Customer Reviews

Shades of Technology

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

First off, my musical tastes tend to run toward the more melodic (i.e., trance and house) but this mixCD rocks my little world. On this album, DB pulls off the "drum and bass journey" declared on the CD's label side. Full of frenetic beats and some of the thickest, tech-nastiest basslines, "Shades of Technology" shreds speakers, rips eardrums, and tears into your mind. Basically, this mix is brutal, dark, and techy. It's full of the patented tricks of the DNB business -- tight snare rolls, distorted and overdriven basslines, and frightening samples. Of course, what makes this mix stellar is also what makes it mediocre. On the plus side, the mix accomplishes what it sets out to do and be: It's a nasty headscrew of down-n-dirty drum-n-bass. Highlights include "Wish U Had Something," the Prisoners of Technology remix of "Soothe," "Connection 17," and (of course) Krust's infamous "Warhead." Unfortunately, that same frenetic energy that makes DNB what it is, can also be its downfall at times. That frenetic aesthetic translates out into the overall mentality of the genre -- or what some DJs call an "acetate culture." It's difficult to make a timeless or classic DNB mix because the DNB audience is not often particularly interested in that. They want what's newest sounding -- the records still warm from the lathe. As such, the way "Warhead" made this CD great at its release makes it boring now. Plus, there aren't really any surprises here. You get what you expect. However, as far as techy, dirty, nasty DNB goes -- this may very well become *the* classic mixCD. I know I use it as the standard by which I measure other techstep mixes... So, if this is your bag -- well, you probably have it already anyway. Otherwise, if you feel compelled to buy and keep just one mixCD of this genre, this is the one to have.

Picked this up on a whim at a 'mainstream' record store in NYC. I was floored. From the eery opening ("Demon Seed") to the appropriate, emotional end ... this steps all the way through D&B genres ... even folks who aren't exposed to the music would be advised to pick this up as a D&B primer.

This album is a masterpiece. It is DB's finest work. It may be true that this album contains some mainstream drum-n-bass/jungle tunes, but he mixes it in such a way that it plays on your emotions and stirs a sense of urgency and desire within. All the songs fit perfectly together within this mix; he is a master at putting a set together which has continuity and a definitive tone and mood. Anyway, I have listened to this album thousands of times--from start to finish--and I just love it every single time. I also have about 600 CD's and this album is in the top 3! If you want to see the difference between a simple dj mix cd full of cool songs and an inspiring, creative mix (done by a talented dj), then listen to this album, then listen to Mickey Finn - "The Takeover Bid Round 2". The Mickey Finn album is arguably good and it contains many of the same songs on this DB album. However, this DB album is just brilliant; it blows "The Takeover Bid Round 2" out of the water!

DB's got a good feel for the complexity of drum and bass, and he's tried to give a "tour of the landscape" with this mix. It's mostly darkstep and intelligent/progressive stuff, so if you're looking for the ruff ragga vocal tracks or MC action, it's not here. But if you appreciate a blending of the other styles, it's great. Nice flow, intimate vibes, off-the-beaten-path tracks.

I bought this CD just by luck; I had purchased a few trance and house CDs beforehand and felt like I should mix things up with some breaks...

Until I bought this CD, I had a personal history of faking my way through d'n'b - I knew it had awesome potential, creatively but too many albums I bought had very few tracks I actually enjoyed. System Upgrade by Dieselboy came close, but it was too noisy and repetitive sounding. LTJ Bukem is great, but i find his style too low-key for me. I've heard that its a bad thing to judge him by, but Aphrodite's self titled album really didn't get to me at all. I kept looking and looking and when I found DJ DB, I saw some tracks I really enjoyed. Semi-melodic with phat beats and a definite "dance" mentality. This was my personal D'n'B euphoria, and after experiencing this, I can go to other breakbeat albums with a different mentality, which lets me enjoy them for what they are and not for what I was trying to make them. Highly recommended. (also, check Roni Size Reprazent newforms)

i was never a drum n bass fan, well i didn't even really know what it was, till i just picked up this cd and listened to it. i immediately fell in love! all the songs are so charged with feeling-- the mixing is excellent-- the vocals are really amazing-- if you like drum n bass you'll love this! and if you don't-- try this-- you'll look at it completely differently!

The pic inside this cd is at buzz night club in D.C., they tore that place down...I had some great memories there, but the greatest memory was hearing this album live....It had every one in the DnB room even all the candy kids! This Cd will bring you back to those Underground days,where you had to find good music from basements to roof tops, through thick and thin. Listen to it with an open mind and through all the twists and turns and you will go through the DnB journey that DJ D.B. proclaims..Track 7-8-9 blend together better then any 3 tracks on any cd.

I like it. The 7th song, and optical's version of blue monday have to be my two favorite tracks. I bought it a couple of weeks ago. It will set your chill, and like other DB cd's it has a fresh sound that other DnB dj's don't catch.

A different angle of viewing this CD: I'm a rock climber, and do a lot of indoor climbing through the winter. Usually I go for much more upbeat songs, but a guy I met climbing recommended this CD for a change. WOW. Something about the feeling of the music just feels good. He described it as 'chill'. I can't think of a better word.

I rave about this album in my other reviews of DB albums, and I have all that are available. When I first got this back in 2000, it was my first taste of d'n'b, and how refreshingly different and accesible this album is. Quite a departure from the trance and house you're used to hearing. Right in the middle of this cd, it starts to turn what I call ambient jungle, and it will just possess you. All the while the drums are mesmerizing. So unique, so orginal. The end of the cd falls flat for me but with 17 tracks I can't complain about that. This album is dope! Get it.