Tally G’s Top Drum and Bass and Jungle Releases of Q1 2024
This is the first of a quarterly series where I will be showcasing my favorite releases of the past three months. Here is what I have had on heavy rotation:
Stereo Stormtrooper (SST): Hear the Message LP [Boomslang Recordings]
SST's Hear the Message hit number one on Beatport (for all genres) the day it came out, and for good reason; it is fantastic from beginning to end! If you like techstep and neurofunk with a touch of jungle, then this full-length release is for you! Two of the 12 tracks are collaborations; one with To The Infinite—“Hiding in the Dark”—and the other with heavyweight Kadilak—“All of Us”, which is perhaps the hardest hitting of the album. One of the standouts is “Down Not Out”, sexed up with saxophone and some male vocals, contrasted with that crunchy edge that SST is known for. “The Meaning Of It” is another that stands out as it is mellower than the rest and has interesting polyrhythms. The entire album is cohesive and flows well, so I suggest listening from beginning to end. If you are a DJ, these tracks are really versatile and easy to mix. Grab this full-length LP here: https://www.beatport.com/release/hear-the-message/4364149.
LO!: Redux EP [Liondub International]
Out 1.26.24
This five-track release from Chicago-based titan LO! takes the listener on quite a journey. Both “D8” and “Always Here” have that very trendy upbeat retro 160 jungle feel while in “Hint Hint”, LO! takes those elements and makes a lovely little roller. “Dub2” gets slightly darker with a rich ragga vocal, and the final track, the album namesake “Redux”, wraps things up with a gritty touch of techstep. This release will please those both into two-step and jungle and it is already timeless. Buy this release on Juno.
Rift: Unforgiving EP [Four Corners Music]
London-based Rift does not disappoint with this well-produced release consisting of dark minimal rollers and techstep. “Unforgiving” sets the tone with basslines thick enough to serve up for dessert in this foreboding rolling tune. “Distance” picks up the pace a bit with more of an emphasis on drums while “Blinded” keeps that energy and goes even darker with a vengeance. “Juno” draws us back up with an emotional and sexy roller. My favorite track on this release is “Be There’; the drums go forth energetically while Rift keeps up that lovely and lush bass. The final track, “Pressure”, finishes up with a high-energy steppa techstep track. The original release date was on February 11; buy this release here: https://fourcornersmusic1.bandcamp.com/album/unforgiving-ep.
Christian Bruna: Blu Dreem EP [Christian Bruna]
New York City drum and bass pioneer Christian Bruna’s latest release, Blu Dreem, hits all the right notes. Mostly intricately produced techstep, Mr. Bruna creates much movement throughout this six-track release, a sort of hodgepodge of tracks he had been sitting on. My personal favorites are the fully driving techy roller “Rest In Peace”; the epic narrative “Last Son of Krypton”, complete with all the horned instruments and a bit of pomp and circumstance; and “Reactivate”, the hardest track of the bunch which definitely reminds me of Dom and his Roland, but still is Christian Bruna. Every track was mastered by the artist himself. Blu Dreem was released on March 29th. You can purchase this release on Christian Bruna's Bandcamp.
Large up, everyone! I will see you back for the next installation in early July!
Cheers,
Tally G
