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Review: It's been a long time between drinks for Dennis Van Gemert, whose last 12" under the Area Forty_One alias dropped some three years ago. This second installment in the Nocturnal Passions series picks up where the last one left off, effortlessly joining the dots between classic Detroit techno, Drexciyan electro and glistening IDM. There's much to enjoy throughout, from the rolling, deep space bliss of 4/4 roller "Voyage" and horizontal, deep techno bliss of "Consolation", to the grandiose, intergalactic ambience of "Orbiting". Best of all, though, is "Nocturnal Passions Part II", a sprightly electro jam that gets just the right balance between dark foreboding and shimmering Motor City futurism.

Played by: Vincent Inc, Bladerunner, Dawn Raid, DJ Hybrid, Elsta, Dimension, The Ragga Twins, D-Code

Review: The beast has landed! Ram Records' most important releases in recent times, the pioneering label celebrate quarter of a century with this insane collection of 25 seminal cuts and 17 selected reversions. Roots and future all in check, every cut reminds why Ram and its founder Andy C have the status they do in drum & bass. Total Science's tasteful jazz touches on "Cool Down", Metrik's growling Aston Martin style rebuild of "X-Ray", Bladerunner's precision update on "Quest", Shimon's personal update on his and Andy's "Night Flight", Chase & Status's elephantine shake-up of "Valley Of The Shadows". We're just listing perfect remixes for the sake of it now... You already know how big a deal this is.

Played by: ATM MAGAZINE

Review: Brazilian producer S.P.Y has been getting great support over the last couple of years, not least from his fellow countryman and veritable DnB royalty DJ Marky, who he's rumored to be collaborating with this year. "Loneliness" sees S.P.Y build on his previous ASBO EP, and deliver two awesome slices of jump up goodness.

Played by: Juno Recommends Techno

Review: Critically acclaimed debut album and the success of both Slam and Silicone Soul, Soma also had contributions on the label from Joris Voorn, Samuel L. Session and Itamar Sagi. Judging by the wealth of talent on this compilation, 2010 looks set to be a continuation of their superb work.

Established in 1991, Soma has been instrumental in Scotland's techno scene, pushing the likes of Slam, Funk D'Void and Silicone Soul on their way to the international stars that they have become. Still today, they manage to remain ahead of the game and their 2010 compilation showcases this in emphatic style.

This edition of their annual label compilation both looks back at their last year and then also on into the future. Joris Voorn and D'Julz are both on remixing duty for Slam tracks. Voorn takes on the label bosses' "Ghost Song" whereas D'Julz's dub of the classic "Positive Education" finds its way into the middle of the mix. Other established artists come in the form of Christian Prommer, The Black Dog and Funk D'Void. In keeping with their ethos of pushing up and coming talent, the highly touted Gary Beck and Harvey McKay both make an appearance before the compilation is closed by a remix courtesy of Warp's Autechre.

Soma has always released well selected, relevant and forward thinking compilations. Their 2010 bumper edition is no different. It not only celebrates their superb 2009, but also goes some way to showing us what we can expect for the forthcoming year. Dancefloor here we come!

Review: Up and coming DnB producer Rockwell is definitely going to be hot property very soon if he stays on this kind of form. The Noir EP showcases his production nous, as tracks like "Tribes" avoid all the tired old cliches of the genre and instead fill it with a new set of glitchy percussion sounds and intense moody bursts of total frenetic excitement. Tunes like "Stay Calm" are fairly rooted on the dark side, but it's great to hear a producer put the same amount of invention that currently goes into dubstep and use it in DnB. One to watch, get involved sooner than later.

Played by: Juno Recommends Drum & Bass

Review: The first instalment of the Bad Taste compilation series hit the shops back in 2005. Featuring tracks from the likes of Noisia and Chase & Status, the compilation brought Bad Taste to the attention of the world. Now in 2010, the imprint is still going strong and their third volume in the series is set to become the hit that the previous two CDs had become.

Maldini and Vegas, who have been there from the start, remain at the helm of Bad Company UK following the departures of Fresh and dBridge who split to pursue their solo careers. At the helm, Maldini & Vegas' Bad Taste compilations have become a phenomenon with the drum and bass scene. Still as relevant and important to the scene today, Bad Taste Volume 3 showcases the underground sounds of the gritty techstep that the pair do so well together. 1o tracks of the most upfront jungle and drum and bass bring the dark dancefloor vibes of the underground to the masses. Featuring tracks from scene leaders such as Gridlok, Upbeats, Blokhe4d, Optiv, Prolix, and of course Maldini & Vegas, who deliver some exclusive cuts for the compilation, this is a perfect representation of the vibrant scene as we find it tonight. It's deep and dark feel is also peppered with the all important touch of future funk that makes this compilation so distinctively Bad Taste. With support from the album coming from stars such as Friction, DJ Marky, Pendulum and Concord Dawn, Bad Taste Volume 3 looks on course to take the underground over boad and reach the masses.

