Back catalogue: UK Garage

Review: Is there a more positive, soulful and life-affirming dancefloor anthem out there than Roy Davis Jr and Peven Everett's 1996 jam "Gabriel"? As many will be aware, it has long been sought of as a classic, with soulful house, deep house, US and UK garage DJs all championing it back in the day. This white vinyl reissue boasts all of the mixes featured on the original 12". Perhaps the most famous version is the rolling, bass-heavy two-step flex of the "Live Garage" mix that opens side B, but there's plenty to set the pulse racing elsewhere. The driving, jazzy-but-stomping "Words To Give By" version has been annoyingly overlooked over the years, while the "Tambourine Dub" is deliciously sweaty and driving in the best possible way.

Review: Burnski's Instinct label serves up some fresh platters from a new name, Papa Nugs. These are of course naughty as you like garage tinged late night gems for cosy dance floors. Opener 'Gemini' is a high speed affair with exotic strings and neck-snapping hits. 'Kilo of Filo' is a super heavy wobbler with a fat as fuck bottom end oscillation. 'De Nata' closes out on more super crisp breakbeats that recall the genres hey day when artists like Ali B were knocking out killer mixes for Fabric. All killer no filler, as ever with this label.

Review: We have no idea who Professor Balthazar is - probably not the lead character from the kids animated cartoon series of the same name, at least - but they sure know how to make good tunes. The opener here 'Twilo' is run through with some classic samples that bring warmth and soul to the effective house drums. On the flip of this hand-stamped 12" is a much more sweaty, peak time house track with snappy hits and kicks, a clipped vocal stab and increasingly bristling groove that cannot fail to sweep you up.

Review: The current wave of UKG is showing no signs of slowing, and more importantly, there isnt even much sign of a backlash in the usual comments sections and forums. And why would there be, because nothing gives you a pure shot of adrenaline and euphoria than a good garage tune. And here are four of them on the fledgling Enchanted Rhythms label. SPK Brings an edgy vibe with 'Morchang', B0n gets all tripped out with cyber funk cut 'Semenovich Vibe' while 'Green Is God' is a lush, stripped back and late night kicker. The dark closer from Dick & Dan ensures this is a must cop EP.

Review: For our first release in the sound-clash series, Xander goes head to head with Papa Nugs.

Based out of Brighton, Xander has made a name for himself in the UKG/breaks scene over the last 18 months with his exciting sound design and work for his own label, Over and Out.

The A1, "Dead My Sound", combines moody bass-lines with snappy drums to make a fierce 2-step dance floor killer. The A2, "Watch It", follows up with a menacing Reese bassline.

Papa Nugs is another prominent name in the UKG and breaks scene at the moment, having also had an exceptional 18 months. With releases on labels such as Constant Sound and Ba Dum Tish, we knew he'd be the perfect competitor for Xander

The B1, "Blip", provides skippy garage drums and with warping bass stabs taking inspiration from dubstep sounds. The B2, "Do Something", showcases a completely different side of UK garage, with slamming 4x4 drums and a chugging bassline.