Review: Released earlier this year, Fred V & Grafix's Recognise album established the West Country duo's skills and abilities on a whole new level (Grafix even sings on one of the tracks) Now for the obligatory remix album... And with such solid source material, each producer has delivered something pretty special. Highlights include Hugh Hardie's bright and breezy rolling take on "Let Your Guard Down", Frederic Robinson's incredible shake-up of "Major Happy" (quite possibly one of the biggest switch-flippers in the whole project), Chords' electrically charged rebuild of "Hydra" and Urbandawn's emotive re-positioning of "Clouds Cross Skies". A beautiful lighter-thruster of such extreme proportions, you're almost convinced to start smoking. Recognise!
Review: The wait is finally over! Hospital heroes Fred V & Grafix unleash their highly anticipated debut album. Has the wait been worth it? 100 per cent... Loaded with vibrant melodies, dynamite dynamics and perfectly executed vocals, it carries the perfect amount of clout for both dancefloors and headphones alike. Highlights include the shimmering twinkles and elastic bass of "Maverick Souls", the pummeling drums and timeless rave nuances of "Bladerunner" and the chart-destined arm-raiser "Catch My Breath". Yet another essential album from Hospital camp. Recognise!
Review: Following Etherwood and Fred V & Grafix, S.P.Y is the next to step up to the "Hospital Mixtape" series with a walloping 31-track mix of which almost half has never been released before. As you'd expect from the bazillion dollar Brazilian, the range is wide with tendencies to gully. Essential exclusives you'd be an absolute madman not to check include his deep-swing twist on Digital's seminal "Deadline", the insane sub bass slipperiness on Random Movement's incredible "In Space No One Can Hear You Funk" and the "Up All Night" style late 90s slap down with his brother Unreal "Enduro". A proper mix and a previously unobtainable selection that's yours for the taking... What's not to love here?
Review: Drum & Bass Arena has ruled on high for nearly 20 years, and in that time has helped to forge the careers of every drum & bass artist worth their salt. It's impossible to downplay the influence the site has had on the scene, as a club brand and an online resource, and this year their official compilation is a doozie. Featuring some of the largest tracks around right now from Friction & Skream, J Majik & Wickaman, DJ Hazard, Rene LaVice, Calyx & TeeBee, Original Sin and Optiv & BTK as well as bangers from fresh artists like Heist, Zen & Nitri, this is an essential purchase for any D&B fan. Focussing on the heavier end of the spectrum this 35 track behemoth is basically your 2013 compendium of bass. Don't leave home without it.
