This is meant to be a simple guide for Drum and Bass. Most of this was done by Gravitica (aka jsrf) on the GameFAQs "Dance and Techno" message boards. Other people who have made little additions include: thumbandit, Psilon, Biohazard01, rodwipe, and myself, Viperzshadow. This guide is in no way complete, it's just based on the knowledge of some fellow junglists.
Foreword
If you don't know what drum n' bass is, it's a subgenre of electronic music deriving originally from reggae back in the seventies. It's changed a lot over the years, but here's a general description: It's hard, loud, fast, abusive music which often hangs around 170 BPM and is meant to be one nonstop motion. Some find it repetitive; but I think they don't look hard enough. They listen to a Dieselboy set, don't like it, and assume that all dnb sucks. But it's become such a varied form of music, which goes through changes all the time, so guides like this are simply needed to steer people in the right direction. So, let's get started, shall we?
How It Works
Under each artist/DJ, there's the following:
- The label they're currently associating with, or the last label they've been known to.
- Their genre. Mind that each artist/DJ has their own style. If everyone had their own subgenre, it wouldn't be much help in classifying them. So I've tried my best to lump them into several categories of DNB. The idea of pointing out whether an artist on the list is a DJ or a producers has been brought up, but most of the people in this guide are both DJs and producers, so I feel that it's unneccessary.
- Definitive albums/mixes in bold, tracks in italic. Tracks are not always on the albums listed.
- A brief-as-possible description.
- What's going on with the artist/DJ right now, but don't take it too seriously, this is as far as I know.
Terms to Know
This is just a short little section that just clarifies some terms that may be used in this guide.
1 2, 1-2 beat = It's a beat where the first kick is on the first beat, the first snare is on the second beat, but the second kick is halfway between the third and fourth beats while the second snare is on the fourth beat. Most drum n' bass songs use this formula.
Example: The drums on Fresh - Tomb Raider
Rolling bassline/drums = It's just where the drums or bass just keeps doing the same thing and never stops.
Example: Total Science - Nosher (Baron Remix) is what's known as a "roller" or a "rolling" track
2-step = This is a type of song where it's just a normal 1 2 1 2 beat exept right before the snare there is another kick.
Example: JB and Spice - The Basher
The Subgenres
Atmospheric/Ambient: Mellow, ambient, and kind of soft usually with just some rolling drums.
Example: Logistics - Together
Darkstep: Hard, fast, and rugged-sounding, growling basslines is what usually identifies this subgenre. Dieselboy uses a lot of this in his sets.
Example: Bad Company UK - Mass Hysteria (Hive Remix)
Jazzy: One of the first Drum and Bass genres, it has lots of vocals, and is sometimes paired with real instruments.
Example: Roni Size & Reprazent - Brown Paper Bag
Jump-Up: Recycled basslines. Techstep drums. Generic, and boring as hell. Aphrodite is jump-up's Michael Jordan. Don't worry; none of it's in this guide (well, aside from the example), I'm just telling you about it so you can avoid it later on. Don't bother with this stuff, if you do, you'll probably get insulted for it.
Example: Aphrodite - The Bomber Style
Jungle: Rough, extremely rough. This subgenre often uses the Amen break. Think ragga without the vocals with a rougher, more harsh sound and you got yourself some jungle.
Example: Congo Natty - Jungle Rebel 4
Melodic: Lots of synths, melodic basslines, not so focused on being tough as much as being uplifting. Quite recently pioneered.
Example: Pendulum - Another Planet
Ragga: The original flavor. This is a genre that basically took reggae, doubled the speed, and added the amen break. Usually rough and catchy, this is a genre that's overlooked way too much.
Example: Top Cat - Police in Helicopter (Ray Keith Remix 1)
Techstep: Take darkstep, remove the growling bassline, make the drums a bit more fine, and add an eerie atmosphere and you should have a rough idea of what Techstep sounds like. In theory it doesn't sound any good, but in practice, it's awesome. This subgenre also usually has a 1 2, 1-2 beat and sometimes has rolling basslines. It should also be noted that the line between Techstep and Darkstep has blurred quite a bit so don't be suprised if you get them mixed up, because I (Viperzshadow) do too.
Example: Stratus - You Must Follow
The Artists
Adam F (who is NOT Adam Freeland)
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(Breakbeat Kaos)
Atmospheric/Ambient, Other
Colours - Circles
Another pioneer in the atmospheric subgenre, he paved the way for a lot of the ambient stuff today with Colours. Also came out with a quality album consisting of remixes and VIP's of hip-hop and rap songs. He also started Breakbeat Kaos with Fresh, which is currently the hottest label in DNB.
Currently managing the Breakbeat Kaos label with Fresh, and still playing a few shows here and there.
Andy C
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(Ram)
Techstep, Darkstep, Melodic
Nightlife 2
Currently one of the most sought-after and popular men in dnb. He's also in Ram Trilogy with Ant Miles and Shimon. When it's an Andy C mix, it's a quality mix. Helps promote a lot of the good stuff that otherwise would go unnoticed. He also just recently won the best DJ award on Drum and Bass Arena.
