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Review: World renowned Tokyo club WOMB's resident Drum & Bass party "06S" is now undertaking a new musical imprint with an original Tokyo style. 06S, probably the most well-established Drum & Bass party in Japan, are now set to launch a new label, 06S RECORDS. The label's purpose will be to present the outlook of the world of 06S by the releasing of their music and visuals on display at the parties. The main label artist is ES9 (ES-NINE), led by Japan's premier Drum & Bass DJ, DJ Aki, and his production partners Takeo and Yuuki, but the label is also tending towards introducing new/up & coming Japanese producers, as well as 06S-supportive international artists. The label's first 12" inch release is "FREE YOUR MIND" by ES9. This cut has been very well received on the 06S dance floor, as well as other dance floors around Japan. The track is definitely illustrative of the concept of 06S with its driving, energetic sound, detailed rhythmic elements and a distinctive vocal mantra. On the flip side, for a truly exquisite sound D-Bridge (Exit Records) is featured as remixer of "FREE YOUR MIND". D-Bridge has been a 'family' member of the 06S collective since day one, and his contribution to the launch of this new label serves as a sign of the family's bond! His inimitable production style, sophisticated in its balance of depth and musicality, delivers a different interpretation and vibe to the harder-styled original. The spacious breaks and ominous bassline set a simplistic and sinister mood, added later by his almost signature triangles and an intricate layering of synth melodies. The label launching tour is now scheduled for 5 main cities in Japan (Fukuoka, Osaka, Hiroshima, Kyoto, and Tokyo) in May 2006 alongside D-Bridge, and this particular release and the tour will definitely be a milestone for the history of the Drum & Bass scene in Japan. ES9 is formed by DJ Aki, Takeo & Yuuki with the objective of leading the Japanese Drum & Bass scene in a new direction. Aki has been recognized for quite some time as the leading Drum & Bass DJ in Asia. ES9 contributed 3 original tracks for his first mix CD, produced by WOMB RECORDINGS in 2004, and these tracks have played a part in delivering a new style and maybe even a future sound for Tokyo Drum & Bass. Aki has played at two of South America's big dance festivals, the BRASILIA MUSIC FESTIVAL and also SKOL BEATS in 2004 and 2005 respectively. This has helped him to gain greater recognition from a global standpoint. Not only producing music, ES9 have been tackling the challenge of synchronizing their music with originally created visuals, making their live performance a more complete Audiovisual experience, utilising a multitude of cutting edge technologies. They have been recently performing live showcases internationally, including Frankfurt's most established COCOON CLUB and Sao Paulo's LUST CLUB as well as their home venue WOMB. ES9 is also a core member of DUBLAB PRODUCTIONS (dlp) in Tokyo, who manage the WOMB club, and their contributions towards the proliferation of the dance music scene, and for their representation of fresh urban culture have been well respected by many club goers in Japan.

Review: Tokyo based O6S RECORDS brings you their much anticipated second installment, courtesy of leading DJ's DJ Aki, Takeo and Yuuki. Collectively known as ES9 (es-nine). 'Let It Go' had been tearing up the clubs in Japan for some time now, both in DJ sets and, more recently, their remarkable audiovisual live set, which sees Yuuki taking the mic alongside the DJ skills of DJ Aki and the technical wizardry of Takeo. This tune is a remarkable little bubbler, one that perfectly treads the fine line between dancefloor chunkiness and beautiful, melodic sweetness-not an easy feat by any means! It will take you on a ride from the hypnotic reversed pianos and infectious synth riffs of the intro to the driving bass that falls into place so satisfyingly at the drop. This one just rolls and rolls.... On the flipside we find the remix by none other than the mighty Futurebound, head honcho of Viper Recordings-the Liverpool producer who, although a stalwart of the scene for many years, is reaching his peak, especially with his recent collaborations with the likes of Matrix. Futurebound has taken the essence of the original and distilled it into his inimitable dancefloor form. His mix is bass heavy, driving and altogether massive-sounding, complete with subliminal trip-out bleepy synths familiar to anyone who's heard his recent music. To fans of tracks such as the massive remix of 'American Beauty', this is a buy-on-sight purchase. Both tracks are receiving great support from the biggest names within the scene, such as Andy C, Bad Company UK, Sonic etc, and this release is sure to further cement the growing reputation of these talented Japanese producers. This is a big release for ES9, and it's a name you'll hear again and again in the future-welcome to the attack of the Tokyo Evolution Move.

