Electron Techno Mix

Subwayz Electron Techno Mix

Subwayz Electron Techno Mix by Hiscoresboards on Mixcloud

Tracklisting:

1. Trip to Fade - Auden (Flux 2014 Hotflush Recordings)
2. Rhyl - Function / Inland (Odeon EP 2014 Infastructure New York)
3. Gotham (Original Mix) - Ten Walls (Gotham EP 2013 Innervisions)
4. Service Cost HH2 - NGLY (2014 L.I.E.S. Long Island Electrical Systems)
5. Garbo ((12" Version)) - Recondite (Levo EP 2014 Innervisions)
6. minipops 67 [120.2][source field mix] - Aphex Twin (Syro 2014 Warp Records)
7. Huh - Randomer (Residents 2014 L.I.E.S Long Island Electrical Systems)
8. Skin - Victor Calderone (Burden 2015 Drumcode)
9. I/O - Intellekt (Altered State 2015 Funghettocrew)
10. Amsterdam 808 - Beesmunt Soundsystem (Body Shape 2014 Pets Recordings)
11. Primary K272 - Dubspeeka (Primary 2015 Drumcode)
12. NKKK4_2 - Stingray313 (NKKtwo_2 2013 Naked Lunch)
13. City Girl - TB (City Girl 2015 Permanent Vacation)
14. Dinner & Corsica - New York Transit Authority (2015 Lobster Boy)
15. Floorshow (Bodyjack's DEXT VIP) - Dubspeeka & Visionz (Floorshow EP 2015 Dext Recordings)
16. Funnel Vision - MGUN (If You're Reading This EP 2013 Don't Be Scared)
17. K241Z (Alan Fitzpatrick Remix) - Dubspeeka (Angel EP 2015 Last Night On Earth)
18. Hidden - Raam (RAAM002 2015 Raam)
19. Interval (original mix) - Ephere (Absolute 2015)
20. Primary K293 - Dubspeeka (Primary 2015 Drumcode)
21. Flux - Auden (Flux 2015 Hotflush Recordings)
22. Couch Life - Zed Bias (Couch Life 2015 81)
23. Hover Drone - Ferenc Stenton (New Kanada 2015)
24. Mkn01 - Mokeon (ML01 EP Moklab 2015)
25. Domino Theory - Batu (Cardinal 2015 Timedance001)
26. Fade To Black - ZPH (Breaks Of Mediate EP 2015 Inwave)
27. I Don't Have a Soul - NGLY (L.I.E.S. Long Island Electrical Systems 2015)
28. Dagger - Coldgeist (Split EP2 2015 Children Of Tomorrow)
29. Whi5tleblower - Phon.o (Cracking Space Pt. 2 2014 50Weapons)
30. Another Wedged Chicken (Original Mix) - Shed (Shedding The Past 2008 Ostgut Ton)
31. Up - Benjamin Damage (50 Weapons 2014)
32. Mars (Head High's Venus Remix) - Caribou (Our Love 2014 City Slang)
33. Lock In - Auden (Wall To Wall EP 2015 Hotflush Recordings)
34. Why You Feel so Low - Scuba (Claustrophobia 2015 Hotflush Recordings)
35. The Moon Doesn't Want to Look at You - Visonia (Nausicaa EP 2015 Electronic Emergencies)
36. Altars - Grovestreet (Structures 2015 Tight Knit Records)
37. Ganzfeld - Objekt (Hypnagogia 2014 Leisure System)
38. Triangles & Rhombuses - Boards Of Canada (Music Has The Rights To Children 1998 Warp Records)

Subwayz Electron Techno Mix by Hiscoresboards on Mixcloud

Notes....
I wanted this mix to represent the broad range of styles in my collection that I've enjoyed listening to over the last couple of years. It was a great opportunity to incorporate some of my favourite tunes, including Rhyl, by Function & Inland, Gotham, by Ten Walls, Another Wedged Chicken by Shed and finishing with one of my favourites from 2014, Ganzfeld, by Objekt. Within the realm of dance music, and even the broad church of techno, there's always been fragmentation of genres, it's not a new thing, the universe of dance music has been expanding for quite a few years. I just hope that I've captured some of the diversity, vibrancy and originality that has been a hallmark of the underground dance scene for many years.
I've done two techno mixes and a breaks mix, so I'm either going to take the plunge and do a drum n bass mix or may be another breaks mix. I think the drum n bass mix will present a greater challenge to my limited skills, but I feel that I would enjoy doing another journey into the world of hip hop and funky breakbeats than a full on mix of drum n bass. I also have some long term plans. I'd like to try to do a mix of artists like Boards of Canada and Autechre, and some old school drum n bass, but one step at a time, I'm still learning.  

