Back catalogue: Drum And Bass

Review: There are basically two types of anniversary compilations: the humble retrospective, packed with classics and significant musical moments from the past, and collections of all-new music that showcase where an imprint is at right now. Predictably, Planet My founder Mike Paradinas AKA U-Ziq has chosen the latter option to mark the occasion of his legendary experimental label's 30th birthday. There's naturally plenty to get the blood pumping and the synapses snapping across the 25 tracks on show, from the skittish IDM of Jlin ('B12'), mutant future-boogie of Venetian Snares ('Drums') and hard-to-pigeonhole excellence of Falty DL ('Usually I'm Cautious'), to the chopped-and-screwed r&b of Bae Bae ('Living In The Memory'), Nik Colk Void's industrial gunk ('A Tough Design (demo)'), the glassy-eyed D&B/ambient techno of Xylitol ('Nevada') and the sample-rich instrumental hip-hop hedonism of Luke Vibert ('Bullet Drop').

Review: Many happy returns to V Recordings, which this year notched up no less than three decades at the forefront of the global jungle and drum & bass scene. Such an occasion warrants a celebratory release, and Gee has provided that via this painstakingly curated collection of new gems, remixed takes on classic cuts, and previously unavailable 'VIP' versions. Naturally, the quality threshold remains high throughout, with our picks of an exceptionally strong bunch including the d&b-acid insanity of Serum's revision of 'Acid Fashion' by Nazca Linez, the elongated wobble bass and punishing beats of Krust's 'Not Necessarily a Man (L-Side VIP)', the bowel-bothering onslaught of Voltage's 'Lion of Judah', the deep, dreamy and punchy 'Majesty' by Alibi, and the bleeping jungle revivalism-goes-jazz funk madness of Chimpo's 'Fever'.

Review: When Hospital Records launched some 16 years ago, it was primarily to focus on the more soulful side of drum & bass. While London Elektricity's imprint is now about so much more than that, many of its' releases still bristle with an expansive soulfulness. This mixed, mid-price, two-disc affair pays tribute to the label's soulful side, delivering sinewy, string-laden gems, vocal anthems, and liquid D&B classics from the likes of SPY, High Contrast, Nu:Tone, Logistics, Danny Byrd, Phuturistix and, of course, London Elektricity. Who mixed it isn't revealed, but they've done a great job; both discs ripple with melody, emotion and, of course, skittering dancefloor rhythms. This is Fast Soul Music, after all.