Review: Experimental, drum & bass and breakcore.

Review: 10 PILLS MATE is on one hell of a roll in closing the year off; after Andrew Red Hand's absolute killers, here comes six more techno bruisers from newbie Faur. The young chap is in no mood to mess around, and it's clear that he means business given the raw jungle power of the opening "Track 1", and the jacking, tooled-up techno of "Track 2" and "Track 3", the latter of which slips steadily into a nightmarish wormhole of hypnotics and pure dread. "Track 4" is a loose, distorted arrangement while, on the flip, "Track 5" is totally dancefloor-bound with its stealthy techno slither, and "Track 6" ties this magnetic EP off with a rugged beat flex that reminds us of the golden days of the DJAX label. BAD-ASS.

Review: "Quit Your Job EP", by Nobody Beats The Drum, is funk meets Chemical Brothers goes electro acid! This is 100% Halal.

Review: Vancouver's temple of lo-fi house returns with Braden Thompson aka Riohv, a producer originally from Saskatchewan, but now based out of Montreal via a spell in the capital Ottawa. Thompson is quoted as saying that his music "has a dual purpose; it has a place on the dance floor, but at the same time it's definitely something that someone could just zone out to" and this is evident on the Green Room EP. It starts out with the soulful and emotive electro of "Redux" followed by the rather "Sueno Latino" sounding title track which soon turns into some early '90s breakbeat driven rave anthem. The retro tributes continue on the flip, with the junglist roller "Juice It" calling to mind early Goldie or Alex Reece.

Review: Amazingly, despite founding 117 Records in 2013, DJ Trace only now puts out a first solo record on the label. On it, he gets deep into a rolling techstep sound that harks back to a 90s rave but with very modern production. The beats hit hard, the synths drill deep, and the energy is kinetic. These darkened tunes reflect the dystopian and uncertain world in which we live, but at the same time offer a great place of solace from it all. This sampler actually comes ahead of a six track 2x12" gatefold that will be presented on clear vinyl, and is a great taster.

Review: Techstep pioneer Trace smashes into 2021 with something the world has waited almost 30 years for... His debut artist album. 10 tracks heavy in its digital form, here we grab six of the best tracks from Retox on clear vinyl and it's safe to say the wait's been worth it. Highlights include the No U-Turn style breaks-meets-Gremlinz-style halftime switches on 'Dark 8', the jazzy drum swing of 'Saboteur' and the grizzly hurricane of a title track which hits all the sweet spots both Virus and his own DSCi4 label hit the best. He's been back for a while but this galvanizes his return and reminds us just how much he helped shape drum & bass.

Review: Techstep pioneer Trace smashes into 2021 with something the world has waited almost 30 years for... His debut artist album. 10 tracks heavy in its digital form, here we grab six of the best tracks from Retox on clear vinyl and it's safe to say the wait's been worth it. Highlights include the No U-Turn style breaks-meets-Gremlinz-style halftime switches on 'Dark 8', the jazzy drum swing of 'Saboteur' and the grizzly hurricane of a title track which hits all the sweet spots both Virus and his own DSCi4 label hit the best. He's been back for a while but this galvanizes his return and reminds us just how much he helped shape drum & bass.

Review: The 117 label hits a fifth release in style with this new one from Bungle. The Brazilian artist is a drum & bass mainstay who has already established himself on plenty of respected labels. This label debut is another step up with a rich array of sounds all heading into the future on a wave of very real emotions. 'Faces' immediately stirs deep feelings with its mournful chords and slick beats, 'Humanize' release some angst on more twisted and textured sounds. 'Outside' is a dark tune with a dystopian energy and 'Trigger' then soundtracks the peak time with its big breaks and tense synth work.

