Drum & Bass Recommendations May 2011

Review: The wobble jump up pioneer is on fine, fine form at the moment. Having torn dancefloors apart with the incredible "Busta Move" earlier in '11, Hazard returns with one of his strongest productions since the Machete Mass EP in 2008. The delectable sounds of "Food Fight" have been blazing across the airwaves for the last few months now - expect uproarious bass pressure, spot on sampling, dramatic drops and grouchy, gritty bassline business before flipping over for the equally fabulous "Proteus". Here a tense, ticking intro leads into the creepy movie sampling and swaggering, slouchy bass driven beauty that makes up the main tune. A resounding thumbs up here!

Review: Brand spanking new imprint Trendkill Records is the brainchild of drum and bass artist Prolix, known for his works on Playaz, Ganjatek, Metalheadz andVirus. Putting his signature style of hard hitting drum and bass on the table, this release has his fingerprints all over it. A-Side "Freeze Frame" has been smashing sound systems across the globe, a true anthem to start or end any set with its classic swoops and breaks and heavy rave attitude. "Conartist" sees LA based producer Gridlok ( Project51/ Violence/RAM) team up with the UK's own Skitty (Metalheadz/Foundation x) to produce an equally as powerful and grit fuelled track.

Review: Exclusive Ram signing DC Breaks follow up their 2009 smash hit "Pickett Line" on sub-label Frequency with another hands-in-the-air anthem featuring lush, soaring vocals from Rox. DC Breaks fans may remember her from the duo's superb remix of "My Baby Left Me" a year or so ago. Catering for the Annie Mac market this time, they blend rolling percussion with sonorous, melodic strings and finish it with a glossy polish. "Take That", up next, kicks off with unnerving notes, sci-fi synth swoops and sweeping strings, before dropping into classic Ram tear out, complete with rowdy bassline, growling vocal sample and soaring synths aplenty. Massive.

Review: Neosignal are steadily building a name for being one of the most forward thinking drum and bass labels out there. Misanthrop, one of the label owners, has been a rather shy character in recent months, hiding himself away in the studio we can only assume! Judging by his "Sidereal" release, his time in the studio has been well spent. Its engaging intro sets the tone for what turns out to be a hard hitting but intricately layered journey, locked and loaded with hard drums, heavy basslines and weird disoriented robots. On the flip you'll find "Latitude", with rocketing drum patterns and a twisted atmosphere that's guaranteed to rip a dancefloor to shreds. Both tracks are satisfying, expertly put together and well worth the wait.