Review: It's finally landed! Paul T & Edward Oberon's debut album has been anticipated by many since huge anthems like 'Moon In Your Eyes' and 'Take My Breath Away' stormed the scene in recent years. Both veterans in the D&B game, an album was always going to be an exciting concept and the pair have more than delivered with an epic spread of flavours (ranging from the gritty jump up thrills of opener 'Somewhere Else' to the soulful charms of 'Wake Up') and also an all-star cast of vocalists from Fats to 2Shy to Cleveland Watkiss to A Little Sound to Riya and beyond. The whole album is a powerful bop but essential highlights include the chicken dancing bass silliness of 'Rockin Me' and the soaring euphoria of their latest Serum link-up 'Strange Days'. One of the biggest albums in D&B this season.
Review: Powerhouse collabo business: Longstanding craftsman Serum joins forces with fast-rising duo T & Oberon for two understated space-travel rollers that shake and shudder with the perfect balance of shades and energy. "Take My Breath Away" is all about the star-gazing; the pads, vocals and extra-sweeping chords live up to the title while a depth plunge bassline ensures maximal weight and punch. "In Too Deep", meanwhile, nods its cap to classic house and tech foundations with a rising riff that wouldn't go amiss in a Stephan Bodzin set, neatly softened by a soulful vocal snippet. Fresh material.
Review: Some studio partnerships simply work: Phace & Misanthrop, Chase & Status, Edward Oberon and Paul T. With a sound that sits somewhere between those two contrasting examples, they've got soul and grit locked into every aspect of their productions. "Out Of The Dark" rolls with a cool mid-zeroes style electro-ish bassline and a warm vocal harmony while "Surrender" goes for a much darker, twisted finish with space age bass lasers and planet-bashing tones. A very well rounded release that should find fans in all of drum & bass's many corners.
Review: Hot off Randall's Mac 2 label, Pieces is a ludicrous collection of behemoth tunes found, remixed or simply well-placed in no particular order. Why? Because he's good to us like that. Featuring a stellar line-up of OGs and freshly hooked-up newcomers, this is 18 tracks of pure drum and bass energy ready to make a mess of your cochlea. Special mentions for the DRamatic remix of Lenni Dee Ice's "We Are IE" and Trex's massive stomper "Sudden Impact" which should currently be tearing up the dancefloor in your nearest darkened warehouse with a soundsystem. Instant purchase.
Review: Prepare yourself for an overhaul of your favourite tunes for 2015 because "Tempt" has come along and blown the competition away. With the biggest bassline this side of the Croatian festival season, and haunting atmospheric synths that take things higher and higher, it's euphoric and downright dutty at the same time. Total pros. "I Should Have Loved You" is just as huge with a rolling vibe, adding menace to a womping bassline that then turns into a loved up, flashback to the '90s. You've got to love these guys's style for bringing something extra to a soulful dancefloor
Review: Celsius have a relentless release schedule, the benefits of which include getting the freshest new music out there before other labels have caught a breath. It's a strategy that's kept them ahead of the pack, such as on this new release, where regular collaborators Roygreen and Protone hook up with Paul T for a killer two tracker. "Outlaw" contains some seriously tough beats, haunting backdrops and creepy vocal snips, while "Sideways" keeps the tough beats but adds distant, echoey melodies and throbbing, menacing bass notes. Spooky!
