Review: The US is popping with drum & bass right now and Liondub International has been leading the charge for many years. This epic LP from LA duo Lost City is proof; a huge album with some of the biggest vocalists in the bass game (Navigator, Rider Shafique, Capital D, Spyda, Riko Dan, Blackout JA, the list goes on) it reflects the widest parameters of the genre with a special focus and celebration of drum & bass jungle's soundsystem roots. Highlights include the Shafique fronted dancehall stepper 'Focus' the sexy soul of 'Under Control' and the already massive 'Sicko' with Ward 21. This is just the tip of the iceberg; time to get well and truly 'Lost' in the music.
Review: As always with the Liondub International crew, we are in for an absolute cracker with this one as they unveil an 18 track vocal pack, exploring the super lively 'Soap Riddim', one of the most dancefloor-ready instrumental designs we have heard in years. The lineup they have managed to assemble for this collection is pretty outstanding, featuring the likes of Patexx, Javada, Suku Ward, Red Fox, Junior Dangerous and many more, all of whom deliver lively vocal performances. This is a perfect tape pack for any dancehall DJ looking to turn up the flavour in the dance, with our highlights being Daddy Freddy's highly energetic performance on 'Danger', next to Blackout JA & YT's vibrant back and forth display on 'Greatest Treasure'. You can pick and choose your favourites, but this is a riddim that is going to cause some real dancefloor damage
Review: Cambridge hip hop trippers The Nextmen hook up with Chali 2na, Tippa Irie and Krafty Kuts across two originals and remix! Instantly recognisable is the smooth baritone vocals of one time Jurassic 5 MC, Chali 2na (aka Charlie The Tuna), throwing down some sweet melodic lyricalisms over the instrumental dopeness of "Combination". Pitching some '90s hip hop references against a touch of UK ragga, dub and sample culture - with Krafty Kuts nestled somewhere deep in the production too - there's also a well received reeeemix! Touching on electro, dancehall and subtle industrialisms, "Chicken Of The Sea" is super fresh and refined hip hop productions, no less!
Review: Deekline enlists the skills of Feyder and Steppa Style for two monstrous skank-wise reggae bubblers; The Spruddy One-featured "Overcome" and the Ragga Twins-fronted "Sound Burial". The former flexes with a rapid Eek-A-Mouse-style vocals while the latter rips with the hype you'd expect from Deman Rockers and Flinty Badman. Version-wise we're also treated to reggae, dancehall and instrumental versions, each one adding serious roots authenticity.
Review: Blackout Ja has teamed up with label boss Liondub for a dubby (no surprises there) double sided outing on an imprint which bears all the hallmarks of a classic UK label, with jungle, drum & bass and dub music intertwined the whole way. This respect for the history is apparent on Rize Again, as two loping, plodding cuts of funky, upbeat music come at you with the grace of a stoner and the enthusiasm of one too. The title track is lovely in its percussion and Blackout Ja has nailed the dancehall vibe on the vocal line - you won't forget this one.
Review: What a crazy link up we have here as Lost City joins forces with the monstrous vocal talents of Capital D for a speaker-slapping new single by the name of 'Crazy In Love', coming to us courtesy of the wonderful Liondub International team. Think dancehall, but electronic, and you are a third of the way there with this one as we are greeted by dizzying snare slaps, grizzly bass energy and a rave-ready toasted vocal line from Capital D. This is an absolute weapon of a single, perfect for turning up the heat in the dances, coming complete with an even more gritty drum & bass rework from JNGL, along with both instrumental cuts for good measure.
Review: You can always count on Liondub International to up the mood, with this latest single being a perfect example of that attitude in motion. We have always loved the Liondub ability to fuse the nostalgic beauty of dancehall and reggae music with modern production methods, this time seeing Blackout JA & Ricky T join the dance for the party-starting arrangements of 'Sound Murdara', a toasted homage to system culture, delivering both a classic sounding riddim dripping with flutey melodies and catchy horn stabs and a super catchy lead vocal. This one comes complete with a more system-friendly dub mix for good measure, kick starting 2022 in style.
