Our Favourite DnB Classic Tracks

What are the top-rated drum and bass classics of all time? We take you through five of our favourites from the latest Anthems Drum & Bass compilation

 

Bad Company – "The Nine"

 

"The Nine" is arguably the greatest drum and bass tune of all time and one of the only tracks that gets a reaction at every drum and bass night throughout the country. It’s hard to believe it’s been over 17 years since it was released and somehow it still manages to sound as fresh now as it did then. An instantly recognisable timeless piece of drum and bass history.

 

Did you know?

• The track was written in a day by Fresh and Maldini using an EMU 16400 Ultra sampler and a really old version of Cubase
• Only the original four members of Bad Company know the meaning behind calling the track ‘The Nine’. It has remained a secret for over 17 years

 

Konflict – "Messiah"

"Messiah" is another drum and bass tune from the pinnacle glory days of the late 90’s – early 2000’s. The drama surrounding the release caused massive controversy throughout the scene and uproar on Dogs On Acid’s feisty community. Rumour has it that Renegade Hardware label boss Clayton wouldn’t allow the duo to release on Bad Company’s label at the time, resulting in a supposed brawl which eventually led to Konflict quitting the label. Either way it remains as one of the greatest inspirations for some of the biggest names in drum and bass and is an undisputed masterpiece.

 

Did you know?

• When Kemal and Rob left Renegade Hardware in 2000, they abandoned the Konflict name as it was owned by and exclusively signed to the label. They continued to make music as Kemal and Rob Data and started their own label, Negative Recordings

 

Origin Unknown – "Valley of The Shadows"

Produced by Andy C and Ant Miles under the Origin Unknown moniker way back in 1993, Valley of the Shadows is one of the best-selling drum and bass records of all time. Most of the samples that were used to make the tune were taken from the free CD that came with the first issues of the magazine Future Music that came out in the UK in February 1993 when Andy C was only 16 years old – madness!

 

Did you know?

• The trademark vocal “Felt that I was in this long dark tunnel” was sampled from an episode of the 1989 BBC documentary Q.E.D, which was about out-of-body experiences

• The repeated phrase “Thirty-one seconds” is from the Apollo 11 countdown to the Lunar Module landing on the moon in 1969.

 

Nasty Habits – "Shadow Boxing"

Shadow boxing was released back in 1996 by Nasty Habits aka 31 Records owner Doc Scott. The dark and heavy signature bassline is supported with a classic rough 2-step beat which once heard, never escapes your mind. It’s a must-have tune for all of the drum and bass heads worldwide. 

 

Did you know?

• Shadow Boxing was supposedly produced and finished in one night of recording!
• Om Unit recently remixed the classic which was released in February last year along with a re-mastered version of the original.

 

Ed Rush, Optical & Fierce - "Alien Girl"

"Alien Girl" was released in 1998 on Grooverider’s label Prototype. Famous for its raw reese bass and techy drums, it’s an absolute beauty to mix with. It’s one of the only tracks that stands up tremendously well when compared with current releases by some of the biggest producers in the scene.

 

Did you know?

• "Alien Girl" is actually the flip side on the EP to the Lokuste remix of "Cutslo"
• Rumour has it the bass sounds on Alien Girl were achieved by running the synths through old guitar distortion pedals, allowing the duo to fatten the signal

 

Anthems Drum & Bass is out now.