Aron Sidhu
Ever since I got into drum and bass and properly arrived on the scene, I believed that DnB had something that other electronic music lacked. Its advantage lay in the immense range of music that fell under its category. From soothing liquid sounds to warped technical adventures, through to straight up, jump up, dance floor bangers.
The genre encompasses a massive variety of styles and this allows for any layman to locate their other musical tastes somewhere in the swirling spectrum of bass. Punk rock, jazz, funk, reggae, hardstyle, techno, the list goes on. Whatever you like now will be represented somewhere in the body of DnB.
This got me thinking; there must be one thing that all DnB heads agree on or adhere to. Tough this. Frequently on SDNB forums there are conflicting opinions between ‘techy’ and ‘jump up’ heads and it seems that in a genre with so much choice it would be impossible for everyone to ever agree.
Then I realised, what tool of DnB had I used when trying to ‘get people into’ the music? Liquid: the warm remedying beats of artists like High Contrast, Calibre and Electrosoul System. It seems that this style of beats remains a constant in a genre of music which is forever changing.
You have only to consider some of the best new releases to understand my point. High Contrast: Hometown Glory (Adele), a perfect example of the producers’ skill to create soulful DnB from the most unlikely of sources. Adele’s original vocal and piano loops are re-mastered to form a truly breathtaking remix. The Brookes Brothers: Tear You Down, is a vocal-led summers’ daytrip that will remain one of the all time great ‘feel-good’ DnB tunes.
These songs have mass appeal to the potential drum and bass fan as well as being celebrated by the veteran drum and bass jungle soldier. Yes, it seems like so long ago that I bought that Hospitality compilation mix and embarked on my own drum and bass campaign. But the fact remains, even with my jump up ravaged brain, I can still return to that compilation and feel it as much as I did back in the day. So I say to you, Mr. or Mrs. potential drum and bass head, maybe its time you spend some money on that CD.
Remember anyone can be a Revel: all you may need is a little liquid.
