The Bookworm – Who Knows Vol. 1

I ended up buying a second copy of this from a bargain bin whilst on holiday in Newquay as the levels were really low on the first copy. Alas, same levels on the second copy too. Are they all like this? Never heard these tunes played out, maybe this is the reason why?
Btw both sides are top, top tunes.

228 have? Then there's no way there were just 1000 pressed.

"This could be the most important day in your life... If you listen to me!". With this sample, legendary Drum n' Bass producer LTJ Bukem starts the A side (baptised as "Listen", though with no title credits on the vinyl).
The opening snares are very elegant and match perfectly with the synth lines surroundings; they are followed by modified Amen Breaks, a timeless Breakbeats sample whose original belongs to the Soul classic "Amen, Brother" by The Winstons, 1969 - the most used on the history of Jungle & Drum n' Bass).
The second part of "Listen" by brings deep and emotional strings and female whispers, both sampled from Moby's classic "Move" (1993).
A part from the Soul and the Old School Techno influences, Bukem also includes the hottest of eighties Electro on "Listen": the sample that has the vocal fragments "own... oown... ooown!" comes from Newcleus - "Jam On It" (the part was taken exactly from the end of Newcleus chorus "They're going to sound... they're going to get doooown!").

One of Bukems best productions ever and one of the rarest hardcore/prototype jungle records too! I spent 30 Euros for a Near Mint copy and what can I say? It was definately worth buying it ;) On that record you find two unbelievable awesome hardcore/jungle tracks with sweet atmospherics and groovy basslines as you propably will expect from Bukem. My favorite track still is "Bookworm". That track is simple but dynamic as hell because it has got one of the most emotional and moving synth-melodies. The first time I did listen to that track I was totally "high" and I didnt take any drugs about that time ;) Wicked! On the flipside you find "Listen", a more dancefloor orientated track. In my opinion the track isnt as good as "Bookworm" but still fantastic. The track has good dreamy atmospheres too with some great ambient breakdowns. If you like the atmospheric dnb/jungle style of bukem then THIS is THE one to check!

Hard to believe really that this track hasn't got a comment...the a-side is one of the finest 93 hardcore tracks you'll ever hear. Rolling beats and a beautifully simple melody, this was caned by hardcore DJ's back in the day. A prototype for the luscious take Bukem would have on jungle in the years following - think Horizons but with more dancefloor appeal. Sad that it's so hard to get hold of, because more people deserve to hear this track than probably will.