KLP Records Presents: The Remixes LP- Past Present + Future – [Review]

The legendary DJ Monk and his label, KLP records have managed to cook up a dish of fifteen remixes of jams that go from as way back as the 90’s, as part of the label’s re-launch.  This is KLP Records presenting the ‘Past, Present + Future’ with The Remixes LP.

The very best of Jungle producers that the UK has to offer; from those who were present back in those early days of Jungle/D&B, to the new cats in the scene.  It is a blazing fire, straight from Audio Addict’s, DJ Hybrid setting it ablaze; down to the last joint.  In between, there’s the likes of DJ Choppah; Dapz; Papa G and; hearing DJ QT and Lion UK doing remixes for one another.  DJ Monk himself puts in a hand with a remix to Lion UK’s ‘Freaky Fly Girl’; and has a total of eight remixes of his past work remixed and re-done.  Those songs are, namely: ‘I Spy (Eye Nuh See)’ “re-fixed” by Serum & Serial Killaz and an Inna Culture 2016 Remix to the ’94 classic.  The other; ‘Deal Wid It’ is proudly tweaked by Ray Keith, as well as DJ Vapour with his ‘Tear Up Refix’ to the tune.  Ikon B & Crisis have two of their classics in the mix as well i.e. ‘Kills Every Sound’ and ‘Stop Fighting’ and; they also remixed one.  And all that could be said is that, in a nutshell this LP is a timeless journey to the future of this music, looking through the past, from a present perspective of Drum & Bass and Jungle, and what it stands for in this instance.

It is mixture of combustive substances that ignite into an inferno therefore; it is definitely a super comeback for KLP Records.  This LP is without a doubt, a collector’s item because it is the very best of Jungle.

Words By: Tsheola Asavela

Audio Addict Recordings – DJ Hybrid – Mixed Origins Remixes – [Review]

Mixed Origins was released last year and, it contained a total of fourteen tracks. Fast forward to the present; comes an eight-track, first volume to the album songs’ remixes with an array of contributors taking part in the task.

We have the likes of Callide (System Shock) putting slightly more energy, equally killing it with his idea of ‘It’s Murder’ from the top and; whilst going through and checking out all the artists in the list, it was anticipation and excitement to hear what Ray Keith (The Dread Recordings) and Benny L (Dance Concept) have set out do with their respective versions in the mixture. The former, comes through with his merciless Jungle sound, a signature he’s renowned for since way back in ‘Run Away Feat. Sinead McCarthy’, with the vocals blended in neatly in a very superb way. Benny L comes with the remix for ‘Bring It Back’, and it’s nothing but sheer, invigorating energy pumped full of turbo.
The rest of artists featured are the roster, are likes of the duo who go by the name Section (Jay B and Solley); DJ L.A.B (Fat Ape Jungle); Samurai Breaks with the “gully bass riddims and quick fast Samurai cuts” and; Schematic throwing in something rough but, fancy in the concoction. There’s also Livewire’s deep, dark and lovely remix to ‘Coming Up’ and thus, completing the eight tracks of the first volume.

The Mixed Origins Remixes is a clear definition of the title, literally and, it promises to offer a splash of different artist backgrounds and musical flavours for your ear buds, it doesn’t get nicer and diverse than this. Now, we await the second half of the mixture.

Words By: Tsheola “Vagabond’ Asavela

Audio Addict – DJ Hybrid – Darker Days EP -[Review]

Following the release of the successful 14-track album titled ‘Mixed Origins’, the living-genetic-legend DJ Hybrid headed back to the lab and came back with them ‘Darker Days EP’. It must be said that, it really is something in the blinding bunkers, as subterranean as the Human Genome Project.

How about we first start with the title track of the EP? It is what it is, Bass boys and Drum girls; we are in the deepest, darkest parts of the urban slums and; we hear the sound of the po-lice and, the lady on the street corner screams but, what’s wrong, you ask?… well, the bass just came down heavy on the ears, accompanied by that fella getting beat down from the drop of the rugged sounding yet, neatly laid out drum sequence that DJ Hybrid is known for.

And for surely, ‘Killing Dem’ will see dem Ravers, Steppas, and dem Junglists alike, landing in the morgue in great numbers that; the coroner dem run out of body bags at the scene of the dance floor homicide. However, from the beat-matching perspective in court, it sounds evident that, it is an ideal tune for the disc jockey to blast within the first quarter of the set.

Moving on to the next one; ‘Lickshot’ comes through with a tantalising and enticingly, gritty and resolute flavour for the heads who like it this raw, just as described. The rapid drum licks are smooth, giving the joint a unique characteristic in its intervals. And last, and not really least (if you know your stuff) the ‘Loudmouth’ is the witness on the stand, it was enough, and managed to convince the jury to easily come up with a quick conviction to shut the case, ladies and gentlemen of the court. The closer to this EP is more of a teaser really, just clocking in just sixteen minutes short of the four-minute mark; and keeping it strictly Jungle at that too.

With all due honesty, we love DJ Hybrid’s stuff on production. He experiments whilst, still maintaining his style which, always carries on the tradition of the old-skool or golden era of Jungle/Drum & Bass. Darker Days EP like the previous, Mixed Origins for instance, is impressing and, does not deviate. Praise and due respect to DJ Hybrid.

Words By: Tsheola ‘Vagabond’ Asavela