Review: T.R.A.C is one of V's resident dons on the mic and the NYC-based vocalist's 'Life In' album was a sensational display of his talent as well as that of the label. The remix album has been a long time coming and it's jam packed with some of V's best broader talent; Need for Mirrors, Command Strange, Danny Wheeler, Saxxon and more. Maverick Soul delivers in a big way on his remix of 'Welcome to the Stateside', a seriously funky number, as do Artificial Intelligence on 'Pursuit', which they keep true to its roots but make even more melancholy - a proper roller. L-Side nails his take on 'Roarganic Symphony', which is dripping with soul in a departure from his often cutting style. Big LP from the crew.
Review: This compilation arrives with a rich heritage of V Recordings compilations behind it, and Planet V has for a number of years been the flagship series for Bryan Gee's label. Edition four comes to a whopping 73 tracks and includes a mix as well, and all the familiar V faces are present, from Alibi to Paul t & Edward Oberon. All of the tunes have already seen the light of day in a previous form, and Disrupta and Duskee's 'Deep Thoughts' is one of the standouts, as Disrupta lays down a minimal yet funky beat for Duskee to rap lyrical over, something he does with serious presence. New gun SL8r makes several appearances, including on the excellent 'What U Need', which bounces along in a synthscape of serious depth and texture, its funky nodes nodding to the beat of a vintage blend. Crossover outfit Think Tonk also shine with 'Tom & Heavy', an offering unique in its stepping, breaksy percussion and one which oozes soulful class. There are dozens more to have a gander at, so take your pick.
Review: Saxxon is one of the longest-serving members of the V Recordings camp, with music coming on all parts of Bryan Gee's umbrella movement. Time Is Right is coming on the main label and you can hear why, with a rich texture of sound that spans the whole spectrum of the music, from the rolling funk of 'Get Locked' to the dirty basslines of 'Higher', which also features Wednesday Amelia amongst some of the best sampling we've heard in ages. It's a classic V release that straddles that funky, dancefloor friendly sound that Bryan has done so much to push.
Review: Saxxon is one of the longest-serving members of the V Recordings camp, with music coming on all parts of Bryan Gee's umbrella movement. Time Is Right is coming on the main label and you can hear why, with a rich texture of sound that spans the whole spectrum of the music, from the rolling funk of 'Get Locked' to the dirty basslines of 'Higher', which also features Wednesday Amelia amongst some of the best sampling we've heard in ages. It's a classic V release that straddles that funky, dancefloor friendly sound that Bryan has done so much to push.
Review: Think Tonk is one of the most unique artists within the V Recordings camp, as they blend hip-hop and reggae vibes with the pace and energy of drum & bass, an approach which matches perfectly with V's long, cross-genre history. 'Police Baton' is classic, with a funky, stepping drum line that underpins its snarling bassline and off-kilter, spoken vocals, a rhythmic package that smacks of carnival season and then some. The flip leans more towards classic jungle vibes, as a soulful melody stabs through the arrangement with the air of old school garage, whilst punchy drums sing their song below. Big.
Review: The instantly recognisable sounds of NYC's T.R.A.C (one of the US's most important contributions to D&B MC culture) enjoy a reboot from man like Benny L. Part of a series of killer remixes from T.R.A.C's 2017 album Life In Motion, here we find Benny maintaining that bouncy, slightly ravey uplift of the original Serum collaboration while adding more of his signature south London grit and grumble. Savage, just like all Benny L joints.
Review: Mystery Manny badmen Think Tonk undergo the remix treatment with two of V's most consistent and forward-thinking artists. L-Side takes "What A Ting" apart and flips it into a brutal steamroller, continuing the high-grade uppsettery he's been doing with his remixes of Dillinja and Krust. "How We Do It Tonight" meanwhile gets boosted by Command Strange. Another V don who's yet to deliver a bad jam, he gives the original a super-tasteful treatment maintaining all the soul and heart of the original while adding a little extra weight. Thinking man's crumpet, thonking man's trumpet; everyone involved in this release can do no wrong.
Review: Bryan Gee and V Recordings do not mess around. They never have in the past, they're certainly not right now in the present and judging by this highly anticipated Future album, they're going to mess around any time ahead. 25 tracks from some of the biggest, best and baddest names in D&B (Dillina, Serum, Benny L, Paul T & Edward Oberon, Roni Size, DJ Marky, Drumsound & Bassline Smith, Bladerunner, Saxxon, the list goes on) this one's been a long, long, long time coming... And it's been well worth the wait. From L-Sides massive remixes of Dillinja and Krust to Need For Mirrors super-revved "Lambo" to Benny L's incredible remix of "Days", this sums up why Bryan and his label are as influential and respected in the game as they are today. Don't mess around.