Just playing shows as far as I know.
Bad Company AKA DEIBC, )eib(
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(BC)
Darkstep
Shot Down On The Safari - Mo' Fire
Comprised of Fresh, D-Bridge, Maldini, and Vegas, they've come out with some heavy classics, helping to pioneer the truly dark side of DNB. (As a side note, they're one of my personal favorites)
Right now they're doing a lot of their own individual stuff, along with maintaining dogsonacid.com, which they pretty much started themselves. They help promote a lot of previously unknown artists in the UK now, but they lay down some hot tracks every once in a while just to show they haven't gone anywhere.
Calyx
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(Moving Shadow)
Darkstep, Techstep
No Turning Back - Illusions
Extremely well-done drum programming has to be one of the most tell-tale signs of a Calyx tune. This guy is up there with Dom & Roland for his mastery of the drums. His basslines are always wicked, though not evil in a Tech Itch sense, but evil in their own way. If you see a Calyx tune, then it's like a garauntee that it'll blow you away.
He is releasing new LP entitled No Turning Back in mid-April.
Concord Dawn
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(Uprising)
Melodic, Darkstep, Other
Morning Light
One of 2004's hottest production makers, the trio made some of the best tracks of 2004, including Take Me Away, Morning Light, and Raining Blood. The tunes offer a melodic twist on wicked drum patterns.
Just playing a show here and there, and producing a few tracks as well.
Congo Natty
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(Congo Natty)
Ragga, Jungle, Other
Giving Jah the Glory - Jungle Rebel 4
A truly underrated artist. Starting with being a Ragga MC in 1990, Congo Natty released some absolutely killer ragga and jungle tracks back in the 90s.
He hasn't done anything recently to my knowledge except for run hid record company
Cyantific
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(Hospital)
I can't even define their stuff, it's so original. It's a little bit of everything.
Neon Skyline - Output
This duo has released some of my all-time favorite tracks. They've been featured on countless mix CD's, and have been brought back into the spotlight by High Contrast and Hospital.
They mixed the fourth Hospital mix CD, and have released a few tracks for the label as well.
Dieselboy
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(HUMAN)
Techstep, Darkstep
projectHUMAN - Invid
Most DNB listeners in the states start out with this guy. Dark stuff with growling basslines can be expected in his DJ sets as well as his productions. Was voted world's best DJ (tied with LTJ Bukem) at the 1998 Global DJ Mix Awards; he was the first american to be nominated, let alone win. He has also gotten many artists that would've been fairly unknown get some recognition, like Illskillz, Karl K, Kaos, Stratus, Technical Itch, and even Concord Dawn. Being featured on a Dieselboy mix essentially means that you'll be getting a lot of recognition. Dieselboy is one of the most succesful DJs ever, and has to be the most popular Drum and Bass DJ/artist out there right now. Love him or hate him, it goes unsaid that the DSL helped the US scene finally get some respect.
Currently managing his record company (HUMAN Imprint) and touring with Fresh in the states.
Dillinja
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(Breakbeat Kaos)
Jungle, Darkstep, Other
My Sound - Twist 'em Out
Dillinja has diversity down pat. Over the ten years he's been involved in DNB, he's produced a wildly diverse number of tracks, ranging from ragga jungle joints to hip-hop remixes, and often puts a nice spin on a lot of hot tracks in his trademark remixes. But he can also throw down a good ol' mean n' rough track, in the case of tracks like Rainforest and You Can't Touch.
Just coming out with some awesome tracks and remixes in the last few months.
DJ Dara
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(Breakbeat Science)
Techstep, Darkstep
The Antidote - Duplicity
Great American DJ with good production skills as well. He is also one of the founders of Breakbeat Science and tours with The Planet of the Drums. He mixed a lot of techstep in the past, but with The Antidote, has gone more toward the way of darkstep material.
Just playing shows across the US.
DJ Hype
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(Ganja)
Jungle
Drum n' Bass Selection 04 - Shot In The Dark
Longtime vet who's collaborated with everyone who's anyone in DNB.
He's got the Dubplate Killaz Cd out now, and has been collaborating a lot with J. Majik and Wickaman on that. Also playing a few shows in the UK, I think.
Dom & Roland
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(Moving Shadow)
Jungle, Techstep, Darkstep
Chronology - Soundwall VIP
The ear-shattering drums. The mind-blowing bass. Dom & Roland tracks are towering, booming, powerful monsters with the best drum programming there is and ever will be.
I'm pretty sure they're just laying low right now, although it wouldn't shock me to see them in the next Dieselboy mix that comes out (if there is one)
Ed Rush & Optical
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(Virus)
Darkstep, Jungle
Bacteria
The duo has produced an immense amount of great tracks in the passing years, and they can throw down a wicked live show as well.
Just producing tracks as far as I know