DJ Crystl - Meditation / Warpdrive

Warpdrive is maybe my favourite tune of all time, I first properly heard it in about 2002 when I was just getting into oldskool jungle, I recognised it from pirate radio ad's and the odd old live set.

It seems so ahead of its time, the stuttering delayed amen is amazing, I cant think of much from 1993 or before that was that edited or sounded that good maybe until Remarc took everyone to the edge of what you can do to an amen.

Thats just the intro though, it rolls nicely with powerful sub's and even if you dont know the tune, you know it is building up to something.
Then eventually it happens and in comes one of the most beautiful, euphoric breakdowns you will ever hear.
Then the amens hit again and its all over, pure goosebumps material.
Also props to the cute little backspins between the amens halfway through, classic sign of oldskool.

Anyway the A side is no bitch either, only a tune like Warpdrive could over shadow it.
Meditation is another great amen tune but this one is a shade less dark, quite a deep tune and got heavy play from Bukem and the likes.

Probably the best double A-side in jungle drum & bass history.

Also, this got a repress recently and is pretty easy to get hold of, but the version of Warpdive on the repress is not the original. It has different amen edits, not quite as good.
Was the same version that was played out on dub a bit and also was used on the Promised Land album.
Still for a fiver its still worth it

This is a benchmark in the ultimate ecstasy breakdown, you cannot beat the infectious amens in this tune. perfect for mixing into jungle, hardcore, n jungle - techno. I was lucky to bag this tune it is a must have for any collection.

Meditation is also a whopping tune however my preferred is warpdrive. nuff said, words cant describe so listen. like DJ Shadows album entroducing, its one of those tunes you never get bored of, however predictable it is after muchos rewinds on the wheels.

Buy this record.

1993! I first heard 'Meditation' in 2005, and although it's now a period piece - the drum loop and quasi-ethnic vocal sample have been overused in the years between - it's still gorgeous, simple as anything and very minimalist, but with a lush, tinkly sound. 'Warpdrive' is just as good, and has exactly the right name; it starts off like a drive through a long tunnel, and then there's a big sweeping orchestral bit. Both tunes make full use of the 'Amen Brother' loop and they're very nostalgic, and a good two or so years ahead of their time.

They don't chop'em breaks like that anymore. In 1993 this sounded truly coming from outer space, the beats are so good, listening to any of these to tracks is an experience.
"Meditation" shows what ambient jungle was and should have stayed : wonderful melodies and hard, very hard beats to induce you into a trance (no, really), no other words about it. Why is it that so many later producers forgot the formula, putting either good music over weak beats or industrial noise over fantastic drums?
"Warpdrive" is equally exhilarating, real hauting atmosphere and sinister chords with those same mighty mad amen rolls.
In fact, in 2004 it stills sounds likes it's been dropped by an alien. GO BUY!

This was truly a groundbreaking release in 1993. Although both tunes are absolutely brilliant, I think "Warpdrive" edges it just narrowly. It´s the harder, more intense tune of the two, while "Meditation" is really smooth but with a hard edge. In those days, Crystl just couldn´t put a foot wrong.

Warpdrive is one of my top jungle tunes of all time. Looped sounds create a feeling of tension while very creative breaks propel you forward toward a wormhole where brilliant explosions of light lift you up into a higher state of consciouness.