Classic Track: Just Jungle – Double Crisp

When I think of my favourite jungle artists, Just Jungle (also known by his Genotype alias) easily etches out a spot in my mind thanks to his repertoire of solid tunes. One of his very best? Double Crisp, from 1994’s The Gold EP released by Trouble on Vinyl. D&B history sidenote; Trouble on Vinyl was run by Clayton Hines & Mark Hill, the same duo behind the legendary Renegade Hardware. It’s now owned and operated by fellow D&B originator DJ Kane.

Beginning with a radiant pad that cascades into a sensational flurry of amenism and genius programming, Double Crisp is a hallmark of Just Jungle’s production prowess. It cannot be understated how striking the drum cuts are on this classic. You also get a sense dub and dancehall’s momentous influence on jungle through the flavorful sampling that serves as a proper homage to part of the genre’s roots.

Remastered and repressed, you can grab your very own copy of The Gold EP at Trouble on Vinyl’s website.

Written by Luke Kessler

Love You Forever LP

As if the recently released Grenfell LP from Nurtured Beatz wasn’t enough, another corner of the D&B community has come together to support the survivors of the Grenfell disaster via another packed charity album. The Love You Forever LP  features a whopping 25 tracks of mostly dancefloor focused D&B from some of the biggest names in the game, including Whiney, Kenny Ken, Kasra & Enei, DJ Fresh, Genotype and many more. Hit up the iTunes store to grab a copy and help out this essential cause.

DNB Dojo Mix Series 29: Spindall

MixSeries29_Spindall

We’re big fans of Nurtured Beatz here at DNB Dojo so naturally we jumped at the chance to get label co-owner Spindall on board for a mix! He’s turned in a 100% Beatz selection featuring a ton of dubs and true to the label’s ethos the selections are deep, dark and absolutely heavyweight.

As usual you can check out the mix via Soundcloud below or head to Mixcloud, Hearthis.at or iTunes to stream. You can also grab a download from Google Drive.

M-Soul & S27 – What Matters The Most [Nurtured Beatz Dub]
Interline – Mentality (Red Army Remix) [Nurtured Beatz Dub]
Kalm & Spindall – Six Foot (Tephra & Arkoze Remix) [Nurtured Beatz Dub]
Kolectiv & Retraflex – General Dub [Nurtured Beatz]
Subtle Element – Zulu [Nurtured Beatz Dub]
Meta4 & Urbicide – The Funk [Nurtured Beatz Dub]
Meloki feat Mr Porter – Handle Weaponry [Nurtured Beatz Dub]
Quantum Mechanix – Scars [Nurtured Beatz Dub]
Kolectiv – Nephilim [Nurtured Beatz USB Exclusive]
Genotype – No Remorse [Nurtured Beatz]
Kolectiv – My Right [Nurtured Beatz]
M Soul, S27 & Cult – Self Awareness [Nurtured Beatz Dub]
Kolectiv – You Don’t Know VIP [Nurtured Beatz USB Exclusive]
Precision – Jah Real Words [Nurtured Beatz Dub]
Subtle Element – This Sound [Nurtured Beatz Dub]
Dubplate Exclusive
Kolectiv – Black Cat [Nurtured Beatz USB Exclusive]

January Roundup

2016 is already looking like a great year for drum & bass, so without further ado we’ll be taking a look at some of the worthy releases that have hit the Dojo inbox so far this year. Read on for new beats from Genotype, PIN, Sully and more… Continue reading

Brand New World LP [Nurtured Beatz]

Nurtured Beatz have been carving a nice little niche for themselves since the label’s inception in 2013 and their 5th release sees them upping the ante with a 15 track Various Artists LP featuring up and coming producers alongside scene stalwarts like Genotype, all turning in deep dark 170BPM business.

Highlights come in the form of the kick heavy drum lines of Kolectiv & Incognito’s Circle Of Sound, the gloomy half-time atmosphere of Mystic State’s Street Talk and the menacing distorted snares and 90s techstep vibe of Paragon’s Detractors. Check out all the LPs tracks below and grab a copy from your favourite digital outlet now!

