Ear & Drum Session 155: Bare Music

2018 was a great year for D&B seeing the genre swing back into popularity mainly on the back of the quality of tunes being released at the moment. Original producers came out of retirement, people started to flock to D&B nights again and even the US driven bro-step scene seems to be slowly turning to D&B for more inspiration.

This mix features a lot of my favourite producers from the last 12 months such as Seba, Calibre, DKay, Alix Perez and Rockwell mixed in with a bunch of newer headz who are holding their own – producers such as Mister Shifter, Alibi and Circuits, all who have been chipping away for a few years now, are starting to come into their own in terms of being serious talents.

Bare Music – 1.5hrs of Bare D&B Goodness
Alibi – Debris
Seba – Close to You
Etherwood – Latida
Redeyes – Let You Down
DKay – Diving Deep
Calibre – Taciturn
Furney feat. Lady Emz – Every One of us
Seba – Time Will Tell
Mister Shifter – For Keeps
Muffler – November
Seba – Why Can’t This End
Duoscience – 1.3
Furney – Without Me
Muffler – Good Times
Rockwell – Waiting_4
High Contrast – If We Ever (Unglued Remix)
Bop – Untitled Pattern 62
Villem & McLeod – Say Yes
Halogenix – Don’t You Know
Alix Perez – Slink
Emery, Mackadena & Dreazz – Too Fly
Phi Tangent – Giving Up the Ghost
Electrosoul System & Liquitek – Whatever Makes You Tribal
Circuits – Inertia
Silent Dust & DRS – Refuse (Calibre Remix)
Chase & Status & Cutty Ranks – Retreat 2018

Ear & Drum Session 154: Pour One Out

In 2001 I heard a Marcus Intalex and ST Files remix of 4 Hero’s – 9 By 9 and it pretty much changed my life. I’d always liked the Liquid D&B sound, but this was the track that made fall head over heals in love with it. Melodic with a great vocal, but with a tough beat and chugging bassline that just got under your skin. Judging by the reaction every time I played this track, I wasn’t the only one who felt it.

The sudden and unexpected death of Marcus Intalex in 2018 shocked everybody in the scene. Marcus was one of the greats with an enviable back catalogue of fantastic music, but more than that he was just a really great guy. Always encouraging to new producers and with a keen ear for fresh talent his Soul:R and Revolve:R labels were and still are some of D&B finest.

It’s taken me a long time to get around to this mix as so many other DJs who knew Marcus better than I were all dropping sets dedicated to him I felt like there wasn’t much more I could add. Instead of an all Intalex set (of which there are many), I figured I’d play tunes that I was either introduced to through Marcus or that just reminded me of his style. I also decided to focus on the early 2000s as this was when I was hearing him play out the most and what I remember as Marcus Intalex at his absolute finest.

To Mr Marcus Intalex. You were a top producer, a top DJ and most of all a top bloke. I hope you are somewhere brocking out and having a fine old time.

Pour One Out – 1.5hrs of Tunes in Memory of Marcus Intalex

Danny Byrd – Changes (Calibre Remix)
Logistics – Together
Tony Coleman – Synthetic
Logistics – West Country
Marcus Intalex – Temperance
4 Hero – 9 By 9 (M.I.S.T. Full Vocal Mix)
M.I.S.T. – Lover
Tomahawk – Until Dawn
Marcus Intalex – Airborne
DJ Kalm & Citizen – Mirage feat. Adam M
Klute – Phone Call (Matrix Remix)
Sonic – Right Now
DJ Marky & XRS – Closer
Calibre – Its…
Bachelors of Science – Song for Lovers (Lynx Remix)
Rogue Soul – Be With You (DJ Marky & S.P.Y Remix)
D.Kay & DJ Lee – Touch
M.I.S.T. & DJ Marky & XRS – Sunshine (Touch Me)
Nu:Tone – Millie’s Theme
D.Kay – Balearic Dream
DJ Marky & XRS – Real Good
Cyantific – Neon Skyline
M.I.S.T. & High Contrast – 3am
Twisted Individual – Gimp Mask (DJ Marky & S.P.Y Remix)

Ear & Drum 10th Anniversary Part 3 – Beautiful

This mix is a little different in that the music contained within has been selected by the good people over at the legendary D&B forum Dogs on Acid from a thread called ‘Is this the most beautiful DnB tune ever?’ You can find the thread here.

Feature the most beautiful D&B from the 90s, this mix is something special and a perfect way to round out the 10th Anniversary celebrations for the Ear & Drum.

Thanks to everyone who has supported and listened to any of the mixes from this blog down the over the past decade and here’s hoping we can last for another 10 years.

