Unless you’re new round these here parts, you know the drill by now. As is tradition each year, during that weird period of time when you don’t know what day of the week it is and you’re so stuffed that you fear Quality Street and cheese might burst from your eyes, UKF bless you with a bit of bass music reading. In this article our regular contributors bestow upon us their favourite albums of 2023, are any of your picks on there?
Technimatic – For All of Us
Sagar Deshmuckh
Technimatic’s music possesses the remarkable ability to soothe even the coldest of souls, while injecting a vibrant energy into someone already brimming with joy. Along with numerous remarkable releases, the duo’s trademark transcending melodies, high-syncopated drums and most importantly thoughtful song titles have given us one of the most important drum & bass albums ever released in the form of their 2016 magnum-opus ‘Better Perspective’, but the contextual significance of their latest album ‘For All Of Us’ is incredibly powerful.
The 14-track masterpiece released on their self-titled label is a reflection of the times we are living in currently. A pandemic, wars, economic crisis; a lot has happened in the past three years and Technimatic have done a phenomenal job of encapsulating humankind’s mood through the album. Keeping in mind the album’s context, every track has the power to send you into a chain of thought. The album’s intention is to uplift your spirit and after starting with a monologue, right from the second tune, the album starts serving its purpose. No analytical deep dive, just sit back, hit play, and let the album work its magic.
P Money x Whiney- Streets, Love & Other Stuff
Anthony Mulholland
With a back catalogue of musical history together since 2021, P Money and Whiney inevitably teamed up to create a cutting-edge debut album with the might of Hospital Records behind them. This innovative collection of tracks has undoubtedly pushed the boundaries in drum and bass, showcasing an ease in integration with grime. Boasting collaborations from Example, Ocean WIsdom, Blacks, Dreps, Y-Zer, and Zoe Kypri, we are treated to a plethora of vocal dynamism that consistently compliments P Money’s flow – allowing him to showcase a lyricism over drum and bass that’s rarely been seen before.
Perhaps the tune that epitomizes this grime and drum and bass fusion the most is ‘Ghetto Hospitality’. Verse for verse with Dreps and Blacks, P Money leads an authentic rap charge demonstrating to the masses how perfect the two genres are for one another. It has to be said, tracks like ‘175×140’ and ‘So It Seems’ highlight the incredible musicality Whiney possesses. With hard-hitting grime instrumentals and blissful piano work woven into a darker drum and bass sound that is synonymous with the producer from Coventry. A Whiney drum and bass number is unique and as a result he’s undeniably considered one of the most accomplished producers around, with such a huge armoury of production behind him – that have received numerous accolades. Chart success with tracks including the, haunting, ‘Buss The Red’ and ‘Dead In The Eye’, which has a sonically winding and futuristic sound, have accomplished wonders for the collective drum and bass community, introducing more fans to the movement as a result of this multi-genre influenced body of work.
Break- Digital World
Whisky Kicks
2023 saw Break unveil the incredible Digital World, a body of work which marked his triumphant fifth studio album released on his own imprint Symmetry Recordings. Break’s penchant for collaboration continues to be celebrated here, the luminaries who lent their voices and creativity are Liam Bailey, Fox, Charli Brix, SP:MC, Lorna King, and the unforgettable MC Fats, may he rest in eternal peace. Each collaboration adds a distinct hue to the album, creating a vibrant palette of musical expression.
The release was teased in the waning months of 2022 when Break teased fans with ‘Natural Way,’ a signature mix of jazz, soul, and low-reaching sub-bass, an instant anthem that served as a prelude to the musical feast that awaited. Personal highlights from Digital Word include the stunning ‘Lost’ and the deadly ‘Headshot’. This album, once again showcases Break’s artistic mastery, a testament to his prowess as a creator and curator of electronic landscapes. We’re certain the legacy of this album will resonate for years to come.
DLR- Money Till I Got None
Sam Yates
‘Money Till I Got None’ is DLR’s third full album – a piece of work you’d usually bank on to be a cash cow. But in reality, no matter how much it pops within his loyal niche, he knows the game isn’t in his favour. In one of the themes coursing throughout the album, and in his recent interview with us, he reflects on the trade-off between staying true to the craft versus getting swept up by the narrow conventions of streaming and social media. Money Till I Got None keeps it firmly in the former category. It’s twelve, uncompromising, rugged and raw tracks. From track one, ‘Tryna Get This Money’, the beats and bassline chug along endlessly – a sonic nod to the theme of a government and economy that doesn’t stop (or care) for anyone.
