Spirit barely needs any introduction. With production partner Digital, Spirit has been the pioneer of the dub-wise side of drum & bass.
Much of Spirit’s early 2000s output was built on the subwoofer-melting basslines that were reminiscent of the dub producers of old, bringing in a different mentality to the drum & bass scene.
Along with Amit and Digital, he also helped usher in the halftime drum & bass beats, putting an spin on the whole idea of what a drum & bass drum pattern should be. Effortlessly fusing techno, trance and electro influences, with deep, driving bass, he reflects drum & bass in its purest form; his music holding sublime longevity.
Few can match his quality and consistency and his recent release on Dispatch Recordings explains why. The ‘Fourth Cycle’ EP is a perfect balance between soul and grit; iridescently delivered with tantalising progression.
Both ‘Interval’ and ‘Setting Sun’ tend to take the listener through a musical journey with simple drum grooves married with hypnotic pads, techno synths rounded off with classic mid 90s bass.
While ‘Buzzed’ and ‘Intoxication’ are the signature techno infused dance-floor numbers you would expect from him.
Instantly transporting us back into any number of nostalgic periods from this scene, Spirit is the early contender for the top drum & bass EPs this year.