Replicant Bangin' Techno Mix

Replicant Techno Mix

Subwayz Replicant Bangin' Techno Mix by Hiscoresboards on Mixcloud

This is my second mix, and going into this my game plan for this assortment was to change genres. I've been a life long fan of the 'hypnotic groove' and I wanted to incorporate some of the new material that I've been listening to, but I also wanted to take the opportunity to highlight some of my personal favourite techno tunes that I've admired over the last couple of years, namely Forged by Trevino (the awesome Marcus Intalex) Few Mysteries Solved In A Year Of Contact by Sagat, Detune by Mary Velo, Hoax Eye by Call Super, Field Depth by Answer Code Request and Voiceprint (Reprise) by (the phenomenal) Function. It gave me great pleasure to complete this mix relatively unscathed! I just hope that I've done justice to some of the amazing recordings which I have featured. I also wanted to acknowledge the profound influence that the film Blade Runner, and it's renowned soundtrack composer and recording artist, Vangelis has had on me throughout my life. 

Replicant Techno Mix by Hiscoresboards on Mixcloud

Tracklisting:

1. Main Titles (From "Blade Runner") - Vangelis
2. To The Core - Trevino
3. Better World - Claudio Grosso
4. Rhythm - Johnny Golden
5. Few Mysteries Solved in a Year of Contact - Sagat
6. Metal Mutant (original mix) - The Yellowheads
7. Return - BCDJ
8. Detune (Original) - Mary Velo
9. Stellar Cult - Jasper Wolff & Maarten Mittendorff
10. Cestoda's Labyrinth - Green Gums
11. Forged - Trevino
12. Fantasy Island - Nanter
13. Blitz - Cleric
14. Trica - Jasper Wolff & Maarten Mittendorff
15. Thelema - Coldgeist
16. TSV WB - Zenker Brothers
17. Landing (Lukas Freudenberger remix) - Nils Moln
18. Hebano - Pablo Santos
19. Hoax Eye - Call Super
20. Nightlife - Johnny Golden
21. Midnight - Oleg Mass
22. Field Depth - Answer Code Request
23. Voiceprint (Reprise) - Function
24. Tears In Rain - Vangelis

DJ Subway: Funky Breaks Mix

DJ Subway - Funky Breaks Mix 

Funky Breaks by Hiscoresboards on Mixcloud

Notes On Funky Breaks:

After a long time out of the game, and with encouragement and inspiration from my friends I decided to get back to doing something which was a passion of mine, mixing and experimenting with music. I decided to start with a mix based on breaks. Combining some funky hip hop flavas, moving on to some harder electro and edgier breaks. It is in no way perfect. In fact there are a few glaring errors, but it's just nice to get back to doing something which I love, playing music.

This is a breaks mix that I put together which features everything from the funky disco of Cole Medina, the 80's funky electro of The Pointer Sisters, Automatic, the bass driven breakbeat mix Pocket Piano by Kink, the statuesque The Fall by Superlifter/Half Dragon, to the massive drum n bass remix of Wiley by Special Request. This mix also features tracks from artists like Stanton Warriors, Freestylers, Head High, (Shed) Dego, Ewan Hoozami, El Bomba, Beatslappaz, Pirate Jams and many more artists and block party beats.
More mixes to follow......

Tracklisting:

