Review: Northern banger brigade GTA are marking a big old decade in the game with this walloping collection of beats across the spectrum. Delivered in 10s over five different themes from classics to remixes to floor-scorchers, the end result is an excitingly varied and feisty 50-strong spread of drum & bass perspectives where vibes range from Conrad Subs' utterly gully jungle vibes on his remix of Sl8r's 'Facking Jungle M8' to the thundering dancefloor wallops of Cliques' remix of the label bosses 'Pico De Gallo'. No strong is left unturned throughout the collection as we're just as like to be refreshed by liquid (Pyxis & Maykor's 'Guardian Angel') as we are flattened by venomous, laser-kissed neuro blasts (ICU's remix of 'Rip The Roof Off') Crash bang wallop what an album.
Review: Madness from Manchester! Sola's Grand Theft Audio wrap up another stunning year with this truly epic VA that - as the title Full Spectrum nicely hints - reflects and celebrates the full dynamic range of this beautiful thing we call drum & bass. Over the 33 track range we're treated to all manner of treats and beats from dreamy disco-like flexes (B-Plexx - 'Cynical') to wild, untamed howlers that melt clothes within seconds of you hearing the bass (Replete - ' Theia'). There's so much swagger in between, too. Hologram's G'd up 'Make A Move' acts as the perfect opener while other cuts such as Korrode's futuristic dark funk stepper 'Alternate Universe', Voltone & Stuart Rowe's euphoric dancefloor bubbler 'Drift' and Tong8's soulful swooner 'Choice' all map out some of GTA's most exciting sonic parameters so far. Full spectrum by name, full flavour by nature.
Review: Following their belly-busting 'British Fry Up' EP earlier this year, UK duo Change Of Pace set the pace with this skin-rippling vocal anthem with Sammie Hall - 'Set The World Alight'. Comes in three powerful flavours. The original is a big dreamy breezy with springy breaks and subtle sense of the majestic while pyxis adds her bittersweet soulful signature. Looking for a little more dancefloor wallop and theatre? Head for Sola and Daida's twist and start setting the floor alight.
Review: Time for a reload! DJ Hybrid's Deep In The Jungle look back over the last few years of skankings, tear-ups and vibe missions and curate them all in this awesome compilation that stretches the entire jungle drum & bass spectrum. From the classic Bristol style bubbles and bumps of cuts like Conrad Subs' 'It Goes On' to the more traditional junglistic savagery of cuts like Lupo's 'Retrograde', over 30 cuts we're treated to some beautiful 174BPM moments. Other highlights include the emotional 'Must Remember' from Critycal Dub, the powerful and poignant energy of the late great JDizz and the undying rawness of man like Kumarachi. This is awesome music.
Review: Manchester's Sola return to their massive debut album from last year with this equally hefty remix collection featuring a wide range of impressive, high grade names. ESKR, Guzi, Cliques, Plastmator, Shayper, Pyxis and Antagonist are just some of the top shelf names at play here as we're whipped across the dancefloor continuum relentlessly in a similar spirit to the original album. Every remix is a highlight but Cliques' devastating twist of 'Pico De Gallo', Clarkey's ultra-stomp twist on 'Trust Grit', Antagonist's deep rebuild of 'The Drift' the Perplex's BBK-level tear-up of 'Maintain Thine Hue' are some of the biggest stand-out bangers on here. Time to get starry eyed once again!
Review: The hardest working troupe to come out of Manchester in recent years, Grand Theft Audio bossmen Sola finally reveal their debut album. Proud champions of all styles and subgenres of drum & bass, their album 'Stars Align' brings together everything the trio are about... And plenty more. Highlights include the absolutely firing Latin banger 'Pico De Gallo', the glitchy Opiou-inspired cosmic beats piece 'Turncloak' and the absolutely firing 'Amazonia' which brings together pretty much every flavour of D&B all in one track. All this and plenty more, Sola have delivered something very special right here.