Review: L-Side is the living embodiment of the seriously historical links between Bryan Gee's V Recordings and Brazil, especially the city of Sao Paolo. He's back on his long-time home for a three-track EP and The Void does what he does best: roll things out with musical sophistication and technical toughness. The title track is dripping in acid moodiness and the ambience of aggressiveness carpets the bouncy, emphatic synth line with an elegance of movement perfectly befitting its solid percussive undergirding. 'Resist' featuring Need For Mirrors is an ideal blend of their respective stylistic pallettes and with the menacing veneer of L-Side and the left-field subtelty of Moses coming in strong, it proves to be a potent mix. What an EP from the V team.
Review: V Recordings' Future LP finally looks set to drop fairly soon and this remix from Benny L is part of it, blending as it does the classic tones of Bristol legend Roni with Benny's more new school, harsher style of production. 'Dayz' is a timeless piece of work and Benny has flipped it on its head, rolling out some ragged breaks underneath Roni's instantly recognisable sample work and over a simple but incredibly effective bassline. Excellent stuff.
Review: Juiceman and Jubbz come correct once again with their Beat Merchants alias. This time packing a full EP, across four tracks the duo dig deep into the roots with some magic results. "Mandelah" is a potent piece of minimalism that swings like a Die track and is coated with all manner of little details. Elsewhere "Juju Man" gets militant on a steppy halftime dancehall vibe, "Mbe Mbe" is pure jungle music while "Zumuzah" concludes the EP on a dreamy, springy flex. Deep, rolling, heavy and authentic; Beat Merchants aren't messing around. Get to know.
Review: Command Strange is back for his first EP in quite a while and the Kazakh producer is taking any prisoners, with a return to form in his rolling, pacey style that focuses on swaying basslines and pummelling drums. The title track is vintage V, with a combination of funky stabs and a bouncing, stabby bassline that is wicked at getting the head nodding. He teams up with Dr Meaker on the heavier tones of 'Fruity', before ending things with a bang on 'Loco'. Crazy stuff indeed.
Review: Beat Merchants the name; soothing's the game... Conrad, Juiceman and Jubbz' project returns with another bounty of soulful bliss. Two originals, two remixes: the agenda is set by the simple understate soul of "Lockdown" with stripped back pianos, horns and some beautiful vocal pairing throughout while "Believe" takes us to the furthest of far-sides with a blissful (and well-loved) guitar lick, an elasticated double bassline and sharp bars. Elsewhere Command Strange flips "Hurricane" into more of a barbed beast while L Side turbo charges the title track with consummate soul. Keep this on lockdown...
Review: Finally! One of the most in-demand dubs of the year has landed. Following the universal success of "Take My Breath Away", Paul T, Edward Oberon and Serum's dream trio alchemy works again with another anthemic hurricane. Once again perfectly balancing shades with the soaring vocal and urgent bassline, this covers so many styles and joins so many dots it's no wonder every DJ who can get the dub has been hammering it. Now you can hammer it too. Join in if you know the chorus... All we ever wanted was fish.
Review: Alibi are the Brazilian duo who never fail to impress and having dropped a stellar debut album only months ago, they're back with a four-track EP on the inimitable V Recordings. Catalyst sees a return to their gritty, barebones take on rolling D&B, it's a format that they manage to constantly reinvent for themselves and Catalyst does it just as well as usual. 'Directions' is arguably the highlight, with numerous artists singing its praises on Twitter and we can see why, with a big, wide and synthy build up that dissipates wonderfully on the drop into a spacious, forceful arrangement that breathes well and moves even better. Top EP once more from the boys.
Review: V Recordings do some of the best compilations in the business and their brand new Foundation series is a natural recognition of that fact. They're not being hyperbolic with the usage of the term 'Foundation' either, because this is truly an overview of some of the scene's most foundational producers. Old-school Dillinja, Krust, Roni Size and DJ Die, amongst others, make up the roster of acts that formed an integral part of the genre back in the day. The new crew is also represented, however, in the form of L-Side, Think Tonk, Nasza Linez and loads more, all of whom bring some of that V-style heat. Wicked album - one for the heads.
