Keep it funky: no one was as excited about DJ Bailey's return to radio as DAD was. We know that because most of you sites who claim to mess with drum & bass didn't even bother to recognize the awesomeness of that news, but having Bailey on Ministry of Sound is a blessing. While the big news was Bailey being a part of Ministry of Sound's presence at this week's Sun & Bass festivities in Sardinia, we also didn't sleep on the three mixes that Bailey uploaded to SoundCloud, featuring his "Lost Dubplates" series. See, Bailey's a jedi in the drum & bass scene, and has been around for years. His stack of dubplates runs thick, to the point where he can tailor special mixes just with them. On his show, he'll drop a "lost dubplates" selection for certain heroes in the scene, but over the course of his latest radio run, he's been doing mixes for different sides of the dnb scene.
First up is the "Lost Dubplates: Dark Edition," which features a selection of the, well, darker side of the dnb scene. It's very Metalheadz in sound because, duh, Bailey is 'Headz to the core, but he draws some GEMS. Starting out with this Grooverider re-edit of "Angel" is so essential:
Tracklist:
Goldie - Angel (Grooverider re-edit)
Dillinja - Untitled [Test 001 Mispress]
J Majik - Your Sound (Photek & Digital Remix)
Trace & Optical - Switchblade
Dom & Optical - Techno Day
Dom & Optical - Quadrant One
Rufige Kru - VIP Say You Love me
Optical - To Shape The Future VIP
Up next is the "Liquid Edition," which not only includes a few untitled Calibre bits, but cuts from Influx Datum, Dillinja, and some solid remixes of LTJ Bukem classics:
Tracklist:
Alex Reece - Basic Principles (Utah Jazz VIP)
LTJ Bukem - Horizons (Paradox Remix)
Influx Datum - Alright For More
Calibre - Untitled
Calibre - Untitled
LTJ Bukem - Music (Peshay 2002 Rework)
Calibre - One Off
Calibre - Pushing Out
Craggz & Parrallel Forces - Fizzy Piglets (Vocal Mix)
Dillinja - Warm Your Heart
The final mix is the "Rave Edition," which might be a favorite. This is for the ravers in the clubs, going mental at the latest bangers. Serious selection here, with the likes of DJ Krust, Chase & Status, Roni Size, and others being represented. And you should also pay attention to how Dillinja has been featured in each of these mixes:
Tracklist:
Chase & Status feat. Kano - Against All Odds [D&B Mix]
Jo - R-Type [Undiluted mix]
Dillinja - All Aboard [Original]
Die & Break - Coming From The Top VIP
DJ Krust - Ivory Puzzle
Roni Size feat. Stamina - On and On [Original]
Bad Company - Dustball
Chase & Status - Disco VIP