1. Into The Rainbow Vein - Boards Of Canada (The Campfire Headphase 2005 Warp Records/Music70)
2. Upside Inside - DJ Snorre (Fused Funk Vol 8 2015 Funk Fusion)
3. Ginger & Lime (dub mix) - Ewan Hoozami (Goodgroove Records 2015)
4. What You Rockin For - Electrogorilla (All Get Down EP 2015 Breakbeat Paradise Recordings)
5. I Don't Speak Spanish - CJ Plus (feat G N S) (BBoys Boogie 2015 Tru Funk)
6. Automatic - Dave Gerrard (Masterworks Vol 1 2015 Masterworks Music)
7. When The Record Spins - El Bomba (Tasty Beats Vol 7 2015 Tru Funk)
8. Make Your Body Move - Cole Medina (Tropical Funk 2015 Fly By Night)
9. Movin (edit) - System2 (System2 2015)
10. Nuts - Dego (Nuts! 2014 Blueberry Records)
11. Hit Me (feat Riddim Commission) - DJ Swerve & Marco Del Horno (Directions 2015 Brick Bandits)
12. Breaks Of Mediate - ZPH (Breaks Of Mediate EP 2015 Inwave)
13. Pocket Piano (Breakbeat Mix) - Kink (Cloud Generator EP 2015 Running Back Germany)
14. Bone - Stanton Warriors (The Bones EP 2014 Punks)
15. Fall Down - Freestylers (Instant Vibes 2015)
16. Arden - My Selecta (Drum Wrks 2015)
17. Bring It Back - Curtis B (Drop The World 2015)
18. I Want You - Pirate Jams (The Jams EP Vol 1 2014 Punks)
19. Get Dat - Breaking News (Juice Recordings 2015)
20. Money Clip - Beatslappaz (2015 Punks)
21. Long Time - DJ Quest (Cyberfunk Music 2015)
22. This - SelivanDJ (Selivan 2015)
23. The Fall - Superlifter/Half Dragon (Superlifter 2015)
24. BMX Green Light (No Gate Beeps) - DJ Self & Sci (Raw Dog 2015)
25. Rock-In Move (original mix) - Freq Boutique (Dogeatdog 2015)
26. Hex Factor - Head High (Megatrap 2014 Power House)
27. About You - Lovvers Return (Experimental Bass 2015)
28. From The Outside (Special Request VIP) - Wiley (Big Dada 2015)
29. One Very Important Thought - Boards Of Canada (Music Has The Right To Children 1998 Warp Records/Skam)

Funky Breaks by Hiscoresboards on Mixcloud

Coldcut: Beats + Pieces

Ahead Of Our Time: Coldcut Beats + Pieces

During the mid part of the 80's I was listening to a lot of hip hop. Through messing around with the family radiogram I discovered a syndicated hip hop radio show hosted by Mike Allen that broadcast every Friday evening. There was music by artists like Mantronix, Public Enemy, The Beastie Boys, LL Cool J, Ice T, Roxanne Shante, UTFO and many more hip hop trailblazers!

Mike Allen's Radio Show

One such show featured an exclusive premiere of a UK track called 'Beats + Pieces' by Matt Black and Jonathon More, who went by the name of Coldcut (featuring The Floormaster Squeeze on Beats + Pieces) on their own record label Ahead Of Our Time. Beats + Pieces sounded absolutely amazing. There were lots of edits used throughout the song, featuring a blend of breaks, vocal samples and musical styles that sounded new and innovative.

Coldcut: Beats + Pieces

I purchased my copy of Beats + Pieces in 1987. (from a record shop in Worcester called Revolver, which later became HMV, and is now Superdrug on the corner of the High Street) Ironically Mike Allen's hip hop show ceased broadcasting in 1987. However the legacy of Mike Allen's radio show lives on, and remains a vital piece in the the building blocks of hip hop music around London and throughout the UK. 

Coldcut: That Greedy Beat

Coldcut also went on to bigger and better things. They have hosted their own influential radio show called Solid Steel for over 25 years, have had chart success in their own right, and in collaborations with Junior Reid, Lisa Stansfield, Yazz and many more artists, plus quite a few of remixes, including the seminal remix of Paid In Full by Eric B & Rakim. 

Eric B And Rakim: Paid in Full
(Seven Minutes of Madness - The Coldcut Remix)

Matt Black and Jonathon More founded another record label in 1990 called Ninja Tune. The purpose of this record label was to give a platform for experimental underground dance music without the corporate interference which they had experienced from major labels in their past recording history. To this day Ninja Tune is still going strong, and has a diverse back catalogue of influential artists who have defined the underground dance music of every genre over the last 25 years.

I think it's fair to say that Matt Black and Jonathon Moore have been innovators within the realm of dance music. They have been groundbreaking as artists and have had a major role in overseeing the development of underground UK dance music over three decades. It's also pleasing to note that Mike Allen and his hip hop show played a small role in facilitating this, and was influential in the development of hip hop throughout Britain.