Review: Rymetyme has taken vocal duties with Cause 4 Concern's Optiv at the helm for "Manifest", backed with "Dose" which sees Rymetyme team up with Violence Recording's Gridlok. Both tracks represent a return to the dark, dancefloor sounds of Virus and Renegade Hardware circa 1999.

Review: A truly amazing EP full of your typical Fanu styles and sounds.

Review: This 4 track EP from the Canadian duo is set to take things by storm, pumping beats through out the whole EP with all manner of electronic synthesis sounds going on. Horror drum & bass at times with half step breaks on one cut, lose yourself in this EP as it opens with the pulsating "co-defendants" and "disturbance". "12 Jewelz" and "Nostradamus" are also killer cuts, great engineering and mixes keep this tight and their hectic style keeps you so interested its unreal. You won't find any wobble here just pure class from The Fix! A must for the box!

Review: 1432 R is an independent record label based in Washington DC, founded by Joyce Lim, Sami Yenigun, and Dawit Eklund. Mikael Seifu, E.R.(Endeguena Mulu) and Ocobaya have all appeared previously for the imprint. Described best by the label themselves as 'outside the box, nonstop evolving, slammin' drum n' bass', RBCHMBRS throw down a bunch of deep and soulful rollers; the kind of breakbeat science that's reminiscent of early noughties UK greats such as LTJ Buken, Marcus Intalex & S.T. Files or Calibre. The title track takes breakneck beats a rinsed through tape delays and beat repeats while a saturated and lo-fi house aesthetic is applied throughout. This style endures throughout the rest of the EP with B side cut "A'Roving" getting you lost in its hypnotic loops only to be snapped back into reality by its violent use of said delay.

Review: Alfie Granger-Howell and Nick Harriman's Dusky project has come a long way over the last few years, with the duo having released on Will Saul's Aus Music, among many others. Their "Yohoo" tune on 17 Steps was a big breakthrough in their sound, blending hard-hitting tech-house together with more soulful influences, and that tune is herein remixed by a rather special pair. On the A-side you got drum & bass legend LTJ Bukem spinning the original into a deep and mesmerising break driven anthem in trademark Good Lookin' style, while on the flipside B.Wright aka Benton flips the tune into a a veritable d&b-dubstep hybrid, where jungle breaks ride among half-step beats and grizzly low-ends. Gnarly.

Review: Formidable French collective Visages return to 1985 with four more tense designs. The party gets off to a smouldering start with a rare 140 outing from the foursome as 'Dark Guru' has a powerful swagger and a taut bassline drone. It's back by three of their best D&B tracks to date, too. 'Egotrip' balances breezy pads with sinewy acid (in a way that's not dissimilar to SpectraSoul's earlier Shogun cuts), 'Gymnopedies' brings a little slice of barbed soul with the urging vocals and big Detroit-style chords while 'Yalda' closes the EP with a big hurricane, early 2000s style growing bassline. Deliciously dark.

Review: The future's so bright for Monty he has to wear shades. So will you too when you drop fithlets like these and see the carnage that follows. Some of the young Frenchman's best work to date, across the full EP we're treated to the full Monty and a few cheeky cameo collaborations. Expect nothing but absolute brawlers ("STK", "Blinded"), slinky emotional ones ("Black Shield" with Visages) creepy, sewer-bound funk loaded with surprises and twists and turns ("Cursive" with the label bossman Alix Perez) and totally uncategorizable firing future funk ("Quest") Blinding.

Review: Six months deep and already onto his third 1985 release, Perez takes us back to his roots with a sublime selection of subtle work-outs; "The Raven" persists with a rattling percussive riff and droning bassline, "Drifting" swishes and sways with a slinky two-step, yearning atmospheres and lingering keys while "Inside Your Love" is a pneumatic funk trip into two-step soul. Finally "Numbers" turns the lights down with purring, naked soul. Beautiful.

