Hello and welcome to the Drum and Bass section of the brand new M:UD online magazine.
My name is James Ashworth and I’ll be writing monthly reviews from the world of Drum and Bass. I’m 17 and currently DJ for the online Drum & Bass and Dubstep station, Emergency FM every Tuesday. The opportunity arose for me to write this section and I couldn’t say no, I’ll be covering different sub genres of drum and bass too, including: Jump up, Liquid, Dark and Tech.
Where to start? Well 2011 has been a huge year for D&B and as the scene begins to carry on expanding. New variations of sounds being included in tracks from liquid, jump up and dark and has seen some massive LP’s and singles released, including some tracks from producers such as Drumsound & Simon Bassline Smith and Sub Focus which have made it onto mainstream radio. This year has seen an explosion in the Jump-up sub section of drum and bass. With Jump-Up becoming more popular day in and day out, it is sure to expand and be a great influence in the year of 2012.
Some of the biggest LP’s released this year include ‘Walk the Line’ from Camo and Krooked, which includes tracks such as the dirty, Hot Pursuit and Breezeblock. Camo and Krooked have been on top of their game in the drum and bass scene the past few years and this year has been no different. 2011 has been a huge year for Hospital records and has seen the release of Danny Byrd’s ‘Rave Digger’ and has introduced more support for the drum and bass scene from people who had never heard this style before. With his vocal manipulation skills on tracks and his hard hitting basslines, Danny has smashed 2011 up with his own production and his Remixes of some great tracks. As always Hospital Records are in great competition with Andy C’s ‘Ram Records’ to snatch the Drum and Bass awards ‘best record label’ award. But 2011 has been a great year for Ram too.
Ram Records released their 100th EP this year including the tracks, Machine by Culture Shock, Finders Keepers by Andy C himself, No Reality (Noisia’s 2007 remix) by Ram Trilogy and of course the huge Stomp, by Sub Focus. Andy C (The Owner of Ram Records) has been dropping these tracks for the past couple of years but they have never been released or known till now. A must have track in any DJ’s selection has to be ‘Stomp’. Every two months at Fabric, Ram Records sell out and smash a show, they always ‘dress to impress’ and this year has been no different, with acts like Hamilton, Culture Shock, Sub Focus, Chase and Status and Wilkinson, they put on one of the best D&B shows around.
BBC Radio 1xtra has been on top of the Drum and Bass Scene this year with support from DJ Bailey, Crissy Criss and Mistajam, this scene has evolved and grown. Bailey has hosted a number of shows this year with special guests DC Breaks and Andy C, and has been working within the BBC trying to spread the sound of D&B. as well as the underground online stations such as Globaldnb.com and Emergencyfm rolling out huge tracks and advertising the genre, major stations like Radio 1 have briefly included some big tracks in their shows. Hugh Stevens recently introduced Harry Shotta into the radio scene on his weekly show on Radio 1, which has seen a growth in the D&B MC’s status and helped get the style known.
The D&B MC’s have been on top form this year seeing Skibadee work with some top producers and Harry Shotta tear up the D&B and Dubstep Scene with his special live shows named ‘The Harry Shotta Show’ which saw thousands of people attend. The Drum and Bass Awards for this year’s best MC and Crowd Hype MC with be a close call. With live shows being dominated by Eksman and Skibadee, a sure MC battle is on. Without MC’s at D&B shows, the crowd hype and enthusiasm wouldn’t be close to being as crazy as it is with them, credit due where credit is due.
This year has seen DC Breaks, Hamilton and Wilkinson release some huge tracks such as moonwalker, which has had the Drum and Bass scene erupt. Based in the capital, the support for RAM is growing and growing, with Andy C constantly on the lookout for the best talent, they are a certain label to watch again in 2012.
Here is a list of my personal favourite tracks from 2011
My Top 20 For 2011
1. Sub Focus – Stomp
2. Wilkinson – Moonwalker
3. Danny Byrd feat Netsky - Tonight
4. Receptor – Ass
5. J Majik & Wickaman – Ritual
6. Original Sin – Penamana
7. Chase and Status – Time
8. Camo & krooked – Breeze Block
9. Drumsound and Bassline Smith – Close
10. Sigma – The Jungle
11. Cyantific – Touch Me
12. Calibre – Piano Business
13. Metrik – Between Worlds
14. Delta— Space Time
15. Hamilton – Brainstorm
16. Serial Killers – Send Dem
17. DJ Hazard – Food Fight
18. Shockone – Crucify Me
19. Basher - Transmission
20. DC Breaks - Creeper
2012 has huge prospects in the D&B scene, with one track which I am tipping to be a huge success is Wilkinsons’ Tonight on his new release RAMM109 which sees him release Tonight and Pistol Whip, both classic sounds from Wilkinson and is going to be a highly charted track in any D&B DJ’s selection. Another track which I am tipping to be big in 2012 is the brand new release from High Contrast. The track entitled ‘The First Note Is Silent’ featuring Tiesto and Underworld, this huge track is a new release on Hospital Records.
DC Breaks are one of my ‘Ones to Watch’ this year as they are always working hard in the studio and no doubt will find the key to a banger. Original Sin is also constantly on the production game, this past year has seen him release a number of EP’s including massive tracks such as ‘I Love It’ and ‘Penamana’ with Tru Playaz Label.
Finally I just want to wrap things up by saying a huge thanks to our main guy here at M:UD ‘Dominic Robinson’ and I hope you have enjoyed this first edition.
I am looking forward to sharing my views on the Drum and Bass genre with you all for many months to come.
Check me out live every Tuesday DJ’ing live on www.emergencyfm.com from 8-10pm and show your support on my Facebook Page ‘DJ Phact’ on http://facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=182999765124353&__user=1191141515
Big ups and Thanks for the Support…
DJ Phact
James Ashworth
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