Ear & Drum Anniversary Mix Part 3 – Beautiful – 2hrs+ of Beautiful D&B from the 90s

Blu Mar Ten – She Moves Through
Blame – Sphere (Seba Remix)
Premiata Forneria Marconi – Love & Happiness
Tayla – Soul Searching
PFM – For All of Us
D’Cruze – Lonely
J Majik – Repertoire
Mirage – Bewildered
PFM – One & Only
Essence of Aura – So This is Love ’96
Essence of Aura – So This is Love
Aquarius – Aquatic
Mirage – Just for You
Source Direct – Secret Liaisons
JMJ & Ritchie – Free La Funk (PFM Remix)
Skanna – Find Me
A Touch of Jazz – Respected Not Accepted
Peshay – On the Nile
Mystic Moods – Music is the Basis of All Life (Concept 3)
Seba & Lo Tek – So Long
Shogun – Pegasus
Dave Wallace – Flight
Rogue Unit – Dance of the Sarooes (Nookie Remix)
Mandalay – Flowers Bloom (Secret Lovers Remix)
JMJ & Flytronix – In Too Deep
Ballistic Brothers – Come On (Simon Templar Remix)
4 Hero – Golden Age of Life
Fallen Angels – Frequency (Tango Remix)
Bjorn – Inside My Soul
The Roots – You Got Me (Blu Mar Ten Remix)
Justice – Aquisse
The Chameleon – Close Your Eyes and Listen
The Sentinel – Awakening
Intense – The Genesis Project
Urban Jungle – Back in the Daze (Dub Plate)


Ear & Drum 10th Anniversary Part 2 – Rollin

Part 2 of the 10th Anniversary mixes and this one is all about the melodic lushness of the Liquid D&B sound. As a genre Liquid has really come into its own over the last decade and this mix features my favourite tunes from the past two years or so.

One more mix to go tomorrow and it is going to be an absolute doozy so make sure you check back and check it out.

Ear & Drum 10th Anniversary Mix Part 2 – Rollin – 2hrs of Liquid Lushness

LSB – The Hurting (Lenzman Remix)
Keeno x Krakota – Reality
Ed:it – Wander Away (feat. Lady Soul)
Goldie – The River Mirrored (feat. Terri Walker)
Leaf – Groove
BCee & S.P.Y – Is Anybody Out There (The Vanguard Project Remix)
Submorphics – Without You
Mama. & Loa Contreras – Against The Wall (FD Remix)
Calibre – No One Gets You
Keeno – Enigma
Goldie & Ulterior Motive – I Adore You (feat. Natalie Williams)
Etherwood – In Stillness
Seba & Ulrich Schnauss – Snöflinger
Seba & Jnr Vallo – Rotate
Alix Perez – Missing Pieces (feat. Javeon)
Greekboy – Coming From The Underground
Villem & Mcleod – Perfect Solution (feat. MC Fats)
Total Science – Walk The Same Lines [Feat Riya] (Calibre Remix)
Etherwood – Climbing
DJ Ransome – The Gift
Nu:Logic – Somewhere Between the Light (feat. Child of Chief)
Lenzman – In My Mind [Reprise] (feat. IAMDDB)
Wilkinson – Wash Away
Mitekiss – Final Hours
Blu Mar Ten – Singularity (feat. Kite)
Kirsty Hawkshaw – Face To Face Again [The Joy] (Seba Remix)
Flaco – Inferno (feat. Submorphics)
Keeno – Daydreaming (feat. Kailaa)
London Elektricity & Liane Caroll – Why Are We Here? (SPY Remix)
BCee – Typical Description (Calibre Remix)
London Elektricity – Just One Second (Mitekiss Remix)
Hybrid Minds – Touch (feat. Tiffani Juno)
Villem & Mcleod – Let It Breathe (feat. Leo Wood)
SpectraSoul – Say What (feat. Madi Lane (Midnight Mix)

Ear & Drum 10th Anniversary Part 1 – Runnin

10 years ago today I started the Ear & Drum with the intent of delivery great music to the masses. Today I thank everyone who has supported and listened down the years with Part 1 of a 3 part series of mixes that cover off my favourite tunes from the past few years plus a special retrospective mix that looks back at beautiful music from D&B’s golden years the 90s.

Part 1 focuses on the deep and the dark tunes that have influenced the D&B landscape over the past few years. There’s plenty of anthems in here and hopefully a few lesser known tunes too just to keep it interesting. 

Stay tuned over the next few days as I’ll be uploading parts 2 & 3 as an early Christmas gift and of course celebrating 10 years of the good ole Ear & Drum.