Review: Belgian producer Alex Perez steps aside from his long-standing association with Shogun Audio to launch his own label, 1985 Records. Described by the man himself as a "platform rooted primarily in the 85 / 170 BPM bracket but also going beyond with no rules applied," the label sets a high bar in the quality stakes with this Elephant Dreams 12" from Perez himself. Taut moody rolling ruffage is the order of the day on the title cut, one of two collaborations with Skeptical, whilst "Had I Known" offers a more hopeful vibe before a dank mood descends on B-side opener "STNKR". This broken slab of bass science is the highlight here, though the closing brittle jungle of Skeptical co-production "Room 667" isn't far behind!

Review: The highly rate Alix Perez knows how to cook up silky sounds when in the studio and he lays that out for all to see on this new EP for his own label, 1985 Music. That said, his lats outing was a more heavy and textured affair that moved away from his roots of liquid rollers. We're glad he is back there now with this one, which opens with the gorgeously soulful vocal and smooth synths of 'Desanke.' 'Evermore' is another one with an aching vocal and pensive pianos over fluid rhythms and 'Stayed The Same' (feat Verbz) channels a Calibre vibe with great gust vocals and classy rhythm work.

Review: Alix Perez's 1985 Music label is a constant source of cutting-edge variations within D&B, and so it continues as Monty delivers his debut album Hit The Lights. The Toulouse-based artist has been blazing a trail since first appearing around 2015, displaying variety and flair in his sound which always hinted at the potential for an incredible album. Now it's finally here, and it doesn't disappoint, veering from the vocal-licked catchiness of 'Vibin' to the exquisitely sculpted dubstep pressure of 'Dreamer' (with Perez himself in tow on the buttons). There's a lot to take in, including guest spots from Chimpo, Eva Mango and Visages, rounding out a mature and accomplished album, just like we always suspected.

Review: Joining forces for a show of strength at the cutting edge of D&B, here comes Alix Perez and DLR and they mean business. These lads should need no introduction to any dedicated follower of the scene, and their respective 1985 Music and Sofa Sound labels are true totems of the contemporary scene. On this collaborative EP we're treated to a range of club gear from ear-catching MC-led 'Keep Up' to the crafty, techy flair of 'Snake Style'. 'Blips' does some wild work with synthesis around a tightly clipped beat, and 'Crawlway' locks into a stripped and deadly framework - one for the heads to get proper moody to.

Review: Appearing on a rather gorgeous blue marbled vinyl 12", 'Burning Babylon' is long-serving D&B producer Alix Perez's first outing of 2021. It's rather good too, with the title track offering a clandestine, charred and mind-altering blend of fuzz-soaked rave riffs, bowel-bothering sub-bass, hot-stepping D&B beats and vintage reggae vocal samples. The moody, warped heaviness continues on flipside 'Empty Words', where R&B style vocal snippets periodically pop up above ghostly chords, experimental jungle beats, growling riffs and more wobbling, bassbin-damaging sub-bass. Both tracks are moodier and a little more aggressive than some of his older outings, but that's no criticism: what's on offer is genuinely excellent.

Review: Five years already!? Time flies when you're cultivating a community and crew of artists that range from deeply soulful D&B to gutter-chomping 140 business. All kept consistent and at seriously high levels, it's now hard to imagine a bass landscape without the presence of Alix Perez's label. To celebrate the label has put together this neat range of rework vibes over two 12"s. Ranging from the sweet vocal beauty of Break's remix of 'Moving On' to the bubblesome UKG of Sam Binga's remix of 'Melodrama' via Skeppy's 'too rough' take on 'Trinity', it's an exceptional release that highlights how expensive and inclusive 1985 has become. Modern day blueprint business.

Review: 1985 Music have assembled another of their carefully thought out Various Artists releases with a view to platforming a wide range of talents. Both newcomers and vital vets are all represented here on the third volume, as well as label staples and label newcomers. Numerous styles and tempos are explored from some of bass music's most exciting talents with the likes of Deft opening up with the haunting glitch-step of 'Scars', Alix Perez laying down a soulful roller with 'Blank Pages' and Visages twisting melons with 'Nibiru'. A jam-packed comp for sure.

