Drum & Bass | Jungle 299 Items

2023 kicks us off with release three from Amentec. Following on from MOY and BufoBufo, Ova Doce joins the label and brings in his joyous brand of uplifting rave, with a deeper edge. With previous releases on sister label Amen Brother as well as Vinyl Fanatiks, Ova Doce is an original hardcore producer and radio DJ from the early 90’s who returned to producing in 2019 after the success of his repress on Vinyl Fanatiks.

And he is fully motivated to bring those 90’s vibes and sounds to a new audience as well as the original party crew out there. Linking into the Amentec’s other sister label – Emotec (run by Damo B of Outta Limits radio show fame) we have two producers from that camp on the remix tip. Dawl, who is a legend in the electro/breakbeat world and has released on loads of labels including Tone Dropout, Planet 17 and Amen Brother. And the other remix is by Escape Earth, who is in fact two producers working together – BufoBufo who you already know and Corporeal Face, who records on Further Electronix.

An EP with a lot of pedigree and a lot of connections. Enjoy!

Big Vern, also known as DJ Vern was a resident DJ on Weekend Rush, a pirate radio that broadcast out of the Nightingale Estate in Hackney. To be precise, it broadcast out of the Embley Point high rise, the same tower that Kool FM as also broadcasting out of at the same time. It was here that Vern met DJ Ash, a resident of Kool FM and the two of them joined forces for their release on Tearin Vinyl in 1994. Around the same time as the two of them teamed up, Vern was also running his own label, World Bass Records. It was on this label that Vern formulated his own distinctive East London sound of Jungle. His debut release on the label in 1994 – The V Experience EP, was a 3 tracker that received a lot of rotation back in the day. This release was followed a 12” in 1995 which had one of Vern’s tracks on there – ‘Vision’. Fast forward 27 years to 2022 and Vinyl Fanatiks have repressed all 4 of those tracks on one EP titled ‘Vision Of Experience’, an EP that showcases the raucous sound of Vern and his integrate and rambunctious skill and ability to manipulate a sampler to create some of the heaviest jungle of the era. Both of the original releases are highly collectable and withstand the elements of time and capable of going toe to toe with any recent jungle output from the 21st century.

Ramos, Supreme & Sunset Regime were one of the biggest groups in hardcore back in the 90’s, and it was EP’s like this that gave them that recognition. Even after all these years, not only has this EP stood the test of time but it is also a very highly sought after piece of wax. So when it came time to have the original tracks remastered and repressed it was a no brainer. The RSR boys out done themselves with these tracks, but then the phenomenal Slipmatt remix Crowd Control was just genius and took the EP to legendary status. The EP is finished off perfectly with the heavenly remix of Gotta Believe with the super talented Donna Grassie on vocals.

Love Love Records are honoured to present two interstellar remixes from the recent album from Henge, ‘ExoKosm’ which was self-released last year by the band during the pandemic. Acid pioneers and Madchester legends 808 State rework the track ‘Exo’ in their signature ‘acid-house meets rave-hardcore’ big band sound that fits seamlessly amongst their own back catalogue. The second is a heavily clubbed up twist of ‘Goldilocks’ from Brain Rays & Quiet, a spacey slab of sub-slung broken power-house with a sleazy groove like an alien abduction straight to the engine room of the UFO.

‘Feed Me Weird Things’ was Squarepusher’s debut album. Released on 3rd June 1996 by Rephlex Records (jointly run by Richard D James and Grant Wilson Claridge). Tom had previously released the Conumber EP (as Squarepusher) and Alroy Road Tracks (as the Duke of Harringay) on the newly formed Spymania label the year before. The album was preceded by the Squarepusher Plays EP in May of 1996 also on Rephlex. The extra tracks from this EP not on the original album made up the Japanese bonus tracks when it was released there and will be included in our reissue.

The album was a key release for Rephlex and has gone on to be regarded as one of Squarepusher’s best. It marked a time of strong influence and although they wouldn’t have used the term, led to the sub-genre of Drill n Bass.

Tom’s strong jazz influences and virtuoso bass playing come to the fore on this album setting it apart from his contemporaries.

