Play 90 second soundbite of 'heavyweight' by DJ Fresh @ 'CD quality'
Running the complete gamut of new Drum and Bass releases from the fast and furious through to the more mellow and perhaps even evocative, from the angular and obtuse to the hypnotically charged, DJ Hype aka Kevin Ford has used his knowledge and understanding of the form to pull together this massive work; fifty-six tracks in all, a huge compilation, a huge task, a huge album by any standards.
Ok, 'Drum And Bass Essentials' is quite obviously a specialist work aimed at a niche market but, with its chequered history of success and also relative failure Drum and Bass music deserves to be singled out and put squarely back on the music map. Drum and Bass, by many standards, with its somewhat aurally aggressive tendencies, is now quite an ancient genre and has perhaps taken a somewhat backward stance due to the huge success of its dance oriented 'brothers' in the form of all thing rhythmically electro. What DJ Hype has done is here is to try to strengthen the case for Drum and Bass by the conjoining of these artists on one massive and very impressive album.
If nothing else, and even if Drum and Bass isn't really your thing, this album will guarantee your participation even if it's only as far as uncontrollable, spontaneous foot tappin' - cuz this sure gets to you with the incessant, rapid-fire beats and phatt pulsating bass that're core and essential to the form. Drum and Bass doesn't really get its fair share of musical plaudits in today's very competitive dance oriented market-place, often the more sensual, sexy forms of dance music take the limelight but if DJ Hype has his way you'll all be getting a piece of the D&B action if this album gets the exposure it deserves. Without doubt a must-have work for anyone even half interested in Drum And Bass music - it certainly quickens the pulse - Drum and Bass at its best and most addictive methinks!
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