Part of the Moving Shadow management, Shaun O’Keefe AKA Deep Blue teams up with original Shadow artist, Blame on this release from 1996.

Transitions starts with a cold string that almost sounds like its breathing before a simple metallic beat moves the track along. Gentle percussion gives the track more rhythm and a cold horn section add to the atmospherics as the beats just keep on rolling.

Re-Transitions is a pure blue note. The simple metallic beat from Transitions is expanded for more dance floor appeal, Superb edits on the beats and an acidic hook keep your attention locked on the groove. As the track nears its completion an uplifting chord section that sounds like it could have come straight from the Motor city itself puts some ice cold soul into the proceedings.

Two rolling tracks from Rob Playfords label showing that sometimes the simplest of ideas often work the best.

As with a lot of the Shadow releases from this time, there are plenty available online to buy, and a steal on Discogs from under £2.00.

The post Deep Blue & Blame – Transitions / Re-Transitions appeared first on Drumtrip - Hardcore / Oldskool Jungle Blog.

Get the schedule and archives for Drumtrip Radio at drumtrip.co.uk/radio/
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Tracklist

1- S.O.S – Spacefunk 2 (Digital Remix) – Timeless Recordings
2- Dextrous – The Deep – Subversive Recordings
3- Natural Mystic – Lazy Pt.2 – Fresh 86
4- Motiv One – Loop Progression – Good Looking Records
5- Alaska – The Vortex – Renegade Recordings
6- Parallax – Aquamarine – Xpressive
7- 3rd Phase – Logic – C.I.A
8- Blu Mar Ten – Futureproof – Good Looking Records
9- Paradox – Deep Sleep – Renegade Hardware
10- Future Bound – Blue Mist – Timeless Recordings
11- Magistrate – Step On V.I.P – Splash Recordings
12- Optical – To Shape The Future (Remix) – Metalheadz
13- Dillinja – Acid Track – Valve Recordings
14- Doc Scott – Shadow Boxing (Remix) – 31 Records
15- John B – Secrets – The Prototype Years
16- Capone – Friday – Hardleaders
17- Die – Special Treat – V Recordings
18 – DJ Hype – Only One Life To Give – True Playaz
19- Dillinja – Violent Killa – Valve Recordings
20- Genotype – Extra Terrestrial – Renegade Hardware
21- Venom – It’s On – Hardleaders
22- Shanie – (You’re Gonna) Miss My Face (Dillinja’s Mix) – Cyba
23- Future Forces Inc – Dead By Dawn – Renegade Hardware
24- Ascend – Interline – Back 2 Basics
25- Nasty Habits – Da Cause – Reinforced Records
>>- Scorpio – Trouble – V Recordings
26- Scorpio – Division One – V Recordings
27- Basic Influence – Still Waters (Remix) – Hardleaders
28- The Beloved – Sun Rising (Tom’s D&B Mix) Willfunk Special

The post Drumtrip Radio #026 – Brian Badonde [22/01/15] appeared first on Drumtrip - Hardcore / Oldskool Jungle Blog.

Sunday evenings were split alternatively between the Fabio & Grooverider show or one of the other dnb djs namely Frost, Randall, and I think Hype and Kenny Ken.

This is where I first heard Technologik. On every show. It was such a good track.

It starts with a smooth rolling break and gentle percussion, a real head-nodder. And then comes the bass. Sounding like it’s been lifted straight from late 80s Chicago the bass hook is simple, its warm, its catchy and most of all its effective.

Technologik was released under an EP title of Artifacts Vol 1 on State of the Art recordings. SOTA was run by a trio of producers who were most widely known as Solid State. The highpoint of their dnb career probably being releases on Renegade recordings and Creative Source in the mid to late nineties.

To me this is one of the most under rated tracks of that era and isn’t one that’s mentioned much these days. Something I’ve never quite understood given its support from the scenes main players.

A real bargain too, with plenty available on ‘cogs from just a pound.

The post State Logik – Technologik (State of the Art Recordings) appeared first on Drumtrip - Hardcore / Oldskool Jungle Blog.

Not bad considering just about each and every one of those releases helped pioneer new sounds, new footholds in what would become a sprawling array of sub-genres.

All but lost in that sea of acclaimed tunes is a lush and lovely 12” from “the Luke Skywalker of Breakbeat”, a young J. Majik. Released in 1995, the double A-side release Jim Kutta / Needle Point Majik is a wonderful example of that first wave of Metalheadz sound. Perfectly capturing the rough with the smooth, the jazzy with the futuristic, the lush with a hint of darkness, this release serves as a wonderful snapshot into that point in time.

The A-side starts off as a neat little roller with lots of tribal-sounding percussion. It bounces along for over 2.5 minutes, lulling you into a Bukem-esque sense of security, before an unexpected thunderous bassline arrives, layered with even more breaks. The familiar guitar licks flicker and fade throughout the madness, showing a brilliant exercise in contrast.

