Back catalogue: Drum And Bass

Review: Van Boom shows a talent for blending dark, atmospheric tones with experimental soundscapes here while working with artists like whiterose, Safety Trance and Evita Manji on an album that explores themes of emotional vulnerability and transformation. The opening track 'Nuborne' sets the tone with its haunting, immersive sound, followed by 'Untethered' with the ethereal vocals of whiterose. 'Polished Wounds' and 'Object Mapping' delve deeper into intricate textures and layered compositions. It sounds great and looks good too on limited edition smokey clear vinyl.

Review: On limited heavyweight black-label vinyl come yet more samurai-themed various arts from the Berlin d&b dramaturgists at Samurai Music, clocking in at an insanely portentous 13 tracks. Also marking their hundredth vinyl release, the label honour their nearly 17-year existence with aspirant, boundary-pushing, dark drum & bass numbers, all sourced internationally. Representative of the Samurai Music sound is an intense brand of technically scratchy, yet smoothly intoned atmoss - one that doesn't fall prey to overburdening by drums and retains an emphasis on nyctophonic, serene scapes. Its star selections - the sonic katanas that refract the most light in the dark - have to be ASC's techno-informed 'S100' and Mako's intricately designed mammoth of a track, 'Get Away With It'.

Review: No production outfit keeps a pace of output quite like Vibez '93. The latest four-track record from the shadowy d&b profuser now hears them summon sampled echoes of A Tribe Called Quest and Digable Planets respectively, culling choice acapella selections from the debut albums Low End Theory and Reachin', exegeting the former's titular theory for a hard transpose into sheller drum & bass. 'Electric Relaxation' and 'Check The Rhime' are blown out across a two-side jazzstep liquescence, while 'Cool Like That' and 'All Night Long' make for finer-brushed summer steps.

Review: UK drum n' bass producer Madcap's production credits extend all the way back to the early 90s, when LTJ Bukem was heralding him as a fledgling, yet time "fantastic" DNB visionary. Now a fledgling no more, 'Saxon Street' is his latest jungle offering for Rotterdam's Vibez' 93, and is a nonstop EP of fluffless breaks cruisers ('Fall Down') and impeccable, Brandy-sampling bouncers ('Combination', 'See Her').

Review: Get ready for some proper breakbeat tackle as Oil Gang reprobate Boylan recruits the troops for a heavyweight apocalyptic 140 BPM showdown. With the likes of Slimzee, Trends, D.O.K, U.S.F and Youngsta all on side, the mood is tense and the textures are rough. Imagine that sci-fi sternness of Virus, that old school rolling breakbeat bass of Koma & Bones or Evil 9 complete with the more modern neck snap abrasion of acts like Former or Coido and you're in the right rave. Mean, gritty and unapologetic.

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: London label Footnotes turn the page on a bold new drop cap with Annotations, a handpicked compilation reflecting on the label's growth since its inception in 2018. Helmed by LSB, the project draws from a pool of core contributors - Alibi, Anile, Tokyo Prose, and Bazil - alongside fresh voices, all credited as shaping the current drum & bass landscape. LSB's interwoven originals pockmark further remixes and collaborations, presiding over a quality output emphasising nuance over impact.

Review: Rhythm Section International turns ten this yearia whole decade since Bradley Zero started what seemed like a modest project, spinning out of those infamous Peckham pool hall parties. But modest it was not. In those ten years, Rhythm Section became more than just a label. It became a pulseia defining force in London's music landscape, rippling out across the globe. To celebrate the milestone, Rhythm Section has pulled together something that's as much a reflection as it is a bold step forward: a three-part compilation titled PAST, RE-IMAGINED AND FUTURE. Six discs, 30 tracks, spanning the label's evolution while pointing toward its next era. The first two discs? A dive into history, with one track from each year since 2014ia walk through the archives that pulls out deep cuts and forgotten classics. Then we get into the RE-IMAGINED part, where artists from the label like Ruf Dug, Session Victim, and Private Joy reinterpret past tracks in their own styles. No gimmicksijust raw, playful creativity that breathes new life into the old. And finally, the FUTURE: two discs of brand-new material for 2024. Artists like RONI, Gayance, and Jordan Rakei under his Frank Liin alias step forward to show where the label's heading, blending genres and moods seamlessly. What's special about this release is that it never feels like it's trying too hardiit's a reflection of the organic growth that's made Rhythm Section what it is today. Ten years in, and the label's as forward-thinking, alternative and grounded as ever.

