DRUM & BASSREVIEWS DJ Guv
Ganster VIP Low Down Deep 8.0
If you’ve ever had the inclination to enter an operational steelworks and occasionally don an American accent and explain to a fellow bystander that they will never be a gangster, well thanks to DJ Gov you no longer have to. This is by far the most icy, dark, metallic track doing the rounds right now. Available exclusively from the Low Down Deep store.
DJ Sly feat Capo
Story Of A Junglist Kid Higher Stakes 8.0
Jaydan
1952 Playaz
9.0
Tracks are often described as ‘melodic’ or ‘musical’, but few can hold a stake to this label as much as ‘1952’. This jazzy track is layered with a charming, weaving sax, finger clicks and a tinkling piano as well as a real sounding bass and bongos, and a continuous vocal reminds you of the music that has influenced it. Different vibes from Jaydan’s dancefloor killers, great tune on a great EP.
Brookes Brothers
Carry Me On Viper Recordings 8.0
Being selected for the Radio 1 playlist doesn’t always mean it’s necessarily a good drum and bass track, just as having commercial appeal doesn’t necessarily mean being a super- cheesy sell-out. ‘Carry Me On’ is a fantastic example of crossover done well. Trumpets, euphoric feel, cool auto-tuned vocal provided by Chrom3, and it even comes complete with a colourful cartoon video. Sunny and mellow, displaying the classic signs of the Brookes Brothers.
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djmag.com Cabin Fever
Just Hold On Smokin Riddims 9.5
The dancefloor is doing well for itself this month, with a shedload of killer tracks all hitting the decks at the same time — and this little smasher holds its own effortlessly. Starting on a deceptively ambient tip before an unexpected and fantastically off-timed ‘Wommp’ intermittently dominates the track, with scuttles of drums and a low, warm and unassuming bass creating the backdrop, and an echoing female vocal giving the track its hook.
Calibre feat Chimpo
Start Again VIP Signature 9.0
If you’ve been anywhere near a speaker this year you inevitably know that the man we call Calibre has been releasing, and one of the most unavoidable cuts has been ‘Start Again’ featuring Chimpo — and sure to be just as unavoidable this season is the VIP. Not as menacing, nor metallic, nor as markedly marvellous as its predecessor (it would have to be one hell of a track to reach that feat), the VIP still gleams with nonchalant Calibre splendor.
From the title you can expect a nostalgic trip though jungle’s past, complete with Amen breaks and ragga-infused samples. But what you can expect and what you get are two very different things. The vocal intro begins to tell a junglist tale, however the drop takes the tune in a completely contemporary direction. Squelchy, noisy and utterly filthy, with tight drums and fast kicks, this track will be bunning up the grimiest of dances.
Rido feat Codebreaker
Cockroach Funk Metalheadz 9.0
It’s been a while since we’ve heard from Rido, and his amazing track ‘Twisted’ that had us all salivating at the mere thought of his next ‘Headz release. Well, good things do come to those who wait, and Prague’s finest export has hit us with a dark, potent brew of exquisite standards. Lurking in all the shadowy corners of the deeper side, the itchy track scuttles around echoing vocals by Codebreaker. Slow and menacing half-time grub.
Spectrem & Spillage
Trust Technique Recordings 8.0
Drumsound & Bassline Smith have scoured the globe to source the newest talent for their label, and on one side of the world they’ve found Spectrem, who’s shown his ability on his debut Technique release. Violins start the intro before it builds with a calming yet uplifting male vocal and skeleton beat. Beautifully simple track which generates a good amount of energy. Nice to have a minimal track around not saturated in clicks and whirls.
Cyantific
Your Love Cyantific Music 6.0
Summery ‘80s vibe which builds anticipation but never really reaches a climax. The energy and light- heartedness make it perfect for radio listeners, but could be hard pressed to move a floor. ‘Your Love’ features a generic, slightly cheddary whiff.
Dramatic
Keeps Pushing Me Sgn:Ltd 7.0
Happy chappy dancefloor flavour, all about the feelgood summer vibes. Strong female vocal and a floaty light-hearted bassline. Could have done with a little switch in the bassline to keep it interesting.
WHISKY KICKS
whiskykicks@live.co.uk QUICKIES
Foreign Concept feat. T Man
Tag Team Critical 9.0
Making its way past Kasra’s high standard of Tag Team quality control, euphoric synths combine with low, dirty techy drops, and some classic jungle percussion and samples. Mixed with the well delivered MC- led hook by T Man, this is a sure-fire hit.
Skeptical
Eyes Down Exit
8.0
Skeptical has been in the kitchen banging his pots and pans and mixing it up with an array of percussion. Nice simple steppy beat to really get you moving. Good all-round roller.
AMIT AMAR
01. MACHINEDRUM ‘Gun Shotta (AMIT Remix)’ Ninja Tune “A spacey dubbed-out remix I did for Machindrum. It’s actually the first remix
I have ever done.”
02. AMIT ‘Human Warfare’ AMAR “The first release on AMAR, moody guitars, dark atmospheres and a soldier’s
frame of mind.”
03. MARCUS INTALEX ‘Gripped’ Exit Records Dub “A beautiful track that steps into a different direction. Elements of this
track bring back memories of yesteryear — eerie pads, Krust-style bass and trippy beats.”
04. UNKNOWN ‘Untitled’ AMAR Dub “Something new and fresh that has people asking, ‘What the fook is this?’
Watch this space.”
05. ST FILES ‘Eric Bristo’ Exit Records “A track that has not left my set for the last eight months — live guitars, real
sounding drums and pounding bass.”
06. CLARITY ‘Sombre’ Samurai “A trippy dark piece from an elusive producer, solid dark art that leaves
people wondering if someone spiked their drink.”
07. AMIT FEAT RANI ‘No Mercy’ AMAR “I raise a glass to Rani for this one, her eerie vocals steal the show. So excited
about her future works.”
08. VIVEK ‘Untitled’ Saag Aloo Dubplates “Vivek outdoes himself on this one. Pure ambience with a trip to the Orient,
the low sonics on this tune are huge to say the least.”
09. GREMLINZ ‘Oranda’ 31 Records Dub “The ghost of the Blue Note resides on this one, lashing high sonics with
filthy atmospheres. I swear he made this using hardware.”
10. THELEM ‘False Imprint’ Dub “An amazing piece of work, this track reminds me of Blade Runner in every
possible way. Just for that, this track is a must-play.”
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