Review: The legendary Fokuz label outta the Netherlands hits a 110th release and opts for a selection of remixes from various artists. AirK & Cephei open up with 'Desire,' a slick roller with booming bass and epic synths. Break then comes through with tight remix of A2 Soligen & Type 2 's 'Can't Go' complete with expertly design hits. Break then goes it alone on the original 'Coming 4U' with its low end oscillations and closes out the EP back in remix mode. His take on 'What Are You' is a roaming, textural affair with twisted leads and flurries of toms.
Review: Just as they were likely originally intended, two of Calibre's said-to-be most coveted productions come remastered fresh from the vaults, and reissued on black vinyl via the sonic conservationists over at Signature. First comes the 2001 remix of Badmarsh & Shri's 'Signs', to which Calibre lends an extra rolling signification, its no-nonsense industrial break and tensing, two-note pads doing most of the legwork here. Then there's the original 'Soul 80', a unique fusion of dub-delayed chipmunky vox splices, modular synth piques, and a massive, untechy breakbeat.
Review: After a stupendously prolific 2013 and 2014 (wherein he delivered no less than four albums), Calibre appears to have taken his foot off the gas and slipped into a more comfortable release-rate. Following his "Strumpet" EP on Exit comes this ace four-tracker that represents all his drum & bass styles: "Boogeyman Bullshit" is Dominick Martin at his darkest and most mischievous, all wobbly bass and slippery. "Smother" (featuring long term compadre Marcus Intalex) slaps with big washy chords that chime with an almost Detroitian hypnotic affect, "Multi Tasking" is a swam of sonic bees that have set up a nest in Metalheadz HQ circa 1997 and show no sign of budging. Finally, with its twinkling arpeggios and major chords "Dream Of You" is Calibre at his dreamiest and most emotional... Then drop comes and, once again, his sub bass melts your cones. Immaculate.
Review: Irish drum & bass.. icon? pioneer? Powerhouse? All are fair descriptors of Calibre, the machine-like music maker who has turned out thousands of equally high-quality tunes for more than 20 years. Whether ambient, tech house or drum & bass in nature, they are always better than most of the competition. His own Signature label has been home to most of it and that is where he lands now with this latest 12", another impossibly tasteful two-tracker. The title cut is a lively one with bustling breaks and chopped vocal stabs that bring the joy. On the flip is 'Think Again', a deep, soulful roller with exquisite pads and driving drum & bass energy. Pure class.
Review: Is there a more prolific yet consistently high-standard producer in any genre, or in fact any art form, than Irish man Calibre? Seemingly forever, the low key but high class talent has been kicking out the jams across the worlds of drum & bass, ambient and even tech house in his earlier days. Now the Signature label boss is back once again with another impeccable one-two on this Peso 12". The title cut is a pent up bumper with killer bass and soulful vocal flourishes. 'My Chances' is a little more edgy and raw, direct and hard hitting but still with well worked vocals samples which could originally come from a Bob Marley record, if you ask us.
Review: Calibre aka Dominick Martin pairs up with DRS, each taking one side of this 12" and each more than holding their own. Martin continues his current obsession with the pure sound of the real piano, a powerful antidote to the more synthetic sounds we're more used to hearing in the genre. Add a supreme male vocal in plaintive mood,. declaring "I've been looking for love in all the wrong places" and you've got something that really stand out of the crowd. Living For by DRS is more of straight anthem, with reggae influences and a hip-hop vocal giving it a proper lighters-in-the-air atmosphere, its conscious lyrics very much echoing the mood of Britain in 2020. Two very different tracks, for sure, but this package is strong in its diversity.
Review: Chase & Status and Stormzy coming together was always going to be huge. One rules the charts, the other the clubs, and between them they cooked up a massive single that got heard everywhere all summer long, including a special live performance of it in Ushuaia Ibiza. Now you can own it on a slab of vinyl that has been cut nice and loud, which is perfect for the tune - the bass is devastating, the bars from Stormzy are hard, the energy is dark and unrelenting and it's the perfect sort of jungle cross over sound that will continue to be heard everywhere well into 2025.