In 1995 Journeys By DJ: 70 Minutes Of Madness was released which featured a mix by Coldcut. This mix has been a favourite of mine for a long time, and will continue to be so.

Coldcut: Journeys By DJ 70 Minutes Of Madness

BBC Radio 1 Coldcut Essential Mix

The Specials: My Top 20

The Specials: My Favourite 20 Tracks

It almost seems as though it's been light years since I first listened to The Specials back in the distant past of the latter part of the 1970's. Their first hit was Gangsters, which got to number 6 in the UK charts back in 1979. I remember first hearing about Gangsters, then listening to it on BBC Radio 1, and watching The Specials perform it on Top Of The Pops. I liked Gangsters and subsequent releases, however I didn't really care for the music and fashion scene which The Specials seemed to kickstart. It appeared that where ever I went there were teenage fan replicants of ska and mods (The Jam) that stalked the streets of Worcester like something from out of the Anthony Burgess novel, A Clockwork Orange.

A lot of the older kids with whom I went to school with had embraced the whole 'rude boy' imagery and culture. There was also an air of delinquency which seemed to have been cultivated by more than a few. I had different ideas, I was a fan of a 'new wave' of post punk, and an emerging electronic music scene. It may have been a way of expressing my own individualism, by wanting to distance myself from the monochromatic generation of terry toweling sock wearing sheep that followed the other genres of music. In hindsight it all seemed so frivolous and pointless. All these different genres of music were just a metaphor for the constantly evolving state of music, and a way for teens to align themselves to the different musical tribes which had seemed so prevalent throughout the decade.

I had listened to the albums, The Specials and More Specials quite a few times. What I liked about these albums was how there was a successful marriage of different styles of music combined with songwriting that kept true to the punk aesthetic. Their first album, The Specials stayed true to their ska origins, where as More Specials was a little more advantageous and represented a departure into various other musical styles. I enjoyed The Specials, however, I didn't really care for other bands like The Beat, Madness, Bad Manners and the other ska bands which seemed generic and sounded akin to a novelty act. I've listened to the back catalogue of The Specials from time to time. What I've always liked about their songs is the underlying social commentary. They were never afraid to express opinion and their point of view on a variety of topical issues like racism which is as relevant in the 21st century as it was back in the 1980's. To me, The Specials have passed the test of time and still sound as dynamic and controversial as the first day I first heard them on Radio 1.

I always enjoy listening to The Specials for a variety of reasons. I have to confess that there is a certain amount of nostalgia combined with a lot of emotional baggage in this particular time of my life that is intertwined within this music. It was fun to go through my back catalogue and try to figure out a top 20 of their songs. I think an echo of my distant Elbury Mount Junior School/Samuel Southall Secondary School self from the 70's/80's who liked songs with swear words had a huge say in my selections! My top 20 songs reflect a combination of those two early albums combined with seminal EP's and singles that came to represent escapism and mirror the apathy of Thatcher's Britain in the early 80's. 

This compilation is dedicated to my brother Andrew, who was a huge fan of ska, and introduced me to The Specials albums and singles that I still listen to this day. It would have been interesting to see what Andrew's top 20 songs by The Specials might have been? Most likely different to mine!   

My Top 20 Tunes By The Specials

20. Stupid Marriage (The Specials 1979)

19. Maggie's Farm (Do Nothing 1980)

18. A Message To You Rudy (1979)

17. Sock It To 'Em JB (More Specials 1980)

16. Little Bitch (The Specials 1979)

15. International Jet Set (More Specials 1980)

14. Blank Expression (The Specials 1979)

13. Rat Race (1980)

12. Do The Dog (The Specials 1979)

11. Skinhead Symphony (Too Much Too Young 1980)

10. Pearl's Cafe (More Specials 1980)

09. Ghost Town (1981)

08. Man At C&A (More Specials 1980)

07. Nite Klub (A Message To You Rudy 1979)

06. Friday Night, Saturday Morning (Ghost Town 1981)

05. Concrete Jungle (The Specials 1979)

04. Do Nothing (1981)

03. Gangsters (1979)

02. Too Much Too Young (1980)

01. Stereotype/Stereotypes Part 2 (1980)

Subwayz Selectionz 2015 Cocteau Twins

 Cocteau Twins: Head Over Heels (4AD 1983)

Tracklisting:

