Various – Versatility Compilation

This is a decent compilation of drum and bass, leaning more towards the dark and deep end than the jazzy, dreamy, intelligent side of the genre that I typically prefer. However, spread across 4 records, it's a great pickup for anyone who enjoys the sound of that era. Definitely a golden era for drum and bass! 4/5 not all songs hit.

Just a heads up. On my NM copy of this side E is pretty much unplayable - the needle won't stay in the groove, even with full tracking force I can see the headshell vibrating and occasionally jumping. Shame as that track is a good one.

The vocals on More Rockers ‘Saying’ are by Vee Scott.

Review below says it all - listening again this is pretty wicked album that I don't really remember at the time.
Being honest I don't love every single track but the 80/20 rule applies - there's some serious Bristol bangers lying in wait on this one. Saturday is so good and hits the spot with that mid 90s vibe when Full Cycle were on fire with each and every track for years.
There's loads more decent tracks on this album - couple of quirky rough ones to my ears but the good ones are seriously good and make up the majority.
Dig out the DJ Die One in the Jungle and Roni Size Essential Mixes and remember just how good they all were when rolling out crusty breaks, hip hop snippets, jazz samples, live instruments - the lot.
Great legacy of music and yeah buy it now whilst its still the same as it would have cost in 1997!

There are some superb tracks on this overlooked and underrated compilation.

Roni Size produces one of his best tracks in my opinion. 'Saturday Night' what a tune with gorgeous heavy bass, snappy and crisp breaks with a wicked groove. It sounds like early Liquid Funk to me. The entire tune rolls so sweetly.

DJ Suv 'Lets Dance' is another great track, with slick beats and ever so sweet little percussion grooves that skip along. Throw in system blowing heavy bass and a wicked little guitar stab. This track chugs along battering you. So ill

DJ Die unleashes deadly heavy sub bass with 'Jigsaw' again some of his best work in my opinion. Its got it all; rolling beats, trippy shakers, wicked kicks which all flow so well together. The Bass layers are added as things get deep. A proper stinker of a tune

More Rockers - 'Bongo Music' is a cracking track with seriously good dub wise riddims. A real trippy journey of Jungle beats and heavy synth bass. Rob Smith slays it with this one.

Flynn & Flora - 'Sunrise' is proper old skool sounding intelligent D&B tune with lush keys, raw breaks, deep deep bass and a sweet as hell Amen. Oh my days this Bukem style rolling beats................immense

The roster of artists featured is superb, with Bill Riley, Krust also making an appearance. All in all, this album is a forgotten treasure that needs a light shining on it. Wicked beats from some of Bristols D&B elite. Buy it now before it gets discovered.

Pretty good mixtape considering its relative obscurity, even during the time of its original release. Powder's track is the best one, BTW (CD only; not on vinyl version IIRC).