Dubplate Selection Vol. 1 album cover
Dubplate Selection Vol. 1

More Rockers

2019
Echo Beach

This album originally arrived in February 1995, almost simultaneously with A Guy Called Gerald’s Black Secret Technology, and sandwiched in between 4Hero’s Parallel Universe and Goldie’s Timeless. It never got the same critical kudos as them at the time, but it is absolutely as important as any of them in establishing jungle / drum’n’bass as a genre with depth and longevity. Partly this was down to the natural diffidence of Rob Smith (the Smith of Smith & Mighty, and half of More Rockers along with Peter D. Rose), the antithesis of a hype-seeker. Partly it’s that this album didn’t have the grandiose sci-fi vision of those other groundbreaking sets — rather being a deep expression of the UK’s soundsystem and rare groove grass roots, all organic, dubwise production, soulful vocals and interpolation from classic roots, disco and boogie. Play this now, though, and it absolutely captures the moment, but also stirs the soul in the here and now too.

Joe Muggs

Recommended by
Who also suggested

If you select your preferred streamer here, we will save your preference and link to that platform if possible. This can always be changed in the Settings menu.

Apple Music

If you’d like to prioritize Bandcamp if available, tap the Bandcamp logo.

Since some albums are only available on one service, you’ll still see logos for other services if the album is only available on that service.

Next