Review: What a compilation we have here as the wonderful Killer Smile invite some of the most exciting faces in new school breaks together for a sumptuous four-tracker to launch the new 'Faces' series. This first volume opens up with Manix supplying the party flavour on 'The Feeling', a breathy throwback to the nineties with nostalgic chord progressions and chunky breakbeat design, before Foul Play mellows the mood with his more melancholic design within 'Black Sun', remixed exclusives for us here by Skeleton Army. Next up, the party takes a lively twist as Denham Audio arrives with 'Mercury Tint', a groovy entanglement of clean drum processing and big room subs, before the high tempo snare rolls and euphoric synth melodies of Mani Festo's 'Spiral' see us out in style. What a drop!
Neil Howard - "Indulge" (Dawn Raid remix) - (6:09) 172 BPM
Tom & Jerry - "Still Let's Me Down" (Furney & Madcap remix) - (5:42) 175 BPM
Review: Randall's Stepback Sessions have become something of a legend in the D&B scene and it only seems right that we give part five the space it needs. So take a step back, because this little selection will knock you flying. Ricky Force's remix of Manix's "Special Request" weaves and doges around crazed amens and classic samples, stopping all too soon to make way for DJ Vapour's blow-by-blow sub-pressure take on "Lock Up" by Coolhand Flex. Dawn Raid puts a techy spin on Neil Howard's classic "Indulge" without removing any of its original soul and final track "Still Lets Me Down" by Tom & Jerry gets a frankly beautiful reworking by Furney & Madcap. This is a release for the heads, but it's also perfect for the new starters. Get into this and you'll never steer wrong.
Review: From the vaults of Reinforced Records come 11 full-on party bangers from rave and hardcore original Manix. The Manix combination of uplifting piano anthems, hard hitting breakbeats and hardcore synths was a winning formula for Reinforced from 1991 to 1995, and influenced numerous producers to get in on that dangerous combination of high-life vocals and dangerous beats. This remix album is a collection of remixes by Manix for artists from the Reinforced roster including Nookie, Tek 9, One II One and Delirium. A huge release for fans of rave, breaks and drum & bass fans, it's a history lesson and a fresh take on the modern influx of retro sounds all at the same time. Sorted.