Review: Everyone's talking and no-one is listening... Unless Chatta B is chewing your ear off with his militant breaks - because then we're all ears over here. Unleashing the ghosts of 93 with big sacks of sheesh and oh my gosh, each of these cuts hits hard with the neck-snap breaks and big hooky samples. 'Watch Out' sets the scene with energy, 'Real Badman Sound' goes full-on rudeboy, 'The Exit' is a big sing-along moment while 'Easy Take It Easy' sends us off into the sunset with mixed sentiments... The vocals are like a sweet rum punch while those rattling breaks on the rhythm are more like a tum punch. Talk to us.
Review: True to the name, on his latest dyst-opiate ear ingestible drug for Sneaker Social Club, longtime breaks-crud experimenter Christoph De Babalon does no favours nor holds no hands of new initiates to his cult craft. This legend's debut EP on the concretist audio graffito label hears Babalon lower the tempo to a relatively slower pace than usual, allowing for a cruddier, tape-hued texture to emerge. The theme is as grave and dangerous as ever, finding a perverse enjoyment in themes of utter hopelessness and despair. The more eclectic heads will roll at the B-side's trickier treats: 'Jaded Memory' uses designer breaks and artificially harmonic belfry yanks to dread-inducing effect, while the closer 'Dearth Mill' hints at themes of depleted resources through its freq-buried, cogjammed breaks.
Review: New gen energy with old school frequencies, Digital's protege Tim Clay lets rip with a level-upping dispatch. 'New Beginnings' is a statement in every direction. By far his heaviest hitting drums to date, you can feel the Function force on this one! 'Body Move' takes more of drum & bass approach with its strident piano stroke and sensual vocal - think Total Science or early Headz. Finally 'Information Overload' is a right old grizzly 95-era Bristol groaner. Rude in sonic and health. Big moves from Monsieur Clay.
Review: Dutch jungle connoisseur Coco Brice has mastered just about every style and sub style over the years. He has a meticulous sound that makes every sound pristine and fully deserving of its place in the mix. The a-side on his new one for 3am Eternal is a mix of brutal, physical drum work and heavenly melody that tugs you in two directions at once on 'Cloud Busting.' It's epic, meaningful and unmissable. On the reverse, thongs are a little more stripped back and a more rolling break tumbles endlessly towards. More lush keys and melodies light it up, with plenty of deft effects and a spine tingling breakdown taking you into the next dimension.
Review: Billed as a "deep think about AI and junglism" and a "deep dive into tribalism and jungle techno" respectively, Coco Bryce's latest toe-tapper doubles as a mysterious bowling down darkside breakage tunnels, manifested in the twin tracks 'Ritual' and 'Y Do U Think I'm Not U'. Both unsettling, Reese-bound tunes, we can't be sure whether any AI programs were used in the making of these tracks, but they do command that same sense of vanguard mystery that pervades the technological climate of today; facing the deep, neurally netted unknown, perhaps surrendering entirely to it. Arpeggiated bliss kicks in at around the halfway mark of the A tune, whilst primal pan flutes and synth bowls seem to fuel the mystique forever on the B.
Review: We shouldn't need to hype Critical Music up to you too much - the label is a true staple of underground drum & bass after all. Even so, it's exciting to see two powerful forces coming together, and Coco Bryce remains at the top of his game bowling onto this EP for the London imprint with the cheekily titled Nirwana EP. The title track is a delicate, melancholic affair with some smart vocal snippets arranged into an emotive framework before we drop into some outstanding Apache chops. 'Pull Up' meanwhile offers its own distinctive flair with jazzy key licks sprinkled in the breakdown before a coolly dispatched Think break kicks in across the mix. There are ravier synth stabs at work on 'Daze Of Our Lives' and 'Life Changed' lets a little dub slip into the mix, not least thanks to the proper sub line rounding out the bottom end of this typically classy joint with that distinctive Bryce flair about it.