Review: Alix Perez has been an ever-present in the drum & bass scene for what seems like ever. He's a boss DJ, producer and label head and now he serves up a mega-in-demand tune in the form of a collaboration with Bou & Trigga known as 'Back To Basics.' It has wonky bottom ends that blurts and bumps, ice-cold drum breaks and bars that muse on Muhammad Ali being the greatest amongst other things. It is a stone-cold dance floor weapon that is backed with 'Under Pressure' (with T Man) which is more tough and tense, the industrial synth drilling down beneath silky metallic drums and more dark vocal work. Superb.

Review: 1985 Music signs up Bredren for a timeless new EP that offers up perfect drum programming and a range of moods and grooves. 'Aloose' kicks off in fantastic minimal and stepping fashion with snappy snares and twisted bass. 'Trench' then fizzes with static electricity over another minimal drum & bass rhythm and 'Grim Reaper' brings some late night menace in the edgy synths and broken beats. 'Cuffed' sounds out this super classy and stylish EP with another perfectly reduced take on drum & bass.

Review: Following jams on Bowlcut and Monk earlier this year, Cesco returns to the 1985 mothership with this mighty fine mixed bag of 140/174 treats. 'Rattler' says it all. Curmudgeonly and grizzly, it sizzles out of the speakers with pure venom. Elsewhere on a D&B tip En:vy gets mucked in on tippy harmonics of 'Esoteric' while 'Pity' is all jazzy, slinky and full of tension. Meanwhile on the 140 flip 'El Guapo' is proper hammer jam with a most unruly bassline Q&A while 'Juan40' will have you speaking Spanish before you can say 'wheel up the bloodclart'. Rattle and roll!

Review: Submarine takes you deep down under the surface with this fresh new 12" on 1985 Music. XIII features four very different but equally brilliant cuts. 'Back Then' pairs snaking basslines and crispy breakbeats with howling synths that take you late into the night. 'SMTW' is a more tense and dense cut with squealing leads and mysterious atmospheres run through with whispered vocals. 'Physical' dials it back to a more minimal stepper vibe that really allows the sound design to shine through and impress. 'Mint Lips' has a dark soul that is extra alluring.

Review: Manchester artist Metrodome steps up to 1985 Music with a bold debut here with his weird and wonderful 'Manchester Since 1994' EP. Opener 'Superfucked' is all whirring machines and buzzy tones, brain wrecking bass and flurries of breaks. 'Lover 2Nite' pairs a devastating low end with super sweet and heart aching vocal hooks up top for a powerful and potent result. 'Every Time' then cuts up a rhythm with razor sharp snares, synths that go into meltdown and explosive breaks. 'Jesus' rounds out with a dark heart and drilling minimal bass.

Review: Visages continue to defy and confound expectation with another adventurous EP that traverses a number of different moods, grooves and tempos on the 1985 Music label. 'Lunar Eclipse' features Strategy and races out of the blocks on a clean and stepping half time rhythm, with groaning asbs and slick bars. 'Hagakure' calls upon a guest feature from Drone and is a dark, go slow and creepy atmospheric cut before 'Familiarity' with Monty picks up the pace with nice and icy breakbeats and twisted bass. 'Sunshine Mystery' closes out with the most soulful sound of the lot, melancholic chords and soothing vocals.

Review: 1985 Music bossman Alix Perez returns with a 12" so weighty it'll keep you warm all winter. Slipping back into his darker club-focused material, both cuts remind us how heavy Perez can be when he wants to be. 'CRL' is a fantastic example as it takes the classic droning, harmonic bass textures and sends them to the edge of the cosmos while 'Lunar Eclipse' sees him taking on one of last year's biggest tunes (by Visage & Strategy) and giving it a whole new murky set of armour. Take control.

