Back again with another big month of drum & bass releases, April delivers a truckload of great singles to start the month off. From Total Science & S.P.Y. to dBridge and Goldie, follow along as we break down the top 10 essential drum & bass releases for the first half of April 2012.

Planas ft. Ed Thomas - Breathtaking [Exceptional Records]
The original version of 'Breathtaking' would have easily fell on my essential bass music releases for this month, but we're talking about drum & bass here and this release delivers an amazing DnB re-work courtesy of the legend, dBridge! 'Breathtaking' (dBridge Soul Steppers mix) is an absolute class remix featuring the vocals from Ed Thomas and that signature sound we all know and love from dBridge. I've been playing this tune non-stop since I got it, pure vibes from start to finish. Notable dubstep remix on the flipside from Von D as well, overall smashing release!

 

 

 

Goldie - Freedom ft. Natalie Duncan [Metalheadz]
When it comes to essential releases, you can't have a list without featuring the brand new, highly anticipated 'Freedom' from the icon, Goldie! As this is the Metalheadz 100th releases, Goldie stepped up to the plate on his own imprint, delivering what some may say is the most prolific tune of his in the past decade. 'Freedom' features Natalie Duncan on the vocals, and embodies everything we come to expect from a Goldie release. Single sided, this track stands alone as one of the most essential releases of April, if not the past few years.

 

 

 

Total Science, S.P.Y., Riya ft. DaM Funk - Piano Funk [Toolroom]
The dynamic dup of Total Science and S.P.Y combine forces once again, this time with DaM Funk for a rolling, soulful, piano lined chart topper in 'Piano Funk'. With the sultry sounds of Riya on the original vocal work to round the tune, 'Piano Funk' made its mark immediately after release and hit #1 on the charts within the first week. Highly recommended for any soulful, funky, liquid dnb fan!

 

 

 

Amit - Amit EP [Exit Records]
Back after a short hiatus, the mighty Amit returns with a storming EP out on dBridges' Exit imprint. The EP simply entitled 'Amit' features two drum & bass cuts and two dubstep bits to round it out. The stand out tune for me is 'You Look Better Off Dead' ft. Rani on the vocals. Something a little different from his previous dark and aggressive style, this tune features eerie synth work, rolling baselines and Rani's seductive vocals deliver a perfect vibe to fit any playlist! Check out the two dubstep cuts as well if you're into that bass music sound, super high quality production as well!

 

 

 

Need For Mirrors - Scuba / Charltan ft. Zero T [Integral]
Back once again on my essential list, Need For Mirrors drops yet another stellar release, this time with the help of drum & bass badboy Zero T! 'Scuba' b/w 'Charltan' delivers that signature NFM sound, with a little something different as they team up w/ Zero T on 'Charltan'. As the stand out tune for me, the breakdown is what really caught my attention. Atmospheric transitions and lush vocal work are something unexpected from the dynamic production group, and boy do they deliver the perfect balance of dark and light here. A must have for any NFM fan, highly recommended!

 

 

 

Anile & Foreign Concept - True Enemies / Anile - Straights [Commercial Suicide]
Another stand out release for me early on in April, Commercial Suicide pumps out a big release here from Anile, this time teamed up with Foreign Concept, delivering 2 massive and very diverse cuts! The a-side 'True Enemies' sees the production duo putting out a storming, techy, brooding tune that absolutely crushes the dancefloor. The flipside features Anile on the solo front with 'Straights', which is completely opposite of its counterpart with a more melodic, rolling, smooth vibe to help balance out the release. Top notch drum & bass right here, don't miss out!

 

 

 

Big Bud ft. DRS - Changes (Roy Green & Protone remix) / Big Bud - Lady Sings The Blues (Flaco remix) [Soundtrax]
Great remix EP here from the Soundtrax godfather Big Bud! Featuring 3 names that are rapidly moving up in the drum & bass ranks, the a-side features the dynamic production duo of Roy Green and Protone, remixing 'Changes' ft. MC DRS. A tune taken from Big Bud's most recent album, RG & Protone flip the original half tempo tune into a rolling, deep and dancefloor ready stormer, proper baselines and great work of the DRS vocals as well! The flipside features Flaco's remix of 'Lady Sings The Blues', adding a funky vibe, smacking guitar riff, feel good element to another cut off the last Big Bud album, great release here!

 

 

 

Random Movement - Feeling Translated / Dirt Dobber [Innerground]
Innerground is back with another top notch single, this time courtesy of d&b prodigy Random Movement! 'Feeling Translated' s the stand out for me, and is something I've been hearing on the airwaves for a while now and happy to see it released! Infectious vibes, rolling baselines and RM's signature synths and sounds round out an overall wonderful piece of work! The b-side 'Dirt Dobber'  brings a more big room sound to the release, features smacking drums, heavy baselines, and delivers the goods like only Random Movement can! Great diverse release here, don't miss this one!

 

 

 

Klute & Prolix - Keep It Simple [Commercial Suicide]
Great pairing here on yet another stellar release from the Commercial Suicide camp. The a-side features label boss Klute alongside Prolix, with 'Keep It Simple'. Bringing a nice balance between what you would expect from these two producers with the deep and rolling sounds of Klute and techy undertones supplied by Prolix, loving the vibes on this one! The flipside features Klute again, this time paired up with Silent Witness on 'Friendless', delivering that signature Commercial Suicide sound with upfront vibes, nero-funk infused synths and samples, topped off with an absolutely storming baseline. Very well balanced release here, check it out!

 

 

 

Wickaman & RV - I Need You [Titan]
Titan Records is back with an absolutely crushing release featuring Wickaman & RV this time around. The clear winner for me here is 'I Need You' on the a-side, bringing the heavyweight sounds ready to rock any dancefloor! The flipside features Identi-fi, going for that big room, heavy duty, dustep sound, with a cheeky dubstep remix to round out the release. Nice single here for anyone looking to load up the floor and destroy the speakers!

 

 

Words: Jon Methodus

Related Links:

• Essential DNB Releases Apr 2012 Part 1
• Goldie Reveals Metalheadz's 100th Release
• Goldie interview in The Observer
• MC Lowqui Returns To Europe
• MC Lowqui Returns To Europe

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