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10 classic drum & bass tunes

Wednesday, 11. 14. 2012  –  Category: Music

Sad times. I’ve got to make some room and need to let my old decks and vinyl collection move on to a new home. There’s well over 200 pieces of vinyl going. I’ll paste the full list below. If you’re interested, drop me a comment here or via the contact form and I’ll get back you.

However, lets celebrate 10 of the best drum’n'bass tunes of all time as voted for by, well, just me. In no particular order…

10. Souljah – Fade 2 Black
Hard edged Amen break classic tech jungle from Lemon D.

9. Ed Rush & Optical – Gas Mask/Bacteria
Technically these are 2 separate tracks, but in my mind so intrinsically linked. One had the A side, the other the B. On my version I think the labels are the wrong way round so was never sure which track had which name. Anyway, Virus defined the drum and bass sound of the late 90′s. These 2 tunes set the standard and always had a place in any of my sets.

8. Bad Company – Pulse
Back when Bad Company were still called Bad Company, DJ Fresh and pals followed in the footsteps laid down by Ed Rush & Optical, producing dancefloor smashing, tech-stepping dnb. The Nine was arguably their buggiest tune, dropped for years to come by all the top DJs, but I’m including the Pulse here. Pulse kicks off nicey nicey, with light synth chords, then drops away to an electronic pulse before smashing in with the baseline. This was tune of the night at the Metalheadz NYE party in Brighton 98/99, and getting on my list for that reason alone.

7. Future Cut – Whiplash
Back with the Amen break, Manchester duo Future Cut dropped this classic on a Renegade Hardware compilation and smashed away all 7 other slabs of vinyl in the pack with this banging tune. Wait for the drop about 2 and half minutes in. Then rewind it.

6. DJ Die – Clear Skyz
First listing here for Bristol’s Full Cycle crew. Punchiest drop in the business.

5. Marcus Intalex & ST Files – How you make me feel
Liquid style from Manchester duo who went on to produce under the name M.I.S.T. At the time this dropped, Intalex was running the biggest monthly dnb night in Manchester, known more for his Amen smashers than the smooth styles he championed as producer. This was the first taste of the new direction. Absolute classic, and an all time personal favourite.

4. Doc Scott – The Unofficial Ghost
Wu Tang sampling Metalheadz classic, needs no further introduction.

3. Peshay a.k.a. Special Forces – Something Else… The Bleeps Tune
Super tech sounding, completely original sound from Peshay. Remember Fabio playing this for the first time on his Radio 1 show and going nuts about it. Still sounds as fresh today, where so much music in this genre lasts no longer than the first rewind before it starts dating.

2. Krust – Kloaking Device
Another slice from Full Cycle, this time Krust. Amens and a great vocal sample.

1. Big Bud – State of Mind
One from the Good Looking stable to round off the list. Lovely synth bass sounds.

Incidentally, I’ve also got a pair of Gemini PT2100 decks and a mixer going, and here’s the full list of vinyl. Its mostly made up of late 90′s and early 2000′s dnb. Loads of RAM, Full Cycle, V, 31, Virus etc., from the producers you’d expect – Andy C, Ed Rush & Optical, Roni Size, Krust, Die, Dillinja, Future Cut, Intalex… I could go on.