Doc Scott was one of the producers who started it all. Every drum & bass track you hear today can in some way be related to this man, whose 31 Records imprint is still going strong in 2010. Accredited with giving Pendulum their big break, switching the world on to Marcus Intalex's style and inspiring Goldie, let's take a second to look back on some of Doc Scott's finest moments.

 

10. Tokyo Dawn - Earth Recordings

Proving that he isn't all about haunting tracks that wouldn't seem out of place in a 3D Exorcist sequel, Doc Scott dropped a liquid classic on LTJ Bukem's Earth label in 1996. Although some test presses were made on Good Looking, and Tokyo Dawn was also released as a single on Talya's Nexus imprint, its best-known and spiritual home is on Earth Recordings, on LTJ Bukem's classic Earth LP. 

 

 

9. Technology - 31 Records

The first release on Doc Scott's legendary 31 Records (that would later come to launch Pendulum's debut nearly a decade later) was kicked off by the man himself under the alias of Octave One in 1994. This song evidences Doc Scott's mastery of manipulating the amen drum. The arrangement of Technology is a blueprint on musical continuity. Like many of Doc Scott's other anthems, the pads in Technology provide a soundtrack for the ecstasy generation of the time.

 

 

8. Drumz '95 - Metalheadz

A blueprint for the "minimal drum & bass" that is the buzzword for 2010, Drumz '95 was a precursor to the Digital & Spirit sound of the early 2000s, and ticks all right the boxes in terms of production, execution and the avant-garde.

 

 

7. Dark Angel - Reinforced 

Dark Angel embellishes the panicky "ghost" vibe created by Goldie and Doc Scott on Reinforced Records and Metalheadz that opened up new possibilities in drum & bass. The choppy, micromanaged drums are hypnotic, the bridge is innovative. But Dark Angel is most accomplished in its varied applications of the Mentasm sample, originating from the Roland Alpha Juno 2 synth. Keep an ear out for the 4/4 drums - a piece in the jigsaw of the evolution of acid house into breakbeat. 

 

 

6. Paradise Lost (Last Action Hero) - Reinforced

With gated amens that hit like rounds from an M4 carbine, Paradise Lost is golden-era jungle at its best. There isn't a sound out of place in this unstoppable speaker-ripping juggernaut. The bone-crushing elements are balanced out with some atmospheric percussion and textures that take the listener on a journey. Watch out for murderous synth halfway through.

 

 

5. The Unofficial Ghost - Metalheadz

The Wu-Tang sample in The Unofficial Ghost by Method Man saying "Ghostface Killa" sets the tone for this seesaw two-step/amen assault, with a lead synth like some sort of demonic harpsichord. Watch out for fucked-up filtered Mentasms, early examples of high-quality pitch shifting on the drums, and classic Metalheadz reversed strings, pads and vocals. This is a true highlight of the acclaimed Platinum Breakz LP, overshadowed only by the seminal Pulp Fiction.

 

 

4. Liquid Fingers - 31 Records

Drum & bass has been through many guises, tracks like Liquid Fingers did something different but also maintained the innovative style of the genre. Upon release, it was alien and stuck out glaringly amidst a sea of generic material. Liquid Fingers made it acceptable to produce warm, thoughtful drum & bass at a time when Bad Company had just released The Nine and Dilllinja Nasty Wayz. It sampled Fingers Inc.'s 1988 house-classic My House, paving the way for house- and techno-inspired drum & bass by J-Majik and Sub Focus. The atmospherics of Liquid Fingers are immaculate, sounding like a precursor to the Mercury Music Prize-nominated artist Burial.

 

 

3. Shadow Boxing - 31 Records

Released in 1996, this brooding omen of a record was years ahead of its time. If somebody asks you what drum & bass is, this is probably the first example to play them. The critically acclaimed Shadow Boxing, cherished by fans, is surely a contender for darkest drum & bass track.

 

 

2. NHS (Disco Remix) - Absolute 2

Released in 1991 on a label founded by Simon "Bassline" Smith, Doc Scott's Disco remix was one of many remixes of NHS. You would be hard pressed to find a better example of a euphoric rave track. The original vinyl was hard to mix, seemingly speeding up and slowing down of its own accord. It costs a pretty penny now, too. Looking back on this anthem, it's fair to say that Scott was one of the first, and best, to ever do it.

 

 

1. Drumz V.I.P.

There are plenty of versions of Drumz V.I.P. The original, called Here Comes The Drumz, is prototype jungle, with traces of 4/4 beats. The second remix slightly improved on the lead Mentasm sound, perfecting the concept. But this (on the elusive Unreleased Metal [Metalheadz 001] from 1994) is something else. Words don't do Drumz V.I.P. justice. Just turn up your speakers loud, do a Hail Mary, press play and prepare to die.

 

 

 

Are your favourites here?

 

• Doc Scott
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• Metalheadz
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• The Essential...
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• 31 Records
,
• Reinforced

Related Links:

• Old Skool Classic: Liquid - Liquid is Liquid
• Free Samples: Liquid Drum & Bass
• 877 Records Label Profile
• Old Skool Classic: Nick OD - Have You Got Any Spam?
• 15 Years Of Metalheadz @ Warning Review

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