Review: Reload: The DNBB rebuild continues with these timeless breezers from Swedish soundsmith and Soul Deep affiliate Blastikz. Lean and keen is the name of the game on "Let It Rain" with a naked two-step, lingering pianos and blue sky pads, "High Strung" adds a little amen action while maintaining the dreamy harp-plucking sense of soul while "Lonely Vibe" is a solitary table for one at the tastiest stepper's banquet while "Timeless" brings the EP to a delicate close with more trembling pianos and oceanic pads. Make it rain.
Review: Once a duo now a lone trader, Prague's Dreamworkers (AKA Zeal) continues to deliver crisp soulful workouts, this time on DNBB with the deluxe version of last year's "It's Over" release. Highlights include the emotional strings and evocative vocal cries of "So Close", the burning soul vocal on "Sometimes I Feel", the delicate instrumentation and poignancy of "Cave" and the heavier, percussion-laced growler "Under". Pay attention.
Review: More breezy breath-taking soul from the recently-recharged DNBB. This time it's Leiden's Ecepta's time to re-shine as his 2015 release gets a timely reissue. "Forest" lulls with pensive anticipation and a lingering feeling that draws you right into the mix. "Illusions" is a little more upbeat and dramatic with rising chords and strong blasts of instrumentation whipping up a dreamy storm. Serious liquid gold.
Review: Quick! Grab Henry an anchor, he's "Drifting Away" and we need him back on terra firma to maintain high vibe levels in drum & bass! Seriously, though, you will actually drift into the ether with all of these jams. The title track radiate soul with its lilting pianos, "Waiting For You" adds a solemn touch where the drums are shrouded in a cloak of melancholy, "Journey's End" shimmers with a dreamy sheen that's not dissimilar to an Etherwood instrumental while "Let's Move On" closes with some of the smoothest guitar work since Dire Straits Brothers In Arms. Sublime.
Review: Fresh from his "Coming Back For More" EP in August, rising UK soul merchant Henry returns to DNBB with a powerful slice of MC led liquid. Introducing newcomer US MC Chainge, there's an urgent rap momentum that counters the lilting pianos and instrumentation creating a moving trip that's comparable to the work of the currently unstoppable T.R.A.C. Those not so keen on Chainge's ferocity can flip for a much more delicate, emotional instrumental.
Review: DNBB Digital are a Brazilian label for whom releasing funky music is quickly becoming second nature and what a piece of work their next release is, as Jungie and Mystific roll out some soul across varying drum patterns and vibes. 'Dare' takes the funkiness of Peshay or someone similar and chops it into bits, gullying things out whilst keeping the overall feeling upbeat and energetic. 'Forte' is also a highlight, another number which packs melancholic piano chords and a stuttering drum break which flutters in tandem. Lovely.
Review: The DNBB revival releases continue with this timeless groove quartet from Lurch. Classic soulful drum & bass laced with space and restraint, each cut still crushes hearts and dancefloors.... The jazzy introspection on "Someday", the cosmic ebbs and flows of "Never You Mind", the poignant mistiness and sultry steps of "A Sadness" and the feel-good piano-slapping on "Head Over Heels" all still hit home just as perfectly and authentically as they did in 2014. Get to know.
Review: DNBB Digital is a Brazilian label that has recently come onto the scene, surprising most with its vibrant, south American approach to curating cuts both light and dark. This single by Miv is the perfect example, with a sense of lightness and depth that Marky himself would be proud of. 'the Distance' is absolutely gorgeous, with sparse stabs and a clean arrangement leaving plenty of space for a sultry vocal hook to flow out over the top. The flip side is just as good and both tunes have us pining for more from this label. Go check it.
Review: Five pristine liquid sparklers from the recently re-risen Sao Paulo label DNBB land just in time for the summer. Vibes range from the pacey flutters and far-away choral textures of Mystific's "Sorry" to the languid introspection and heart stopping vocal of Nostre & Alexvnder's "Tell Me" by way of Henry's Sakamoto-style pianos on "Looking Back". Pure bliss.