Review: The latest Coco Bryce EP is different to much of his previous work, eschewing the retro-modern banger-science for something that edges much closer to liquid jungle. Fittingly for the style, an core theme on 'My Space' is that of personal dominion and interiors; like the reams of potential found in a family living room or kitchen, the tracks here are interpretable as everything from 'chill' to 'nostalgic' to 'creepy', depending on how you choose to hear them. The palette is eerie and objective, though Bryce's usual preference for unpolished joy shines through as ever in his choice of samples.
Chris Coco - "Yawa Ze Asfos" (instrumental) (4:02)
Jake Slazenger - "168B" (3:47)
Global Goon - "Untitled" (4:39)
Ruckus (4:47)
Jodey Kendrik - "Thanx" (5:56)
Gavin Masih - "Unknown Track 1" (6:55)
Monika Subrtova - "Alata" (7:08)
Review: Furthur Electronix's first two Furthur Journeys Into compilations tune plenty of heads and shift plenty of copies. The third one keeps the quality levels high with more explorations around the periphery of underground electronics. Chris Coco opens with a soothing synth sound before Jake Slazenger brings crystalline synths and abstract modulations to the mid-tempo '168B.' There is more pace and twisted acid energy to Global Goon's untitled contribution and then old school jungle comes to the fore on the super stylish and atmospheric Gavin Masih cut. Monika Subrtova's 'Alata' is a serene and widescreen ambient synthscape that brings things to a suitably poignant close.
Comfort Zone is a producer to watch this year and we present to you Exhibit A, this new EP on Future Retro. He previously appeared on this label on Meeting Of The Minds Vol. 5, and also collaborated with the label boss Tim Reaper on music for Banoffee Pies. This solo outing kicks off with 'Tunnel Vision' which brings real synth beauty and deep cosmic feels to a lithe and soulful minimal rhythm stacked with masterful sound designs and crispy snares. 'Snake Stealer' has more plunging bass and contrasting lightness in the wispy melodies, then Reaper adds his own remix of 'Tune Vision' which is much more brash and in your face. Closer 'Tilted' is another super stylish and jazzy number with nimble bass and lively breaks.
Review: Comfort Zone is a producer to watch this year and we present to you Exhibit A, this new EP on Future Retro. He previously appeared on this label on Meeting Of The Minds Vol. 5, and also collaborated with the label boss Tim Reaper on music for Banoffee Pies. This solo outing kicks off with 'Tunnel Vision' which brings real synth beauty and deep cosmic feels to a lithe and soulful minimal rhythm stacked with masterful sound designs and crispy snares. 'Snake Stealer' has more plunging bass and contrasting lightness in the wispy melodies, then Reaper adds his own remix of 'Tune Vision' which is much more brash and in your face. Closer 'Tilted' is another super stylish and jazzy number with nimble bass and lively breaks.
Review: Stop creeping and start leaping! Headset are back with more breakbeat-flavoured timeless goodness and it comes direct from one of their most consistent and local family members - Creep Woland. A consistent energy on the label since Headset 001, CW goes in over four foundation jungle licks ranging from deep, floating and cosmic ('Ramb0 Biz') to much more intense, Detroitian adventures ('All Dogs Go 2 Heaven') Timeless to the core and steeped in emotion, it's another big hitter from this Scottish collective.
Review: This new one from Cyberlife might be rooted in techno but it is closer day a much wider world of sounds. The opener for instance rides on a nice loopy minimal rhythm you might find the likes of Batu or Pev' crafting. It comes with a lovely and dubby low end and then 'Endless Waiting' gets a little more light, with sci-fi sound effects fizzing about the mix as a dystopian automated groove takes you onwards with a hint of ancient tribal ritual to it. 'Reflexive Perspective' brings the sort of synths you'd find in some IDM over cavernous low ends and sombre, sustained chords and 'Backpropagation' shuts down with a watery and languid rhythm full of celestial depth.