Played by: Juno Recommends Hip Hop/R&B, Juno Recommends Rock/Indie, Hero Records

Review: Back with his third album, Big Beat pioneer Lee "Cut La Roc" Potter has created a kaleidoscopic set of songs that make his early days on Skint suddenly seem like a very long time ago. As someone who grew up on hip-hop, it's maybe not surprising to hear so many influences at work at one time. There are plenty of B-Boy references, most notably on "Come Get Some" which features an amazing guest spot from MC Donald D, as well as a choice sample from Big Daddy Kane's "Warm It Up Kane". There's also the use of classic UBB tune Pussyfooter on the schizoid party-banger Jump Up & Down.

But surprisingly, there are a host of other styles on show here as well. Pop gets a look in on For The Kids, which uses a Robbie Williams chorus as a hook in between raps from The 6th Letter. Gary Lightbody from Snow Patrol even makes an appearance on Mishka, with La Roc making a soundbed of sampled strings for the singer to let loose on. A pair of songs with vocalist Alex Larke also showcases some unexpected influences. Don't Stop seems pleasantly indebted to The Rolling Stones, while their other collaboration Candy Man is a slow and sentimental piano-led ballad.

There's still a lot of jump-up club tunes that fans would expect from a Cut La Roc album, like the awesome Nightlife Love and Hey Girl which features a great performance from Ragga MC Lion D. But it's refreshing to hear a DJ produce an album that takes them out of their comfort zone, especially when it works as well as Larger Than Life.

Played by: Shantisan, Timewarp, Trotter, Juno Recommends Funk, Dj Max (Globe by dj Max & Gabb)

Review: Teddy Presberg is an American underground jazz and funk improvisation performer. A guitar player of an incredible talent and blessed with an ability to conjure mass amounts of soul and emotion with his music, Teddy is one of the most exciting acts in an already unrestrained and explosive scene. This compilation is a selection of tracks from his most recent album, Outcries From a Sea of Red that have been remixed and re-edited by Timewarp artists.

Many Timewarp artists have been admirers of Presberg's work and once approached, have embraced the challenges of fusing his work with modern electronic grooves. Following on from Timewarp Inc's opening remix of "Bella's Boogaloo" we get a selection of groove-laden mixes from the likes of Niles Philips, Atfunk, Medras and Quasamodo & Trotter. Each adding their own style and flavour, the overall feel of Teddy's vintage soul sound remains present throughout. Along the way, we encounter nujazz, funk, disco, house and even elements of reggae and dub. To put it simply, this album has a sound all of its own.

With promises of a second volume already made, fans and musicians alike will be extremely excited to see what sounds can be merged next. If this album is anything to go by, then we can expect even more talented artists wanting to get involved and make their own unique interpretations of the legend that is Teddy Presberg.

Played by: Juno Recommends Drum & Bass

Review: Critical Music continues to release some of the UK's freshest sounding drum & bass. Sabre's "Marvel" takes on a more minimal and experimental approach to the sound. This is drum & bass at its slowest, its clicking percussion doing most of the work. The collaboration with Ulterior Motive, "Barefoot" is more up-beat but still manages keeps its darker, grittier sound.

Played by: Temper D, Juno Recommends Experimental

Review: Putting something a little different out there for D&B DJs, London spinner Temper D offers up this breathtaking EP from Brandon Miles and Tricky Pat. From Portland and Vermont respectively, these two have an innovative and refreshing take on the genre, a million miles away from the mountains of formulaic D&B.

As Temper himself says: "They can really have an amazing effect at parties, provided you mix out of them with something with a bit of energy!". If only all label bosses were so thoughtful. Lead track Sulpher has a stuttering Dubstep-styled beat with some awesome beatless sections for stunning mixouts.

Pip Squeak will again work wonders in sets, coming in with a half-tempo swing that doesn't feel lazy but instead provides a classy way to switch up styles, with plenty of crescendos that are begging to be mixed out of. Radio X and Sex In Slime are two seriously dark and twisted tunes that the right DJ could deploy with huge effect. Having already been played by London Electricity, Doc Scott, Raiden and of course Temper D himself, these 4 tracks come seriously recommended.

