Back catalogue: Drum And Bass

Review: A serious next-level package for Ram right here; three of their most recent signings, all repped on one killer EP... Two highlights from Rene's impressive LP are remixes by two of the imprint's freshest faces. Chords shows his darkest side to date, adding a gritty, teeth-baring edge to "Tap Dat" while June Miller do what they do best and take "Dark Passenger" down to a haunted house basement and fill it with raw unadulterated fear by way of mean noises and industrial strength badness. In a word: naughty.

Review: Man of the moment Rene LaVice really can't do any wrong right now. Straight off the back of a massive Nero remix and a Spor tour here he lays down two more gully gospels: "Hotblooded" comes with that aggy, scruffy punky sound he explored on the Nero remix; all live drums and rag-tag arrangements. "Bill Folderson", meanwhile, takes off where "The Calling" left us with its scorching, searing bassline that seemingly tears through everything in its path. An absolute gem for all you double droppers out there.

Review: Toronto badman LaVice steps up with his biggest release to date. Already blessed with a Zane Lowe Hottest Record stamp of approval, "The Calling" balances a yearning, emotional vocal with a couplet of basses that a thick in body and curmudgeonly in attitude. The result is an emotional fireblaster destined for big festivals this summer. "Freudian", meanwhile, takes us back to LaVice's tight, techy roots by way of dramatic tribal drums, sheet metal bass tears and a two-step so sharp you won't need to shave for three years after listening to it.

Review: How do you follow up a banger like "Absolute Monster"? Easy; flip the switch and serve two totally new flavours that kill it in different directions. "All My Trials" rolls with a fantastic dusty old soul sample before a deep tubular bassline wobbles its way into the mix. Complete with Ivy Mairi's floaty, ghostly vocals, it's more like old Hospital than contemporary Ram and sounding really fresh as a result. Meanwhile on the B "Not Deep" makes most of its noise with an old school palette with "Sour Mash" synths, Derrick May style strings and a bassline that's straight out of 98. Absolutely monstrous.

Review: Andy C's long running Ram Records imprint drops the fifth edition of their excellent Dimensions series - and the first since 2009 - further showcasing the fact there is still a wealth of talent and ideas in the drum & bass arena. This double drop of wax gets off to a blinder thanks to "Headlock" the contribution from newcomer Rene LaVice which contains deftly combines touches of classic D&B with his own contemporary production nuances. Hospital regular Cyantific continues his flirtation with Ram on the superb "Infinity" which is a masterclass in peak time drops and rolling beats. On the second twelve June Miller and the mysteriously monikered Secret Handshake Club bring something different to Ram with "64 Thousand Dollar Habit" which veers between emo rock and brutal, unrelenting D&B with abandon - proceedings veer back towards more traditional Ram fare on the sci fi roller "EV's Dead" from Wikaman & RV.

Review: Cor blimey governor, this'll put lead in your pencil. Radio 1 broadcaster and all-round badman Rene LaVice teams up with early 2000s donny hitmakers Future Cut for this incredible EP on Metalheadz. "Nine Strings" is pure breakbeat venom. Thunderous bass, grizzly funk and severe amounts of evil in all the right spaces and places, this is real grown up stuff right here. "Eyes" on the B carries just as much weight and horsepower but comes with just a smidgeon of deep dream soul.

Review: Since first making his debut on Canada's Stride Recordings back in 2009, Toronto native Rene Lavice has been inching towards 'D&B heavyweight' status. While he's not there just yet, this confident debut album for the mighty RAM Records should nudge him a little nearer his goal. Bold, brash and rave-inspired, with both eyes on the dancefloor, Insidious breathlessly flits between steppy jungle, tech-step and deeper flavours without a care in the world. It has its share of darkness, too - see "Thorax" and the brilliant old skool roller "Tap Dat" - but the overall feel is one of thrilling release. As debut albums go, it's pretty good.

Review: Since first making his debut on Canada's Stride Recordings back in 2009, Toronto native Rene Lavice has been inching towards 'D&B heavyweight' status. While he's not there just yet, this confident debut album for the mighty RAM Records should nudge him a little nearer his goal. Bold, brash and rave-inspired, with both eyes on the dancefloor, Insidious breathlessly flits between steppy jungle, tech-step and deeper flavours without a care in the world. It has its share of darkness, too - see "Thorax" and the brilliant old skool roller "Tap Dat" - but the overall feel is one of thrilling release. As debut albums go, it's pretty good.