Review: CYBERMISSION is back on INDEX:Records with a collection of tunes that were written in Berlin between 2021 and 2022. They all offer up signature styles that fuse the delights of luminous IDM-pop with uplifting electro rhythms. We're told that themes of self-discovery, deep romance and the bittersweet memories of what we've lost all inspired the creation of these cuts and that shows in their inescapable emotions and storytelling undertones. Both introspective yet designed to get you to show outward energy, these are five fresh and original cuts to get your new year off to a flyer.
Review: Rarely do garage and jungle ever hear any kind of fusion, but more than several perfect examples can be heard on this latest collab EP between Amy Dabbs and Coco Bryce. The second in their collaborative 'Slightly Involved' series, in which they set out to interpret each other's tracks and production techniques, the likes of 'Decipher' and 'Lust Issues' immediately pique the ears as sweet, engaging fidgeters, not backing down from the emotive swing endemic to the former genre while also playing up the pace of the latter. The A-side's listless synthetic pangs are matched in vibe by the B's comparatively by-the-book, dreamatic dolphinny junglisms, with 'Banshee' going ham on the slice-ups and 'Still You See' oscillating between string-laden suspense and light, downtown sunday-midafternoon breaks.
Review: Following last year's epic Missen/MSDos double header late last year, Violet Night Recordings gear up for their first release of 2023 and it's the bossmen taking control on this one. DJ Flash takes the lead with a strong atmospheric jungle twist where bone-crushing amens burst in and up the energy at all the right moments. Chippie takes the B with a special VIP of his 2021 cut 'Big Grey Wolf'. Now with a fresh set of beats and an added sense of urgency, it's enough to have you howling all night long.
Review: Incoming! Clipz is subtly dropping his debut album but in true Hugh Pescod style, he's not settling for usual convention. His debut album as Clipz is a remix LP as he deconstructs Richard Russell's collaborative concept album Friday Forever and rebuilds it into a diesel powered, borderline cantankerous jungle album. These are three of the many highlights; the Dope Dragon style brukage of 'Walk Alone', the deeper piano-licked roll-out 'A Dream I Never Had' and the dubby, Bass Bin style bubbler 'The Night'. And this is just the tip of the version iceberg. Serious Saturday Specials fever.
Review: There's just no stopping Vibez '93 at the moment - the Dutch jungle label is swimming in legit gear and sharing it with the world. We're still reeling from the anonymous Punkrocker and Self Aware EPs. This time around there are names on the plates, as four artists throw down in maximum style. Janaway is up first with the ragga jungle badness of 'Reaching Out', while InnaSelf brings some more introspective pads and synth touches to their amen trickery. Evasion weaves a plush tapestry of ragged breaks, dreamy vocal licks and atmospheric flourishes for a curly advanced slice of jungle perfection and then Cheetah rounds the record off with the truly snare-rushing 'Bunnin' Up'.
Review: Dead Dreams Don't Die Vol 1 is the first release from the new label Half Grand Records, which we're told will be focused on no-frills, raw talent electronic music. And so it proves on this split EP which brings together a diverse bunch of names. Nimam kick off with the jungliest breaks and fizzing future energy of 'Cilinger Slobs' before Jon Doppler mangels synth modulations and more airy breakbeats on his 'Feel Like.' On the flip, A Stantz brings the darkness with raw, frazzled electro stylings on 'Vags Ande' and Cracktros closes out with 'Deosil' which is a deeper techno cut with star-gazing synth leads.
Review: Random Rap Records offshoot Dinked 45 has hit gold with 'Happy (Hammond)', the first single in seven years from Chris Read and keyboardist Rob Barron's occasional So Much Soul Players project. As the title suggests, it's a cheeky and cheery Hammond funk reinvention of Pharrell Williams' classic which features Barron playing the famous melody - alongside a few wild solos - atop a sweaty, bass-heavy, breakbeat-driven dancefloor groove. It's a simple idea brilliantly executed all told and a guaranteed party-starter to boot. Over on the flip you'll find a slightly tougher, shorter 'Instrimental Mix' that cuts down the use of the melody in favour of elongated Hammond chords and more prominent beats, as well as a short 'Bonus Beats' drum track for DJs who like to get busy in the mix.
