I cannot get over how many amazing D&B tunes have been released in 2010, no question D&B is my preferred genre of the moment, so... i can't help but give this post a bit of preferential treatment by posting 7 tracks instead of the usual 5 - but all the tracks are stormers, so i apologize for nothing!

I know very little about the Russian artists 'Liquilade' aside from the fact that the cover art of their website is a little like a Gap Advert - check it here. Nevertheless (moving on from poor photo choice,) these guys have a pleasant sound going on - particularly in the case of 'Colorite.' Some nice smooth (fairly generic but very listenable) liquid to spread on the dance-floor

Colorite - Liquilade.mp3

(please be patient with the players, click play once and then wait) 

I have chosen to showcase a track by the artist 'Gen' taken from an unreleased compilation album called 'Time Travel Volume 2' - i really, really recommend you go and buy this one -  cause its just awesome. 'Reactor' is stunning Atmospheric Jungle - can't get enough of the nasal vocals, its firmly on repeat in my head and available exclusively here

Reactor - Gen.mp3

(please be patient with the players, click play once and then wait) 

For such an ominously entitled track, its surprisingly light, although definitely more grinding than your standard liquid - its got a nice Tech-Step buzzing vibe, and a vocal instructing us to 'get our rage on'... If the song says so, you must comply! Its out on promo 12" here

Rage - J Majik & Wickaman.mp3

(please be patient with the players, click play once and then wait) 

I guess this is Neuro Funk - its certainly got a very Electro feel to it, really spacey music with a rapid staccato beat... i really like the anticipation build with this production,  its a full 5 minute wait before a break at the crescendo finally leads into the tasty heavy-hitting drop

Uphill Struggle (Original Mix) - The Fairchild.mp3

(please be patient with the players, click play once and then wait) 

More Atmospheric D&B, with another great vocal sample (what can i say, i'm a sucker for mellow beats) - and they don't get much more mellow than this. Pulsing synths, crooning vocals and the odd clap, all undercut by a very deep muted kick - beautiful

Sunshine Through Rainy Clouds - Blue Motion

(please be patient with the players, click play once and then wait) 

Nice bit of heavy heavy D&B, sort of diet-hard-style, this is an absolute smasher, very much like heyday 'Hold Your Colour' - Pendulum. Phetsta has stripped back the speed of the original, maintained the awesome dark spoken sample, and jumped up the throbbing bass and buzzsaw synth - the vinyl will be released on the 30/04

Vampires (Phetsta Remix) - Camo & Krooked.mp3

(please be patient with the players, click play once and then wait) 

The release 'Warrior' has been remixed by SBTRKT and Jus Wan, however its the fresh style of the Rockwell Remix that really grabbed my attention. Its a moody stripped-down minimal D&B beast - a heavy roller that utilizes the original vocals in a really powerful fashion. You have to listen to it through headphones (a transcendental experience

Warrior (Rockwell Remix) - Jose James.mp3
(please be patient with the players, click play once and then wait)

This was a seriously fun post to put together, but after the filth i have waded through i think i need to go take several baths'... no question, this selection 'could turn Hari Krishna into a Bad Bwoy'

No need to introduce Moby seeing as even my mum knows about him - the MC belting out lyrical madness is Aynzli Jones...Noisia's remix is the best of his oh so heavy...deep, dark, thumping take-no-prisoners bass...apparently even Moby likes this mix :)... it was released in 2008 and is available here

Alice (Noisia Remix) - Moby.mp3

(please be patient with the players, click play once and then wait)

You will all know the original, i personally thought it was untouchable on the remix front. However in 2006 a White Label 12" was released by an Unknown Artist featuring this gem - God knows how you are going to get hold of it - i can only suggest you buy the vinyl! However a little birdy told me the unknown remixer is in fact Kabuki...so happy hunting :)

Feel Good Inc. (D&B Remix) - Gorillaz

(please be patient with the players, click play once and then wait)

Slightly melodramatic beginning which then kicks into one of the best vocal samples around - i think we can all relate 'I grew up, i grew up, i grew up....a fucking screw up' the track then descends into a hellfire of pure bass...its an absolutely foul rerub....5.15 minutes of pure unadulterated filth!

Screw Up - Ewun & The Upbeats

(please be patient with the players, click play once and then wait)

Now onto a lighter note... taken from one of the best EP's i have recently bought is 'The Dawn' - Alternative Vibes, it's an epic tune... perfect liquid for the morning floor, i am getting good vibrations from this one and i don't even think its the best track off the EP, but you can decide for yourself here

The Dawn - Alternate Vibes

(please be patient with the players, click play once and then wait)

Some more D&B from my choice artists of the moment - Camo & Krooked. This time they have collaborated with another D&B duo - Body & Soul to produce this dance floor smasher - the 12" promo has sold out and for good reason, its high energy D&B gold sounds like it was produced in a Tardis...which is a good thing!

The Big Rush - Camo & Krooked vs Body & Soul.mp3
 
(please be patient with the players, click play once and then wait)

I blogged 'Sick Music' when it came out in June of last year. Along with 'Acts of Mad Men' it was far and away the best D&B compilation album produced in 2009 (perhaps a contender for best of the decade...)

When the news was announced that Hospital Records have been compiling a 'Sick Music 2' i had minor palpitations - so about 2 weeks ago, i nearly died when i opened up my email and found the 'Sick Music 2 Sampler 1' sitting in my inbox.

I would be fascinated to know the thought process that went behind deciding on the two tracks for the sampler - whoever chose is a genius, as i would now quite happily take a vow of celibacy if it meant i could get this album early!

Austrian duo Camo & Krooked appear on the A-Side with their Hospital Records debut. 'Turn Up' is liquid simplicity - refined synths slowly escalate, the underlying intricate beats twist and turn whilst the vibrating soul vocals of Pat Fulgoni crescendo into a minimalist breakdown... beautiful! 

Turn Up (The Music) - Camo & Krooked.mp3

 (please be patient with the players, click play once and then wait)

The King is dead...long live the King. At the end of 2009 i flagged Netsky as one to watch - it seems i was right, thus far he has been a production powerhouse - he seems to bring out a superb track every other day...and one of these tracks is 'Memory Lane'

It appears on the samplers flipside, a perfect foil to 'Turn Up' –  clean, hard hitting and very euphoric, this is going to fill dance floors everywhere... i don't really have the descriptive capabilities to do this track justice, so i am just going to let you listen...enjoy!
Memory Lane - Netsky.mp3

 (please be patient with the players, click play once and then wait)
  
Sick Music 2 - Sampler 1 - will be available here on the 2nd of April

Sick Music 2 will be available here on the 23rd of April