Review: Grab it while you can! Kniteforce Records continue to juice up their never-to-be-reissued-or-repressed KFW series with this walloping VA featuring an exciting range of old names and new. Highlights include the rushy vocal throwback 'Genesis' from Sunny & Deck Hussy, the cloud-smashing dreamy vibe out 'Close To Nowhere' from Sub Fundation and the wild piano finale from both Beeno & Alk-E-D and Ross Fader as their tracks ('The Weekender' and 'Dream Catchers' respectively) end this epic EP with so much euphoria you might just go out, hug a random stranger and offer them some chewing gum. Source material.

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: The indomitable Rex Club first opened in the 1930s as an art deco style cinema, and was later converted into a nightclub space in the 70s. After a healthy dose of acid (house) hit the club in the late 80s, nothing was the same. Some ineffable juncture saw the club transition from house into breakbeat and drum & bass, serving partygoing Parissiennes only the best rollers via its A dedicated Audiotechnik soundsystem. These were dubplates that would've otherwise only been on rotation across the channel. Reopening after the pandemic, Rex now celebrate a return to good business with a 2xLPs' worth of solid breakbeat goodness, etching d&b contributions from Aquarian, Phume, Tek 9, Goldie and Hidden Orchestra onto the marble of French d&b history.

Review: There is a really quite bonkers blend of sounds on this new volume of the UNTZ Anthems series from Belgium's 541. From commercial house to trippy techno and back again, it's full of sonic surprises so will likely come in handy if you bury it in your record bag. It's always fun to hear that hooky vocal on 'Remember Me' reimagined, while the Calvin Harris remix of 'Florence + The Machine ' is an ever-green summer festival anthem. Young Marco's 'What You Say?' provides a standout moment of hyped-up house and trance fun and 'The Cure & The Cause' is a timeless deep garage-house gem.

Review: This double 12" compilation is a celebration of liquid drum & bass, showcasing 14 classic tracks from some of the genre's most iconic figures. Immerse yourself in the lush soundscapes and soulful melodies of this beautifully arranged blue & red marbled double LP, a captivating journey through a diverse musical landscape. Highlights include Keeno's euphoric 'Indispensable', the deep and emotive 'Deep Sands' by Technicolor & Riya, and the ethereal beauty of Maduk's 'Nayru'. Other standouts include Seba & Collette Warren's soulful 'Never Let Them Break You', Etherwood's infectious 'We Felt It', and the vocal harmonies of Telomic's 'Silent Treatment'. With its impeccable selection and pristine sound quality, this compilation is a must-have for any fan of liquid drum & bass.

Review: Mindcolormusic has put together another edition of its Mental Concept series. This one features eight more tracks of cutting-edge electronics from various unknown artists. The foundations of these beats are electro but that's just a jumping-off point with sojourns into ambient, jungle and plenty more besides. They are sounds for expansive dance floor trips with inward and introspective pads, darker basslines and plenty of smart samples. It's a high-class collection featuring plenty of devastating sounds, both physically and emotionally.