Review: Premade heavyweight Obscure Shape and classically trained musician Conrad team up; Berg Audio proudly welcome them as a new duo addition to their roster, together under the name Urban CC. Throwing back to real-deal minimal-ambient techno of a steezy kind, something between Maurizio, Move D and Ghost, 'Pegasus' and 'Marly' cycle through fluttering dub techno and 1-2-step garage respectively, the latter bringing an eyebrow raising combo of yearnsome garge vocal science and pulsewidth techno shots, post-drop. 'Hadban' sneaks a cheeky drum & bass bullet train onto an otherwise techno-centric platform, marking Sleepnet-style vocal etherics and sold-on-us liquid. 'Shagya' finally restricts the mix, with a dubtech-house full of beeping, filtered vocal shouts; a Strictly Rhythm-meets-Chain Reaction contraction.
Review: Calibre's brand new drum & bass album Rudy comes in a minty-fresh contrapuntal breath, following hot on the heels of a new white label reissue of his earliest and most enduring works from the mid-to-late 1990s. The sudden time-warp back into the present day proves just how far he has come since then, yet also just how much he has retained what worked, too; Rudy begins in an orthodox liquid jungle fashion with the likes of 'Stunted', before breaking away into impressionistic vocal free-associations like 'The Game' (with Dominic Martin) and halftime reese-swellers like 'Heaven'. All the tracks originate from the same aetheric stratosphere - imagine if drum & bass had kicked off not on a terrestrial, but totally gaseous planet - yet Calibre still gleans enough variation from this potent condensate to either pack both more vacuumy punches ('Cousin') or more laid-back but cerebral inhalations ('Dumb Bum').
Review: Drum & bass's most unique gentleman Calibre plunders his vaults to compile a new collection of unreleased gems through the ages. As you'd expect, the end result is a timeless assault of lush grooves, soulful sonics and sweet skippy riddims. From the soft jazz insistency of "Honey Dew" to the hollowed harrowed bass tones of "Bellamee" via the harder, rave-referencing "Sagan" and the deep bass gurgles and DRS's reggae-style vocals on "Eschaton", the only issue here is the fact Calibre hasn't released them sooner. Unarguably incredible.
Review: Anyone who avidly follows Dominick Martin's output as Calibre knows the man is insanely prolific. When you get past the sheer volume of his released work, there's also the oceans of unreleased exclusives from his sets throughout a monumental career, which is where the Shelflife series comes in. As you can tell by the triple-vinyl heft of this eighth entry in the series, the man is sat on an incredible amount of heat. Running the gamut from soul-soaked uplifters to atmospheric dreamers and on to sharp-angled, techy monsters, this is Calibre quality through and through.
Review: Dominick Martin's Shelflife series takes us back into the very core of Calibre over the past 20 years, finally sharing tracks which were previously only aired in his DJ sets. It's testament to his rigorous approach to the music he released over that time, given how incredible some of these cuts are, but it's also a relief to finally be able to cop the likes of 'Breather', 'Home' and 'I Don't Care What U Say'. The range of d&b on offer here is remarkable too, from moody, heads-down tech steppers to gorgeous, soul drenched swooners, with an unerring quality which lets you know it's Calibre at the controls.
Review: Calibre as we all know is a machine. The man has produced thousands of records, each one as exceptional as the next, across drum & bass, house and bass music. His latest album Rudy shows no dip in quality with another a masterful display of his signature sound making it another timeless classic. Each track is a journey into his famously lush melodies, intricate rhythms, and soulful vocal touches, all of which showcasing Calibre's unmatched skill in crafting emotive drum & bass compositions. From dreamy atmospheres to the pulsating low ends, heart aching samples and driving drums, every moment captivates with its depth and keen sense of musicality.
