Newcastle, UK label, Red Mist Recordings has entered the record game and wisely sidestepped the whole “atmospheric labels struggling for vinyl distribution these days” thing by self-releasing a compilation CD. Works for me, because who doesn’t like a good comp? Listeners can enjoy the individual tunes, DJs can play it in the CDJs, and no one has to suffer an uneven artist album. Well, this one is still uneven, but there are plenty of high points that make it worth picking up. Mav’s “Walk the Earth” is a heavily-syncopated slice of Dutch science-fiction jazz, with characteristic crisp drum palette and ethereal tones that slide around the cloud layer. ASC offers a solid dancefloor stepper, “Lake of Illusion,” and the elusive Mykra contributes “Faze One [remix],” a lively update of his unreleased classic. Hungary’s ICR & SDD team up on “Striction (Loveshine)” which overcomes a routine intro to hit a funky technoid stride. Pete Rann delivers a big tune, “Shine Down on Me” that shares much with his releases on Good Looking, but dressed up with a diva vocal treatment. Equally high-octane is Intersidereal’s “Disturbed Balance,” an energetic, trancey two-stepper that gets the idea across despite the flat-sounding engineering. Up-and-coming Russian producer, Cryo gets his first (or close second) release with “Ice In You,” a mature, musical long-player that draws new tricks well into its fifth minute. “Ice” makes excellent use of flutes and guitar samples, including wah pedal stabs and a unique talking fuzzbox bassline. The album rounds out with upbeat tracks by Skeema and Greenfly and closes with promising efforts from newcomers Antibreak and Void. Overall, an impressive new-school showcase of global talents keeping mellow Drum & Bass alive and well.

www.redmistrecordings.co.uk