DB Breakbeat Science: Exercise 4 CD

Despite his foreign passport, dB has spent over a decade as one of America's leading ambassadors of drum'n'bass, launching the sound on U.S. shores with his definitive NASA club night, releasing half-a-dozen legit mixes along with scores of underground mixtapes, a spate of quality productions and of course, running the monumental Breakbeat Science label, record store, and perhaps most importantly, the message board, which serves as one of the centerpieces of the jungle community. But beyond community building, dB is first and foremost a DJ, as this mix proves, opening with his glistening production with Stakka, "Groupies." An amusing sentiment from this committed family man. Db and Stakka's productions appear throughout the mix, along with fellow New York émigré DJ Dara and Pieter K who combined created nine out of this disc's 15 cuts. But the consistency in producers doesn't equal monotony in sounds. Quite the contrary, each selected track offers its own distinct hook, usually in the form of some meticulously processed synth phrase or just as likely a diva-powered vocal sample. The tempo remains on the lighter side of the d'n'b spectrum, becoming downright watery on the piano lead "Saturnine." But dB has never aimed squarely at the jugular, always preferring to slink his way into the dancer's minds before moving their feet. For committed fans, a new dB mix is always a reason to celebrate. And for those not yet aligned with the cause, dB remains the perfect starting point for initiation. ~ Joshua Glazer

Audio Remixers: Sham Morris; Tom Withers .