Ear & Drum 10th Anniversary Mix – Runnin – 2hrs of Deep & Dark D&B

Blocks & Escher – Something Borrowed, Something Blue
Koherent – Low Key
Apostroph – Tolerate
Skynet – Rotate
Rude Operator – Witchdoctor
Synth Ethics – Cloudbreak
Mefjus – Dissuade (Emperor Remix)
Dub Phizix – Do One (feat. DRS)
Atlantic Connection – Rockdub
Dub Phizix – Hack
Pageant – Lost In Space
Halogenix – Blej
Chimpo – Bedsprings Riddim
Chimpo – 1996
Rockwell – Please Please Please (Play This on the Radio)
Rockwell feat. Sam Binga – Itsok2behapp-e
Chimpo – Haymaker
Last Life – Menisco
Alix Perez – Dark Star
Bungle – Cocooned
Last Life – Smoke & Shadows
Need For Mirrors – Ethos (Spirit Remix)
Derrick & TOnika – Fata Morgana
OX7GEN – Trinity
Chimpo – War Tanker
Atlantic Connection – Geppetto feat. Trunde Olaniran
Alix Perez – Nighthawks
Alibi & Command Strange – Ahead of Me VIP
Marcus Intalex – Roller 170
Digital & Spirit – Mosquito
Digital & Spirit – Deaddial
Technimatic – The Stage (Interlude)

Deadly Deep Dubs – Ear & Drum Session 153

The deeper side of D&B has been on fire this year with big LPs and EPs dropping left, right and centre. And it’s looking like it isn’t going to slow down anytime soon with artists like Bop, Oliver Yorke, Alix Perez, Bungle and Kid Drama all dropping quality releases over the past few months.

A special shout out to Sunchase’s return to D&B with a the very deep and catchy Slap. And to Halogenix and Bungle for their VIP mixes of Blej and Cocooned. Both tunes being some of the most heavily played tracks of the year and deftly reworked to keep the original vibe while adding something new.

This will be my final mix for the year except for a special treat closer towards Christmas. Keep you ear to the underground for that.


Deadly Deep Dubs – 1.5hrs of Deep D&B

Acid Lab – Solstice
Bop – Untitled Pattern 48
Calibre – Jacob
Touchy Subject – Sky Larkin (Lewis James Remix)
Humanature – Heart & Soul feat Dub Signalz
Last Life – The Worst Awakening
Lewis James – Judo
Oliver Yorke – The Chamber
Sunchase – Slap
Vilem & McLeod – Simply Red
Halogenix – Blej VIP
Alix Perez & Halogenix – Rollcage
Seba – Island Dub
Kid Drama – Moments in Lust
Nothing – Blushing Flower
Bungle – Cocooned VIP
Homemade Weapons & Last Life – Lahar
Antogonist – Below
Hobzee & Zyon Base – Red Letter
Alix Perez – Slink
Foreign Concept – Kimersdon
Silent Tape – Blackhole
Torn – Unjustified Expectations
Silent Tape – Blackhole (tease)

Call the Ambience 13: Mindfulness – Ear & Drum Session 152

It’s been an absolute age since I’ve done a mix profiling a single label, but Dutch label Scientific is definitely deserving. All the tunes you’ll find here are from their exquisite compilation series ‘Chilling on the Couch’ which as you have probably guessed are full of Chilled out D&B of the highest quality.

Scientific pull in some big names such as Bungle, Mav and Nuage but they have an impressive roster of off the radar artists too such as Mobility, Seathasky, Oscallist, PLK and Physical Illusion. Between the first 3 ‘Chilling on the Couch’ compilations there is so much wonderfully laid back D&B that I heartily encourage anyone who enjoys this mix to seek them out as this really is just scratching the surface of what this amazing label has to offer.

Enjoy this float through the world of Scientific.

Call The Ambience 13: Mindfulness – 1hr+ of Ambient D&B

Halo – E X I T
Seathasky – Something More
Seathasky – Beauty Made In Small Pieces
Mobility – Sunrays Through Rain
Mobility – Fully Interlocking (fat. Dana)
Bungle – Lights
Kron – Microcosmos
N4m3 – Tomorrow
Mav – Skylines (Inertia Remix)
PLK – Her Side
Physical Illusion – Ascent into Orbit
Nuage – Inspire Me (feat. Veronique J)
Naibu – Fighting for Attention (Microfunk Crew Remix)
Oscillist – Sable
Readsense & FlashbackFM – Take Me Away
Bungle – Concession
May & Saigon Empire – From Here to Eternity

Tight Fit – Ear & Drum Session 151

A little bit of old mixed in with a lot of new this time around as we take a deep dive into the Liquid sound of D&B. The old is courtesy of the mighty DKay who has been absent for way too long from the D&B scene. The good news is he has started producing again and will have new tunes coming soon! But until then I’ve slipped in his classics Planet Music, How Much Does it Take and Serenade as a reminder of just how good this guy is in terms of melodic D&B.