Review: Around the world in 12 wubs; Alix Perez's superlative 1985 continues to dig deeper and deeper into our psyche with the third volume of their faultless Atlas VA series. As always, the tempos are set to flexible as we slide and glide between the style and speeds courtesy of some incredible names... Cesco brings some proper dark UKG on 'Superstealth', Sir Hiss gets angular with the electro funk of 'Shower Man Time', Visages go all slinky and futurist on 'Margit' while the bossman Perez and GLXY link up for something truly sexy and soulful with 'Green Lane'. All this and so much more, from Rockwell & Scepticz to Settle Down to Eprom, this is yet another exceptional adventure from the 1985 crew.

Review: One of bass culture's biggest albums of 2023 finally sees the light of wax as 1991 proudly presents his debut album Odyssey. While best known within the realms of drum & bass, here the young UK artist is given space to spread his musical wings and showcase how broad his style and influences are. From the Justice-flavoured title track to the bumping Zinc-style bass house slammer 'Life' via the breath-taking progressive breaks of 'Who Hurt You', 1991 digs deep across the spectrum and joins dots between often disparate musical worlds through the lens of contemporary D&B. An exceptional and very positive debut album.

Review: System-shaker Madd returns to his vinyl only 1 Drop imprint with two slick slices of modern day jungle funk. "Jungle Dippa" is a deep, rolling tribal affair with elements of Madd's early dubstep swagger coded into the groove by way of various downpitched humanised elements. "Ring The Alarm", as you might be able to tell from the title, flexes a classic Tenor Saw vocal with monstrous effect. Essential vinyl only business.

Review: Delivered a year after Ivy Lab's inaugural volume, the trio's frontier-beat stable supersizes once again with a full crew ensemble: label regulars such as Deft, Shield, Havelock and Ivy Lab themselves are joined by infamous halftime murkers Fixate, Mr Frenkie, Sinistarr as we gear up for another futurist exploration of beats, space and bass. Highlights can be found on every track including the seasick swoons of Sinistarr's "#Accidental Deathing", Havelock's gully-galvanised juke stepper "Badbwoysound" and the tumbling, cascading almost drunken drum arrangement of Phazz's "Caution". Welcome to the future.

Review: Felix Manuel enters the Space Race and closes out his fine trilogy of 12" releases for the 2nd Drop label. There have been moments on the two previous records where Manuel is offering some insight into his more contemplative side, but this final installment hones in on the upper register of the Djrum sound. "Space Race Pts 1&2" shows just what an intelligent producer he is, veering wildly up the BPM scale from around 128bpm up to the drum and bass strata into celestial rolling territory. Wonderful stuff! Complementing this, "Sometimes I Share" is a fine way to end the trilogy, remaining in junglist territory and ripping through several different moods within the space of its eight minute duration.

Review: Since midway through 2019, High Contrast has been teasing Notes From The Underground via a series of singles that teased a new direction, one steeped in misty-eyed '90s rave nostalgia, loved-up samples drawn from classic hardcore and jungle productions, and a giddy sense of colourful escapism. He continues in that vein on Notes From The Underground, a wholehearted tribute to British dance music's past full of crunchy hardcore and jungle breaks, booming basslines, energetic piano stabs and rushing riffs. It's a hugely enjoyable and excitable concoction that combines knowing nods to underground anthems of old with rave's freewheeling sense of adventure and all manner of notable vocal contributions (Kate Tempest, UK Apache, Anita Blay, Andy Sulieman and LOWES all feature). File under "full-throttle fun".

Review: If you don't know who High Contrast is, you shouldn't be reading this. The Welsh drum & bass innovator has been there since forever, and as a result is rightfully one of the most iconic names in the game. A master of melodic, melancholic jungle and hardcore sounds with a harmonic heart, he returns here with a mighty sixth album on his beloved Hospital Records. Notes From The Underground takes all his usual motifs and evolves them subtly with help from gusts such as Kae Tempest, Anita Blay, UK Apache, Ady Suleiman and more.

Review: Big time drum & bass dons Sigma knock it out of the park on this Hope album. They are as big as it comes for this scene with two Brit nominations and plenty of massive headlines slots. It's a record packed with collaborations with plenty of top vocalist who all lend the sort of peak-time festival sing-along sounds that are going to make this such an accessible and no doubt commercially successful album. The title cut alone is a stadium sized beat with thrilling synths and big drums, there are more sentimental end of the night jams like 'Strong' and plenty more in between.

