NOOKIE レコード& CD

Review: UK hardcore masters Kniteforce keep the rave alive with another excellent throwback EP, this time from Nookie. It has all the authentic hallmarks of a proper old school offering but with great modern production. 'Give A Little Love' is a pain banger with bristling breakbeats and no shortage of energy, then 'Love Is The Message' douses you in fizzy chords and dusty drum breaks that dart up and down and are run through with yelping vocal stabs. 'Pedro Visits Romford' shuts down with bright chords refracting about the mix next to more chopped-up vocals.

Review: Opus One digs into the vaults with this one. It is a new 12" with a pair of old-school remixes of gold-standard Nookie originals. First up is the Makoto remix of 'Natural Experience' which is a soul-drenched, feel-good and upbeat roller with silky vocals and oodles of sunny charm. On the flip is a Nookie (aka Cloud 9) remix of 'Innerspace' that takes the cut into cosmic territory with slapping and slamming amen breaks, thrilling snares and bleeping synths that work as well as head as they do on heart and heel.

Review: Scene veteram - if not downright originator - Nookie returns to Metalheadz with his latest offering, which as the title suggests, finds the London-based d&b producer embracing the creative process as a means of surprise and discovery. Nookie himself calls the tracks on Improvisions "the best I've ever written," and we'd be hard pushed to disagree. Ruth Royall becomes a central figure within the record's story, her voice ringing out over Nookie's jazz-laced, soul-drenched production on 'Part Of Me' especially. There is plenty of dancefloor energy to be found on the likes of 'Over & Over' as well, but vitally this is a d&b artist album from someone whose inspiration continues to flow prodigiously.