Review: Ceephax Acid Crew's Exidy Tours album was first put out on Firstcask Records in 2003. More than 20 years on, it has only grown in stature among lovers of eccentric electro. Says the artists, who has plenty in common with peers like Squarepusher, Aphex Twin and DMX Crew, the album was "a selection of my styles and ideas at the time, ranging from drum n bass, ambient to acid." The tracks are mostly short but all make a massive impact in that brief time, with acid driving from most synths as the thrilling drum programming sweeps you off your feet.
Review: Chase & Status ride a new wave with their sixth album, honouring their long-held time in the limelight as two of the UK's most powerful bangercrafting hitmakers. While still managing to nod to times past, this limited new LP also works in brand new UK sounds - drill MCs Unknown T and Backroad Gee, for example, make standout appearance on the tracks 'Run Up' and 'When It Rains', while still retaining elements of creativity that are endemic to Chase & Status only. Meanwhile, UK dancehall maintains its strong standing, with Popcaan and IRAH featuring regularly throughout.
Chase & Status & Mozey - "On The Block" (feat Avo & Horrid1)
2ruff (feat Takura)
Get Got
Tough Talk (feat Kwengface)
20 Man Down (feat MIST & IRah)
Review: Kings of new school drum & bass Chase & Status made another triumphant return with 2 Ruff Viol 1, which is jam packed with fresh new wave jungle anthems for those who like it energetic. The chart topping duo knows a thing or two about crafting big bangers and massive anthems and that's what they do here as they follow up their last album What Came Before with more massive moments. Plenty of guests help them along the way here such as IRah & Flowdan & Trigga & Takura on the massive 'Baddadan' and Avo & Horrid1 on 'On The Block', a collar with Mosey which is also devastatingly large.
Review: The Clamps might sound like he's a punk band from the late 70s, but sonically this French artist sounds zillions of miles in the future. A man of stark dynamics and a powerful sense of extremities, he's taken neuro to some incredibly dramatic and emotional places on this album. Featuring collabs with the likes of Tryst Temps and Eluun, From Dust To Dawn tells a powerful story over 16 tracks. From the sheet metal slabs of cosmic brutalism ('Moirai') to the outright euphoric ('The Bill') to the wildly futuristic ('Veilwhisper') this is an immense body of work that really deserves an elevation to vinyl. Don't sleep on this.
Review: London's Clive From Accounts is back with his most expansive release to date in the form of this bumper full-length, amusingly entitled 'The Best of'. The album features the energetic lead single 'Save Me' which is packed with organ stabs, soulful vocals, steel pans and a touch of acid to get things going off. The second single, 'Heavier' delivers a dark, weighty club track with Riko Dann's toasting and other highlights include the melancholic 'Konsumu Suru' featuring Japanese vocals by Maya Kuroki and violin by Jessica Roch, the Middle Eastern-inspired 'It Began' and the classic drum & bass vibes of 'Spectrum.' Versatile stuff from Clive.
B-STOCK: Sleeve damaged but otherwise in excellent condition
I Need Your Loving (5:54)
I Need Your Loving (Decibella remix) (5:57)
Review: ***B-STOCK: Sleeve damaged but otherwise in excellent condition***
Don't worry, Coco Bryce hasn't suddenly gone all happy hardcore - although we bet he'd smash it if he did - other vocals also talk about needing your loving. And this one is a hooter. An emphatic refrain over some loose rattling breaks gentle chords, there's a subtlety and weight to this that hits all the right spots. Imagine DJ Sofa's style and you're in the right raving space. Decibella joins the party with her own take on things which adjusts the euphoria levels a tad and switches up the drums and percussion. Maximum vibes from all concerned. You need this like the sunshine. Everybody's gotta learn (about wicked jungle records) sometimes!
Review: There's just no stopping Coco Bryce, who casually drops his third LP of the year on MYOR like it's no big deal. As low-slung opener 'High Commander' demonstrates, this isn't a one-trick jungle dump, but an album proper with nooks and crannies to get lost in. There are of course plenty of dazzling breakbeat excursions to savour - this is Coco Bryce after all - but even then his style has a refreshing, dynamic quality which makes for listening music as much as shockout juice. The low tempo beatdowns are just as incredible, full of vibe and bursting with inspiration, proving, as we already said, there is NO stopping our bredda in Breda.