The album including all bonus tracks has been remastered by Matt Coulton at Alchemy.

This will also be the first time the album is available on streaming services.

Essex-based Nasty Rhythm is a raver from the good old days who turned his hand to making music a few years back during UKs lockdowns, causing a minor sensation on youtube after uploading his very first track. The raving spirit shines through brightly here, capturing the vibe of 1992 hardcore like lightning in a bottle on the 2 original A side tracks. Backed with pumped up remixes from The DJ Producer and Rognvald the whole EP provides a breakneck trip along the hardcore continuum.

Kicking things off with ‘Don’t Run’ pulsating sonar drops explosive rolling breaks with a killer vocal sample that evokes the heinous sub-bassline igniting all around. ‘Raver’ an elevated frequency that drives the tempo to panned out beats echoing dancing in fields and warehouses all-night long. Surrender to ‘Amazon’ kaleidoscopic break patterns morphing throughout heed the vocal warning. Futuristic stylings of ‘No Responsibilities’ paired with naughty skanking breaks orchestrate this classic roller. ‘Broadcast’ a uniquely exclusive collaboration between Outrage, Amit & Digital A calling to all Bass lovers cinematically scaped b-lines that stimulate every sense awash with hertz frequencies, mesmerising ragga vocal & tribalistic beats leading you into unknown territories... Welcome to Dubageddon!!! The augmented dimension of ‘Power’ draws you closer and unleashes its almighty break-laden weaponry. Collaborating with Digital on ‘Equality’ hypnotically dubbed-out riddims & vocals cascading over foundations of warm bass flipping techy-breaks. Signing off the Vinyl format with another collab featuring one of the Drum & Bass scenes signature vocalists Ayah Marar on the beautifully arranged dancefloor tear-out that is ‘All I Ever Want’. LP title track ‘Behind the Eyes’ intros and questions altered states of existence... gloriously uplifting chords that weave through the vocal sample snippets fuse critical levels of beats & breaks intrinsically wrapped in lashings of sub-bass creating a tidy slice of Drum n Bass! Signature flavours from Outrage on the LP outro with ‘Fusion’ and ‘Stop, Look & Listen’

AKO Arcade once again drops an unmissable slice of deep and heavy jungle. A perfect summer vibe whether on the dancefloor or chilling in the sun, this EP is incredible, pure jungle bizniz. Heavenly indeed!

We have done a small repress of this huge release that came out originally back in 1992 and was repressed by us in 2021. These tracks were written by Krome & Time whilst they were on Suburban Base and before they started Tearin Vinyl. This has been sold out for a very long time but the demand has built up, so we have decided to repress one more time.

CRUDE’s second record release features one of the most promising artists from the underground music world - DJ RAT. Hailing from the American Pacific Northwest, DJ RAT’s signature sound is characterised by an eccentric, distinguishing and uncompromising approach - seamlessly blending intense, arcane and mystical elements in order to create a captivating experience. Side A kicks in with Nocturne, the EP’s leading track that guides the listener into a veil of mystery with its enigmatic melody and its pulsating basslines that gradually build intensity while maintaining an underlying sense of tranquillity. Hexosphere’s rhythm is edgy and straightforward with a trippy nature. There’s an ever-evolving dynamic throughout the four tracks, alternating between driving rhythms and moments of serene psychedelia - exploring the duality of light and dark and evoking a feeling of introspection. The B-side takes off with Corridor, an oscillating tension-builder. Corridor’s distorted synths and glitchy effects cascade over pounding drums, creating a chaotic yet mesmerising soundscape. Telepathic Climax weaves in and out with shimmering and alluring shifts that add depth and dimension to the track. Atmospheric and trippy textures create a sense of space and immersion throughout the journey of the EP - with illuminating elements piercing through the darkness.

Originally released on Firstcask Records in 2003. A selection of my styles and ideas at the time, ranging from drum n bass, ambient, acid etc etc

Alicia is a DJ, producer and musician making deeply rhythmic, off-kilter dance music inspired by a love of club culture and the avant-garde. This mixtape delves into deeper worlds of spaced out hazy trips through dubwise ambient & downtempo niceness.

