Back catalogue: Drum And Bass

Review: Okbron Records welcome Atlantiq to the roster, and in so doing reccy an uncharted subaquatic terrain, in which drum & bass production requires specialist handling. Limited to just 350 copies, and bundled with the statement "No repress."- full stop duly noted - Okbron are implicitly aware of the (anti-)gravity of this release. 'M33' sounds as if its liquid jungle source deposits housed a yet undiscovered respiratory gas for an unidentified life-form; its all-to-easily recognised breakbeats are the only orthodox productive choice on the title track, whereupon every other element sounds born of a hidden underwater civilisation, not a mere synthesiser, and surrounds the mix as though we'd embarked on a serene coralline safari. B-sider 'Nothing To Lose' takes a seedier turn in terms of vibe, with sistrum rattles and brooding crime-drama basses hearing whackout breaks set to an otherwise ruminant sonic mystery.

Review: Moody drum & bass purveyors are back with a new one from veteran producer Big Bud, a new signee for the label and evident Argus Panaures for the intersection of halftime, liquid and "night bus" (if you want to call it that). The 'Kush Mush' EP blends mournful vocal cries with subtle dramaturgic sound FX, as if to portray the expositional scenes of a contemporary desert spaghetti western turned sci-fi thriller (if the moody gas station image on the inner label is iany indication, that is). The title track years for something hidden, "somewhere inside you", while 'Lucky7' strikes us with its swung break and similarly dreamy bloopage, echoing the nimble, nigh weightless high that follows a slot machine win.

Review: Furney, a UK producer with a distinct and recognizable sound, continues to impress with his ability to blend genres seamlessly into dance rhythms. His track 'Spyro Gyro,' a drum'n'bass reinterpretation of the 70s funk classic 'Masterpiece,' originally released digitally on DJ Nookie's Phuzion label, finally gets the vinyl treatment it deserves. The track is packed with energy, featuring bold horns and strings that give it the feel of an action movie soundtrack, all while maintaining a drum'n'bass pulse that keeps the momentum high. On the flip side, 'Just Fine' takes a more relaxed approach. Produced around 2003, this track combines acoustic guitar with summery background sounds, creating a laid-back vibe that's perfect for those chill moments. The rolling bassline adds depth, making it a versatile addition to any set. Together, these tracks showcase Furney's versatility and knack for drawing inspiration from a wide range of musical influences.

Review: Okbron Records carry out the divine task of reformatting an early yet rare Micky Finn and Aphrodite tape cut onto vinyl. 'AWOL' is a clever pun, serving as an acronym for both the wartime connotations of the phrase "absent without leave", and the spiritual paths implied in the phrase A Way Of Life, which also happened to be a leading early jungle night that produced multiple Micky Finn tape packs recorded in East London. 'AWOL' and 'Dark Selector' have likely existed for decades, serving as lost tunes from the rough point in time when Finn and Aphrodite laid down their timeless Takeover Bid mix for Mixmag. Packed with funk licks and gulping basses, all tunes heat the dancefloor stovetop in no time.

Review: Mid 90s atmospheric d&b veterans Pariah have been enjoying something of a re-focus since linking up with Okbron in 2019. The prolific archival label has since invited them back again in 2021 and now they return for round three, and while we don't have the exact provenance of the tracks in question on this record, it hardly matters when the quality is so high. 'Lexicon (Final Mix)' is an aqueous beauty of a track, dealing in sweeping vistas of pads and a light-touch, rolling beat with that classic Pariah finish to it. 'Winds Of Pleasure' is a breezy affair with gossamer-light synth lines and a subtly Balearic feel which is just crying out for a drop at a daytime session this summer.

Review: South London d&b brothers Sean and Mark Roberts created Probe-One after growing up on pirate stations, inspiring Sean to buy a deck and mess around himself. It goes that the siblings were frustrated at the drip release of d&b cuts and took the initiative themselves. 'Aether' and 'Expanse' clock in at just over 15 minutes combined, the long and winding ambient buildups giving way to ginormous breaks on 'Aether', or receding into a more atmospheric direction circa the Playstation 1 'IDM' era. The A-Side is for the breakbeat inclined, filled with intensity and volume against its ethereal synth waves. Side B is for the late-night Pulse FM listeners, the gentle percussion of dawn breaking - it's almost relaxing if such a thing were possible.

Review: OKBRON's 60th release brings a hidden gem from the North London producer Unknown Soldier, whose track 'Catatonia' was crafted in 1994 at the legendary Monroe studio with engineer Pete Parsons (Voyager). Originally intended for In Touch Records, the track remained largely unnoticed when it was included on a later compilation. Now, OKBRON presents 'Catatonia' as a standalone record, complete with 'Cyclic' on the B-sideia session companion from that pivotal jungle era, finally ready for the spotlight.