Review: Feeling blue? Don't worry, Riot Dubs have got you covered with these soul soothing emotional breezers from old friends and new. Akas and Duoscience are on hand with two introspective work-outs but Georgia Phoenix and Sola bring voice-of-the-moment Sammie Hall into the blend, top and tailing the EP with two massive vocal stand-out jams. 'Glass' is a yearning hit of triumph while 'Hands Of Time' signs us out with some epic deep space funk feels. Stunning.
Review: Pow! DJ Hybrid digs through the Deep In The Jungle vaults for this crucial collection of jams and vibes for this ultimate VA release that flexes the full range of the label and represents a how exciting drum & bass and jungle are right now. The whole LP is one massive highlight but it's great to reload cuts like [IVY]'s four-to-the-floor bounces on 'Moving', the cut throat amen slaps and chops on Toby Ross and Oram's 'Wide Roach', get swept away in the emotion of Flat T's 'Women's Work' and get KO'd by Lupo and DJ Hybrid's still-crucial 'Soundboy'. Serious collection for anyone looking to juice up their jungle playlists.
Review: Massiveness... Jungle Cakes' Welcome To The Jungle collection continues with one of the hardest working and consistent beatsmiths in the game - DJ Hybrid. Following massive selections from the likes of Benny Page, Dub Pistols and Born On Road (to name but a few) the Deep In The Jungle/Audio Addict bossman picks up where he and Dope Ammo left us in 2020 with his last Welcome To The Jungle appearance. This time he's boosted things even more with a staggering 62 tracks that covers the entire spectrum from an almighty rollcall of talents ranging from Voltage and Nicky Blackmarket to Napes to Serum, Jam Thieves, Conrad Subs, Bladerunner and so many more. This an absolutely incredible collection and selection from Hybrid and the Jungle Cakes crew. Essential.
Review: Heavyweight collabo DJ Hybrid and Sammie Hall link for the first time on 'Falling Again'. Hybrid's hooks are bubbly as ever with a real spacious vibe to the whole production that gives Sammie all the space she needs to apply her on-point dreamy vocal prowess. For an extra twist, this also comes with DJ Hybrid's first ever deep house / bass house version. Just as bubbly but with a little UKG sass to the groove, you'll be falling in love with this one again and again.
Review: Following up some great releases recently on Original Key and Liquid Bass, Ipswich-based DJ and producer Conrad Subs is back this week on Deep In The Jungle with his new one entitled "Calm". It's a proper old school junglist roller featuring the lyrical skills of MC Neat, and some beautiful soulful vocals by Sammie Hall. Despite the title, the Jungle mix is more of a techy stepper with an early aughts sound to it, and we liked it all the same. Also featured are some instrumental versions for your rinsing pleasure.
Review: Grand Theft Audio 50 LP is the largest project in the label's history; a 50 track album featuring 25 brand new ones, and another 25 from their extensive back catalogue. They released them over four editions in late 2021,but here it is in its full entirety and, again, we'd like to stress that it's a whopping 50 tracks! From the fierce breakbeat science of Sl8r & Somebody Else's "Facking Jungle M8", to the dark side jump-up of Nothing To Lose & Echidna's "Cyclops" (Intraspekt remix), the widescreen cinematic rhythms of Cynical Gene's "Emerge" and Nvrsoft & Sola's emotive vocal drum 'n' bass roller "Falling" - there's plenty more where they came on the Manchester label's impressive celebratory compilation.
Review: It's been a fairly epic few weeks for Grand Theft Audio as they unleashed several editions in their 50 LP. Here, we have the fourth and final edition which sees them go out all guns blazing - seriously! A whopping six tracks on this one: Nvrsoft & Sola's emotive vocal drum 'n' bass roller "Falling", the Full Cycle style stepper by Nothing To Lose, Echidna & Charlie B titled "Downpour" (feat Dubbul-O - Charlie B remix) and the widescreen breakbeat science of Raedford's "Tidal Groove" reminiscent of classic Optical are just some of the highlights.
We use cookies to personalise content and ads, to provide social media features and to analyse our traffic. We also share information about your use of our site with our social media, advertising and analytics partners who may combine it with other information that you've provided to them or that they've collected from your use of their services.