1. When Mama Was Moth
2. Five Ten Fiftyfold
3. Sugar Hiccup
4. In Our Angelhood
5. Glass Candle Grenades
6. In The Gold Dust Rush
7. The Tinderbox (Of A Heart)
8. Multifoiled
9. My Love Paramore
10. Musette And Drums

One of the more exciting experiences of my life during the 1980's was in discovering new bands, and different genres of music. A lot of my nocturnal time was spent listening to BBC Radio 1, and in particular John Peel, whose radio show championed undiscovered artists, and gave them the airtime to showcase their music to a national audience. John Peel's show was like a voyage of sonic discovery for me. On one show it could be bands like The Fall, or Half Man Half Biscuit followed by hip hop or reggae. I never knew what music would be played, but I knew it would be diverse, interesting and all wrapped up in John Peel's down to earth presentation. Thirty-five years later, and John Peel's legacy lives on. A few of the artists who got the golden opportunity to share their music have gone on to define their era. Alternatively, there are the other bands who made it onto John Peel's show, who disappeared back into relative obscurity after their 15 odd minutes of fame. One of the bands who made it into the world of  'The Peel Session' were the Cocteau Twins. They appeared quite a few times in session during the early 80's.

Cocteau Twins initially comprised of Robin Guthrie, Will Heggie and Elizabeth Fraser who came from Grangemouth, Scotland. The name 'Cocteau Twins' came from an early song by a fellow Scottish band called Johnny And The Self Abusers, who later became Simple Minds. My discovery of the Cocteau Twins was a convergence of two influences. The eclectic brilliance of John Peel in unearthing talent, and the allure of a new TV station called Channel 4, with a new live music show called The Tube. It was an amazing experience for me to watch the Cocteau Twins perform two songs, From The Flagstones, and Musette And Drums. I've always been fascinated by the connection of a tribal fashion identity that has surrounded fans of musical genres for many years. At that time I had never really attached myself to one particular genre of music. After watching the Cocteau Twins on The Tube, I thought they were a goth band, may be in the same vein as The Cure or Siouxsee And The Banshees. However, I later came to realise that Robin Guthrie and Elizabeth Fraser would define their own genre of music.

Cocteau Twins Performing Live on The Channel 4 TV Show The Tube in 1983

Of all the albums I have listened to during the 80's, Head Over Heels by Cocteau Twins has remained with me. During that time I was a fan of electronic music, so it's rather the exception to the rule that the Cocteau Twins appealed to me. I first got Head Over Heels and Sunburst And Snowblind, which was a combined album and EP, first released in 1983. Since then I've added a few more albums by Cocteau Twins to my collection, however Head Over Heels has remained a favourite album of mine.

Head Over Heels is a rare album that I can listen through from the first track to the last without the need to skip through tracks. I think that my appeal to this album is multifaceted. There's a diversity in songs that are featured throughout this album. Within Head Over Heels is a blend of Robin Guthrie's grating guitars, which is heightened by jarring basslines that accentuate and create a ominous atmosphere. Yet out of the moodiness Head Over Heels is given life and elevated by Elizabeth Fraser's uniquely ethereal vocalizations, which compliment and give the compositions an extra dimension of light. There's the foreboding of When Mama Was Moth, and the dark impending bass driven behemoth that is Five Ten Fiftyfold. The resplendent bliss of Sugar Hiccup, and the jarring guitars of In Our Angelhood. The frenetically delirious Glass Candle Grenades, contrasted with the acoustic guitar shimmering swirls of In The Gold Dust Rush. The brooding disquiet of Your Tinderbox (Of a Heart) counterpointed with the downtempo resonance of Multifoiled. The enigmatic My Love Paramore, and the power chorded duet of Musette And Drums.

My Videos
Cocteau Twins: Head Over Heels 

It's funny to read that Head Over Heels was ranked at no. 7 in the magazine Sounds end of the year list in 1983. Alternatively it was also later named as being one of the most eccentric albums of all time by Mojo Magazine in 2003. I like the fact that Head Over Heels is considered eccentric, because it's that eccentricity that makes Head Over Heels unique. Robin Guthrie and Elizabeth Fraser created something special. They had the strength of mind and fortitude to produce an album which would be a statement of intent for future Cocteau Twins albums to come.

