Today i’m having a little listen through the Subbase Sampler release from Suburban Base.
Here’s what they have to say about the project:
Originally released in 1997 as a CD-only compilation, Subbase Sampler is finally available on double vinyl for the first time ever! This iconic collection captures the energy and evolution of the jungle and drum & bass scene, featuring a heavyweight lineup of genre pioneers.
The reissued album includes classic tracks from legends like Remarc, Mampi Swift, Dream Team (Bizzy B & Pugwash), Pascal, and Intalex presents The X (Mark XTC)—bringing together the unmistakable sound of Suburban Base during the golden era of Drum & Bass. This long-awaited vinyl edition is a must-have for collectors and fans alike, delivering timeless cuts that shaped the underground. For the first time, the album will also be available digitally to stream and download—bringing these essential tracks to a new generation.
Don’t miss your chance to own a piece of Suburban Base history!
Tracklist
- Intalex Productions Present The X – Turn Da Lites Down
- Mampi Swift – Old Song
- Dream Team – Raw Dogs (Shy FX Re-Lik)
- Intalex Productions Present The X – New Dawn (VIP Mix)
- Remarc – One Style
- Dream Team – X Files
- Mampi Swift – Little Touch
- Pascal – Like Dat
OK so this was originally a CD release in 97, sorta straddling the time after Jungle but before technology quite caught up with things to facilitate Drum & Bass. As such the tunes are interesting, mostly crisp breaks with basic synth patch basslines.
Let’s roll through the tunes quickly.
Turn Da Lites Down starts promisingly enough but the 3 note bassline played on a variety of shit bass patches will wear down even the most enthusiastic synth guy. That’s mostly over by around 3mins 40 seconds though and the last couple of mins are fine.
Old song by Swift is another example, perfectly acceptable breaks, samples and all the rest but a dated sounding basslin repeats underneath for the whole thing. Bizarrly enough, the flipside of the og release of this tune has aged much better.
The Shy FX Remix is decent, always useful to have. Same goes for the Remarc track – generally get more Remarc in your life.
The other Intalex track has the classic “it’s a new dawn, it’s a new day” vocal, really good intro only I despise the bassline. There was an ST Files mix which is way better than this one.
X Files by the Dream Team is a fairly standard Dream Team production, nothing bad to say about this one.
I quite like Little Touch the other Mampi Swift track. Bass sounds nice and Breaks are cracklin on top. Nice little roller.
Closing out the double LP we have Like Dat, a Pascal tune that’s got a real Hardstep vibe. Then just before 4mins these depressing keys come in and sorta drowns the vibe.
So by my reckoning 4 of the tracks had a positive view, depends how badly you need them as to whether to fork out £30 for the double LP. Personally I’d pass and get the digital files for the releases I was after instead. The whole Suburban Base catalogue is available on various shops.
If you’re down for that sort of thing, you can pre-order it here.
5/10
SDM