Essential Drum And Bass

The floor shakers from the mighty world of Drum And Bass.

Drum and Bass traces its roots back to the UK rave scene of the late 1980s and early 1990s. During this time, DJs experimented with mixing breakbeats from funk, soul, and hip-hop records to create a high-energy sound perfect for dancing. As the rave scene grew in popularity, DJs started pushing the boundaries by experimenting with faster tempos and harder beats, which eventually led to the creation of Drum and Bass.

Goldie MBE

The early days of drum and bass were characterised by several key artists who helped define the genre. Goldie was one of the most influential figures during this time. He released his debut album “Timeless” in 1995 on the Metalheadz label, featuring classic tracks such as “Inner City Life” and “Angel,” which helped establish drum and bass as a serious musical genre. Other notable artists from this era include LTJ Bukem, who pioneered the atmospheric drum and bass sound and founded the Good Looking Records label, and Roni Size, who won the Mercury Music Prize in 1997 for his album “New Forms” with the group Reprazent.

LTJ Bukem

LTJ Bukem is another influential figure in the genre’s history. He helped develop the liquid funk sub-genre, which is characterised by its smooth, melodic sound and jazz influences. His label, Good Looking Records, was one of the first to focus exclusively on this style of Drum and Bass. Other notable liquid funk artists include High Contrast, Nu:Tone, and London Elektricity.

As the 90s progressed, drum and bass started to diversify, with various sub-genres emerging. One of the most popular sub-genres was jump-up, which was characterised by high-energy basslines and catchy hooks. DJ Hype, Micky Finn, and Pascal, who founded the Frontline Records label, were some of the most influential jump-up artists from this era.

In the early 2000s, drum and bass continued to evolve, with new styles such as liquid funk and neurofunk emerging. Liquid funk is characterised by its smooth, melodic sound and features artists such as High Contrast, Nu:Tone, and London Elektricity. Neurofunk, on the other hand, is characterised by its heavy, distorted basslines and futuristic sound design, featuring artists such as Noisia, Phace, and Mefjus.

Several labels have been instrumental in shaping the sound of drum and bass over the years. Metalheadz, founded by Goldie, has been one of the most influential labels in the genre’s history, releasing classic tracks from artists such as Dillinja, Doc Scott, and Commix. RAM Records, founded by Andy C, has been at the forefront of the jump-up sound and has released tracks from artists such as Sub Focus, Wilkinson, and Loadstar. Other influential labels include Hospital Records, V Recordings, and Shogun Audio.

Drum and Bass has had a significant impact on popular music, with its influence felt across a wide range of genres, including dubstep, trap, and even pop music. Its high-energy sound and heavy basslines have made it a popular choice for dance floors around the world, attracting a loyal following of fans who appreciate its innovative sound and production techniques.