Lyrics and samples more explicitly paint the picture, with appearances from some of the finest MCs and vocalists across D&B spouting off lines like “time is on double, mind over matter, the grind, the hustle” or “there’s much worse things than covid”. Whether you’re throwing this on your headphones for a full listen or picking out tracks to load into the CDJs, these twelve tracks are worth the price – throw some cheddar to the cause.
DJ Marky- The Time Is Right
Whisky Kicks
This album is nothing short of magnificent, pure reload material. Honestly it was on repeat for weeks. With The Time Is Right DJ Marky unleashes a piece journeys through the rich tapestry of musical styles, effortlessly navigated by the seasoned virtuoso. DJ Marky, a maestro of diversity, seamlessly weaves through liquid, jump-up, minimal, funk, and everything in between. Almost two decades since the unveiling of his debut “In Rotation” LP, Marky returns with another monumental offering, his skills ageing like a fine wine. The magic of “The Time Is Right” lies in its ability to channel the infectious energy that DJ Marky radiates as a person. A tribute to his deep-rooted love for funk, jazz, soul, and Brazilian bass, a testament to his enduring influence within the ever-evolving drum and bass scene.
Armed as ever with a formidable crew of vocalists, lyricists, and production collaborators, the roll call includes & Bryson, MC GQ, Makato, Charli Brix, SOLAH, Harry Shotta and a myriad of other talents. With an album of such diversity personal highlight change on a daily basis, we’ll leave you to find your own favourite here.
QZB – Future Forever
Sagar Deshmuckh
Ever since QZB made their debut their debut 2012, there has never been a shadow of doubt about the duo’s ability to traverse anywhere they liked stylistically; but with their debut album, QZB have taken their tradecraft to a completely different level. Thirty-six months in the making, ‘Future Forever’ has showcased the Swiss duo’s penchant for experimenting with contemporary sounds while having one foot rooted firmly in the future.
Featuring a heavy influence of their tech-fuelled and funk-driven style of production, QZB begin the album with the deep and intense title track which serves as the perfect prelude, the next phase of the album which steadily moves from couch to club music with tracks like ‘Trench’, ‘Shadowban’ alongside T-Man before stripping it back with ‘Kodaira’. The tune serves as the perfect breather as QZB raise the energy of the album once again with immersive and piercing offerings in ‘Mirage’, ‘Combat Drugs’, and ‘Harlem’ until drawing the curtains on a 10/10 release by rolling back the years with Charli Brix and giving us glimpses of their first few collaborations together.
Chase & Status- 2 RUFF, VOL 1
Anthony Mulholland
It’s fair to say that 2 Ruff, Vol.1 was one of the most anticipated albums of the year. With the ever present Chase & Status teasing various of the songs contained towards the back end of 2022 and early 2023. Working with old pals like Clementine Douglas and IRAH as well as new collaborations in Stefflon Don and Kwengface. This album has everything you could want in a drum and bass collection. From the more gritty and weighty numbers like ‘on the block’, ‘selecta’, and ‘2 ruff’ to the more melodic and futuristic sounds in ‘Say the Word’ and ‘20 Man Down’, we have a catalogue of work that is sure to be another main stay in British music culture.
Whilst every song on the album deserves its accolades, both ‘Badadan’ and ‘Liquor and Cigarettes’ have caused a seismic wave of drum and bass frenzy in the UK music charts. Pushing the genre more than ever into the homes of people around the country. With Ardee’s quirky and charismatic flow, ‘Liquor & Cigarettes’ has introduced a rush of new young fans to the scene. Its essence of British culture undoubtedly catches the hearts of many electronic music fans all over the world. Meanwhile, IRAH, Flowdan, Trigga and Takura created a mele of rap and soulful prominence that is sure to make ‘Badadan’ stand the test of time and become one of the all time great drum and bass numbers. Teaming up with one of the best in the game in Bou created an entity that formed a track holding a variety of influences and unquestionable flavour. Its unmistakable build-up, drum pattern, and flow has made this song one of the most played of the year. With even the likes of Tyson Fury using the song to walk out to in his most recent high profile fight. If this is what we have been treated to in volume 1, what could possibly be next?
READ
