Juno Recommends Drum & Bass: August 2022

Review: It's the anthem that just won't quit. Having celebrated a decade of Gold Dust with a whole stack of remixes earlier this year - even though the tune is actually closer to 12 or 13 years old - the Bad Company founder-turned-popstar DJ Fresh now serves up this special gold vinyl edition for Record Store Day. Complete with the VIP and instrumental (which are still arguably the best versions out there) it's yet another way you can get blasted with one of the most iconic and euphoric hooks in modern drum & bass. You can't get enough of this style.

Review: Suburban Base continue their dig through the work of Marvellous Cain with this exhaustive four-LP drop. Cain is an icon of the early jungle scene, with a rough and ragged, ragga-licked approach which remains untouchable even all these years later. Across 16 tracks we get a stern reminder of that fact, with sheller after sheller from 'Hitman' to Bizzy B collaboration 'Everyday Junglist'. Some of these tunes have been out of reach for a long time - just check the '95 dubplate version of The Runninz Kru's 'Hi Chaperal', link ups with Libra and so much more besides. This is the real deal, and a fitting document of one of the true pioneers of amen-mashing junglist extravagance.

Review: 4AM Kru are just great aren't they. Carrying the tongue-in-cheek essence of jungle in these 4 extended mixes which include an Alison Wonderland 'High' sample in 'Stay Puffed', as well as a vocal sample of someone ripping into jungle over the massive amen break in 'What is Jungle?' - if you like the Massive amen break, this EP is for you. The relatively new London-based jungle crew have been around only 2 years but have picked up a quick following on Bandcamp, this being the third vinyl EP in the time series, following 'Good Time' and 'High Time', which also features the vocal stylings of Phoebe White. Breakcore and jungle fans have a lot to look forward to from the collective, and this EP is a great way to dip your toes into their sonical water. Jungle is massive (amen break).

Review: Marking label Critical Music's 20th birthday, they have compiled 22 tracks over 6 discs of the finest underground Drum n Bass has to offer, in a stunning limited box with designs by Steiner Grafik, with a special design on the sixth plate to commemorate the birthday. From breakbeat cuts by Calibre to more melodic vocal cuts by Envy, the biggest names in the label come together for this expertly curated and mastered compilation record following the label's takeover of Printworks back in March. The 6 discs span a wide, international selection of the different pockets and scenes that Drum n Bass inhabits, with just as many mind-melting amen breaks as there are smooth and subtle ambient d&b cuts. This box set is both a reminder of what makes Critical Music so respected, as well as a show of what we can expect in the future. Expect the unexpected and try not to blow your speakers out.

Review: CNVX bossman Kid Drama and techstep pioneer DJ Trace collide once again for two more timeless strong-arm sounds. 'Sideways' is a real bulldoze jam with so much sub oozing from the machinefunk steps, it just ploughs into any mix you present it with. More bulging sub action can be found on 'Rage' where the breaks play more of a lead role and give the track a powerful swing. Tailored for the Doc Scotts of the world, these tracks are not to be handled lightly. Immense.

Review: Your new summer soundtrack has arrived! With very little announcement or fanfare (just a few teasing singles on Spotify) LSB has just dropped a wonderfully understated collection of graceful, musical creations. Some of the most understated and subtle music he's ever released, vibes range from the gentle soothing pianos of 'Endless' to the heartfelt yearning on 'Saudade' via the chime-laced euphoria of 'Bell Tune'. Gentle, no frills, completely musical and emotional, this is LSB in his most honest and unapologetic form. The timing of this collection could not be better. Beautiful.

Review: Old Thugster's back and he's packing the first slice of his debut album cake. Baked in Western Lore's kitchen, you know it's going to be scrumptious from the very first bite... 'Wild Child' takes a classic rave vocal and recycles it over a set of breezy breaks and big atmospheric pads. More delights follow as 'Put Me Out Like The Bins' goes mean on the sluggy sub bass, 'Selected Transitionary Elements' gets busy on the LFO freakery while 'Soul Harvest' soundtracks your deepest of dreams. Yum.

Review: Unknown To The Unknown continue putting their stamp on the new jungle evolution with these beautiful workouts from Aussie artist Kloke. Aligning stars left, right and centre with his second volume of his 'The Cosmik Connection' series, there's a strong sense of euphoria running throughout... 'Crystal Caves' hits hard with Soul In Motion-era Krust style beats and a beautiful dreamy vocal sample, 'All Around' brings the jazz with a nod to the likes of Justice or Blame while 'Dreams' puts the breaks right at the back of the mix so those big pads and bulbous sub swallow you whole. Last but not least we have the drum heavy 'Rhythm Equation' where it's all about those delicate splashes of keys and trippy swirls. Far out.