Played by: Juno Recommends Drum & Bass

Review: The Slum Dogz bring the fire! Simply one of the most highly anticipated jump up drum & bass tracks of late gets a release on Maximum Boost. These two huge, tear up, devastating bass monsters prove Slum Dogz talent for producing dancefloor smashes once and for all.
Formed in early 2009, Slum Dogz were forged in the fires of Maximum Boost. Consisting of label co founder Swan-E, new label signing Picto and MC, Krafty. Swan-E has more than twenty years experience in the scene and long time friend Krafty joined the Maximum Boost ranks in 1999. Picto was a new signing to the label when Slum Dogz formed their collective but the three fit together perfectly and their rise to stardom has been rapid. First came the high octane "Bad," their debut track which catapulted them onto the scene. "Kredit Krunch" backed it up before "Is It Good Enough" and "Like This" rounded off their first year in style.
Now they're back with more of their distinctive gut thumping breaks and abundance of high end stabs. "The Fire" has a got a distinct jungle flavour throughout. With a huge female raga vocal and massive drops, the track certainly packs some serious power. Head twisting bass and thumping drum patterns make this yet another dancefloor belter from the Slum Dogz. "Keep the Place Hoppin" does exactly what its title demands. The vocal of the same words adds momentum and perfectly fits the mood set by the filthiest, nastiest and dirtiest bass imaginable. Distorted synths add to the crazed vibe as Slum Dogz continue on their mission.
Just a handful of releases in and Slum Dogz have already left a trail of destruction behind him and swept up an army of supporters with them. If "The Fire" is anything to go by, then 2010 is only going to see more devastation.

Played by: Dj N◉va ▶ Rodon FM 95, Mop Mop, Randy Brusseto, Juno Recommends Broken Beat Nu Jazz, David Bassin, Shur-i-kan

Review: Re:Jazz return with their second collection of electronic edits on Infracom. Always deep and soulful, the album treads water in varying styles of electronic music. Besides quality edits, Re:Jazz also open the album with a completely new original track called "Star Chasers." Melodic and heart warming, it fits in perfectly with the entire album.

Review: Combining a fresh palette of sounds with D&B beats, Rawtekk & Mofi make new single Snowball really stand out. Harking back to the tech-step days, Snowball is a tough and properly dirty mash up of hard analogue kicks and squelchy pads and synths. Repulsion on the flipside is even more filthy, and it's wonky, disjointed beats make it a dark but brilliant highlight of the single.

Played by: Mellophonia, Mahatma X

Review: Generally accepted as the father of Ethio jazz, Mulatu Astatke releases his first studio album in over twenty years through Strut. Mulatu Steps Ahead signals somewhat of a new approach for the veteran who also engages with western jazz in favour of his more familiar, native style that has made him such a pioneering artist during the 60s and 70s. Having been making jazz music for the last 50 years, Mulatu Astatke has worked with some of the greats of the jazz world. On this album, he recorded with members of the Either/Orchestra in Boston, with members of The Heliocentrics and some of the UK's leading jazz and African players whilst also adding contributions by traditional Ethiopian musicians in Addis. The album follows on from the success of both the acclaimed Inspiration Information collaboration and recent Strut compilation, New York "Addis " London.

Mulatu Steps does not focus on his past roots however, indeed much of it was recorded in the States. The result is a more traditional sounding jazz record than we are used to from him. But that is not to say there is less intrigue and personality woven into it though. In fact, each track on the album tells its very own story. Opener "Radcliffe" reflects on his time as a lecturer at Harvard University.

"Assosa" adapts traditional music from the Assosa tribes of North-Western Ethiopia, "Mulatu's Mood" re-works a Mulatu jazz fusion composition from the early 1990s into a new swinging Afro high life arrangement and "Derashe" deals with the traditional diminishing scales of the Derashe people of Southern Ethiopia. Although different from his previous work, Mulatu Astatke continues to keep jazz fresh, contemporary and up to date whether it's African or American. Let's just hope it's not another twenty years until his next studio album.

Review: Sweden's Raw fusion drop three tracks of slower, dubby grime from Sterotyp. Vocalist Warrior Queen features on the churning "Ganstap" and on the stripped and percussive "Cree." Sandwiched between the two comes the rolling "Blaze N Cook" that features Shagon on vocals.

Played by: Souled (Fresh Minute Music), Syncopix, Nu:tone (Hospital Records), ED:IT, Hex

Review: Signature drop Calibre's best work to date with "Steptoe." A deft halfstepper that displays rigid programming and sumptuous bass weight, this is a subtle killer from Calibre. It has hint of jungalism and the peaceful melodies set it apart from the rest of his work. B-side "Silence" is less refined but rolls out a worthy number in itself.

Played by: Mixmag, Juno Recommends Drum & Bass

Review: Out on new label Traffic Music, "Passing Through" is a piece of classic drum & bass. Tight breaks, offbeat bongos and torrents of sub bass mesh with Funktion?s trademark drum edits to create this monster. B-side "Show Down" has a faster tempo and running drums working off murmurings of deep bass.

Played by: Juno Recommends Drum & Bass

Review: "Dark Times" is taken from Jay Bulletproof?s full length album of 2008, and it's all about rolling basslines and big beats. With plenty of angst and attitude, this is a fierce drum & bass smasher that will shake the walls. Remixes come from State of Mind and Misanthrop, who add a further sense of drama with swirling sub bass.