Review: Don't worry, Coco Bryce hasn't suddenly gone all happy hardcore - although we bet he'd smash it if he did - other vocals also talk about needing your loving. And this one is a hooter. An emphatic refrain over some loose rattling breaks gentle chords, there's a subtlety and weight to this that hits all the right spots. Imagine DJ Sofa's style and you're in the right raving space. Decibella joins the party with her own take on things which adjusts the euphoria levels a tad and switches up the drums and percussion. Maximum vibes from all concerned. You need this like the sunshine. Everybody's gotta learn (about wicked jungle records) sometimes!
Review: Here comes an exemplary slice of dub/drum & bass hybridization from Congo Natty, who has been helming up slick fusions of these genres since the early 1990s. His first album in eight years, 'Ancestorz' as a title should be indicative enough. The LP explores the indigenous roots and influences of jungle music, from its historic use of African rhythms to samples of Native American flutes. Collaborations with artists as far-flung as Eva Lazarus, Blackout JA, Akala, Maverick Sabre, Courtney Melody and Shabaka Hutchings are all in tow, showing off Natty's love for contemporary bass music and maturer sounds in equal measure.
UK Allstars (Congo Natty Meets Benny Page mix) (4:57)
Revolution (4:55)
Get Ready (5:21)
Jah Warriors (Congo Natty Meets Vital Elements mix) (4:48)
Nu Beginingz (3:53)
Jungle Is I & I (Congo Natty Meets Vital Elements mix) (4:11)
London Dungeons (Congo Natty Meets Boyson & Crooks mix) (4:49)
Rebel (4:35)
Micro Chip (Say No) (5:24)
Review: Congo Natty celebrates a decade of revolutionary jungle music with this anniversary reissue of a classic. Originally released in 2013, this album remains a cornerstone of the genre, blending reggae, hip-hop, and jungle influences into a powerful sonic tapestry. With timeless tracks like 'UK Allstars' and 'Jungle Souljah,' Congo Natty captures the spirit of the underground rave scene with infectious beats and socially conscious lyrics. This anniversary edition breathes new life into the record with remastered tracks and additional content, reminding listeners of the enduring legacy of jungle music and Congo Natty's vital contribution to its evolution.
Review: The late great Cosmic AC's vast catalogue again yields some posthumous treasure with part two of the For Now album. It's another record that is as sophisticated as it is adventures with plenty of painstakingly crafted but effortless smooth breakbeats on 'Larvy' topped with pensive synths. Elsewhere there are logic-defying rhythm structures on 'Snood', hooky synth shimmers and more raw textures on 'Wisconsin Desert' and jazzy, cosmic motifs on the wonderful 'Setting Sun'. This is a high-class mini-album full of next-level sound designs and turbo-brain drum patterns. It makes for a compelling listen wherever you may be.
Review: Amon Tobin's debut album under the Cujo alias is a sprawling, complex work that spans 21 tracks and blurs the lines between multiple genres. First released in the mid-90s, it introduced a unique blend of live instruments and innovative sampling that would go on to shape Tobin's entire career. This is first time all the tracks have been compiled together, providing a complete version of the album that had previously been scattered across different editions. From the moody, atmospheric 'Cat People' to the intricate jazz influences in 'The Brazilianaire', the album captures Tobin's knack for combining breakbeats with more experimental sounds. There's an almost cinematic quality to the compositions, with moments of ambient calm giving way to punchy, layered rhythms. The sheer variety of ideas packed into the album is remarkable, from the driving percussion of 'Traffic' to the rich, textural complexity of 'Cruzer.' Even now, nearly 30 years on, the album still feels fresh and ahead of its time, illustrating Tobin's pioneering approach to electronic music. This reissue is a fitting reminder of the innovative work that laid the foundation for a remarkable career.
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