Review: The Spearhead massive have delivered some seriously high grade weaponry with this new set of originals, inviting some of the most exciting names across drum and bass together for this wicked new compilation by the name 'Soul Warming Sonics'. From the rave-ready vocal barrages of Emba's remix of 'Karma' from The Vanguard Project to DSP's abstract future-jungle synth switch ups on 'Index', this project really does tick all the boxes for a modern-day raver. With the full project featuring 18 scorching originals, we are almost spoilt for choice, but our favourites would have to include the warm bassline bounces of LSB's 'Golden', the sunshine synthesiser sweeps of BCee & Charlotte Haining's 'Is It Real?' and of course the absolute dynamite stick that is 'Feels Like' from Lens, which sees Workforce get busy across a thunderous rework. Fire from start to finish!
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: Launched earlier this year, Murkt is Villem's dirty little bit on the side. While he's best famed for the more soulful styles with McLeod and keeping us on our toes with BCee as one half of the full-genre flexing The Vanguard Project, Murkt is where he unleashes his darker side jams. And boy they've been corkers so far. This 002 release is no exception: Teaming up with Creative Source OG Addiction, "Tunnel Vision" is all snake-like in its sinister edge, "Stream Of Consciousness" plays a mean game of contrasts with cosmic light and proper gully dark intertwining liberally throughout, "Break Neck" brings McLeod into the mucky Murkt mire with a savage sizzling roll-up while "Palpitate" closes on a thundering halftime flex. Time to get murky... Again!
Review: Villem is one of those names in D&B that just exudes quality. Everything this man touches turns out to be wicked, from his work with long-time collaborator Mcleod, to joint effort The Vanguard Project with Bcee and now to his solo music. Murkt is his new album and All Day E'rry Day is its first release, a rolling single that draws upon his late 1990s and early 2000 influences to form a modern yet rustic set of sounds. The title track is honestly incredible, a deeply satisfying number that we suspect will please pretty much everyone. 'Shake Weight' is steppier and more jungley, but still packs that same bouncy yet aggressive bass weight. Yes mate.
Review: Spearhead Records - which was started by Bcee in an internet caf? - is hitting its 100th release and celebrating the fact with a huge compilation of brand new tracks, including contributions by Calibre, Technimatic, LSB and Bcee himself. Staying true to the label's origins, it's pretty much all gorgeous rolling liquid and we're very much into it. One of the highlights is the Bcee refix of his seminal 'Back to the Street', which has been given a revamped bassline and a fresh veneer of bassy purpose. It's not just the old on this album, though, and Walk:r lays down the gauntlet with 'Wallflower', a sublimely subtle, pacey piano tune that rolls out in delightful fashion. Wicked stuff here from one of the best in the game.
Review: It's been a long time coming... Since their collaborations emerged on labels such as Samurai and CIA over five years ago, Villem & McLeod have always shown signs of being able to hand out a serious album. And from the moment "Labooko" opens the story with rippling atmospheres, lilting plucks and fluid percussion you know Playing The Changes has been worth the wait. The dreamy rolls and whirls and surging soulful vocals of "Say Yes", the sliding, gliding disco vibes of "Organic Veg", the Degs-fronted space adventure "Crossways", the list goes on. Make no mistakes, this is a highly accomplished debut album that reflects the soul, skills and style of one of the most consistent partnerships in D&B right now.
Review: Serious business right here from Liquid: Addiction played a huge role in liquid's earliest chapters with releases on Fabio's genre-coining Creative Source imprint alongside Carlito with records the likes of Technimatic and Lenzman have cited as key inspirations. Here he returns to the game with the consistently on-it Villem who has done no wrong on Headz, Spearhead, Dispatch and Utopia. It's a match made in heaven; classy but weighted, timeless yet rooted in the foundations... "Make Me Feel Fine" is a Planet V era style jazzy bassline bumper while "Someone Somebody" is a roomier soul shake-down. Naturally both kill it. Tip.
Review: More often spotted cooking up sickness stews with McLeod, Villem tag teams with Belgian deepsmith Phase. The result is every bit as spotless, crisp and alluring as you want it to be. Soulful but barbed with the right balance of darkness, each cut trembles but punches: Steo adds emotional sparkles to "Thru My Soul", "The Traveller" soothes with K&D era pads before dropping into a Break-style elastic bass groove while "Kaikol" plays the cosmic card with its mystic instruments and drawn out notes. Of course McLeod shows his face too. And he does so on the beautiful "Reap What You Sow" where absolute bliss drops into total jungle dungeonism.
Review: Player central: Not one artist on this EP doesn't command serious respect. Ed:It and Pennygiles's 2014 firecracker gets the treatment from Ulterior Motive, adding just a lick or two of shade to the already solid groove. ST Files and Response follow with a beautifully restrained deep stepper that's not dissimilar to erstwhile ST collaborator Marcus Intalex. Total Science and FD maintain the deep theme with a soulful rolling track that's not dissimilar to their Funky Technicians material. Villem and McLeod anchor the EP with a unique halftime roll that balances dark and light tighter than your nan's 1950s television. A truly spotless EP.
Review: Fluctuating pockets of lion-growling bass tickle the edges of Mako, DLR, Villem & Ant TC1 mega-production "Hungry For Atmosphere". Its groove is the exact type of rhythm we all want from a classic Metalheadz record, which is circled by chiming bells, tremolo-infected Rhodes and an infectiously urban-sounding 'yeah vocal'. The other track however, presents a different story, with something more tear out. This time it's Mako, DLR amd Villem - minus Ant TC1 - that provide the ripping, snorting, and shaking "A Certain Flavour" - watch out for this.
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