Author Archives: Luke Kessler

Classic Track: Phrenetic – Candy Man

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In honor of the modern sequel to the classic slasher Candy Man, I thought it fitting to highlight my favourite Darkcore tune bearing both the same name and a selection of samples from the original ’92 film. Candy Man (released on White House Records in 1994) was produced by the musical duo Phrenetic, comprised of C0ntax and Offkey. I recall finding this tune about 5 years ago and being completely blown away. I’m in awe at how timeless it still sounds.

This track is magnificently minimalistic and eerily dark, with tense breathing and rough whooshes behind an amen break at a blistering—especially for its time—180 BPM. Epic chords ring out from an uncanny choir, evoking one of the more unique atmospheres to be found in the Drum & Bass universe. Candy Man is a killer classic that’s dangerously fun.

Written by Luke Kessler

Classic Track: Lenzman – Close To Me

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Lenzman is one of the toughest artists I’ve examined for Classic Track due to the sheer consistency of his discography! I distilled his numbers down to a handful of tracks that I felt were his best, and then I employed one of the more natural methods I could think of as a music lover to determine the one to post here: choose the track I listen to most often. While it took some time for me to come to my conclusion, Close To Me pulled off a decisive victory in the end.

Released on Future Retro (a sublabel of BCee’s Spearhead Records) in 2007, Close To Me brings all of the spirit and sophistication to be appreciated in a classic liquid Drum & Bass track. Tight, energetic break-work and warm bass establish a foundation of rhythmic precision and sonic purity. Subtle tones dance along in the background of downbeat rolled chords from an electric piano layered with other harmonious sounds. Lastly, the enticing yet seemingly distant sounding vocal provides just the right touch of deepness. All elements are synthesised into an entrancing liquid tune that’s jazzy, soulful, and irresistible.

Written by Luke Kessler

Classic Track: Eze-G – Worlds of Confusion

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With one foot firmly planted in his own forward-thinking spin on hardcore and the other toeing the edge of a nascent jungle sound in the 1993 track Worlds of Confusion, Eze-G is underrated in my book. Just one of multiple aliases under which Gareth Oxby produced a tightly focused range of electronic music, Eze-G’s style fittingly represents a main tenet of what drum & bass has always been about: fusion.

Worlds of Confusion is the standout tune on the EP bearing the same name released by label Unatural Light (the remix of this tune released the following year is also great with a sound even more within the domain of jungle).

Noteworthy in the design is how much depth is added to the song through simple yet effective pitch shifting on the vocal cuts. Original use of the amen break, wispy pads, and enlivening vocal samples all come together to form a unique experience smack dab in the middle of hardcore and jungle – don’t miss it!

Written by Luke Kessler

Classic Track: Treo – Machinist

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When I found this tune some years ago, one could say I was under hypnosis of groove; Machinist, by the short-lived Treo, carries one of the most vibrant and dynamic basslines I’ve heard in Neurofunk. Despite its 2012 release, which I’m a little loathe to identify as a classic predicated simply upon its recency, it will always remain a classic in my mind. 

This Syndrome Audio slapper carries a groove so infectious that one is easily compelled to bop along with it. The dirty bassline and hefty drums are so fluidly intermeshed in a way that feels natural, belying a style that screams “tech”. The arrangement is refined, with quick synth stabs providing further rhythmic appeal, against backdrops of harmonic tones that gracefully fade in and out of the mix.

Amid a sea of amazing Neurofunk tunes past and present, Machinist is a stand-out classic.

Written by Luke Kessler

Classic Track: Valley of the Shadows

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The iconic and pivotal Valley of the Shadows…where do I start? Produced by none other than Origin Unknown, a duo consisting of Andy C and Ant Miles, this track played a significant role in shifting the paradigm of hardcore toward a darker motif. Heralded as one of the best songs in the Drum & Bass sphere, this iconic tune rolled onto the scene in 1993 (and re-released in 1996 as a stand-alone) from Andy C’s very own RAM Records.

The first edition of Future Music Magazine’s sample CD provided many of the track’s sounds, and likewise provided a bevy of other recognizable samples found across a broad spectrum of electronic and dance music during the same era. From the hypnotizing melody to the entrancing spoken samples, the hardy break to the bold bassline, Valley of the Shadows proves itself a time-tested masterpiece.

Written by Luke Kessler

Classic Track: Nebula – Chords of Sorrow

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I’m excited to have recently stumbled upon Nebula, whose works capture the magic of the 90’s drum & bass sound to an exceptional degree. While there are many amazing songs to choose from in Nebula’s repertoire, Chords of Sorrow, released on Subtle Audio Recordings in 2008, is a beauty.

Drumfunk panache is provided here on a silver platter, and so elegantly at that; glossy harmonies wind around wispy choir tones that eventually swell into a poignant choral crescendo. Nebula paints us a picture of dreamlike ambience brushed with strokes of melancholy – all animated by dynamic, adeptly arranged drum patterns. Enjoy the dive into this deep vibe, and if you’re enjoying it you can grab the digital re-release direct here.

Written by Luke Kessler

Classic Track: Mace – Inside Your Soul

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Better known as a DJ than a producer, Mace was a staple in the UK club scene after claiming the title of best up and coming drum & bass DJ in Kiss FM’s 1997 DJ competitions. Around the same time, Mace put production onto his resume. Mace’s standout release came along in 2003 on one of the premier imprints of Intelligent and liquid D&B: Creative Source.

Inside Your Soul’s sound resides in smooth and mellow expression with a rolling bassline and dynamic percussion exuding unabated exuberance. Here, a subtle-yet-powerful influence from jazz and funk can be felt – a demonstration of eclectic class. This tune is a perfect companion for enjoying the last of the summer vibes!

Written by Luke Kessler

Classic Track: Shogun – Wind Dancer (Remix)

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The illustrious R&S Records has played host to a wonderfully varied discography over the years, mainly catering to the techno and house crowds, yet has also delivered on some outstanding drum & bass tracks—one of which is a 1996 Intelligent gem that we bring to you today: Wind Dancer (Remix) by Shogun.

An airy melody congeals with lush strings and effervescent pads to form an ethereal vibe. Sparse congas lend an atmospheric curiosity in addition to ambient guitar and vocals. With a robustness spoken through the potent bass and precisely detailed percussive arrangement, the song rolls through apexes where both breaks intermingle into unified cadences of infectious grooviness. An all-time favourite that I’ll always appreciate, Wind Dancer (Remix) is a vibrant tune that continues to shine today.

Written by Luke Kessler

Classic Track: Twisted Anger – Society

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No classic drum & bass fan should miss out on Twisted Anger, a duo whose tunes I continually find captivating. An off-the-wall slice of techstep wickedness from Dread Recordings sub-label Penny Black, Society is among the darkest of 1997 drops.

Twisted Anger are experts at creating sinister soundscapes in their tracks (especially in their earlier works), with Society being possibly their finest specimen. Ominous and gritty, heavy atmosphere fills the space amidst filtered break cuts that crash with aggression against an askew, unworldly bass. Conjuring images of sci-fi noir (or where ever your imagination takes you), brace yourself for this monstrosity.

Written by Luke Kessler

Source Direct Remasters

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Source Direct are often heralded as a top notch act in the history of Drum & Bass, having garnered critical acclaim as well as massive respect from Drum & Bass listeners across the board. To this day, their sound has gone largely unmatched.

We are reminded of the one-of-a-kind Source Direct sound (unless you keep their music in your usual rotation like I do) by the eclectic offering of their illustrious catalogue that has been recently remastered and released on the Odysee Recordings Bandcamp page in the last two weeks.

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