In terms of new stuff Larigold’s Rhodes driven Swing the Waves is a perfect intro track to kick us off. Calibre is back so I had to slip in Makes Me, Funny Games and Self from his new Shelflife compilation. Other tunes of note are Atlantic Connection’s sing-a-long track Fathom, Tokyo Prose’s colab with Nether – Tremble and a smasher from Lewis James in the form of Your Love is a Power.

Tight Fit – 1hr+ of Liquid Lushness

Larigold – Swing the Waves
Calibre – Makes Me
Atlantic Connection – Fathom (feat. Faith)
Calibre – Funny Games
Readsenes & Lono – Losing
Nuvertal – Faith
Seba & Manos – Etheral
DKay – Planet Music
Calibre – Self
Tokyo Prose – Tremble (feat. Nether)
Arcatype – Narrative (feat. Riya)
Nevler – Soul Space
Alim Perez & Halo – Rollcage
DKay – How Much Does It Take
LM1 & Kharm – Inversion
Dan Guidance – I’m So In Love
Lewis James feat. DanDansK – You Love Is A Power
DKay – Serenade
SpectraSoul – Say What Midnight Mix (feat. Made Lane)
Villem & McCleo feat. Leo Wood – Let It Breathe
Logistics – Lotus Flower

Call the Ambience 12: Pulmonary Massage – Ear & Drum Session 150

Back once again with a chilled out D&B selection leaning heavily on the sounds of Synkro and Stillhead who have been in heavy rotation at the Ear & Drum ranch. Big ups have to go to Amoss, Etherwood and Bop who all have fresh LPs and EPs out and well worth tracking down.

This is a perfect weekend and morning after selection designed to relax and take you on a journey. No hard edges here, just smooth beats and purring b-lines to massage the mind, body and soul.

Call The Ambience: Pulmonary Massage – 1hr+ of Chill & Bass

Bop – Untitled Pattern 48
Synkro & Manos – Shoreline
Stillhead – After Sundown
Lapalux – Without You
Oliver Yorke – Ryoan-Ji
Sieren – U8
Sunchase – When We Are Alone
Synkro & Manos – In My Arms
Stillhead – Bittersweet
Blocks & Escher – Gulls
Amoss – Souza
Stillhead – Dwelling
Synkro – Midnight Sun
Blueprint – Cascade
Massive Attack – Teardrop (Stillhead Remix)
Ehterwood – Surrendered
Etherwood – In the Wind
Synkro – Vanishing Point
Synkro & Manos – Lost HEre
Amoss – Quiet Weekend
Logistics – C.Lone
Amoss – The Last Journey Home

The Down Low: Session 042

Back on the Down Low with a mix dedicated to one of electronic music’s best kept secrets Synkro. This man’s ability to lock in a groove and still keep a laid back vibe is second to none and I heartily suggest you track down some of his amazing music.

This mix is definitely for laying back and chillaxing to, so perfect for the weekend and after hours cru. I love all the stuff in here, but if I had to call out some tracks Synkro’s – Look at Yourself is a slice of house perfection, Future Sounds of London’s – Cascade remixed by Odyssia treats a classic with the respect it deserves and Photo’s – Totem is a dance floor monster while still staying relaxed in vibe. A very neat trick.

I hope you get as much out of listening to this one as I did mixing it. It is possibly my favourite Down Low Session so far so kick back and enjoy the ride.

Down Low: Session 042 – 1.5hrs of Chill

Synkro – Don’t Know
DBridge – Digital Dread
Dustmite & Kuru – Kare
Blinding – Breath Out
Varg – Red Line II (127 Satra C) feat Yung Lean
COMODO – Golden (Himalia Dream)
Synkro – Look at Yourself
Future Sounds of London – Cascade (Odyssia Edit)
Rowl – Mi Love
Joy Orbison – Wet Look
Elkona – Your Love
Stillhead – Spirit Remains
Vacant – Serenity
Trashbat – Takaramachi
Bassnectar – Other Worlds (feat. Dorfex Bos)
Photo – Totem
Flume – Say it (SG Lewis Remix)
Om Unit – Despite It All
Calibre – The Spirit
Jacques Green – Afterglow
RL Grime – Scylia
Chase & Status feat. Noveli – NRG