Nightlife

by Kingsley MarshallThis album concept emanating from the Hornchurch, England, headquarters of Andy Clarke is sure to trounce other compilations, with the full contents of Clarke's acetate-loaded flight case on show for a selection of exclusives and unreleased material right across the drum'n'bass spectrum. While cuts from the Militia, Shy FX, and Tech Itch bulk up the 27 tracks, it is the contributions from Ram staffers Moving Fusion, Fresh, and Red One that demonstrate just how the label has stayed on top of its game for so long, with precisely engineered productions capped with all of the usual demented sonic components -- muscle-ripping basslines, crystalline percussion, and the occasional atmospheric blip of a damaged ECG are here in abundance. A late running-order wind-down from J Majik, M.I.S.T., and A Sides offers some light amidst the darkness, with the aptly titled "Hotness" from Ant Miles, Dynamite MC, and Andy himself sure to be smashing skulls and dancefloors alike on its release in summer 2003.