Played by: Temper D, Ronin Selecta [AGN7 Audio], Syncopix, Juno Recommends Drum & Bass

Review: A banger from 2003, this classic gets a huge rerub from London producer Prolix on Ed & Optical's Virus label. Already on top form after his Scourge EP, his take on "Get Ill" is just what the doctor ordered - a huge and hectic killer that adds gliding synths by the bucket load to make it an absolute destroyer. Backed up by the Dyke and the Blazers-sampling "40 Channels of Funk", this is yet another essential slice of Virus.

Played by: TCHPHNX, LIONDUB

Review: Marcus Visionary makes another appearance on Liondub International. "Blackboard" is old school jungle at its finest: super quick percussion, rolling beats and layers of sub bass that are only pierced by old school vocals. Goldstar & Zero G chip in with some looptastic bouncing bass on "Skin Out".

Played by: Juno Recommends Drum & Bass

Review: Always on top of their game, Drumsound (aka producers Andrew Wright and Ben Wigget) team up with long-time collaborator Simon "Bassline" Smith for this epic release on Technique that will no doubt keep them at the top of the D&B tree. Having dropped classics in the past such as "Cold Turkey", "Odyssey" and "Everybody Pump", they still enjoy tons of support from DJ's like Annie Mac and Zane Lowe and "Clap Your Hands" is likely to extend their fanbase even more.

A jump-up mix of beats, churchy piano licks and some fresh gospel vocal samples that break out in the chorus to preach: "Somebody shout Hallelujah, somebody shout amen", it's a barrel load of fun.but if D&B's not exactly your thing there are some excellent versions in different styles to get you on board. The House mix for example is perfectly transplanted to a 130bpm tempo and works really well as a quality electro banger. Similarly, the dubstep mix takes it down to a cool half-step and adds a lot of glitchy bass for good measure. The Phetsta mix is the one that the dj's will want to pounce on first though, as it brilliantly switches between D&B and electro mid-song, making it a valuable tool for effortlessly changing between genres during sets. Yet again Drumsound and Bassline come up withe the goods - there's absolutely no way you won't be feeling this tune after just one listen.

Played by: Juno Recommends Drum & Bass, Secret Society

Review: Broken Audio are back with a gigantic various artists EP, consisting of four of drum & bass heavyweight producers. Anile, Genotype, Insight and Notion & Nusense all appear on the bill as this dark and brooding release kills it with healthy servings of hazy atmospherics and rapid percussion. These will smash every stereo or soundsystem it touches.

Played by: Juno Recommends Drum & Bass

Review: Hooking up with East London grime collective Ruff Sqwad, here represented by Fuda Guy and chart-straddling Tinchy Stryder, Blame drops a smooth summer anthem with "On My Own". With the original marrying the rhymes and choruses sung by Alex Mills to an electro tempo beat, it's both catchy and likely to make you shake on a dancefloor. But even better are some tight mixes - a stomping D&B mix by Blame and also a fiery dubstep mix by the legendary Drumsound and Bassline. Expect to hear this played out in all its different guises very soon.

Played by: Ennio Styles, Dave Allison (Editorial), JUSTIN WINKS (CASIO SOCIAL CLUB), Lucci Capri (Messalina), Sleazy Beats Recordings, Sccucci Manucci, Mixmaster Morris

Review: Ron Basejam is the alter ego of keyboardist James Baron of Crazy P and Secret Stealth fame. Here he drops his superb full album for Yam Who's ISM label. Fans of Ron include the likes of Gilles Peterson (who put the charismatic ''Into My Life'' on the recent Brownswood Bubblers 5 compilation), DJ Harvey, Dam Funk, The Revenge and Greg Wilson, and it's easy to see why. The album trips through musical genres effortlessly taking elements of the past and fusing them with modern day production techniques. Ron's influences are all represented here, with touches of deep house, disco and melancholic dreamscapes set against jazzual synth funk-fired treatments and vocal sample snippet production. Definitely one to check.

Played by: Recloose, DJ Magazine, Matt Waites, Chamboche

Review: Matt Waites drops a compelling afro-disco effort on Lo Recordings? new, more disco focused offshoot, LoEB. "Deep Heat" launches the imprint with some highly electronic disco that builds with ancestral rhythms and an exotic feel throughout. Accompanied by a strong remix package, this is a statement of intent from the new label.

Now recording under his Moscow alias, Mr Waites has been around for some time, most notably under the Nightmoves moniker, which saw the talented producer unload killer remixes of Robbie Williams, The Klaxons, Roisin Murphy, Friendly Fires and Freeform Five & Mylo. In an attempt to turn onto a deeper, more atmospheric sound he gave birth to his Moscow project, which launched with two highly acclaimed remixes of They Came From the Stars I Saw Them and Detachments. This was followed up with his debut original production, the epic "Throw Up" disco jam on Japanese label, Endless Flight.

