na: metalheadz

Whoa. Five nice slabs of classic drum ‘n’ bass from Metalheadz came in today. Are you ready for a little bit of futurist nostalgia?

It looks like in late 2007, the legendary jungle imprint Metalheadz (founded by Doc Scott and Goldie) repressed a few of their classic tracks. Here are the ones we got in.

Adam F – Metropolis

What IS that sound at the beginning of this track? Musique concrete? Whatever it is, it somehow becomes musical once the martial drums and blinding distorted chimes (?) come in. This still sounds like the future, eleven years later. If you like classic Photek, this one is for you.

Alex Reece – Pulp Fiction

One of those brilliant examples of an electronic tune that makes absolutely no sense when it begins, only to coalesce into a completely top-notch groove once every part is introduced. Reece seems to be one of the most soulful of the early Metalheadz guys: listen for the suave trumpet that pops up for the first time at around two minutes.

John B – Up All Night

At first blush, you might think John B was also a soulful cat. The first few minutes of “Up All Night” are colored by a bed of synth strings and a twittering melody. Until that unrelenting bass rolls up and knocks you on your butt. Massive.

Dillinja – The Angels Fell

Possibly my second favorite of the bunch after “Metropolis.” The bass here sound like it’s weeping all the way down to the bottom of the ocean at the beginning, while drums skitter along the waves. Fascinatingly slow for drum ‘n’ bass, but entrancing because of that fact.

Doc Scott – Far Away

“Far Away” is a blissful epic, featuring an unnamed diva unleashing the title every so often. If you’re into drum’n'bass along the lines of LTJ Bukem this should be right up your alley. The B-side is great too. (It samples T La Rock’s “It’s Yours,” which dovetails nicely with Hua Hsu’s recent column on eMusic about Mantronix.)