Back 2 Basics was once a legendary label and although it’s most popular output was no doubt DJ Taktix’s ‘The Way’ the lesser known tunes are well worth checking out for your collection.
DJ Shock C & DJ Ellis The Menace – On The Level
It was certainly a well supported label and one that churned out no end of releases during ‘93 to ‘97. Originally a Jungle label, Back 2 Basics certainly evolved over time, featuring tracks from the likes of Ascend & Ultravibe, Apollo 13, Swoosh, Ned Ryder and DJ Biggs who produced the classic ‘The Hunter’ which also featured on the A.W.O.L Live compilation. Moving forward into the ever changing world of drum & bass, Back 2 Basics released two remix albums aiming to rework some of the original hits. Classic Remixes Volume 1 was released in 2000 and featured average remixes of The Way, Horns 4 94 (renamed Horns 4 2000), Dread Bass and Back 2 Life. The Classics Volume 2 was released in 2002 with support from the likes of Hazard and Ray Keith on remix duties, however nothing on this album really set the dance floor alight.
Back 2 Basics was always best suited as a jungle label and although it’s end result was a mish mash of jump up drum & bass it still deserves a place in any Junglists heart.
Take ‘On The Level’ for example, an excellent and somewhat undiscovered track from 1995. On first glance you would assume this was produced by Ellis D but look a little deeper at the producer’s names and it’s actually DJ Shock C and DJ Ellis The Menace, an interesting nod of the head to Dennis the Menace no doubt!
A perfect intro tune for any jungle DJ, you can just imagine the sweeping lights and lazers being absorbed into the fog and haze of the crowd.
“My selector” time stretched vocals lay over the end of the intro leading to the fairly relaxed drop of sub bass octave rolls and stuttered snare hits. It’s certainly a roller which develops over countless drops and minimalist changes of direction which later revisits the female vocal samples layered with reverb and those warm, fuzzy pads.
These pretty much unheard of producers only released this tune on Back 2 Basics and although DJ Shock C released ‘Bad Man Squad’ in the same year, I can’t seem to trace any further production work. Shame really as both sides of this release are wicked!
I certainly recommend you pick up this track if it’s missing from your box, currently selling for a few pounds via Discogs.