Back catalogue: Drum And Bass

Review: No matter your particular preference in the deep house world, this various artists' outing from Q1E2 Recordings is sure to have something for you. Mike Riveria & Marco Ohboy, for example, tap into an early sound on 'Euphoria' with its big, brash piano stabs and whistles, while A Soft Mist Production keeps it all cuddly and deep with languid chords draped over gentle drums on 'Upside Down Rainbows.' DatSIM brings in some space-tech vibes for a deft rhythm and neon infused sound on 'Influx' and The Rabbit Hole's 'Tail Groove' has a mad double bass sound jumping about beneath frantic jungle breaks.

Review: With 'Vibes', Dutch drum & bass/jungle outfit Cat In The Bag temporarily let the feline out of the case, yet they still retain enough integrity, and rein in the shellage, to the extent that the cat is nonetheless seduced back in after a certain time. Such is the art of alley-cat drum & bass, comparable in mood to "rollage"; it's all about a fine balance of hard-hitting impactfulness and careful vibe-restraint, else the mog'll arch its back and dash off elsewise. No wonder the first tune's called 'Level Vibes'; Dial-M and Msymiakos achieve an intricate, intelligent mood of levity, a belief-suspensory dread zone in which level-headedness serves as a proxy for the execution of a skittish agility, as of a cat. Our feline reccy no less reliably scours the 'Frontline'; amens penetrate hard garrisons of bass and atmoss with relentless keratinous claws, proving retractable paw-blades really can break walls. The B-siders, 'Warehouse Dub' and 'Dub Rock', provide more novelty appeal, preferring to build sound(e-)scapes that both build upon and take flight from the warpath.

Review: Suburban Base honours their brother MC Duke, Kashif Adham, a true legend in the music scene and the alleged godfather of UK rap. This incredible limited edition tribute vinyl picture disc celebrates MC Duke's legacy. After becoming the most prolific artist on the Suburban Base sister imprint, Boogie Times, before establishing his own label Hard Disk, this picture disc features some of his rarest releases from the latter imprint which have never been reissued since their original pressings in the 90s. Meticulously re-compiled and remastered shortly before Duke's passing, the likes of 'My Sound' and 'Journey' bring raunchy amens and breakneck variations to an otherwise make-do bank of samples: yet what Duke crafts out of them is truly impressive.

Review: At legendary jazzdance hubs like London's Horseshoe and Camden's Electric Ballroom, one track ruled the floor: Hino Terumasa's 'Merry-Go-Round', pulled from the Japanese trumpeter's 'Double Rainbow' album. A bass-driven jass fusion storm, it sent dancers into a frenzy, tending fast down a psychedelic jazz mountain. A staple of BBE's J Jazz compilation, 'Merry-Go-Round' was Paul Murphy's top pick for a fresh rework, heard here from Niknak. Rising to the challenge, Takumi assembled top-tier musicians to craft an electrifying tribute; eight minutes of unrelenting, steam-hammer funk, pushing jazz dance energy to its limits.

Review: Sadly this month marks seven years since we lost Tango. A true originator to come out of the Timeless camp along with the likes of Total Science and Digital & Spirit, Tango (alongside Ratty) was one of the true renegades of early drum & bass as it was forged from hardcore, jungle and many other influential corners. Both 'Understanding' and 'Spellbound' are great examples of his sound and near-mystical signature. Released in 96, now remixed by two exceptional modern renegades, 'Understanding' gets the full choppage twist from L Major while Ricky Force keeps all of the cosmic charm of 'Spellbound' while beefing it up in all the right places.

Review: Tape Pack aka. Nick Dobbs first set about this relatively new d&b alias after finding inspiration in the so-called "tape packs" exchanged among friends in 90s playgrounds, many of which can still be found in book and record exchanges today. After 2024's 'World Unknown' now comes 'Light Years', an EP of equal heft made up of readily tractable beats (that 'Funky Mule' break is a real highlight). 'Antares', meanwhile, does not use the OG autotune tech in it as far as we know, as it is bereft of vocals, but it is the most heavenly track. The best things in life come in small packages, and the same can certainly be said for the latest Tape Pack.

Review: Terra Utopia returns to Emotional Response with a second release, a collection of ten tracks blending ambient textures, atmospheric rhythms and fluid drum & bass. French producer Benoit B revives this project after the success of the first Terra Utopia recordings, delivering another thoughtful exploration of soundscapes. Initially conceived as a short-lived project, the first Terra Utopia was recorded in two weeks during a spring in Athens, capturing a deeply personal sonic aesthetic. This second offering reflects an evolution in style while retaining its essence. Tracks unfold like snapshots of expansive skies, tranquil seas and warm summer days, creating a narrative of serene moments and astral imaginings. The beats feel crisp and purposeful, and every cut is crafted for both personal immersion and DJ functionality. A highlight is the collaboration with singer dvdv on 'Shadows Of Memories', where her ethereal vocals float over dreamlike instrumentation, offering an evocative, hypnotic centerpiece. Terra Utopia continues to conjure vivid sonic imagery with its latest chapter.