Since 1983 I've bought Head Over Heels on vinyl and CD. In 2003 Head Over Heels was remastered by Robin Guthrie. So I downloaded the MP3 edition. In July of 2014 I downloaded a FLAC version of Head Over Heels. If I'm honest I found that the audio quality was good, however I wouldn't recommend any Cocteau Twins fan to especially download a FLAC file because in my opinion there's not that greater difference between the MP3 and FLAC formats.

 
The Cocteau Twins sadly split up in 1997. However they have left a formidable body of work in their wake, and there is a solid fan base that will ensure that the Cocteau Twins' legacy will continue to flourish. Head Over Heels has stayed close to me for well over thirty years now and will always remain a firm favourite of mine. Whether it being Robin Guthrie in an oversized jumper and big hair, nonchalantly playing his guitar with a reel to reel drum machine in the background. Or the demure Elizabeth Fraser singing songs with the tone of an angelic throng. I will always have fond memories of watching The Tube, and listening to John Peel's Radio 1 show whilst having my imagination caught by the extraordinary Cocteau Twins.

My Various Other Cocteau Twins Videos

Subwayz Selectionz 2014 Reissues

My Top 5 Reissues of 2014

5. Donato Dozzy: K (Further Records)

Tracklisting

1. K1
2. K2
3. K3
4. K4
5. K5
6. K6
7. K7

K was originally released on cassette back in 2010 and was thankfully reissued in July of 2014 by Further Records. The tracklisting of K sums up the general feel of the album as all these tracks are mixed and blend in seamlessly, so in effect there's very little evidence of separation apart from the smooth edges of transition. There are sections in this album where it's chilled, but there's enough variation by contrast in tempo and melody throughout the album to make it interesting and diverse. The intricate streams of ambiance that wind and build through K are contrasted by the beat driven elements of pulsating ambivalent techno. K is a wonderfully creative body of work by Donato Dozzy that deserved to be reissued to a wider audience.

4. Suburban Base Records: The History Of Hardcore, Jungle, Drum & Bass: 1991-1997 (New State)

Tracklisting

Side 1

1. Kromozone - The Rush (Sub Bass Mix)

2. Phuture Assassins - Shot Like Dis

3. Austin - I Get High (Munchies Mix)

4. M&M - I Feel This Way (feat Rachel Wallace - The Beefed Up Mix)

5. QBASS - Hardcore Will Never Die (Telepathic Mix)

6. Sons Of A Loop Da Loop Era - Far Out (original Scratchadelic Mix)

7. Run Tings - Fires Burning

8. Phuture Assassins - Future Sound

9. Phuture Assassins - Rydim Come Forward

10. Phuture Assassins - Future Sound (2 Bad Mice Remix)

11. Krome & Time - This Sound Is For The Underground

12. SmartE's - Sesame's Street (vocal Mix)

13. Rachel Wallace - Tell Me Why (M&M Full Vocal)

14. Run Tings - Back Again (Austin Remix)

15. D'Cruze - I Believe (92 Revamp)

Side 2

1. DJ Hype - Shot In The Dark (Gunshot Remix)

2. QBASS - Deepa

3. Phuture Assassins - Roots N Future (Make Dem Know Mix)

4. D'Cruze - Bass Go Boom (DJ SS & EQ Remix)

5. DJ Krome & Mr Time - The Slammer

6. DJ Hype - The Chopper

7. Boogie Times Tribe - The Dark Stranger (Origin Unknown Mix)

8. Johnny Jungle - Flammable

9. QBASS - Gun Connection (M Beat Remix)

10. DJ Rap & Aston - More Time

11. Sonz Of A Loop Da Loop Era - What The...Session One (Riots In Rayleigh)

12. DJ Rap & Aston - Get Rushed

13. DJ Dextrous & Rude Boy Keith - Wicked

14. DJ Hype - Dawn Of The Fever

15. DJ Hype - Dreams

Side 3

1. Run Tings - Ruff Revival

2. D 'Cruze - Lonely

3. Johnny Jungle - 94' Johnny (Dillinja Remix)

4. Marvellous Cain - Dub Plate Style

5. The Dream Team - Stamina

6. Remarc - RIP (DJ Hype Remix)

7. Run Tings & Liftin' Spirits - Come Easy

8. Johnny Jungle - Killa Sound (Krome & Time Remix)

9. Cutty Ranks - Limb By Limb (DJ SS Remix)

10. Basic Movements - Bubble & Wine

11. Mampi Swift - On The Beat

12. Remarc - In Da Hood

13. Remarc - Single Finga Killa

14. Ill Figure - Untouchable

15. D'Cruze - Land Speeder

How or where do you put the legacy of a record label like Suburban Base into it's proper perspective?

