Da Lick, an offshoot of Joker Records, was created in 1997 by Bizzy B and had a short lifespan with the last track, Da Lick 25, being released between 1999 and 2000.
Although the label is relatively unknown to most, some of the releases were produced by the likes of Kraig Martin (Special K) and Dean Vincent (Apollo 13) who later went on to release many successful tracks such as Space Dust, Wild West, Danger, Pressure Roll and so on.
Dean Vincent was behind such aliases as Mr Freeze, Penguin, Sub Zero, Joker and half of The Dynamic Duo (alongside Bizzy B). The duo were responsible for the likes of Just a Little Hip Hop on Suburban Base, 16 Track Ting remix on Joker Records and most importantly Ya Rockin. Released on Back 2 Basics under the Swoosh alias alongside Jason Ball this was without a doubt, his most supported release of the time.
Although it was Special K that really made a name for himself in the mid 90’s Jump Up scene it is highly likely that both Kraig and Dean’s careers were shaped and developed by the likes of Bizzy B and the Joker Records camp.
Labels such as Back 2 Basics, Urban Takeover, Trouble on Vinyl and Proper Talent had a huge backing from the big DJ’s of the time and certainly had far more presence than the likes of Joker Records and Da Lick, however, if you’re a collector of all things Jump Up this label shouldn’t be ignored.
Die hard fans of the era will note that small DJ support was given to Da Lick Crew’s ‘Iron Hand’ during 1997 but it was marginal compared to other labels releases at the time.
The only real feature of a Da Lick crew I can think of from memory is the Micky Finn mix that featured on the Dreamscape compilation - ‘The Vision’. This was also later released at the turn of the millenium and renamed ‘The Legendary Dreamscape Presents The Millenium Collection’. Here, Micky plays the remix of ‘You Know’ by Da Lick Crew (which was one of Bizzy B’s many aliases).
Although here’s where it gets slightly confusing..
Switch, the other offshoot of Joker Records released the remix whereas the original was released on Da Lick - perhaps Bizzy B was testing both labels to see which was more popular? Really does seem strange though to put out an original on one label then the remix on another especially considering both labels used the same style of production relentlessly.
Talking of production, both Switch and Da Lick were obvious Jump Up labels but what’s more obvious is some of the cheeky sampling used in many of the tracks. This was rife throughout Drum & Bass at the time and certainly no different going back years previously although the Joker camp always seemed to do it in such a blatant way.
The obvious sampling of Hip Hop & R’n’B features as you would expect with the likes of Brandy & Monica’s ‘The Boy is Mine’ and Mousse T’s Laid Back mix of MC Lyte’s ‘Cold Rock a Party’ but it’s the actual drum beats and bassline samples that I refer to when I say cheeky.
The best way I can make evidence of this is to point you in the direction of the mix for you to make your own mind up so here’s a sample of Da Lick featuring some of my favourite releases from the label.
Tracklist
01) Unknown Artist - Side A - Da Lick 11
02) The Untouchables - The Big One - Da Lick 15
03) Spirit - The Siege - Da Lick 19
04) The Saint - Come On - Da Lick 8
05) Unknown Artist - Side A - Da Lick 7
06) Unknown Artist - Side A - Da Lick 2
07) Unknown Artist - Side B - Da Lick 11
08) Da Lick Crew - Iron Hand - Da Lick 3
09) Twirl - Bounty - Da Lick 18
10) Da Lick Crew - You Know - Da Lick 3
11) Unknown Artist - Side B - Da Lick 2
12) The Untouchables - Crest - Da Lick 15
13) Spirit - Rage - Da Lick 19
14) Twirl - Untitled - Da Lick 18
15) The Saint - Like This - Da Lick 8
16) Da Lick Crew - Untitled - Da Lick 17
Download via Soundcloud here
Kartoons, owned by the world renowned Nicky Blackmarket was a direct offshoot from the home of Blackmarket Records. Founded in 1997 with a total of 34 releases, the label featured the likes of Ray Keith, TNT (Target & Trend) alongside some lesser known artists such as Jonnie Braze, Live Crew and Fade.
2 Degrees was, without a doubt, the biggest selling release on Kartoons which must have featured in every Drum & Bass DJ’s set during 1997. Love it or hate it, this record paved the way for Jump Up in the late 90’s. The sample “better get the old man down here”, taken from the 1983 film Wargames played a memorable part in the track, as does the string intro and what I assume was some kind of elephant sample.