Review: Paul T & Edward Oberon are a duo with a long and distinguished history on Bryan Gee's V Recordings and their sound spans all corners of the spectrum, from the very light to the obscenely heavy. This single is orientated towards the latter and the A-side - 'Look For The Light' - hits especially hard, with a stonkingly powerful percussive line that almost makes the whole tune. That honour, however, goes to the collection of bass sounds that give this tune its propulsion and sense of forwards movement. An absolutely incredible track, with an almost-as-strong B-side. V and the crew have killed it once more.
Review: One of the best destinations for funky D&B, V Recordings does music with all the attitude and samba-imbued style of Brazil. Shoutout to Bryan Gee, and this time around it's a new artist - Beat Merchants - who are landing with Brace with what is a summer-worthy anthem of gorgeous vocal riffs and funky guitar flicks. There are no preconceptions here or attempts to be cool, it's just pure vibes from start to finish. Dunns River also steps in for the remix on the flip - not too shabby at all.
Review: Command Strange and Alibi is a combination to be reckoned with. With the former from Kazakhstan and the latter a duo from Brazil, this partnership spans both the globe and D&B's more sophisticated, classy end. Don't be fooled by that sophistication though, this is still music that's gritty and rooted in the scene's penchant for tough beats and urban sonics. 'Stardust' is a subby roller that reminds us of 'Skyline' from the same artists, and 'Major Groove' is a dirty, junglist piece of naughtiness with serious attitude. V Recordings does it again.
Review: V Recordings' string of wicked, more low-key singles continues with this venture from Carlito & Addiction, two acts who have been in the V orbit for a number of years. You can hear that experience in the crisp yet rough productions on display here, the old-school influences are apparent but that doesn't prevent it from being cutting edge. 'Spinner' has a lovely long introduction with an almost LTJ Bukem vibe to it, a sense of ambience that's maintained on the drop except with an added injecting of low-frequency force. 'Rain On Me' is just as subtle but even more shakey down low, with a sick collection of bass touches, stabs and wobbles. Lovely stuff.
Review: V Recordings have a knack for signing music that's infectiously danceable but still gritty and tough, a description that applies perfectly to their latest single from The Insiders. Known for their contributions to Intrigue Music's anniversary collections amongst other things, The Insiders have absolutely smashed this single. 'Falling Down' featuring Ayah packs funk and melodic progression into the introduction but takes things darker on the drop, a nice duality than lends an element of creativity to an extremely feel-good number. 'Integrity' is steppier, more stripped back and orientated for the dancefloor, with a sparse but punchy arrangement that smacks of old-school V. Sick little release.
Review: V Recordings slide into their 25th year with another Sao Paulo salute as Simplification returns to the label with four absolute stunners; "Analogy" is a pneumatic stepper with crisp punctuated drums and a vibe that nods to the "Untitled Horn" vibe. "Venus" continues the dark cosmic feels as fellow Sao Paulians L-Side join the moody, spacious fray. Elsewhere "Hold On" slips into something slower as we're shown how things are done with space-age 140 breaks while "Free Me" shuts us all down with a swaggering, riff buzzer, all electrified, waspish and devilishly funky. Hold tight.
Review: Level 2 and DJ Chap need no introduction. Right at the front of Sao Paulo's new wave of D&B talent, their Alibi project has been damaging dancefloors (and hogging our playlists) for several years now. Enough years, in fact, to hone their stripped back dark soul signature to an album level. And here it is... Said & Done is a powerful document that cements the duo's skills and position in the game. Ranging from the subtle piano laced opener "Debris" to solid sure fire stinkers like "Through The City" (with Serum & T.R.A.C) via sci fi junglised steppers like the gently fluctuating "Recycle", this Level 2 and DJ Chap at their most widescreen; leaping from delicate ("Grace" with vocalist OG Cleveland Watkiss) to deadly (the venomous creeper "Said & Done" with MC king DRS) this is a seriously on point debut album. That moment when Said & Done is all...
Review: Bottoms up! V goes Manny masquerading once again as unstoppable fusionists Think Tonk return to Bryan G's homestead with four more high grade hybrid strains. Island vibes run through the four track EP as we're bashed, wavey and woozed into sunny side submission; "How We Do It" bumps with a yearning dusky haze and strong afrobeat connotations, "What A Ting" is a much darker stepper coded with demonic vocal textures and a full power pay off while "Medicate On The I" gets sticky fingered and smoky souled with almost trance-like undertones before "Live Our Lives" closes with a little harmonic drum resonance and Latin percussion. Bliss. You don't have to think too hard about this one...
