dB

If the viability of Drum N Bass is in question Stateside, it remains an unflagging and vibrant creature in the UK. Serving as a a trans-Atlantic link to the vibe back home, English-born but NYC-based DJ dB remains a chief importer of the form. On this collection dB immediately zeros in on the element that most D n' B/Jungle woefully neglects. For all its invigoratingly speedy tambourine lines and low-bass rumble, the sub-genre's dull arrangements and the limited range of presentation can be mind-numbing. Keenly aware of this, DJ dB has compiled a set of tracks that side steps the usual pitfalls. Leading off with not one, but two groovy remixes of Hatiras' "Space Invader" that seamlessly flow together. Teebee vs Future Prophecies tweak on Ewan MacColl's "The First Time" is far less than stellar, but it's quickly forgotten as a momentary aberration when Pascal's deceptively funky "Jazz Juice" comes into play. Pushed for an absolute highlight, Kosheen's "Hide U," with it's double-tracked diva vocal probably fits the bill. Although known in New York dance circles as the man who...er..co-launched Manhattan's well known NASA club, DJ dB deserves the sort of consideration often too casually afforded to name brand disc-spinners like Aprhrodite. ~ JoE Silva, All Music Guide