Despite the rather unappealing name and artwork – a cross between those annual Now That’s What I Call Music compilations from back in the 90s and the generic “Bangin’ D&B Anthems 2009” mix CDs – music-wise and mixing-wise This Is Drum & Bass is actually pretty damned good.
Showcasing Hospital’s finest in producers (High Contrast, London Elekctricity, Logistics, Danny Byrd, Cyantific, Randomer), alongside a range of artists – from Sub Focus, Fresh, Marcus Intalex and Alix Perez to newcomers, Dirtyphonics, Netsky, Nero, Subwave and Mistabishi, it admittedly is predominantly vocal-led, but still spans a cross-section of the scene to great effect. There’s also a fair smattering of non-D&B-artist remixes, with Empire Of The Sun, Imogen Heap, David Guetta, Deadmau5 and Enter Shikari all getting their dues via once-overs from scene leaders.
Anyway, to get down to business: CD1 is mixed by High Contrast, and is probably my favourite of the two, not just because Sub Focus’ Rock It is mixed into Dirtyphonics’ Lottery, but also because it starts and finishes just like a classic HC set – strong, euphoric, with just the right balance of musicality, energy and control. Finishing up with the ubiquitous If We Ever (it just wouldn’t be the same without it would it?) the first CD really is a winner – Spor’s Silver Spaceman, Logistics’ Warehouse and Empire Of The Sun - We Are The People (Sub Focus remix) are particular highlights.
CD2 by London Elektricity is more of a mixed bag of tricks, kicking off with the Matrix remix of Mistabishi’s From Memory and going through the motions, before the Sub Focus remix of The Prodigy's Take Me To The Hospital comes smashing out of nowhere, perhaps a little awkwardly placed next to the Caspa remix of TC’s Where’s My Money (yeah, that old chestnut!) but excellently reclaimed as it leads into the Barbarix remix of Mistabishi’s Printer Jam. Elsewhere, the whole thing is executed brilliantly. A big shout out to B-Complex’s Redemption, Danny Byrd’s ever-popular Red Mist VIP and possibly the finest tune of the whole album, the Apex remix of London Elektricity’s Just One Second. It’s the perfect getting-ready-before-a-night-out mix, as well as a good snapshot of where D&B is at the moment, so get on it!
Tracklisting:
CD1 – High Contrast
01. Evil Nine – They Live (TC Remix)
02. High Contrast - Basement Track (High Contrast's Upstairs Downstairs Remix)
03. Logistics - Eastern Promise
04. Empire Of The Sun – We Are The People (Sub Focus Remix)
05. Netsky – Smile
06. Camo & Krooked – Mindset
07. Chris SU - First Snow
08. Sub Focus – Rock It
09. Dirtyphonics – Lottery
10. DJ Fresh - Heavyweight
11. Alix Perez - Down The Line (Break Remix)
12. DC Breaks - Starstruck
13. Nu:Tone - Battle Theme
14. 8 Bits ft. Riya – On Your Mind
15. Trisector - Morning Rain
16. Marcus Intalex - Airborne
17. Imogen Heap – Headlock (High Contrast Remix)
18. Utah Jazz - Survival Of The Fittest
19. DC Breaks – Picket Line
20. Spor - Silver Spaceman
21. Jonny L - Evah
22. Logistics - Transporter
23. MRSA - Chemicals
24. Jokers Of The Scene - Baggy Bottom Boys (High Contrast Remix)
25. Logistics - Warehouse
26. Cyantfic – 88mph
27. High Contrast – If We Ever
CD2 - London Elektricity
01. Mistabishi - From Memory (Matrix Remix)
02. David Guetta ft. Kelly Rowland – When Love Takes Over (Blame Remix)
03. DJ Fresh - Fantasia
04. Jonny L - Microdaze
05. Mistabishi - No Matter What VIP
06. Wiley - Wearing My Rolex (Utah Jazz Remix)
07. Subwave – Stars Get Down**
08. High Contrast - Seven Notes In Black
09. B-Complex – Redemption
10. The Prodigy – Take Me To The Hospital (Sub Focus Remix)
11. TC – Where’s My Money (Caspa Remix)
12. Mistabishi - Printer Jam (Barbarix Remix)
13. PD Syndicate - Ruff Like We (Shy FX & T-Power Remix)
14. Lomax – Artisan VIP
15. Drumsound & Bassline Smith – Clap Your Hands
16. London Elektricity - All Hell Is Breaking Loose
17. SKC - The World Has Changed
18. Enter Shikari - Juggernauts (Nero Remix)
19. Logistics - Salvation
20. B-Complex - Beautiful Lies
21. Total Science – Nosher (Marky & S.P.Y. Remix)
23. Rudenko - Everybody (Danny Byrd Remix)
24. Zarif & Danny Byrd – California
25. Deadmau5 & Kaskade – I Remember (J Majik & Wickaman Remix)
26. Randomer - Blind
27. Danny Byrd - Red Mist VIP
28. London Elektricity - The Great Drum+Bass Swindle (Logistics Remix)
29. London Elektricity - Just One Second (Apex Remix)