KRUST Schallplatten & CDs

Review: All hail King Krust, a true totem of d&b innovation from his earliest days right up to the present moment. The Irrational Numbers series on Wonder Palace is doing a sterling job of combing back through his monumental legacy as a key protagonist in the Bristol-rooted Full Cycle crew and there's so much heat a third double-LP volume doesn't feel anything close to excessive. On this edition we're getting treated to unbelievable workouts like his Gang Related production 'Rukus' and the widescreen scope of 'The Resister', a staggeringly visionary slice of hi-tech soul from 1993. There's just so much invention and expression on here, rightly confirming Krust's place in the d&b hall of fame.

Review: There's no need to explain the importance of Krust to jungle and drum & bass - the Bristol pioneer set new standards and has a legacy overflowing with next level invention and shock-out grooves. This compilation on Wonder Palace makes the case in no uncertain terms, taking a broad view over his work and delivering some stone cold classics alongside harder-to-find bits and pieces. What's apparent is how Krust build's vivid worlds within his tracks, not least on the widescreen classic 'Brief Encounters'. There are deadly rollers like 'Set Speed' and 'Maintain', dreamy deep-divers like 'Jazz Note' and so much more in between. If you want seven seminal joints from a true master, this comp has got you covered.

Review: Krust has been more than generous in opening up the archives and letting die-hard junglists get access to some of his most prized plates from the glory days of Full Cycle and V Recordings. Okbron have been a great conduit for such wares over recent years, and so it continues with these deep-cover diamonds from one of the genre's greatest. 'I Believe' is a tightly clipped bit of drum flair with razor sharp programming, film noir chops and swooning pads - a truly soulful excursion for those who like their beats steeped in jazz. 'Accepted Meaning' is a rougher breakbeat workout which is just as next level, with bright and bold synth pads that join the dots between Detroit and Bristol in powerful fashion.

Review: Undoubtedly one of the most anticipated releases of 2020, legendary UK producer DJ Krust makes a comeback with his first release in 14 years, and rather surprisingly on Crosstown Rebels - of all labels. While we all know Damian Lazarus' established imprint is anything but drum and bass, it is well known that he was an early champion of the sound, long before his tenure at City Rockers in the early '00s when he embraced 'electroclash' - but that's another story. It's clear that Krust created some of the most seminal records in the genre throughout the nineties and noughties, and he is back in fine form on The Edge Of Everything, having explored radical new philosophies and creative processes. Minimalist arrangements as heard on tracks like 'Constructive Ambiguity' hark back to his signature sound of the aforementioned period, while he also explores more experimental minded beats as heard on 'Antigravity Love' and proper darkside rolling drama exemplified on 'Deep Fields Of Liars'.