Secret Art of Science
Perhaps America's most important drum & bass figurehead, London transplant DJ DB has put together his most accomplished, all-encompassing, and engaging mix yet. Tripping in the lighter shades of darkness and often allowing glorious sunlight to saturate some otherwise dark and heavy beats, DB has liberally sprinkled some jazz and funk into the heart of cuts from the likes ofJonny L,Roni Size, andLTJ Bukem. The movement in this 17-track compilation is absolutely seamless; singling out individual tracks does disservice to such a finely tuned mix. However, keen ears will enjoy Jonny L and Roni Size's "This Time,"Photek's spacey remix of the mighty L's classic "Two of Us,"Klute's airy,Gary Numan-esque breakbeat "Chicks," and the crown jewel,E-Z Rollers' jazzed-up "Retro (G.O.D.) Remix." While consciously avoiding dark hardcore and keeping matters firmly in the sun,The Secret Artis a welcome mix of some great tunes at a time when the drum & bass genre is back in the dance music underground.--Steffan Chirazi