Now, "Deep Heat" lands just as we move into the blissful months of a warm summer. A definitive cut of modern, leftfield disco, the title track builds throughout its entirety with a kind of trance music feel. Crisp layers of percussion and succulent synth textures ride over a fluid bassline, proving Waites? deft production skills in one, dance inducing sweep. Moscow?s dub mix strips it down and instils a wonderfully spaced out feel before DFA?s Tim Goldsworthy turns in a more electronic remix as The Loving Hand. Toby Tobias is up next with two excellent remixes. First he places emphasis on a heavy bassline to create a driving atmosphere with touches of acid before his "Cut to the Chase" remix develops the emotional synth motif even further. The Blessed finishes proceedings with a harder, big room peak time rework. A label debut is always an important release for establishing a tone and feel for further releases, and we can be assured that only the very best of electronically enhanced disco will get through the doors of LoEB.

Review: Big and brilliant stuff from Spanish D&B producers Krone and Strago - back with a another huge and moody release on Mutacube. Krone's "Anunnaki" couldn't be any more dramatic - breaking from some brilliantly arranged tech-infused beats into a cinematic sample at one point. Strago's "Changes" also hits the spot in terms of jump-up goodness while "Dreathms" lets loose with a torrent of militant breaks and heavy sub-bass. The dreamy "Surviving" rounds off this release nicely - all well worth checking out if quality progressive D&B's your thing.

Review: A joyous and soulful D&B tune from production duo Total Science, who have great form with releases on Metalheadz, True Playaz and DJ Marky's Innerground label. "Redlines" is a proper standout, largely thanks to the soft and seductive vocals of Riya which balances out the beats nicely. With the vocals syncing so sweetly with the chopped up chords of "Redlines", Total Science thankfully let the track breathe and don't over egg the tune at all. "Flipside Skinz" makes the perfect companion - coming in harder with more attitude via some sick basslines and drums. Another quality cut from a team who know the art of drum and bass back to front.

Played by: ATM MAGAZINE, Fabio And Grooverider

Review: One of the True Playaz massive and a total legend in D&B, Hazard drops four new bombs on this lively new EP. "Psychedelic" lives up to its name with a range of perfectly arranged old vocal samples that Hazard drops with style over a fun jump-up beat. "Platinum Shadows" showcases some top drum arrangements, while "Against The Clock" packs some aggressive samples into the fun. "All I Can Say" wraps the set up nicely with some low squelchy bass once again anchoring rough and wicked beats. A legend who is just getting better, the Platinum Shadows EP is a must for D&B fans.

Review: Critical is a label synonymous with quality drum and bass and Kasra's latest signing, Stray, isn't about to disappoint. Kicking off with an eerie, horror movie style atmosphere and stripped down beats, the intro on "Erase" sets the mood nicely. With a growling bass, sprinkling of breaks and a dark, moody vibe, this minimal track drops heavily with enough weight for the dancefloor. "Locked Up" on the flip side is a much more uplifting affair, with thought provoking melodies, rolling breaks and a warm bassline.

Played by: Juno Recommends Broken Beat Nu Jazz, Juno Recommends Jazz, Hero Records, Gilles Peterson, Barrio Jazz Gang, Greg Boraman

Review: A two track sampler from the forthcoming album Music For Jazz Dancers, due in May on Freestyle. These two lesser known jazz dance classics come from the 'in the box' selections of DJs Adrian Gibson and Perry Louis, who have been running the Messin' Around London club session at Camden's legendary Jazz Cafe for 14 years. First track "Cherokee", by Peter Herbolzheimer's Rhythm Combination & Brass, is a storming version of Ray Noble's jazz standard with Dianne Reeves' vocal delivery reminding us of Ella Fitzgerald. Next up is "Kon Djab Djigidi'" from French pianist Mario Canonges, which is a full-on piano-led, Latin-tinged monster that'll have you attempting those back flips in your Spats before you know it!

Played by: Juno Recommends Drum & Bass

Review: Earmarked by many as a D&B producer to watch over 2010, Eveson lives up to the hype with this trio of old-skool influenced bangers on Liquid V. With sampled breaks dominating the beats, "So Fine" is minimal but heart-wrenchingly beautiful, with warped vocal shots riding over some subdued chords that are deliberately kept in the background. "Found A Groove" repeats the same trick, with tambourine-heavy breaks keeping the funk while an eerie, reverbed piano builds in the distance. Ending on a slower, downbeat note, "Transitory Spaces" recalls classic Photek material mixed with garage-flavoured vocals. As soul-enhancing as it is banging, Eveson really delivers well on this single.

