We at Blunted recently put a call out for anyone interested in contributing to the website to get in touch. Not long after, I got an email from Fonik. Props have to go the the man as he is running his own blog spot called Everyday Junglist. Make sure you check it out. What struck a chord with me is that he is doing what he can to spread the musical wealth, posting up mixes, previews of nights and more. If you want to hear some of his mixes (I recommend his November studio mix), head over to his Beatplexity page.

1. Calibre – Carry Me Away [Signature]

Not a lot can be said about Calibre that hasn’t been said already. The term genius is usually bandied about and I for one think it is well and truly justified. A crisp rolling intro mixes sublimely into almost anything, and its subtle drop into a lush warm bass and haunting piano sample captures what the man’s all about. His tunes make a strong case for ‘less is more’ and although it must be said that his formula is a tried and tested one, the results are still beautiful, deep slices of drum & bass. The man really can do no wrong, and considering the amount of releases to his name that’s pretty impressive.

2. Dillinja (& Bert) – Lionheart

People talk about ‘old Dillinja’ and ‘new Dillinja’ as if they were two different people and if you didn’t know any better, you could be forgiven for thinking that they were. This is ‘old Dillinja’ at his absolute best, the man who could do things with amens that no-one else could, the man that made the most furious jungle imaginable, and comparing this to his recent ‘fast car’ efforts honestly brings a tear to my eye. This is 100% guaranteed to smash absolutely any and every dance floor across the land with its insane second drop, massive bass line and chopped amen. I paid a heinous amount for this on Ebay but it was the best money I ever spent. One of the prize jewels in my collection without a doubt.

3. Digital – Restless [Reinforced]

This is where I reveal myself to be a bit of a digital fanboy. I have more digital records in my collection than any other artists by a long shot. I love this man. I would have this mans babies if it were possible and I could walk around the proud dad like Arnold Schwarzenneger in ‘Junior’. He writes the biggest & baddest tunes out there, and this 2001 outing on the legendary reinforced is one of his best offerings. The intro is a DJ’s dream with its catchy drum rolls to cut in and out of the mix and the drop into a dubby bass heavy monster is befitting of Digitals ‘Dubzilla’ title. Massive in every sense.

4. Suv – Output [Full Cycle]

Whilst it was Roni Size, Die and Krust who basked in the full cycle lime light, Suv quietly went about producing some of the sickest beats to appear on this sadly now defunct label. The track is taken from the ‘Free Beat’ EP with which Suv developed the use of the ¾ time signature to devastating effect. The intro builds ominously with some bass weight to test even the loudest systems and it drops into an old school jungle style roller - definitely a tune for the heads. In much the same way I lamented the demise of ‘old Dillinja’, Full Cycle’s departure from the classic sound captured so well in this track to the ‘Clipzy’ sound it focused on at the end makes me cry.

5. Equinox – Ital Lion Luff Head [Intasound]

Equinox has been around a while but hes the leader of the ‘nu-skool’ breed of jungle producers and you can see his influence on artists such as Breakage, Dub-One, Nolige and the like. This track is pure equinox with its throbbing bassline, layer upon layer of crisply chopped amens and deadly second drop. Dancefloor destroyer as standard.

6. Drumagick – Night In Tunisia [Vinyl Vibes]

A tune that can work in large parts of Miles Davis & Charlie Parkers’ ‘Night in Tunisia’ gets a big thumb up from me. The intro to this tune is 128 bars long and its use of the aformentioned sample is inspired, making it the perfect first tune of a set as it builds and builds until the drop comes from absolutely nowhere, taking it from gentile jazz tune to bassy d&b roller. The main bass line ‘body’ of the song is only 64 bars long so you’ve got to be quick in the mix, but that again is what makes it so perfect to start with as it gets the ravers screaming for more straight from the off. And thats what its all about really.

7. Suv - Afromba Magica [Full Cycle]

Fast forward a few years from ‘Free Beat’, and Suv is still churning out little gems that seem to disappear under the d&b radar. You can hear the gradual progression toward the more jump-up sound mentioned earlier as the eerie, haunting intro gives way to a big squelchy bassline that does the business on the floor. One of Suv’s last releases on Full Cycle, but one of his best.

8. Cyantific – Little Green Men [Hospital]

Quite a dramatic shift away from the traditional Hospital sound with this release. Another slow building intro (I do seem to like those), it breaks down into frantic, sometimes glitchy drums, thumbing b-line, and wailing female vocal. Another DJ’s dream with lots of little bits to play around with in the mix.

9. Mutt & Outlook – Dreams [Xtinction Agenda]

Yes, you’ve guessed it another epic intro. Soulful female vocals, strings & keys all combine to add to the very orchestral feel. This tune is such a favourite because the drop, with its ferocious drums, is something totally unexpected from the build-up, much like ‘Night in Tunisia’. The theme continues throughout the tune and takes the listener (or the raver…) on a journey through a lush drum & bass soundscape like no other.

10 . 4Hero – 9×9 (MIST Remix) [Reinforced]

Everybody who buys records has these moments – you trawl through box upon box of tunes for hours until all of a sudden, BAM!! A diamond in the rough. I had one of these such experiences with this tune, finding it deep within the murky depths of avid records basement. A very happy man I was indeed, as this tune is an anthem in every respect. Marcus Intalex & ST Files’s classic reworking of 4Hero’s ‘9×9′ is the very definition of ‘liquid funk’ with Imani Uzuri’s unfathomably catchy vocal over some warm bass and rolling drums. Sounds good whether played out on a big system or through some simple ipod headphones. Quality through and through.

Words: Fonik