Back catalogue: Drum And Bass

Review: Good 2 Go bite down hard into 2024 with a brand new series entitled Steel Circuit Chronicles. A concept that sounds as good as its title suggests, we kick off with this exceptional deep jungle triple-header. The legendary Blame takes the lead with the percussive slab of drama that is 'Robot Revolution', a cut that packs some serious layered drum welly. He's backed up all the way by two more impressive individuals; G2G bossman Lee Croucher dons his Sync Dynamix alias for the atmospheric dream 'Don't Give Up' while mid 90s Ram artist Flatliner ends his own hazy, cosmic twist to conclude the EP. Timeless and stunning.

Review: On a mission to "make d&b great again", Finland's Straight Up Breakbeat pass through once more with the second of three EPs formed to showcase modern junglism. Kicking off, 'Mystery Machines' sees Glastonbury's Dead Mans Chest slam down some deadly amen choppage reinforced by haunting vocal FX and paranoid drones. Aeon Four & FFF's 'Look Inside' is a jungle-tekno roller, served with chunky hardcore style amens and a side of warm old-skool pads. Keeping the mid-90s vibe alive, the tripped out 'Green Fields Forever ' from Fanu - which drops hot on the heels of his greatly received remaster of Source Direct's 'Stars' - delivers airtight amen trickery, weaving synth washes and blissful dubby basslines. Esc & Mineral round things off with 'Photosynthesis', a pensive stepper highlighting cut-up breaks waltzing with cheeky synth nudges and a wide, rugged bassline. If the pioneers had buried some beefed-up tracks in a time-capsule to inspire future generations, they would probably sound a lot like 'States of Art II'.

Review: Founded by Coventry rave pioneer Neil Trix back in 1992, alongside Gavin Watton, FBD Project were right in the thick of that neon coloured explosion betwixt jungle, rave and hardcore at the time. Rampant on the techno but just big on the emotionals, they caught the right balance between euphoria and energy, especially on these three untitled tracks. Nameless 32 years ago and nameless now, each of these tracks hits the dance with the right balance of mischief, tension and futurism. For badboy DJs.

Review: Future fusion flexing! We have no idea what FFF stands for but we certainly knows what he stands for musically as he steps up to ODJ Dizzy's strongarm Finnish platform Straight Up Breakbeat - ice cold broken beat science. 'Answers' will have you asking plenty of questions as he shoves us into a midtempo furnace and cooks us slowly in rave juices. 'Temperature's Rising' continues the theme with added 4x4s and a more stripped back arrangement that builds up into something very sinister indeed.

Review: Since 2017, KOKOKO! have been trailblazing Kinshasa's sonic revolution while earning global acclaim for their unique sound and vibrant performances. Recognised as the best live band by AIF, they've been featured on NPR Tiny Desk, Boiler Room, and major festivals like SXSW and Pitchfork. Their debut album, Fongola, received rave reviews, and now they are back with another album that is unlike much else you will have heard. BUTU, which is inspired by Kinshasa's vibrant nightlife, has been proceeded by the lead single 'Mokili.' The album has further cues taken from Kinshasa, Kwaito, and 90s dance music and channels the band's hometown's frenetic energy with a sense of social activism into a powerful statement.

Review: Vinyl Junkie catapults a brand new label into the universe and his intention is loud and clear - Badass authentic jungle craftsmanship for the ages. He's rolling neck deep with kindred soldiers; Radiokillaz and Fleck get wild on the breaks on 'Lakes On Saturn', Riffz dusts off the detuned rave stabs for that aggy hardcore flavour while VJ himself whips up some delightful breakbeat switchery that melts into a dubwise breakdown for momentary respite. Radiokillaz close down the EP with a touch of soul on 'Time Again', a poignant space jazz joint laced with mournful strings and a yearning vocal. Meltdown.

Review: Forest On Stasys takes the plunge here and launches a new label, Aura Sonora, which debuts with a hugely limited and high-quality new 12" from the boss. The imprint will be "a platform designed for sound experimentation" and the first missive backs that up with a great blend of drum & bass, half-time and techno. 'Magnetismo' is a prickly opener with slippery rhythms underpinned by bold bass. 'Domo' is a darker sound with menacing low ends and prickly percussive patterns while 'Sideral' is another late-night prowler with low sling sounds, eerie atmospheres and a real sense of futurism. A great start to life for Aura Sonora.

Review: Beyond Electronix hits the min milestone of a 10th EP, which is even more impressive given that it has only taken a couple of years. The quality levels have remained high in that time with blistering jungle and drum & bass innovations from mainstays like Tim Reaper, DJ Jubilee 1997 and FTL, who returns here on another solo EP that features one collaborative with DJ Mudak 2000. That is a cinematic cut powered by turbocharged breaks., a format that is toyed with across the other three immensely powerful cuts.