I started buying records by Suburban Base in the early nineties. The hardcore scene was in full swing and this record label produced quality music which also embraced an urban aesthetic. The hardcore scene eventually fractured into different sub-genres, and for a while Suburban Base was at the cutting edge of the fledgling jungle, and later drum n bass scene. The tracklisting of this Suburban Base compilation is a map how the music progressed and mutated within such a relatively small amount of time, and where Suburban Base was at the forefront of this movement. What I liked about Sub Base was that whenever I would get to see and hear their new releases there would be an original version, that was later accompanied by an excellent remix. The vinyl was packaged with a creative record sleeves designs that reflected the urban-graffiti hip hop origins of the label. There are some absolute classic tracks amongst the Suburban Base discography that has come to define the scene over a relatively small amount of time.

The jungle and drum n bass scene has continuously evolved, and eventually other record labels emerged that featured artists and deejays who developed their own ideas and took the scene into new directions. Dan Donnelly, the owner of Suburban Base rightly or wrongly decided to embrace the dark garage scene at the expense of drum n bass, and Sub Base itself went the way of many other labels that got left behind in the wake of an ever changing UK drum n bass scene.

There are some classic tracks in this compilation. If I had to pick a few of my own favourites, I'd choose Sonz Of A Loop Da Loop Era, with the evergreen breakbeat classic, Far Out. DJ Hype's dark tinged, A Shot in The Dark and The Chopper. The caustic breaks of Flammable by Johnny Jungle, and possibly one of the watershed tracks in the history of Suburban Base, the Origin Unknown remix of The Dark Stranger, originally by Boogie Times Tribe. But there are many more tunes in this compilation that highlight the contribution that Suburban Base has made to a uniquely British urban dance music scene.

 

3. Nasty Habits: Shadow Boxing (Thirty One Recordings)

Tracklisting

1. Om Unit Remix
2. Re-Mastered Original Mix

Shadow Boxing by Nasty Habits was originally released in 1996 on Doc Scott's own label 31 Records. Whether it being under the names of Nasty Habits or Doc Scott, on labels like Absolute 2, Reinforced Records or on his own 31 Recordings imprint, Scott McIlroy has always been an innovator throughout the UK hardcore scene and drum n bass genre. When I first heard this track it was nothing like I had never heard before, and has always remained a firm favourite of mine. Over the years this track has been remixed a few times, however in 2014 Shadow Boxing was remixed by Om Unit and the original version was digitally remastered. The original mix still sounds as dark, menacing and epic as the first time I ever heard it, and will rightly remain a stand out tune in dance music history.

2. Model 500: The Passage (Apollo)

Tracklisting

1. The Passage
2. Mind Changes
3. Vessels In Distress

I first bought this EP back in 1992. Back in the day it was released on Network Records and was called 'The True Techno EP' which I took as a slight by Juan Atkins, the godfather of techno on all the pretenders using the name 'techno' as a brand to sell a mish mash of various contemporary music offerings. My favourite track was The Passage.

I've been waiting patiently for quite a few years for this track to be reissued. So imagine my delight when I discovered that The Passage was going to be remastered and reissued in all of it's sumptuous glory on Apollo in September of 2014.












1. Boards of Canada: Hi Scores EP (Skam Records)

Tracklisting

1. Hi Scores
2. Turquoise Hexagon Sun
3. Nlogax
4. June 9th
5. Seeya Later
6. Everything You Do Is A Balloon

Back in 1998 the album, Music Has The Right To Children was released by Warp Records, in conjunction with Skam. What unsuspecting fans may not have know at the time was that Boards of Canada had a huge back catalogue of previous material. One such item was the Hi Scores EP, that was originally released in 1996 on Skam. It was announced in 2014 that the Hi Scores EP was going to be remastered and reissued in October, much to the delight of fans like myself. What I liked about Boards of Canada was their ability to create music with hip hop breaks and heavy basslines, but which were contrasted with electronic music that was subtle and melodic. Possibly the greatest example of Boards of Canada's design and execution is the seminal Everything You Do Is A Balloon, which is over 7 minutes worth of bass driven surreal bliss.