SCENIUS (VA) [Shoot Recordings]

There are scarce operations releasing drum and bass independently in the US, and none that do it like Shoot Recordings. The mission behind this label is to be ahead of the curve, to drive innovation, and to reflect the skill and depth of their artists. A highly collaborative label that collects pieces of artistry from around the world, you will see some familiar and unfamiliar names in this album! From the smashing singles earlier this year, a juicy VA from their camp dropped this week featuring artists from around the country including Phantom45, LO!, Cloak & Dagger, Jon Cross, and of course the bossman himself Calculon. This collection is intriguing and shows a depth of understanding with what’s going on in drum and bass that is impressive and is full innovative sounds. One of the goals of this label is to be ahead of the curve, and their releases often define sound to come. This jungly, new school approach has led to this great set of tracks. 

SCENIUS, a term coined by Brian Eno that represents the collective genius of a scene, and means that the myths about silent isolation and art are just that. He describes this with a few main elements: Collective Intelligence, Mutual Appreciation, Rapid Exchange of Ideas, Shared Success, and Supportive environments. Shoot recordings embodies this and encourages this through their releases, pieces of music that reflect a point in time and a captured feeling; a collective experience. 

Tracks like “I Came to Roll” and the paired Digital remix push DnB sound forward and use interesting breaks to innovate rhythms and style – these have both been doing damage in the scene this year. From promo to now release, you’ve likely heard these floating around. New school cuts like “Popya” from Jon Cross and Stunnas “Bust” edit shine in their tight cleanliness, jungle wildness like the “Escalation of Chaos” remaster twist your head, and a gorgeous piece of soulful dnb in “Can it Be” featuring the inimtable Laila Reich on vocals sew up this collection to make something really special. Finally, the inmitable Phantom 45 (also featured as a producer) has blessed us with a mix featuring all of the tracks on this compilation:

Check this out on beatport/juno and get yourself some of the most forward thinking, varied drum and bass that is on the market right now. 

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