Titled “Jim Kutta”, seemingly in reference to Jim of Source Direct fame, many elements in this track, like the drums and pads, appear heavily influenced by some early bits from the Source boys. In particular this, and this one here, (although those two are far from bargain jungle!) Perhaps it may have had some production input from Jim himself, but this is mere speculation on my half. Regardless, the influence is definitely apparent.

Finally, on the flip we have “Needle Point Majik”. I can’t think of a track with a more enticing intro, in fact, this was the first tune I fell in love with that pushed me to discover the old school sound. Once those jazzy guitars echo and dance around the female coos, I was forever hooked. Just put it on and listen for yourself, I assure you your heart will melt every time.

Like the A-side, J. Majik entices you with a lush intro before letting loose with one of the biggest throbbing subs this side of dubstep. Jay’s signature work with the Apache break is second to none here, punchy and sliced to perfection, and sounds great in the mix (especially on that intro!)

It is surely one of my favourite moments from the entire back catalogue. Pick up a copy on Discogs, this one has surprisingly low ratings and most can be had for 3 quid or less! You can also check out “Needle Point” in A Guy Called Gerald’s brilliant Essential Mix from 1995, among countless other gems.

The post J. Majik – Jim Kutta / Needle Point Majik appeared first on Drumtrip - Hardcore / Oldskool Jungle Blog.

After a well documented dispute with Goldie over the rights to “Pulp Fiction”, Alex Reece left the Headz camp and swiftly found his home on 4th & Broadway Records, a subsidiary of the well known Island Records.

He released his debut album entitled So Far in 1996, a collection of laid back, jazz infused, and sometimes vocal, drum and bass tracks. Featured on this album, along with an edited version of Pulp Fiction renamed Pulp Friction, was the original mix of Feel The Sunshine (which apparently made it into the UK top 20).

The DJ Pulse remix definitely takes it up a few notches in my opinion. Whilst the original was a jazzy affair, the Pulse version is a little more atmospheric, with a slightly sombre vibe.

Like the original it moves along in a two step fashion, but with hints of the apache break littered throughout, featuring the original vocals by Deborah Anderson (who sounds a bit like Bjork on this at times). Like everything Creative Wax boss Pulse did around this time, its pretty solid.

Being a released on a subsidiary of a big label like Island Records (itself a part of Polygram at the time, and now Universal), I assume it was press in large volumes, so there are plenty of copies available on discogs from just 50 pence!

Add it to your wants list and tag it onto your next order.

The post Alex Reece – Feel The Sunshine (DJ Pulse Remix) appeared first on Drumtrip - Hardcore / Oldskool Jungle Blog.

Everything But The Girl are probably best known in the UK for the chart topping single “Missing”. A single that when first released didn’t exactly set the charts alight, but blew up when remixed by Todd Terry and re-released in 1995. This house remix, of what was previously a downtempo folky tune with cowbell in abundance, kick started a move into the electronic / dance music genre for the band.

Taken from the 1996 album “Walking Wounded“, the original mix of Single was a melancholy trip hop number in the style made famous the masters Portishead. For the remix, Photek kept things pretty simple.

Doubling the tempo Photek adds his signature razor sharp breaks along with sub bass – whilst keeping the full vocal track intact.

It makes a great tune just a little bit better for me. A tune that can be enjoyed on it’s as a song, or within a atmospheric mix amongst the work of Photek and his peers.

Thankfully this one was released as a promo with the Photek remix being given the entire A-side. Failing, that you can also get the full release where the Photek mix shares a side with another track.

Bag it from as little as 49p!

This track features on my all Photek mix entitled: “The Biography Of Photek”.

1.) Photek – Third Sequence – Astralwerks
2.) Studio Pressure – Jump Mk II – Cert 18
3.) Goldie – Still Life (Photek Remix) – Razors Edge
4.) Studio Pressure – First Sequence – Photek
5.) The Truper – Vol 1 A – Street Beats
6.) System X – Mind Games (Dub Mix) – Entity
7.) Photek – Consciousness – Metalheadz
8.) Photek – Hidden Camera (Static Mix) – Science
9.) Photek – Ni Ten Ichi Ryu – Science
10.) Studio Pressure – The Water Margin – Photek
11.) Photek – One Nation – Sanctury
12.) Phaze 1 – Natural – Timeless
13.) Aquarius – Drift To The Centre – Looking Good
14.) Code Of Practice – Infiltrate – Cert 18
15.) The Truper – Vol 2 B – Street Beats
16.) The Sentinel – Pulse Of Life – Basement
17.) Therapy? – Loose (Photek Remix) – A&M
18.) EZ Rollers – Rolled Into One (Photek Remix) – Shadow
19.) Everything But The Girl – Single (Photek Remix) – Virgin
20.) Photek – Rings Around Saturn – Photek

The post Everything But The Girl – Single (Photek Remix) appeared first on Drumtrip - Hardcore / Oldskool Jungle Blog.