The main drawback of the label, and possibly why it wasn’t recognised by some as credible is probably because it was trying to be a bit of everything. Hopefully the mix will prove this, its a mixture of Jungle, bordering early Liquid, some Tech Step, Jump Up and a bit of Hard Step - so many sub genres I could probably write a book just on that.
In my opinion Blackmarket should have stuck to what he did best, he obviously had the contacts and in terms of knowing his selection, he was then, a good Jump Up DJ. Looking back now at Kartoons its a real surprise to find maybe 4 or 5 well known Jump Up tunes on this label - I only featured 2 in this mix, the rest will be on the next instalment. Would this label have worked as perhaps a alternative to Urban Takeover or Proper Talent? In my opinion, yes it would have - a bit more input from the likes of Trend and less from Ray Keith and this would have probably made Nicky Blackmarket a bit more spare change to buy pocket torches with.
Hey, at least he’s still smiling so he’s doing something right.
1) Fade - TDK - Kartoons Volume 15 - 1998
2) Unknown Artist - Side A - Kartoons Volume 01 - 1997
3) Dragon Fist (Ray Keith) - Double Bass Funk - Kartoons Volume 08 - 1998
4) Jonnie Braze - 1-2 - Kartoons Volume 14 - 1998
5) The Outlaw - VR-6 - Kartoons Volume - 1998
6) Dragon First (Ray Keith) - Assault - Kartoons Volume - 1998
7) Dragon First (Ray Keith) - Follow The Leader - Kartoons Volume 10 - 1998
8) Live Crew - Told - Kartoons Volume 03 - 1997
9) TNT - 2 Degrees - Kartoons Volume 02 - 1997
10) Trigger Happy - What Goes Around - Kartoons Volume 21 - 1998
11) Trend (RIP) - ! - Kartoons Volume 02 - 1997
12) Jonnie Braze - How U Want It - Kartoons Volume 14 - 1998
13) Dragon First (Ray Keith) - Filter - Kartoons Volume 20 - 1998
Jamie’s All Kartoons mix and review featured today on Drum and Bass Arena
Here’s the link
RAW Drum & Bass Summer Anthems
Ready for next month? Here’s a taster of what’s coming soon.
More information on the night can be found here
01) Yazz - Abandon Me (Aphrodite & Mickey Finn Remix)
02) DJ Zinc - Polkadots
03) Michelle Gayle, MC Det & Ed Solo - Feel Me
04) Mickey Finn - It’s Not Over
05) Undiluted - S-T-E-V-I-E
06) Lily Allen - Smile (Digital Soundboy Remix)
07) Krust & Zinc - Again
08) Shy FX & T Power - Feelings
09) Calibre Feat. MC Fats - Drop it Down
10) Potential Bad Boy - Off Road (Grunge Mix)
11) Usher Feat. JD - My Way (Bootleg)
12) Serial Killaz - You Never Know
13) Benny Page - Screwface
14) Roni Size - Bite The Bullet
15) Top Cat - Sweetest Ting (Benny Page & Marcus Visionary Remix)
16) Serial Killaz - My Sound a Champion
17) Serial Killaz - Worries Inna Dance (Remix)
18) Tom & Jerry - Maximum Style (Remix)
19) Fabulous Baker Boys - Oh Boy (Aphrodite Remix)
All Prisoners of Technology mix
1) Prisoners of Technology - Total Control - Fresh Kutt 03 - 1997
2) Prisoners of Technology - Cold Blooded (Pay Up Mix) - Fresh Kutt 06 - 1998
3) Prisoners of Technology - FEEEEEEEEEEEELLLLLLLLL (Bruce’s Bonus Mix) - Fresh Kutt 01 - 1997
4) Prionsers of Technology - Intoxicate (Intense Mix) - Fresh Kutt 10 - 1999
5) Prionsers of Technology - Push Da Button (Fresh Mix) - Fresh Kutt 02 - 1996
6) Prisoners of Technology - Tha Boggiee (Freaks Mix) - Fresh Kutt 05 - 1998
7) Prisoners of Technology - One-Two (World Cup ‘98 Mix) - Fresh Kutt 07 - 1998
8) Prisoners of Technology - Mother Fu@’in Real (K Dub XXX Rated Mix) - Fresh Kutt 08 - 1998
9) Prisoners of Technology - Delikutt Beats (Remix) - Fresh Kutt 10 - 1999
10) Prisoners of Technology - The Trick Of Technology (Time To Work Mix) - Fresh Kutt 01 - 1997
11) Prisoners of Technology - Crazzzy (Re-hab Mix) - Fresh Kutt 06 - 1998
12) Prisoners of Technology - Battle Master (Life Story Mix) - Fresh Kutt 03 - 1997
13) Prisoners of Technology - Doomsday Boy (Kids Of Death Remix) - Fresh Kutt 09 - 1998
14) Prisoners of Technology - Deadly Technique - Battlemaster Records TMS007 - 2004
This is long overdue, a mix that I should have put together at the end of 1999 to celebrate the release of the Bass 99 EP but at the time, for some strange reason, I didn’t have a full back catalogue. Thankfully I do now and this mix will hopefully show those that have only heard ‘Trick of Technology’, that the collective that was Prisoners of Technology were a huge force to be reckoned with during the 90’s.