Hyper Records is an original South London jungle label from the early 90’s which was run by DJ Freaky since 1990, releasing early rave inspired tracks all the way through to drum and bass. Around 2000 the label retired and the music packed away on DAT in various boxes.

But thanks to a link from Monita of Skeleton Records, Vinyl Fanatiks managed to track down DJ Freaky who still had the Dats neatly packed away and a label collaboration was formulated.

First release is this 1993 collab by Freaky with Panik featuring the amazing ragga vocals of Sleepy Ranks. This is the true origins of jungle music from London, raw, rolling with heavyweight ragga vocals. A total box ticker for any collector or recent convert.

Only 350 pressed on an incredible marbled vinyl.

Type steps up to the plate next, with the 'Deeper Still EP' - his first solo release on Rupture.

Setting the dance alight with his Jupiter debut last year with the long awaited 'Hummer', he comes correct with a full EP in 2024. This time led by another heavily demanded Rupture dub - the mighty 'sk85'.

This is an absolute mythical hardcore legend of a release. Originally put out in 1993 on Dance Force Records, a record label run out of Norfolk by Les Howlett, a former bouncer for many London raves. But it was his son, Danny, who made the tracks in the backroom of the record shop – at the young age of just 15!

The tracks were never mastered and when doing a deal with Vinyl Fanatiks Danny wanted the tracks remade and finally mixed down – so we put him in touch with Ellis Dee and between them and us, we sourced all the original samples and the EP was remade, with the mixdown that he always wanted!

Originally released on yellow vinyl on Vinyl Fanatiks in 2019 it quickly sold out on the website and no copies ever made it to distribution – until now!

Only 140 have been pressed on 180g pink marbled vinyl.

Dave Wallace and Shaun O’Hara created Mad Dog as their first collaboration project back in 1992, later to go on and also form Fugitive – both projects being released in the early 90’s by Bournemouth based Underdog Recordings.

In 2018 Vinyl Fanatiks repressed their first EP and in 2019 Mad Dog 2 was re-released. This 7” is the 7” edits of Mad Dog 2 – a huge release back in the day and more recently for us, selling out in a few months.

This jukebox holed release is one for the collectors and those who like to drop 7” selections in their sets.

King of the mini platters…

Staff Pick in DJ Mag (print).
Sleek three tracker from Russ Brooker, a unknown quantity who is swiftly to become the name on everybody's lips, the 13threlease on Rua Sound.
"97-98" is every bit as sharp and shattered as any of the legendary tunes released in that storied era, with moody samples and a break so heavily pregnant with funk that it's a palpable relief when the levee breaks and it gives birth to some heavy rolling amens.
"Microfilm" starts off with a proper spy-flick title and immediately lives up to the name, with a cinematic sequence of cosmic cloak and dagger chimes and pads that quickly sprints off into the Pentagon in a brown flared suit with assorted extraterrestrials and the cast of Scooby Doo in hot pursuit – channelling crusty old Droppin' Science jams to great effect.
"Breathe" drops the tempo down to the 140-odd range with earthy rolling percussion, celestial atmospherics and the kind of studious and deliberate polyrhythmic funk wizardry that most producers don't cook up in a lifetime of releases, never mind on their honest-to-god-damn debut.
The 97-98 EP is out on 11 November on Rua Sound.

This set of remixes is already much sought after for the incredible New Decade version of "I'll Take You". But all the remixers bring new angles to these classic tracks, making for a stellar follow up to Remixes Volume 1.

Halogenix raises the bar once more, flipping between the light and the dark of his "Gaslight EP". The exquisite summertime bounce of "Out Of Line" featuring Solah on vocals and the future liquid of "Would You" give the perfect balance to the frenetic paranoia of title track "Gaslight" and "Line B". One of his best releases to date.

Booyaka! Wah gwan junglist? Rasta Vibez ah bak wid a couple of irie edits that will make ya pum-pum batty move and shake. Big tingz once again that will make di duppy man dweet. Better cop it quick! 10" Red Vinyl + Hand Stamped