Back catalogue: Drum And Bass

Review: After 16 years as a DJ and label owner, Kasra only released his debut EP in 2018. Now he's dropping albums dripping in high grade collabs. Gardna, Riko Dan, Yaano, Slay, VISLA, Killa P, T Man and Enei all play a role in this gully-fest as the Critical bossman rolls out a session of timeless styles. Highlights include the A.W.O.L style dark stepper 'Platinum', the Digital Soundboy flavoured 'Shatter' and the mesmerising smash of 2023 - 'BB.OO'. Dreamy. .

Review: A mainstay at camp H through his prolific work on the now defunct Med School imprint, Keeno makes his Hospital debut with his fourth album I Live, I Learn. Opening with the full orchestral impact and gospel level vocals of the title track, we're then whisked on a tour of Keeno's contrasts; the Chris Rea style guitars of 'Severn Summers', the big disco flavour of 'When I Heard You', the slower breaks and clippy strings of 'Pancake's Breakfast', the almighty vocal sample and score-like epic flare of skit 'Breathing Room' and the darkest, most club-focused jam of the bunch 'Listen Close'. Live, learn, loving this...

Review: Kruder & Dorfmeister's Conversions mix album takes you right back to 1996, when the Austrian duo were taking inspiration from the UK d&b pioneers and giving the sound their own lounge-y twist. For the first time since the mix was released, it's being presented as a partially mixed double vinyl edition, giving you access to some of the seminal cuts which make the mix such an enduring classic. From the easy lead in of DJ Unknown Face's 'Dat's Cool' to the soulful vocal licks and skittering breaks of Omni Trio's 'Nu Birth Of Cool' on to the cosmic jungle of Space Link's 'Time Zone', it's a masterclass through and through.

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: The one and only Krust makes beats like no other and has been out on a class of one since the beginning. He now makes a welcome return with a fourth instalment in his Irrational Numbers series on Wonder Palace Music, which gather together the glories of his 90s output which, at the time, were spread far and wide across many of the era's finest labels. It comes across four sides of vinyl and takes in his usual deft designs an innovative rhythms from the slick but jumpy minimal of the opener to the plug-in bass depths of 'Jazz Note II' via the tightly coiled funk of 'Not Necessarily A Man'. Another doozy from the drum & bass don.

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'.

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: The eminent Krust continues to celebrate his endless and illustrious vault with these freshly reissued cuts from the past. From ice cold sci-fi jazz attacks such as 'Witchcraft' to epoch defining anthems such as 'Warhead', Krust points us in all directions - the cinematic, mournful weaves of 'True Stories', the bubbly jazz funk of 'Quiz Show' and 'Blaze Dis One', the list of Krust's sounds and skills goes on and on. A most iconic pioneer. Long may this series continue!