TMS 1 made a short but appreciated rebirth to the online scene some time ago, I remember speaking to him about the future of Prisoners of Technology and Fresh Kutt, I got the feeling at the time that the era had passed him by, perhaps a new chapter had already opened? Perhaps he had ‘done a Mampi Swift’ and buggered off to America undercover? Needless to say though, his spirit and love for the scene was certainly apparent, although it was probably the love for the scene during its hey day that I am referring to.
What made tracks on this label special were the mixture of deep, sublow basslines combined with a heavy Hip Hop influence in terms of sample sources and cut up beats along with a desire to create dance floor monsters.
I hear all the time these days about people ‘skaking out’ although I don’t think they would appreciate this term until they heard Intoxicate on a huge system alongside Bassman and Trigga. This, in my opinion, is the definition of the term. If this is a tune that’s passed you by it’s certainly worth tracking down - the new school Jump Up DJ’s should stick it in a set, I would bet 50p that it would cause mayhem.
My favourite track from the label is probably The Flavour ‘98, at the time of release I wasn’t too sure where Drum & Bass was going for me. It was around the time where I don’t think a lot of popular producers knew the answer either and this release was a defining moment in terms of saving a confused genre. Jump Up soon became something new in ‘99, gone were certain factors that made it fun - this all kind of sorted itself out though after a short while but we won’t speak about the current state of affairs in this write up.
I’m not even going to mention the horrific remix in 2001 by Sub Zero, I am sure even he knows it was bloody terrible.
*TMS 1, K Dub and DJ Magic were Prisoners of Technology until 1998. TMS1 then continued as a solo artist until 2004.
Discogs link: http://www.discogs.com/label/Fresh+Kutt+Records
Download and stream here
Or via Soundcloud here
Don’t forget on Monday 05th March I have some very special guests on my Rapture FM show.
The one and only Deadline UK are making a trip over from sunny St Neots to grace the turntables with 2 hours of Jump Up Drum & Bass. Featuring none other than DJ Lines and DJ Dzs flinging down a mass of upfront tunes and no doubt a few classics along the way.
MC wise we have Cambridge’s finest, Simbad Fresh providing the lyrical banter.
Chat room and live video feed as usual plus the set will be recorded for download.
DJ Jamie Feat. Linden D live on Rapture FM 13th February 2012
Download and stream this 2 hour mix from official.fm or stream via Mixcloud
Massive tunes from the likes of 175 Crew, Aphrodite, Ray Keith, Congo Natty, Firefox, Twisted Individual, DJ SS, Swoosh, Roni Size and many more
Check Rapture FM every Monday for Jamie’s show from 8pm
Live Monday 13th February MC Linden D on Jamie’s Return to the Jungle show on Rapture FM from 8pm GMT.
Expect some big Jungle tracks to be laid down alongside some of Jamie’s favourite tunes from the last 20 years. The combination of Jamie’s selection and Linden’s vast array of lyrics is sure to be something you don’t want to miss.
The show will be recorded live and hosted for download on Tuesday 14th February.
Return to the Jungle radio returns this evening on Rapture FM bringing a whole host of classic Jungle tunes mixed with a bit of upfront Drum & Bass.
Show starts at 8pm and goes on till around 10pm.
You can now stream Rapture FM via your smart phone so no need to even go near a computer this evening. Just use the Tunein app
Anyone that misses out can stream the audio in a few days from my Mixcloud page.
