ENFORCERS 8 (Reinforced)
"I REALLY like the Nookie remix of the Tek 9 track, 'Slow Down'. I'm into
that. The Enforcers series is like a cult thing now. The Reinforced guys always
throw together a well-constructed package all the time. The music is totally
real. The Enforcers series is important because it marks the progression of
what's happening in the drum 'n' bass scene at any particular time. You can go
back to 'Enforcers 1' to trace what was happening in that year at that time.
Reinforced is for me a pedigree label on the scene. It's 'appening."
FREE FOR ALL – MIND ADVENTURES: LOST IN THE WILD (Flavour Trax)
"I LIKE this, man, because it's really raw. For me, the reason why I like it
is because it has proper drums. Going back to drum programming, a lot of people
are aware of how to tackle it
and get a more realistic sound now. A lot of throw-away drum noises are created
by stretching a drum out and tuning it up and down, in order to make it go as
fast as possible. .This means that when you listen to it, there are no rhythmic
values to grab you in. There's no groove. This track uses the same samples as
everyone else, but they are used properly so that there are actual grooves in
the tune. The drums actually take you on a journey."
NOOKIE – RIVER NIGER
(Rough Cut Records)
"IT was only last year that I picked up on his stuff. The record that got me
hooked was on Reinforced and was called 'Only You'. Nookie's got a mellowness
about him which
is raw. It's nice. He's definitely a name to watch."
SHARON FORRESTER – LOVE INSIDE:
A GUY CALLED GERALD REMIX (London)
"I WAS on a total vibe when I was working on the tune. From start to finish,
I was buzzing. It was really weird because one of my speakers had blown, so I
was working on one speaker. It's not going to be released or anything, but I've
got it on vinyl. I don't know why it isn't going to be released, but I like it
anyway. When I was doing it, I was really happy. And, every time I hear it, this
comes across personally."
DILLINJA – ANGEL'S FALL
(Metalheadz)
"THIS takes me back to Goldie's 'Angel'. It's a nice mix. Dillinja sort of
brings the main themes in and out. It's one of them. What I mean is that it
rings a particular resonance with anyone who's been following what's going on in
the drum 'n' bass scene. That's why those people, when they listen to that tune,
will hear it in a different way to people who've never heard 'Angel'. Newcomers
will hear it
as a fresh thing even though it is really a part of an ongoing story. It's like
they're starting a book in the middle, but missing out the essence of the plot.
People who are on it will know exactly what the tune is."