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There aren't many DJs still playing the current drum & bass circuit that can boast 20 years hard labour. However one such DJ is Luton based Swan-E. He started way back in 1989, playing huge raves alongside the likes of Fabio, Grooverider and the mighty Adamski. Along the way there was Collusion Records, the infamous label he started with Ellis Dee in 1994. The label threw up 18 excellent releases and an album, and must be researched for those that missed its output first time around.

There have also been numerous self penned productions, and now there's Slum Dogz, a jump-up trio of which he is one third. The other two members are MC Krafty, who signed to Maximum Boost in '99 (Maximum Boost is the label Swan-E shares with UB40 bass player Earl Falconer) and has been pedalling his wares at events up and down the UK since then.

Bringing up the rear is recent Maximum Boost signing and studio wizard DJ Picto who has had a handful of maverick releases to date, including joint efforts pre Slum Dogz with Swan-E, solo productions on Urban Sickness and Nu Labels and, most notably, the amazing old skool jungle tinged Music Lover on Maximum Boost. The Slum Dogz sound is distinctive, with plenty of high end stabs and gut thumping breaks. "The name was chosen because of our style, slum and bass!" laughs Swan-E.

So how do the Slum Dogz get down in the studio? "We are both hands on with the equipment but Picto works the production like lightning, the man is like Zorro! It's a partnership, so we work together tight, one could be sampling while the other is trying to create a twisted bass deep inside the synth. It's whatever we are feeling at the time, then if we need some fresh lyrics in steps Krafty to do his thing – that's the way we roll!"

Killer Slum Dogz tracks to date include Bad, possibly their most high octane track yet, and the inimitable 'Kredit Krunch', a full on sensory assault and most definitely one for the jump-up massive. Even with just a handful of releases last year, the Slum Dogz have managed to leave a devastating trail in their wake, and this year brings a new decade and a new direction for the Dogz.

New tracks Fire and Keep It Hoppin are both due for release early this year. "They're getting big support from the DJs and smashing up venues all over Europe – Fire was used for the Innovation NYE advert so it has been getting extra attention. It's really out there at the moment which is all good for the build up towards the release date in March," reveals an excited Swan-E.

When asked about the distinct jungle flavour that dominates Fire he says: "At the moment jump-up d&b has got a jungle flavour going on so we thought we would bring an element of that into the track, however we still have that slum n bass style going on to make sure the people know it's the Slum Dogz rhythm!"

As for Keep It Hoppin? "We were hunting for samples and found the vocal and we were like, "that can work"! The style of that lyric set the mood which helped us carve out the track, that bassline is so dirty – it's sucks you in and then spits you back out - pure Slum filth! "

The collective have just remixed Rhythm Section's 1991 old skool classic Comin' On Strong as part of the Comin' On Srong '09 remixes. Rhythm Section of course contained both Ellis Dee and Rennie Pilgrem as part of its nucleus. "Ellis Dee and Rennie Pilgrim are good friends and Ellis is really feeling the Slum Dogz sound. We had just completed the Neighbourhood remix for Zed Bias and we played it to Ellis who was instantly hooked, so the rest was history. When Rhythm Section asked us to do the remix of Comin' On Strong we were like "we have to do this" as the track was such a classic anthem from back in the day!" he enthuses.

In fact, the Dogz have been following a punishing remix schedule over the last few months, and it isn't set to end until the next few projects are completed. Of the plan for 2010 Swan-E says: "We have just remixed a track for Urban Sickness Audio in America; it's kind of a liquid / jump-up style of track with a different edge to it. Like the Neighbourhood track it's radio friendly and is causing up a stir amongst the usual suspects.

"After the success of our track Bad a lot of people have asked us for a remix of that, so we'll probably go in on that one. We are also doing a D&B mix of Doctor P's dubstep anthem Sweet Shop which will be out just before the summer and we are also producing a D&B mix of Flux Pavilion's dubstep smasher Got To Know. After that we will not be doing anymore remixes for the rest of the year as that will be our seventh within a 12 month period. We will just be concentrating on our own original stuff."

As for future appearances both on air and in a live capacity he says: "We have a couple of guest spots on some big underground stations lined up. The Slum Dogz showcase is generally a DJ / MC thing but we bring a different feel to our Slum Dog sets, we add a different lick with interludes, news reports, skits, Slum and Bass specials and V.I.P's and a couple of dubstep tracks thrown in for good measure! However, we have all the technology, resources and skills to do a live PA so we may possibly go down that route at a later date."

Which brings us neatly on to the latest Knowledge mix, an exclusive jump-up rinse-out lovingly crafted by the Slum Dogz kru. The set encapsulates everything the Slum Dogz stand for. Boundless energy, sonic confrontation at every level and a fearless thirst to push every boundary drum & bass ever presented. There's a healthy mix of uptempo tracks intertwined with radio snippets and some ad-hoc vocal samples, all of which showcase what you might expect from a Slum Dogz set should you have the pleasure to catch them in full effect. It's in your face and banging on all fours and this mix will have those pups in the doggy pound howling for mercy. Trust...

Words: Dan Beale