VARIOUS ARTISTS

Rip It Up, Issue 224, 1 April 1996, Page 29

VARIOUS ARTISTS

Total Science (Blackmarket) A drum ’n’ bass compilation called Total Science is always going to veer towards so called ‘intelligent drum ’n’ bass’, a term which has rightfully been rejected by the chief exponents of the genre. Although useful, it’s a wee bit snobby and implies that everything else is unintelligent. Anyway, most of the tracks here are along the lines of ‘Aquatic’ (deep throbbing basslines, deep strings, trancey rolling breaks, a la LTJ Bukem) or ‘Jazzy’ (selfexplanatory, Wax Doctor-, Alex Reecestyle) drum ‘n’ bass, with a few more ragga inclined cuts (they're not bad) thrown in for good measure. Highlights include ‘Never as Good’ by Wax Doctor, with the dreamy ‘Open up your mind, never as good’ vocals, which complement a trancey break, muted horn, nice bass and some trippy synth work. ‘Feenin’ by Jodeci is remixed in fine style by LTJ

Bukem. He keeps the vocals to a minimum and puts them through some efx which work well. The break is typical Bukem, rolling along nicely as some subtle melodies float in and out of the mix before a wall of bass eventually hits, taking the whole thing to a new level. Absolutely sublime.