[img]http://i.imgur.com/Hi7u9.jpg[/img]
[b]Netsky[/b]
[i]Netsky[/i]
[b](Hospital Records / NHS167LP) (UK)[/b]
Originally released as Hospital Records / NHS167LP on 31 May 2010
[b]Lineage: Rega P5 Turntable > [u]Virgin Vinyl[/u] > Rega Exact 2 Cartridge > Rega Brio 3 > M-Audio 192 TRS[/b]
[b]Post Processing: 32bit Audacity WAV > ClickRepair 5/0 > Boost volume +0 DB > Remove DC Bias > 24bit WAV > FLAC[/b]

A1. Escape (05:57)
B1. Mellow (04:40)
C1. Iron Heart (05:54)
D1. Let's Leave Tomorrow (04:31)
E1. Secret Agent (05:34)
F1. Gravity (04:27)
G1. The Magic Russian Bottle (04:45)
H1. Storm Clouds (05:39)



   Total Time and File-Size:[b]00:41:27[/b], [b]885.16 MB[/b]
   Total Replay-Gain Value: [b]-3.89 dB[/b]


Produced by [b]Netsky[/b]
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I’ve always liked Drum ‘n’ Bass but I’ve never really been particularly knowledgeable in terms of the key artists and labels that really define the genre and take it forward. And as I inevitably stumbled across Hospital Records, I found what I understand to be one of the most eagerly anticipated D ‘n’ B debut albums for some time from Belgian producer Netsky. So, for those ‘real’ Drum ‘n’ Bass fans out there, I’ll try to do it justice in my ensuing review!

What struck me most about this album was the variety and the maturity of the young artist that crafted it. As much I enjoy music from this genre I often find that at the same time it can be quite formulaic and, invariably, rather predictable. Not this album, however. For me this covers the spectrum of the Drum ‘n’ Bass sound and as such will appeal to many a learned follower of the scene. You’ve got floor rocking vocal cuts such as opener ‘Escape’, which gets the album off to a great start and really sets the tone for what follows as its melancholic piano key and string combos work really well together. Next up you have the single ‘Iron Heart’, an instrumental powerhouse with its insane loops and sprightly melodies. Without seeking to risk the wrath of all you D ‘n’ B fans out there, it reminds me a little of what I liked about ‘Hold Your Colour’ era Pendulum with its (albeit slightly) rocky edge. ‘Moving With You’, featuring vocals from Jenna G, has to be one of my favourites from the album; I love soulful vocal Drum ‘n’ Bass like this, the kind of stuff that demonstrates that D ‘n’ B can have an emotional side. Following that is ‘Secret Agent’, another top drawer instrumental with a tumbling melody and relentless pace setting it apart.

With its whirring bass, sprinkles of piano and Terri Pace’s searching vocals, the downtuned ‘Mellow’ is another favourite of mine, as is the slow burning bludgeoner that is ‘I Can’t Hold It’. I’d love to hear this on a world-class soundsystem, because I bet it sounds absolutely immense with its abrasive bass and heavy duty beats. The drifting ‘Let’s Leave Tomorrow’ is another more sentimental track; chilled yet metronomic beats, blissful atmospheres, floaty vocals. A really beautiful track this one. The claustrophobic ‘Lost Without You’ is another personal highlight.

I’ve only taken a snapshot of the album here but as I mentioned before, this album is all about variety and the rest of the tracks on here really are testament to that. As such I think this will appeal to D ‘n’ B junkies and non-fans alike, and of course would highly recommend it to both. An essential purchase.