Played by: Juno Recommends Drum & Bass

Review: Ammunition's highly anticipated "Russian Roulette" EP is finally here. Featuring a collection of extremely talented and respected artists from across Russia, including DaVIP, Paperclip, Flame, Nvader and Hectix, they deliver quality slices of thick Neurofunk Drum & Bass that will smash dancefloors the world over. Standout cut, "Freestyle" by Hectix merges D&B with fierce guitars, rap lyrics and hugely distorted synths. A true dancefloor bomb, this EP will tear up every dancehall its set loose in

Played by: Juno Recommends Drum & Bass

Review: Mo' Fire was something of an anthem upon its original release back in 2002, thanks in no small part to remixes from Andy C and Bad Company. And it's a welcome return for MC Navigator (Freestylers) fresh from a musical hiatus whose distinctive vocals are matched by a slaughterhouse bass line, dancehall atmospherics and storming beat on the "2010 Remix" from Mannheim Jungle hero DJ Freeze and Soulpride. Mystic Dan's "Two Sounds" produced by Freeze and Soulpride gets the remix treatment too with two rolling jump up remixes complemented by bonus versions which add some nice dubbed out elements to proceedings.

Review: The second release from the Mancunian D&B producer follows swiftly on from his debut 12" Stats/Riley on Ingredients UK earlier this year. Having caught the eye of such luminaries as D Bridge, Instra:mental, Loxy and Doc Scott, and tipped as a one to watch by ASC, it's fair to say that the future looks bright for Mode. "Warning" takes us deep into dark, dusky territory with squelchy, bellowing bass and an unnerving crackling breaking up the proceedings from time to time. "Realities", with its detached echoing vocal sample, takes us yet further down the rabbit hole. Beautifully composed, Mode makes as much use of space as he does of sound, providing a fresh and innovative take on the 170bpm genre.

Review: Monomania: "A mania restricted to one thing or idea". Old Hardware stalwart and purveyor of the darker, techier side of D&B, DJ Ink, very much stays true to form with this one and taps in to the inner mania in everyone. He makes a curt nod to old school jungle, moves through the ages and takes a good long stare into the eyes of the future here with a compelling piece of murky filth on the ever-reliable Sudden Def. Get lost in the rumbling, indigo black b-lines and ferocious, tapping breaks, breathe in as the snatches of orchestrals add to the impending sense of doom and watch out for the cerebral kick that inevitably digs in. Stupendous stuff.

Played by: Valerio M

Review: Arandel sits somewhere on the boundary between electronic and classical music. Released on the always excellent In Fine imprint, his debut album In D is a richly textured exploration of these boundaries - the result being something that is equally applicable as headphone listening or club fodder. The music itself is entirely organic, with the producer (who has thus far managed to remain anonymous) exclusively using real instruments without the help of MIDI, samples or digital sounds. "In D#5" is a notable highlight, with delicate chimes and a nagging bassline that blows you away with its subtlety, while "In D#7" builds into a solid late night jam. Be sure to check out the bonus track "Overture" too, which brings the album to a moody, beatless close. This is one for fans of Four Tet, Pantha Du Prince, Steve Reid and Kieran Hebden.

Played by: Juno Recommends Drum & Bass

Review: That cheeky chappy, Twisted Individual lets rip with a seriously heavy remix package in this, the second instalment of the Lets Twist Again series. Getting straight down to business with the Crystal Clear Moshpit remix of "Heavy Metal", there's no breathing space before "Galloping Elephant" looms large on the horizon. Mutated Forms adds oodles of subterranean bass causing the tune to shuffle along majestically. The Northern Lights remix of "Acid Rain" is up next, with plenty of pH 3 pizzazz, vitriolic synth splashes and driving breaks. It's proper dancefloor business here, as we conclude the EP with the mighty Taxman's re-rub of "Nail Bomb". Big bad drum rolls lead into a tumultuous drop with ticking breaks, glitchy warps and bleeps.

Review: Gently easing you into the tune with easy-like-a-Sunday-morning breaks, jazz-y samples, keys and smoky vocal snippets, "Shining Star" is a stunning, luxuriously laidback venture, with plenty of soul and substance. Atmospherics abound throughout, with orchestral touches, saxophones and humming basslines echoing throughout the richly textured soundscape. Meanwhile "Fading Away" oozes funk, with breezy beats, rippling sounds, chiming keys and no sense of hurry at all. Peaceful contentment exudes from every whispered kick, snare, hi-hat, synth, sample and soundbite. Utterly delicious stuff here from Phors - highly recommended.

Played by: Juno Recommends Disco, Juno Recommends Experimental

Review: Further reason to attach words of glowing praise to Angular Recordings comes in the shape of this release from the mysterious E Gold. "Separate Our Hearts" is a one off collision between the duo and Plus Ultra vocalist Alexis Mary, with E Gold laying a backdrop of snapping percussion and vintage analogue synth gargles upon which Mary's distinct vocals sit with aplomb. Keeping things in the family, Plus Ultra band member Chris Flatline slows proceedings down on his Distance remix, giving Mary's vocals an ethereal hue and adding his own synth flourishes. Tom Furse of the The Horrors puts all the elements through the aural grind, chopping up and relooping extracts and regurgitating them over a snapping drum machine groove which is finally joined by Mary's vocals around the four minute mark. Finally the hotly tipped Ghost Hunter wraps the vocals in a blanket of fragile and oh so beautiful downbeatisms.

