While many shy away from the ear-f**k of an assault that drum & bass can be, LTJ Bukem is considered a master of the genre for his ability to bring fans of lighter downtempo and house BPMs into this too often purist sonic world. On the semi-retired superstar’s comeback to the big league of mix-CD jocks, he offers a return to the style that suited him so well in the ’90s.
The entire mix, like much drum & bass, is crafted around the same heavy kick and snappy snare, and proceeds to intertwine some very unique (if interchangable) tracks. What causes this mi to excel is the fact that while the drum pattern is largely the same throughout, Bukem manages to shift from one melody to another almost seemlessly. And it will save your sanity by offering well-deserved breaks from the incessant percussive attack.
Hardcore fans will shrug and sigh, used to their beloved jungle music’s continuing misalignment. But Bukem deserves accolades for his ability to expand beyond the generic framework and incorporate new melodic dynamics. Even my less-than-receptive ears were pleased by certain segments of Bukem’s mix’and this alone indicates his ability to breach genre and style boundaries, and insert his personal flavor into his work.

RELATED POSTS:

No related posts.