Review: Dutch rhythm innovator Martyn returns to his own well regarded 3024 label for a collaborative EP with Om Unit that explores plenty of common ground as well as fresh new territory. Om Unit's hometown of Bristol is said to have inspired the sound which take sin tech step, dub infused techno swaggering and 140bpm steppers that any warm blooded human couldn't possible ignore. 'Tracksuit Dub' is as cool and casual as the title suggests, 'Passenger' is a hard hitting, darker more high pressure banger and 'Shapes' gets you on your toes with is prickly beats while 'Skimming' closes at futuristic hyper-speed.

Review: This new one on Martyn's 3024 might be a various artists affair but the tracks sit rather well together, which is even more remarkable given the diverse backgrounds of those involved: Noire with his super hard drums, Metalheadz affiliates Gremlinz & Jesta who link here with Sin, and Parris who makes some truly bonkers club music. Martyn's own "Frozen Bread Snaps" is the opener that most impresses with its delicate and skeletal drum programming and heartfelt chords. Elsewhere, "Door Of Guf" is a high octane rough rider while "Ballas" is perfectly off kilter and funky. "Dusty Glass Bubbles" somehow sounds exactly like it should with that title.

Review: "Brain & Body", by DJ Vapour, has support from Goldie, Hype, Bailey, Randall, Friction, Ray Keith, Q Project and Marcus Intalex.

Review: Joe Moses AKA Need For Mirrors is arguably one of drum & bass's unsung heroes. A promoter, DJ and producer for decades, he's rarely received acclaim despite an impressive back catalogue that includes 12" releases on many of D&B's most renowned imprints. Perhaps that will change thanks to Flames, his sophomore set. Built on the solid foundations of punchy, club-ready rhythms and a mixture of deep sub and warped basses, the album sees his flit between soaring, string-drenched rollers, deeper concoctions, dustier D&B pastures, tech-step inspired pumpers and the kind of dark, forthright fare that always goes down well at dances. The whole thing is well balanced and brilliantly produced, with Moses deftly showcasing the depth, variety and quality of his productions.

Review: Andre Sobota is Bungle, the Brazilian producer tearing up the contemporary drum & bass landscape with his hard hitting rhythms. He only tends to put out one EP a year, but that changes this autumn with three missives all landing in the space of two months. This is the first and features four cuts on two slabs of wax. "Mutant" starts out as an icy liquid roller before being ripped apart by rasping synths, "Dictate" is a glistening stomper with raga vocal stabs and melodic shimmers while "Enigma" is a dark, twisting and turning track that takes you down a rabbit hole. "Step Two" finishes things off in rump-wiggling jump up fashion and closes out a devastating release.

Review: Jay Fairbrass aka J. Kenzo has had a steady succession of great releases on his own, Kent based Soul Shakerz imprint and Artikal, which he runs with Mosaix. Not to mention several EPs and an album for dubstep pioneers Tempa in addition to appearing on d:Bridge's Exit and Roska's Kicks and Snares. "Sykura" is by now one of several releases thus far for Doc Scott's respected 31 Records. The track's immaculately programmed breaks accompanying an almost cinematic and suspense filled atmosphere are reminiscent of classic Photek or Optical from the mid to late noughties. On the flip is "Assemble", a more straight ahead techstep stomper that attacks you head on with stealth measure; this one too is reminiscent of classic sounds: in this case Ed Rush & Optical.

Review: Here we find 31 doing what 31 do best... Delivering some serious dark. A creative collaborative masterpiece from emerging talent Paragon and Canadian producer Gremlinz, "Precipice" is a militant slice of dynamic minimalism; tribal rhythms, apocalyptic textures and a heady sense of ominous dread, it can hench all backs within a five mile radius. "Oranda" closes the show with an immense paranoid drone that smothers itself over sharp steppy beats that seem fine-tuned for Renegade Hardware. Timelessly nasty!