Last TTT I challenged Grok to find me the three best Drum and Bass tunes. Now it's my turn.
I started DJing back in 1992 and was immediately drawn to what we called breatbeat hardcore. It was huge basslines with various breakbeats, especially the still used "Amen" break. Aroound this time the genre took on the "Jungle" label and then transitioned into "Drum and Bass".
While I agree with Grok that Valley of the Shadows is one of the best/most important because it came out in 1993, here are probably my most important DnB tunes.
Evolution by Ram Trilogy came out in 1999 on their Molten Beats LP. It was such a masterfully produced track. Everything was put together perfectly from the complex percussion to the sci-fi synths to the vocals, it all clicked.
Ram Trilogy - Evolution
Then along came Pendulum. Not only could they write a good song, but their production was that of a major music studio. For the first few years every tune they put out was fantastic, but for me Voyager was so out there. I could drop this tune in any DnB club right now in 2025 and the dance floor would go nuts. It's an incredible and other worldly tune.
Pendulum - Voyager
Finally this guy brought into DnB beauty, grace and devastating drums and basslines, Klute. I knew him and went on tour with him in Japan 2002. Those were amazing times. His music will be in any drum and bass enthusiast's music library. While I could list almost any of his songs, Hell Hath No Fury paints an incredible picture of chaos & beauty. It's an emotional rollercoaster and an absolute classic in DnB.
Klute - Hell Hath No Fury
There are many names I left out like Ed Rush & Optical, Andy C, LTJ Bukem, Makoto, etc. There are too many to name, but without a doubt these were/are big artists with huge tunes. I guess Grok is right, it's subjective. Anyway, thanks for listening!
Thanks to @boxcarblue for introducing me to #TTT and @ablaze for dreaming it up.