Review: German funk-filled, jazzy D&B outfit, Madmen & Poets take a break from running their own Phunkfiction label, and prepare to release their album, Scandinavian Sunday on Dutch imprint Fokuz. Encompassing 22 tracks in total, it features highlights such as the delicately chiming "Leave", some moodier moments courtesy of "Serenity" and "Day One", plus a great remix from Parisian producer Naibu ("Above The Rim"). The second half kicks off with "Inner Fears" and runs through some more jazzy, soulful numbers, like "Blue Velvet", "Afraid Of Jazz" (the darker, deeper version by Lenzman is particularly brilliant) and vocal led "Save Me". Fans of Alix Perez, Nu:Tone, Logistics and the like watch out!

Played by: Bcee - Spearhead Records, Juno Recommends Drum & Bass, Rob Da Bank, Bladerunner, Ulterior Motive

Review: S.P.Y has become somewhat synonymous with those hazy summer sounds and soulful, Brazilian vibes. A producer who seems to have got the Midas touch, every collab, production and remix he is involved in is magically transformed into a mass of pure liquid D&B gold. Here he steps up to the fore for another top notch release on Goldie's acclaimed Metalheadz imprint - the title track is a shimmering, understated roller with gently driving energy, waves of undulating bass and crisp, crunching breaks. "Xenomorph", however, provides a glimpse in to the darker side of S.P.Y's consciousness. It's perhaps more what you'd expect from a Metalheadz release - a trademark dark, textured soundscape abounding with echoing SFX, warped b-line and snatches of ominous vocals.

Played by: Juno Recommends Drum & Bass

Review: US dubstep peddler and producer of D&B, Noah D, provides us with a tough, techy A-Side to the third volume of the Adversary series. Thunderous subs, furiously clashing breaks and eerie, vengeful vocal sampling rule throughout "Control Freak" to awe-inspiring, eardrum-battering effect. Showing close affiliation to fellow US-based dark D&B-sters Dylan and Robyn Chaos, with a smattering of the Renegade Hardware sound in there as well, it's a winner for fans of the tougher, rougher part of late 90s D&B. The relentlessly aggressive sound is continued by Djunya & Neglect on the flip; "Nomad" encompasses swirling sci-fi synths and a thumping beat to get the mutilating forces to work.

Played by: Adam B (Homegrown Music), ROTCIV, Alphabet City, The Revenge, RedSoul, Faze Action, Romanto (YSR / DISCO MACHINE), Chris Coco, Sean Brosnan, Juno Recommends Disco, Nacho Marco

Review: Since 2006 Faze Action's eponymous label has been cranking out their own productions, releasing such dance floor killers as "Hypnotic", "I Wanna Dancer" and those remixes of the track that started it all - "Original Disco Motion". Here comes the new slab, this time around it's Robin manning the faders and knobs as Rudy's Midnight Machine. "Open To Your Love" opens with a steady bouncing groove punctuated by crisp 808 snares and stabby chords. It's definitely going straight for the retro house jugular but still has enough oomph about it to appeal to young waifs as well as misty eyed rave granddads. "Dib Dab" slips back a few more years for its electro dance feel, coming on like a long lost tougher dub of Shannons' "Let the Music Play". It's a tune that wears its heart on its sleeve with orchestra stabs, proto garage baseline and sampled vocal chops, pretty much guaranteed to get any party moving with a cheeky smile on its face. "Street Museum" is the most recognizably Faze-esque track, with New Order-ish synth melody lines, a nagging rhythm guitar and a whole heap of delay on the drums. In other words, a sure fire disco winner.

Review: An enormous four-track split EP from D&B bad boys Original Sin and Taxman with one D&B track and one dubstep track from each. Older Tindall brother Taxman whips out the movie samples, crisp breaks and Nintendo bleeps in "Casino" - cheekily referencing Zinc's 2001 classic "Casino Royale" - whilst crazed lyrics, a screwfacing drop and gritty, drill-like b-line prevail in Original Sin's "Penamena". "Take No More" is a wild cacophony of whirring Doctor P synths, circus trills and mid range mayhem and "Like This" is a more bass-heavy venture, with an early HENCH sound to it.