*All bold text contains links
After my last label mix (Kartoons) I thought it best for my next mix to pay homage to my all time favourite Drum & Bass producers, two artists who I have stalked on Discogs in a kind of worrying fashion over the last few years, trying to pick up obscure remixes and forgotten bits of vinyl. Aphrodite has carried his style well over the years and since the early days of Jump Up his production has been duplicated, copied, ripped off by many - some have succeeded in manipulating that trademark bass, others have blatantly done a poor job. I don’t think that Drum & Bass would have been what it was in the mid 90’s without contribution from both Mickey Finn & Aphrodite, nearly every set in ‘95 and ‘96 featured heavily with tracks from Urban Takeover and other sub labels. I think for me, the clever use of Hip Hop samples, straight kicks and snares along with the original wobble bass seems to be a winning formula.
It really hit home when Stalker was featured in Human Traffic in 1999, the same year Aphrodite released his self titled album - this was a time when, for me, the direction of Drum & Bass seemed uncertain. A time when new genres were popping up all over the place, most of my close DJ friends had moved over to the likes of UK Garage or the deeper aspects of Drum & Bass. I think Mickey Finn lost the production plot a while before this, this was almost certainly demonstrated many years later with the release of the label Finn People - a kind of, dare I say it, Clown Step affair which didn’t really hold a identity or feature any big releases - mind you, by ‘07 the days of BIG tunes was far gone. This was the digital age by then.
Aphrodite obviously still plays all over the world, his sets these days still seem to feature the same spark his production did all those years ago, he seems to have moved on though bassline wise with his own production - not really something I am that keen on. That’s just a person thing though although I guess he had to move on sometime.
So here’s part one of some of my all time favourite releases by Mickey Finn & Aphrodite, a collection spanning many years and many samples. All mixed on 2 Technics 1210’s and a DJM700, nothing fancy but then I don’t think this series needs it.
If I was being really picky I should have also included Darren Jay but I should think his contribution to a few tracks was just a head nod, belly scratch and a few tweaks of the EQ - a bit like his mixing these days.
Here’s the tracklisting:
01) Frou Frou - Breathe In (Aphrodite Remix) - Island Records - 2002
02) Aphrodite - Karma Sutra - Aphrodite Recordings - 2001
03) Aphrodite - Cool Flight - Aphrodite Recordings - 1999
04) Blackstreet - No Diggity (Urban Takeover Vocal Remix) - Not On Label - 1998
05) Amazon II - Music’s Hypnotizing - Aphrodite Recordings - 1996
06) Aphrodite - Def Jammer - Aphrodite Recordings - 1999
07) Yum Yum - Fallen Angel (Aphrodite Remix) - Sperm Records - 1998
08) Aphrodite - Ganja Man - V2 Records - 2002
09) Aphrodite - Tower Bass - Aphrodite Recordings - 1996
10) Aphrodite Feat. Alibi - Tonight (Heavy Duty Dub Mix - Urgent Records - 1996
11) Barry Boom - Stand and Deliver (Darren Jay, Mickey Finn & Aphrodite Remix) - Universal Music - 1997
12) The Fabulous Baker Boys - Oh Boy (Aphrodite Funky Assed Remix - Multiply Records - 1997
13) Natural Born Chillers - Rock The Funky Beat (Urban Takeover Remix) - Warner Brothers Records - 1997
14) Apollo 440 - Raw Power (Urban Takeover Mix) - Stealth Sonic Records - 1997
15) Aphrodite - B.M Funksta - Aphrodite Recordings - 1999
16) Spring Heel Jack - Bells (Aphrodite & Mickey Finn Remix) - Trade 2 - 1997
17) Aphrodite - Cool Rock Stuff - Aphrodite Recordings - 1998
18) Mutiny - The Virus (Urban Takeover Remix) - VC Records - 2001
19) Aphrodite - Fanfare - Aphrodite Recordings - 2000
20) Just Jack - Triple Tone Eyes (Aphrodite ‘Bring it Back’ Remix) - RG Records - 2003
21) Aphrodite - Woman That Rolls - Aphrodite Recordings - 1996
22) Aphrodite - London Massive - Aphrodite Recordings - 2005
23) Aphrodite - Stalker - Aphrodite Recordings - 1999
24) Aphrodite Feat. Alibi - Sexual Healing - 1996