Forbidden Codes LP [117 Records]

For anyone who’s wondering what DJ Trace has been up to lately, it seems he’s been busy founding a new label in the form of 117 Records. Apparently having tired of the neuro sound he’d been championing for over a decade at DSCI4, he shut that label down and started 117 with a view to releasing a slew of music from producers who have been harnessing a more old school sound in combination with modern production techniques.

The label’s latest output is an absolutely gigantic LP featuring D&B and Jungle cuts which are dark and at times techy but definitely a shade different to the neurofunk sounds that defined DSCI4. The two LP bundles available are split between 8 tracks in a vinyl only bundle (available at Redeye here) consisting of 4 limited edition clear 10″s, and a 24 track digital bundle.

Particular highlights from the vinyl bundle come on from Kid Lib with the manic jungle syncopations of The Rifle, Gremlinz & Homemade Weapons absolutely menacing Scar-H and the equally brutal roll of Genotype’s aptly titled Aggression Snare. The digital bundle meanwhile plays host to some treats such as the hyperactive amen cut ups of X Nation’s remix of Trace’s Never Felt This Way, the distinctly old skool stabs and breaks of Fade’s Phobia and Trace and Nico’s clattering Monkeys.

The whole LP is well worth a listen so check out the clips on Soundcloud and pick your own favourites.

Genotype – Lessons In Depth EP [Samurai Music]

The legendary Genotype brings his signature brand of deep, futuristic jungle to Samurai Music with an EP that oozes character and atmosphere. From the natural, tribal percussion and dubby hip-hop vibe of Jam That Feel through the oddly cheery classical flourishes of the intro to Financial War and out into the bleak minimalism of Creative Elements, the EP largely defies genre conventions and eschews traditional structures in favour of delivering beats aimed at your head and your heart.

Even when we’re in more familiar D&B territory on The Day After The Night the quality and sound design is absolutely breathtaking, and the track retains a left-field vibe, harking back to old Hardware B-sides. Definitely one for the deep heads, but also possibly the best thing Genotype has ever made…look out for this one on vinyl and digital from June 24th.

Genotype – The Good Turned Ugly EP [Nurtured Beatz]

If you like it deep and dark then Genotypes‘s beats have always been the place to look, and his latest EP for new label Nurtured Beatz keeps it on that tip. Crisp, clean drum lines, atmospheric snares and dark, haunting sub is the order of the day here. Reigning it back from out and out neurofunk but still keeping the tempo high and the beats at full roll, Genotype delivers a solid EP of minimal steppers.

Check out the beats below and watch out for the release dropping March 25th.

DRS – I Don’t Usually Like MCs But… [Soul:R]

MCs in dance music; often a contentious topic. And one that has been prominent in the drum & bass scene in recent times, with the rise of MC-led (or at least MC-imbued) tracks, particularly in the wake of the huge success of Dub Phizix’s smash hit Marka. So despite the excellent track record DRS has in the scene, I must admit I was a little ambivalent when I heard that he was doing a full length album of solo material. Would there be the necessary variation here to justify a solo LP, or would this merely amount to 14 similar tracks chucked together to cash in on the current trend for MCing over half-step D&B beats?

While the initial single from the album was promising, it was treading familiar ground for the MC. Thankfully the album doesn’t disappoint in any way – lyricism and production (from the host of guest producers including dBridge, Lynx & Genotype) are both top notch, and most importantly the album shows real variation in tone and musical style.

The first welcome surprise of the album comes on Autonomic, bringing the tempo down to the 120 range for a slice of stripped back but supremely funky hip-hop. “This beat’s so autonomic, automatic, supersonic” goes the chorus, with DRS settling into a beautifully laid back yet insistent flow that instantly has the head nodding. It Ain’t Easy provides another, with a pleasant cross between grime-esque 140 beat patterns and warm, soulful synth lines.

Even when the tunes are occupying more familiar drum & bass led territory there is a good selection of different offerings, from soulful liquid funk affairs like Star Voyager and Keep the Faith to slightly predictable but nonetheless high calibre grimey half-steppers like Play With Fire.

If MCs are stepping up to become a bigger feature of the drum & bass scene, on record as well as in their more natural habitat of the club, then DRS has certainly set the bar for what an MCs album should be on every level. Watch out for the full release via Soul:R on Monday – and to whet your appetite you can check out a teaser mix below.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GFxZRcu-TJI]