Drum & Bass Recommendations Best Of 2010

Review: With a steadily growing fanbase on Ram, initially coming off the back of his inclusion on Andy C's Nightlife 4 and a number of killer singles, Culture Shock's showing no signs of slipping with "Bad Red". With a funky and crunchy bassline working in tandem with some huge lead stabs, it works itself into a smooth breakdown before coming back in with even more fire and menace. "Surprise" on the flipside is also a tasty treat, with some militant and unpredictable synths filling gaps between the razor sharp jump-up drums. Clearly a producer on the rise, look out for more heat from Culture Shock in the future.

Review: Noisia team up with tech-stepping neurofunk originators Ed Rush & Optical on the A Side of this release on their very own Vision imprint. Cue a tense thriller movie style intro, punishing drum kicks and heavy sci-fi SFX. Flipping over for another killer collab, the Dutch trio get tech-y with Lifted Music's poster boy, Spor. Rippling synths, crisp breaks and a murderous b-line make this one a stand out, with super tight production - rather reminiscent the Conquerors & Commoners EP but with a noisier (!) edge. This is everything you could expect and more from all parties - a quality 12".

Review: One of the most highly revered and rotated vocal D&B tracks from the past six months is back, this time
with an ice-cold twist ready to take us into the frosty autumnal months. Drawing in the talents of Critical
playmate Break to add his deft touch was always going to result in one thing – absolute dance floor
devastation! Oozing class while smacking up the dance is something many producers can only dream
of….the masterclass starts here.
Drifting pads with sexed-up guitar touches intro the ‘Redlines’ remix before the drums kick and we’re
away on a blues-infused excursion with full vocal riding on top as the chords roll out. Don’t be fooled
though as the fun’s just about to start! A quick repeated refrain and suddenly in crash the amens,
edits and the most gut-wrenching sub to demolish the place. Vocal teases run throughout together
with swathes of guitar but it’s the sheer tearout that wins in the end. Absolutely fantastic.
Flipping things over and Total Science come back with the classic sounds of ‘Scaremonger’.
Seemingly an ode to the vibes of yesteryear, this one bounces with the best of them. A hot twostepping
break carries the stabbing b-line that morphs subtly as this wicked bubbler moves along with
ease. Proper Total Science doing what they do best.