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1996 – Atmospheric Drum And Bass

Atmospheric drum and bass. Just the title conjures up scenes of floating orbs, smokey dancefloors, chilled after parties and a swaying crowd.

Not everybody could handle the stepping brutality of techstep, and with jump up and ragga jungle as an entity fading into recent memory, those that weren't ready to give up on breakbeats just yet were prepered to go to any length to keep the original rave vibe alive.

Some said at the time that atmospheric DNB was a form of musical snobbery and that both its creators and listeners were trying to elevate themselves to new heights, but in actual fact, they just wanted something a bit less aggressive to dance to.

The scene spawned a whole host of new artists, and with them came something a little more refined and artistic. Jungle relied on its fierce rhythmical impact. Atmospheric relied on embellishment and coming out of 1995 and into 1996, it lost its 'intelligent' tag and became something you could play your mum without a grimace.

It was indeed a 'logical progression' and heralded the start of the liquid drum and bass movement as we know it today.

Just as the hardcore scene fractured in 1993, producing happy hardcore and jungle, the jungle scene fractured in 1995, with atmospheric and jump up going on to create their respective offspring which we still enjoy the fruits of today.

Anyway, enough waffle. Let's take a look at some of the most beautiful atmospheric drum and bass from the year in question.

1. Frank De Wulf - Drums In A Grip (Wax Doctor Mix)

2.P.F.M - The Mystics

Coming in at just under 10 minutes long, this pretty much encapsulates everything that the atmospheric movement stood for. Breaks that weren't jungle, but weren't techstep either, this is a psychedelic dream wrapped up in a blanket of pure bliss. Beautiful.

3. Source Direct - Stonekiller

Of course, while Ed Rush and crew were terrorising dancefloors with the futuristic sound of techstep, and the atmospheric movement was encouraging people to float away on beds of jazzed out bliss, the Metalheadz camp was brewing it's own filthy concoction of post jungle/not quite atmospheric and definitely not tech coldness. There probably is a name for this style of DNB, maybe drumfunk, but I just call it Metalheadz. In truth, no other label really came close.

4. Photek - Rings Around Saturn

Photek was an unstoppable programming genius. That's all there is to say. Like Bukem and Nookie, he was utterly unique and saw possibilities with sound and technology that was hard to contemplate. His most important attribute we think, was that he knew when to stop. And so do we. Just listen!

5. Lemon D - Going Gets Tough

Not starting to truly step until nearly halfway through, this hypnotic, mystical ethereal work of art still sounds good enough to send a shiver down your spine. This track shows quite clearly the reason that atmospheric DNB was more of an artform than a style of music.

6. DJ Krust - Jazz Note

I mean. Wow. The way those two breaks counterpoint each other, coupled with the staccato jazz chords and those lush pads................this is hands down one of the finest masterpieces from 1996. Simply beautiful.

7.Olive V Roni Size – You're Not Alone (Roni Size Mix)

The original of this track was one of the best tracks to come out of '96, and this wonderful remix by Roni Size shows just how adaptable atmospheric DNB was as a vehicle for reformulating already great tunes.

8. Nookie - The Magic

Yet another blissful example of the power of soft synths and jazzy breakbeats. Yum.

9. Dave Wallace - Expressions Pt 2

10. Flytronix - Rare Tear Pt 1

11. Cloud 9 - The Ultimate Seduction

12. Peshay - On The Nile

13. J Majik - Apache

14. Adam F - Aromatherapy

15. Danny Breaks - Astrologie

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