For a long time, the tag “drum’n’bass” had negative associations for me. It felt like the more polite and polished cousin of jungle, and who wants that? In the late nineties, in particular, there were a bunch of dinner-party-friendly albums in the genre, and my youthful spirit rebelled against such things.
Well, that was a long time ago, and while I have been slow to fix my mental model, I think I might be getting there.
So, while this record has some ruffer junglist elements, and even a moment or two of breakbeat hardcore, I think it is primarily drum’n’bass. And it’s great. I think what makes it for me is how atmospheric it is. It’s got a really laid-back soulful jazz vibe that strongly evokes a night-time ride through a big city (and the titles and samples explicitly reference NYC). It put me in mind — in terms of the mood, not the actual music — of the soundtrack to Taxi Driver. Only, you know, with a breakbeat. There is also (and I know this is a cliché, but it’s true) a bit which is reminiscent of Blade Runner. Only, again, with a breakbeat. There are some killer lines for double bass or saxophone. Vocal samples are used sparingly, but effectively, especially in the bit which sounds like an old sci-fi B-movie but is strangely apt for the contemporary discourse about immigration.
So I’m gonna put my ancient qualms about genre aside, ‘cos this album is just a pure delight from start to finish.
I bought this from the label’s Bandcamp page.
dogrando writes about some records 