Drum & Bass Reviews

 

09 Feb 2010

 

 

Anyone that knows me will know that when it comes to hearing new &rum and bass I'm thirstier for new tunes than an alcoholic fresh out of The Priory. So as often as possible I'm going to go through everything I've received and pick out my top five.


I will try and remain as impartial as possible but music being music is of course of personal taste and I'm sure some of you won't agree but it will at least highlight some of the forthcoming gems to expect over the next few months and maybe even prick up some ears to new styles and broaden a few horizons!

J Majik & Wickaman - Mosquito EP (Mosquito)
All tracks stand out for different reasons but the two in particular I'm feeling are Rage and Mosquito. Rage has more of a grittier edge than recent outings but still with clear crossover appeal. A techy tinged Reese b-line and infectious female vocal lead makes this a pure slab of dancefloor friendly delight. Released in March.



Spectrasoul - Bygones (Shogun)
Completely different tip this one. Can Spectrasoul put a foot wrong? Starts with a lush soundscape intro, Bygones builds through a sonic landscape of reverse samples into a trademark soulful vocal and some trademark bass stabs. Pure atmospheric future drum & bass soul. Forthcoming on the Shogun Evolution EP Series 1 released March 8th.



Calibre & ST Files - Devil Inside (Footprints)
A new year heralds a new label for Zero T and his Footprints imprint. Two tunes on offer here, one from Zero-T himself alongside Bailey and the other, which just edges it for me, Devil Inside from Calibre & ST Files. Typical Calibre melody here with the tune led through the first bars by a beautifully delayed and reverbed piano sample into a sub work out accompanied by some background breathing. A great roller this one.



Nu Elements, Decimal Bass & Erb and Dub - The Thing  (Dreadnought)

Ok it's jump-up time!! Wobble anyone?? There's so much of it and being quite honest a lot of it can be quite... but anyway!! When done right on the other hand there's nothing better to cause dancefloor carnage than some pure LFOed filth! This one is all about the b-line just as jump-up should be. With a swiping powertool synth, a straight-up stepping gunshot snare smashing through bar after bar and "The Thing" vocal sample, this is a must for all jump-up heads. 


Sabre & Ulterior Motive - Barefoot (Critical)
Barefoot's intro builds spy movie type suspense then drops into some rounded bouncing bass underpinned by some growling synth to complete each bar. The tune then bridges with some added string stabs into the breakdown and the tune then flips into part two with the bass line evolving into a more granular affair with some serious mutation. A real nice intricate display of production and arrangement at its best, one for the serious heads.

 

Reviewed by Jon Swan

 

 


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