Welcome to a very special edition of Positive Vibes. So special we’re running it on a Saturday!
Last Friday Drum&BassArena turned the grand old age of 16. No fan fare this year, though; we went to town with our 15 year celebrations in 2011. There’s no doubt we’ll be painting the town yellow and black when we hit the big 20 in four years time, too.
In fact with so many releases, parties and projects planned for the near future, the birthday almost passed us by before Risky suddenly remembered himself, dropping the bomb with this sweet, succinct tweet….
“Just remembered its exactly 16 years to the day I started Drum&BassArena, huge bigup to everyone thats supported us over the years!”
Cue 35 retweets and a bombardment of biguppery right back. There’s nothing quite like a milestone birthday to make everyone realise how old they’re getting.
@rossaboss stated: “@TheRisky Wow this makes me feel old! I was in year 9 at school. Great times, listening to tapepacks on our walkmans. Dial-up internet!!”
While @Dav_SS replied: “@TheRisky good stuff mate, I remember sitting in sixth form logging on when you first started!”
Whether you’ve just tuned in, you’ve been hear from the start or you’ve just turned 16 yourself, if you’re into our music, Drum&BassArena has been at the forefront of the scene, documenting, celebrating, representing, promoting, broadcasting and, most importantly, absolutely loving the very best of it since summer 1996. And while there’s no big celebration – we’re still dead chuffed with our immense Ministry Of Sound Sunday session a few weeks back – we had to do something. So we cornered Risky and demanded some Positive Vibes. Naturally, he came back with some stupendously discerning uplifiting bangers.
So whether you’re in a good mood or bad mood right now, this sweet four-pack-track-attack is guaranteed to elevate you into a whole new realm of positivity. Selected by the man who made all this happen. Enjoy… And here’s to another 16 years of outstanding drum & bass!
Bukem & Peshay – 19.5
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T34OkPVUhjo
“When two legendary artists like LTJ Bukem and Peshay decide to produce a track together, the outcome was only ever going to be positive. This track is just beautiful in so many ways, one for the desert island 1210s.”
Foul Play feat. Denise Gordon – Music is the Key
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k0PYuIcczBE
“I always remember my local pirate radio station playing this track literally all the time, it’s a sublime piece of music, and the lyrics pretty much speak for themselves. Totally timeless… And with the other side ‘Being With U’, this whole release was top quality!”
Grooverider – Charade
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NTAN7YX7fNU
“This is one of those gems that unfortunately never got a proper full release. It’s a shame, there is nothing but pure uplifting vibes throughout. Turn it up, it’s definitely one for the summer!”
Nuff Respect – Big Daddy Kane
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KHBEcob2RIw
“Starting your day with this old skool hip-hop tune is like having 100 shredded wheat! So many classic lyrics in this track, ‘Sparkin the mic like a live wire til I retire’. Big Daddy Kane: you are a legend!”