Review: Spectrasoul's 'Delay No More' receives its 10 Year Anniversary repress, with the pair's breakout album finally being pressed to vinyl for the first time. Originally released in 2012 but remarkably holding up even in 2022's ever-fluid neuro d'n'b soundscape (an impressive feat given how quickly the style moves), the album features classic tracks such as Calibre's widely recognised remix of 'Away With Me'.

Review: Dominic Angas has tended to avoid returning to his 1990s roots, instead preferring to keep pushing forwards. Even so, his occasional outings for 2 Bad Mice's Over/Shadow label, which by design tip a wink to his earliest Dom & Roland productions on Moving Shadow, are always on-point and pleasingly nostalgic. His latest two-track missive for the imprint begins with 'Fever Nights', a formidably dark, metalling and mind-mangling affair that's as paranoid and doom-laden as they come - unsettling jungle brilliance all told. Some of that track's inherent tension is lifted by B-side workout 'Stingray', a no less weighty but more melodic affair built around distorted D&B breaks and rumbling sub-bass.

Review: Hospital Records is one of the most mighty in all of drum & bass and here it joins up with Soulvent who now join the family. It's a label founded by Joe Goss, Jack (Pola) Higgins and Liam Holyoak-Rackal that has been on top of its game since 2014 and at the forefront of the new generation. This fiery 14 track collection is packed full of brand new remixes of classics from both imprint's back catalogues. There is dream-like stuff from Nu:Tone, Hugh Hardie is in fine form on his take on Japan-based Mountains' 'I'm Free' (feat. Kojo)' and one-to-watch DJ and producer Vektah drops some real jungle heat.

Review: Tommy The Cat pounces in fine fashion on this new EP von E-Beamz. He is someone with a precise sound that has given rise to fresh outings on top labels like Unknown to the Unknown and Vibe 93 outta Holland. This one kicks off with 'Looking Forward' which has icy hi hats and cavernous depths underpinned by fat bass and powered by crashing percussion. 'Velvet Night' is a more jump up sounds but stylishly so with soulful synths then 'On Lunar Time' rounds out with more razor sharp drum programming, silky bass and subtle production that makes you move.

Review: Jungle's revival remains to be of interest to fans old and new. And it is those sorts of sounds which colour this new one from Zero T and Steo, which is also well versed in silky and soulful liquid d&b styles. Particularly that is the case on opener 'Go' (feat Myth) which is a real heart wrenched with wide screen chords and a lovely heart tugging vocal. Then comes 'Can't Hide' (Visages remix) which is cavernous and a little darker before closer 'Stop/Start' has an old school feel with wooden drums and tightly coiled breaks loops.

Review: Veteran and pioneer DJ Trax returns to Over/Shadow with three ageless space escapades. The voluminous space and clarity around the breaks sets the scene on each track. Superb breakscraft throughout, 'Polar Opposite' is all about the intergalactic aesthetic, 'Out Of Love' is dark soul to the core with a strong Headzian twist to the vocal while 'Hands Of Time' rolls on much chunkier, rolling breaks and a euphoric trance-like arpeggio. Trax never lost his hardcore.

Review: FFF - so F'ing good they named him thrice! Following the first part of his album last month comes this equally fiery and forthright second part. As always, the focus is on the authenticity as the Dutchman twists, turns and subverts the classic foundation motifs into something brand new. Highlights include the Detroitian keys and kicks of 'Paragon Of Reason', the slow-mo stomps and swampiness of 'Time Is Eternal' and the total hardcore abandon of the jungle techno bash-about 'Only You'. Order order!

Review: Ready for the reload. Harmony & Xtreme's 94 anthem celebrates its 28th birthday with this crucial twist from old Dispatch affiliate Verb and long-time general Darren Fox (AKA Rusher). Contemporary production, old school vibes, this is the perfect update. Flip for something new from Fox himself. Building up the tension with a spacey intro, 'Twist Of Fate' hurls us deep into the breakbeat cauldron and stirs us round from chop to chop. Pure energy.

Review: Stuart McAllister dons his Escobar guise and gives us our marching orders with these two lively hardcore homages. 'Gonna Make It Better' hits the synapses on the spot with the classic piano licks, iconic vocal stabs and hip-wriggling breakbeats. The brilliantly titled 'Vicars On Viagra' brings stiff competition. Going for more of a four-to-the-floor powerhouse groove, there are plenty of cheeky hardcore elements thrown in for good measure on the drop. Get in line for this one.

Review: More old newness / new oldness from the Amen Brother crew as original rave veteran Ova Doce hits hard with this four track hardcore attack. Both 'Follow For Now' and 'Alright' capture that transition from hardcore to jungle with big vocal samples, dubby bass and rattling breakbeats. 'It's A Burn' takes us even deeper into the darker transition with a bleepy build then a thundering drop into total breakbeat carnage before we climax with a brand new twist on an old school Ova Doce classic as 'Coolin On The Corner' is boosted to the max 2022 style. Ova and out!