Review: Not many tracks are as widely renowned as Nasty Habits' (AKA Doc Scott) 'Shadow Boxing', a seminal number from the 1990s which you'll still hear out in clubs to this day (well, not right now). It's therefore about time it was given more remix treatment, as Benny L, Traumatize, J:Kenzo and Scott himself step up to bring us four new versions. Benny L's is hotly anticipated and the talented producer has stretched things out and toughened them up, leaving you on your seat with the suspense of his two-minute-plus introduction that gives way to a refined, growly take on that signature bassline. J:Kenzo contributes some percussive steppiness, whilst Traumatize injects some grit and Scotty rolls things out even more. Outstanding.
Review: Could Om Unit's twist on Nasty Habits' 1996 classic "Shadow Boxing" be one the most crucial VIP contemporisations in recent D&B history? Arguably, yes. The rolling drums, the slight melodic twist on the iconic bassline, the sudden moments of space... Whether you know this from back in the day or it's fresh to you, this really is a literally perfect example of how to VIP an influential classic. "Something Ancient" sees Om Unit team up with Thing for a cathedral-level stepper smothered in deep breath pads and mystic textures that sits somewhere between Clarity and Tobin. Immense.
Plastikman & The Persuader & Van Bonn & Arnold Tempo & Donnacha Costello & Deepchord - "Consumed/Pinnharan/Abroad/Quarion Was Digging For Water/Grape A/DC14 (A1)" - (3:57) 125 BPM
Siopis & Joris Voorn & Lau Frank & Audio Werner & Jichael Mackson & Roland Klinkenberg - "Listen To The Whispers/Where Have You Gone? (Part 1)/7am (D" (feat Mr Brean - Jody Hannan remix) - (3:35) 125 BPM
Howling & Christian Fennesz & Julien Aubert & Martin Aquino & Christian Fennesz & John Tejada & Glac - "Signs (Matom Remix)/Kae/Feelmar (Gaspard De La Montagne Remix)/Red Pavement (Halo & Alex Fuent" - (4:36) 125 BPM
Joris Voorn & Giash - "Fall (Nobody Home Dream Interpretation Mix) / Space Odyssey" - (4:55) 125 BPM
Cobblestone Jazz - "Drawn From The Side Of Crime" - (2:45) 125 BPM
Sounds Like Us & Donnacha Costello & Sagat & Roland Klinkenberg - "Little Helper 163-4/Backache/Body/Departures" - (3:50) 125 BPM
Monobox & Tadeo & Robert Hood & Reggy Van Oers - "Realm/Deep Space/AM Track/Mavie" - (5:53) 125 BPM
Nasty Habits & Anton Pieete & Tom Day & Monsoonsiren & Tom Day & Monsoonsiren & Joris Voorn - "Shadow Boxing/Next Year (Mosca's Skaep Niwt Version)/Love Is Rare/Dreams/Left (Roland Klinke" - (2:48) 125 BPM
Wolfgang Voigt & Rekord 61 - "Empathie/Sverh" (Radio Slave FYM remix 2) - (3:58) 125 BPM
Joran Van Pol & Speedy J - "Exist/Fill 17" - (4:05) 125 BPM
Review: Drum&Bass Arena: The longest-standing, and one of the most respected, platforms for all things jungle D&B celebrates an impressive 20 years in the game with this ridiculously hefty document that pays respect to the genre's every twist and turn. From scene-shattering megahits ("Tarantula", "Feel The Love", "Rock It", "Afterglow") to unarguable historical underground scene-smashing megabangers ("Machete", "Aztec", "Nasty Ways", "The View", "Champion Sound", "Turbulence", "Up All Night", "Deadline", Ram Trilogy's remix of "Pacman") by way of tracks that may have slipped under the radar ("Defcom 69", "What's Wrong", "Song For Lovers") the whole album is loaded to the lips with some of the most important records the genre's enjoyed in the last 20 years. Time to get nostalgic, time to fill those holes in your collection, time to educate your dancefloor. Here's to another 20 years!