Review: Nothing really beats the first few seconds of this startlingly original debut from Germany's BBF. The rest of it is great too of course, but it's during those very first 30 seconds that you immediately get where this album is coming from. As opener "Corky Prelude" is slowly faded up, the rumbling percussion part and distant bass sounds (which could easily be just another ordinary techno tune) reveal themselves to be a piano and blocks being hit, both clearly being played live. BBF clearly approach techno (or indeed all dance music) with more than an awareness of jazz and classical modes. And so, over You Make Me Real, they set about making techno but with live drums, treated pianos, trombones, harp, marimba and a host of other treated live sounds. The results go beyond the obvious Steve Reich/'70s minimalist precedents and genuinely create a deeper, more nuanced and, ultimately, more fun sound. "Mi Corazon" for example is as playful as it is intense, while the slight Latin lilt to "Bop" makes sure this isn't just a po-faced, overly-earnest project - the songs here live and breathe. After the dominance of the drum machine and the 303, perhaps this kind of project will start making fellow producers explore live techno like never before.

Played by: Johnnypluse, Juno Recommends Drum & Bass, Isaac Maya, NORTH BASE, 2 Bit Thugs

Review: An attempt to steal the crown from Shy FX and his Diary Of A Digital Soundboy, Origins Of A Rudeboy takes D&B back to its roots with rattling amens, driving gunshot stabs and pummelling bass in abundance in "Deception". Next up is nostalgia filled "Original Rudeboy", with jungle chirrups, a snaking b-line, ragga vocal and clapping beats calling the shots. "Big Dog" changes the tone with tense discordant strings and hissing hi-hats. Falling into a thunderous growling drop with gruff, barking breaks and a Heist-like patina, it's a gnarly one before Jaydan finishes up with an ode to Goldie's legendary institution with "Reece Headz". Expect the classic reece bassline and melancholy instrumentals of Metalheadz but with Jaydan's je ne sais quois.

Played by: Shantisan, Fort Knox Five, U9lift, Mooqee, MAGE, DJ Kayowa, Juno Recommends Drum & Bass, Audit / Juse, Quincy Jointz, Telephunken, Hidden Riddim

Review: A couple of cute jungle cuts from The Wildlife Collective (alias of Ed Solo and Deekline) on suitably delectable imprint, Jungle Cakes. A warm, woozy vocal led narrative in lead track "I Need A Dollar" tells a tale like a modern day reggae top line. Beautiful booming bass adds solid foundations from below whilst tooting trumpets and pattering breaks shimmy along nicely above. On the flip, "Bad Bwoy" is another tribute to Jamaican sound culture, referencing Remarc's early 90s jungle interpretation "Bad Bwoys" along the way. There's a hint of Serum & Bladerunner in there, with classic sounds pared with modern production techniques and polished drums. Absolutely brilliant.

Review: Building from an ominous start into a mechanical stepper, "Charger Cube" has an alluring presence right from the start. Crackled vocal snatches and Apocalypse Now-esque film samples battle with smacking, ritualistic tribal breaks and industrial screeches, underpinned with an eerie oriental wail. Over on the flipside, the terror continues in "Goose Neck Stew" where hoover sweeps, sword clashing SFX and echoes go full flow Calyx & Teebee-style for the duration. One for the heads.

Played by: George Kelly, DNArt (Shift Ltd), Recloose, Superbreak, Shadow Dancer, Maurice Aymard, Juno Recommends Disco, DIONIGI, Sleazy Beats Recordings, Glass Coffee, Trujillo, Touchsoul, JT Donaldson, Volta Cab

Review: Fledgling Barca based label Apersonal grace us with the digital version of their third release and the standard set by the inaugural Trujillo 12" featuring Mark E and Social Disco Club remixes is more than maintained here. Venturing across the Atlantic for the first time, the label has secured some blissful late night house movements from Michael J Collins - surely the most Balearic name on the circuit right now - who really impressed with his Ilija Rudman remix on Electric Minds earlier this summer. Driven by broken house rhythms and some neat Fulton style hand claps, "Nothing Wrong With Holding On" is a delightfully idiosyncratic departure from the normal nu-disco template. Heavily phased saxophone lines cross with looped vocal chants atop the warm electro bassline with a panache you'd expect from someone who has featured on Wolf & Lamb. Keeping things close Boston's greatest Soul Clap pop up with a remix that adds some urgency to the tempo but retains the off key rhythms. Sumptuous Detroit style pads drenched with emotion rise gradually through and there's a rather tasty percussion heavy breakdown midway through. A big tip!

Played by: Juno Recommends Drum & Bass

Review: A split release here, comprised of works from Morebeat on the figurative A-side and collaboration between NPhonix and Enei on the digital flip. "I'm Not A Monster" kicks things off with eerie, sci-fi sounding vocal snippet, rocket-launching va va voom and battering bass. Paving the way for a terrifying tear out slice of souped up D&B; it's an ear-splitting venture, which would no doubt have Ed Rush & Optical quaking in their boots! Flipping over, a rolling, spaced out intro to "Quicksilver" makes for an evocative entree to the tune which swiftly falls into a grouchy b-line roller with punishing reverb, hissing hi hats and rollicking rhythms a-plenty.