Drum & Bass Recommendations September 2011

Review: Kasra's Critical Audio is once again the showcase for the distinct production talents of Russia's Enei, serving up Stonehead, a four track selection presented across this heavy weight double 12 pack. All the hallmarks of an Enei arrangement are here, as the title track sets the mood with rigid click clacking rhythms dextrously rippling over beams of aggressive dark side bass. This sense of aggravation is matched by the vocal sample that literally barks at you. "No Fear" operates on a similar level, Riya's vocal contribution aligned with the tight stepping syncopation. Those seeking some sort of classic drum and bass solace will find respite in the amen heavy tear out sensation of "Moving Fast" and Jubei's rattling refix of "Cracker".

Review: In the manner of "New Blood, "Critical Sound" and so on, Horizons comes up with a various artists compilation showcasing the fresh new up-and-coming talent on their label. Whilst some names such as June Miller, Cause 4 Concern, Data and Spinline, others may not. Highlights from across the selection include Cause 4 Concerns murky, moody roller "Under Forever", Amoss' "We All Grow" with its politicized lyrics and warping dubbed out b-line and fidgety Rockwell-esque edits and Data's opening cut "Formless", with its clicking beats and growling b-line. A nice taster of what we can expect from Horizons in the future.

Review: ASC's Auxiliary imprint reaches out way south of the border for the fourth edition of their Symbol series, enlisting New Zealander Consequence to do the honours. Thrillingly, Consequence grabs the chance to deviate as far from the drum and bass template as possible across the four tracks. The opening two excursions see minimal abstractions jitter and click through vast swathes of desolate IDM textures - more interesting is what follows. Consequence burrows deep into heavily reverbed field recordings and creeping dark tones across two immersive tracks which could quite easily pass for Demdike Stare at their creepiest!

Review: The fourth instalment in the exquisitely packaged Invisible series sees more D&B royalty flexing some serious heat across two slabs of heavyweight vinyl. The rugged, stuttering Icicle remix of Noisia & Phace's "Floating Zero" shares the first slab of wax with Zero T & FD's "After All". The second 12" features the moody, stripped back riddims of Sabre, Stray & Halogenix's "Askari" and Cause4Concern's menacing "Dead Weight". Don't sleep.