - (6:39) 176 BPM
Bank - "Crazy" - (5:07) 174 BPM
Review: Textures Music Group has released a staggering amount of fresh sounding jazz-flavoured music over the years and now they're here to present the third installment of their Jazz Legends collection. Featuring tracks from Soultek, Jrumhand, Bank and more from the eclectic Textures roster, these are stronger jazz tracks than your average sax solo, Balearic lounge effort. These are the real deal.
