Fortunecookie20 & Johnny B – Terrapin [FX909 Music]

Back again with another forward thinking two track EP from the FX909 main imprint, featuring two fresh producers from the roster. Phil Bailey, aka Fortunecookie20, and John Baker aka Johnny B collaborate to bring us the “Terrapin” EP, twisting jungle and liquid styles into a new, modern form. Johnny B has been DJing and representing DnB for over 25 years, heavily putting in work on the production side since 2020 to create liquid funk that is perfectly oriented towards DJs; his Flowtation mix series has been showcasing liquid from upcoming labels and artists for almost five years. I first heard Fortunecookie20’s music on the Liquid Base Vol. 1 LP and was instantly struck by the minimalistic funk and transient control. I think both of these producers fit right into the FX909 roster and have consistently been putting out quality liquid funk for this and other labels for years! This EP is great for any dancefloor setting and enjoyable to listen to – this duo blends jungle and liquid funk in “Terrapin” perfectly.

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Let’s get into the track by track:

Terrapin: The opening of this title piece opens with a classic jungle break, and a breathy atmospheric landscape that you would expect from atmospheric drum and bass, however the drums drop in a much more punchy and straightforward way. The switches between a straightforward and step rhythm in the drum line set up the changes in their jungle drums extremely well. This one progresses and builds the whole way through, adding other melodic keys and vocal samples to tie the track together. Each section is heralded by a distinctive trumpet sample and a bit of delayed drop goodness – let this one roll out in deep sets, liquid, poppy dnb, what have you! The modern take on some classic ideas here makes the mix fresh!

But I Had To: Massive flex from the very beginning, this opens with a sly little melody that is part of an extended tonality – the bassline drops into a classic blues structure, but works in perfectly with the percussion. The jungle cuts in the percussion are so good, clean breakage and still sounds very humanized, this tune plays like a four person band jamming out during a combo night. It’s jazzy, funky, and seriously jungle heavy. I love to see this style at higher tempos.

Huge respect to the FX909 family, and I think this recent drop is a unique entry into the roster. I’ve been playing these tunes on stream and in my sets lately and they really fit in anywhere – slow it down, speed it up, use the first half, second half – these tracks do it all!

You can purchase this collection of musical and forward thinking DnB here.