Review: After years of active work on the front of EP and white label releases, Okbron Records present their first various artists compilation on 4x12"LP, Will Of The Universe. The universe has indeed willed that Okbron output this incensory compilation, sure to befuddle and beguile any drum & bass listener with their head and gravity pack screwed on. Featuring eight previously unreleased tracks and exclusive mixes of tracks by Big Bud, Klute, Law, Nookie, Perfect Combination, PFM, Rantoul, Voyager and Wheeler, this is a compendium of cosmos-expanding proportions, spanning all from the most nebulaic and detailed of liquid ('Reminisce', 'The Rough With The Smooth') to the most guttered, curb-kicked jungle ('Meaner Streets'), representing everything Okbron has offered so far and continues to offer.

Review: Defenders of the true craft, no other label is repping quite as solidly, consistently and across all generations as much as Stretch's AKO Beatz. Take this new volume in their Defender series; a full-flavoured attack to the senses, every direction you look there's a humungous slab of vibes... Classic soul (Fez The Kid's timeless 'The Longest Time'), eerie retro futurism ('Blaze In'), sing-along reggae (Shay's raggamuffin rousing 'Sounbwoy Melody 1') smooth jazz feels (Scooby & Shaggy's summer-bound 'Catch It'), absolutely bumping hardcore (Culture Kutoshi's razor sharp 'Piece Of Body VIP'), criminally euphoric and wonderful (DJ Sofa's hardcore hero 'Wing Cap') The list goes on. Highest of high grades.

Review:  Halogenix's label levels up in a major way here as he invites a whole troupe of talents over to Gemini Gemini for some heavyweight underground bubblers, bangers and bliss-outs. Those on the hunt for dreamy deep cuts should head for Fonts introspective stepper 'L.U.V', Azotix's 'Back Seat' and 'Monty & Indira May's 'The Motion' while those looking for something a lot darker and meaner will be all over the pure growlage of Koherent's 'Mercurial' and Quartz's thundering 'Strike Anywhere'. Complete with tracks from the likes of Zar and Verbz, Satl & Styke and En:vy, this is a very promising series from one of d&b's most authentic and consistent operatives. Resplendent in its white splattered vinyl. Join the club.

Review: A vrooming new V/A comp from London's bass music bacchanals 1985 Music, following up a sellout show at the Roundhouse earlier in 2024. Helmed up by pensive liquid purveyor come bass musical all-rounder Alix Perez, the label now compile several star tracks from throughout the year, setting them side-by-side on wax for the first time. Including trax by Perez, Drone, Cesco, Visages, Hijinx and Onhell, the general movement is from sociopathic grimescape though to bear trap tricksiness, shortly tied up in an extended jungle and d&b coda on the B; Paige Julia's 'Indisputable' is as brazenly fearless as Flowdan's opening flows are, though a continual liquefaction occurs therefrom; the best element heard towards the end has to be the erratic bubblegum cutups heard on Visages' 'Dol Guldur'.

Review: Shogun Audio is a towering drum & bass behemoth whose presence in the scene has very much shaped its sound over the last two decades. To mark this fine milestone, the label has assembled the ultimate collector's piece in the four of this 4 x 12" vinyl box set plus a 20 Years Of Shogun Audio book housed in a bespoke presentation box. The tunes take in 10 remixes of Shogun's best tunes and 10 forward-thinking new cuts. Plenty of key associates such as Friction, DJ Marky, Monrroe, Emily Makis, Lens, GLXY, Sustance, SP:MC and many more all feature in what is a real slice of drum & bass history.

Review: Three years since this formidable French troupe turned lead to gold on their debut, Visages' alchemy continues to bubble over with this utterly exceptional sophomore. Spanning the whole rainbow of styles from neo soul to grime to dubstep and a pungent range of dnb strains, this really is a unique and beguiling universe of sounds, themes, brutalist moments and poignant motifs. Complete with lyrical guidance from the likes of Strategy, Verbz, Chimpo, Snowy and others, there's a powerful adventure to be had among these tracks from the furious futurism of the opener 'Transhuman Music' to the woozy jazzy echoes of the closer 'Kintsugi', this is nothing short of outstanding.