LTJ Bukem ‎– Earth Volume Two

The second installation of Earth series borrows more downtempo themes from its predecessor while deviating further from the drum and bass narrative. The openers in "Fictions" and "Cosmic Interlude" set the tone with a myriad of deep bass, structured synth layers and arrangement that provide a fresh take on the series.

However, there are 3 traditional drum and bass tracks: Odyssey's "Artificial Life" representing the formula for the emerging 720 (at the time), to DJ Crystl's inspirational outing in "being capable of anything" as well as new comer in DJ Addiction's "Senses" breakbeat slab.

The middle section of the Earth 2 is where I feel the compilation takes off. To this date, Blame's "J-Walkin" is his magnum opus in my personal opinion. If future jazz was ever a concept, then I think we heard it in 1997. A 6/4 track smothered with an elegant flute, rhodes and bassline. Let's not forget Artemis and Intense on their first appearance to the series bringing some well-infused downtempo vibes, as well as Blu Mar Ten's infectious snare march towards the deep blue, including sonar radar sounds, whistles, and Miles Davis samples. Yes, it actually works out. :)

I feel Earth 2 really cemented where the series was going, and the production level is quite evolved: sounding crisp, tight, and carefully leveled. At the time, no other major DnB label were branching off like this to expose their artists and showcase their talent. From here on out, the Earth series didn't need to walk on egg shells to cater to the known core base. A risk worth the temptation.

This compilation is so staggeringly beautiful; every track is utterly breathtaking. Released in the midst of the dark ‘No U-Turn’ dominated winter of ’97, it really cut against the grain. The majority of tracks are down tempo and coupled with the fact that this LP was released to a drum and bass audience who, particularly at the time, were extremely wary of the perceived watering down of their sound, was a bold move on the part of Good Looking Records. The compilation, albeit not in the same malevolent vein as much of the music at the time, was no less experimental or indeed diluted. Feel the sense of foreboding on Intense’s ‘Flashback’ or the serene solitude in the forlorn ‘Adrift on Deep Water’ by Blu Mar Ten. Hear the drop-out midway on Bukem’s ‘Cosmic Interlude’ for a taste of sheer tranquillity; whilst the sublime ‘J-Walkin’ by Blame makes for a lesson in pure exploration of the drum & bass / breakbeat sound. So far for me, Volume 2 is by far and away the cream of the Earth series.