Classic drum and bass tracks. Recommended popular songs.

Feel The LoveRudimental

FEEL THE LOVE – RUDIMENTAL FT JOHN NEWMAN [Official Video]

Formed in London, UK in 2010 as a four-piece without a vocalist, Rudimental is made up of members from diverse backgrounds.

While in recent years they’ve explored a broad range of styles within electronic music, in their early days they were a band centered around a drum and bass sound, and they have many classic tracks that are perfect for newcomers to the genre.

Featured in this piece, “Feel the Love” is one of their signature songs, released in 2012, and a global hit.

It features British singer John Newman as a guest vocalist; despite being rooted in a drum and bass track, it also incorporates elements of funk and soul.

With John’s memorable vocals and melodies, plus a rock-like dynamism and sense of speed, it’s a real killer tune.

Even listeners from a rock background who aren’t very familiar with club music will find it easy to enjoy!

Remember The FutureLondon Elektricity

London Elektricity – Remember The Future

It’s quite a bold artist name, but true to it, London Elektricity is a solo project by Tony Colman based in London, UK.

Originally, it was a duo that also included Chris Goss, but Chris left the project to focus on running Hospital Records—the long-standing drum and bass label the two co-founded—so it now operates as Tony’s solo project.

London Elektricity’s classic 2006 track “Remember the Future” is a beautiful drum and bass masterpiece that showcases Tony’s deep sensibilities across not only drum and bass but also soul and jazz.

The balance is impeccable: high-speed drum and bass beats paired with somewhat airy synths, refined piano phrases, and vocals.

This track has been performed live with a big-band-style jazz ensemble, so be sure to check out the footage if you can!

Temper TemperGoldie

Goldie – Temper Temper (Official Music Video)

Goldie, the first true star of the drum and bass world, is an artist who took the music scene by storm with his striking looks.

Widely regarded—controversies and all—as both a living witness to and an emperor of drum and bass, there’s no denying his achievement in bringing the genre to the wider world.

His 1995 debut album Timeless is hailed as a landmark masterpiece, a towering classic of drum and bass.

In this piece, I’ll introduce the much-loved track Temper Temper, which features Noel Gallagher, Oasis’s guitarist and principal songwriter.

Though it’s drum and bass at its core, Temper Temper boldly incorporates Noel’s guitar work and carries a shade of industrial influence.

Released as a single from Goldie’s second album, Saturnz Return, in 1998, it might be a tough listen for diehard Oasis fans, but younger listeners who love both rock and club music may find it refreshingly new.

Don’t forget to check out the MV too—the sight of Goldie tearing around with a bat, looking absolutely menacing, is downright terrifying!

Run YouThe Qemists

The Qemists – Run You (Official Music Video)

Despite being a rock band in terms of lineup, The Qemists deliver a sound deeply influenced by electronic music centered on drum and bass, earning high praise on par with Pendulum as a dance-rock band.

Hailing from Brighton, UK, they released their debut album Join the Q on the storied label Ninja Tune.

Their floor-ready, thunderous sound—rooted in the primal pleasures of dance music—also garnered acclaim here in Japan, and their 2016 solo Japan shows were a huge success.

Among their works, the track Run You, which we’re introducing here, is a killer tune that showcases the emotional performance of then-newly joined vocalist Oliver Simmons, who deftly switches between melody and shouts.

If you’re into modern heavy rock, you’ll definitely get hooked—the high-speed drum and bass fused seamlessly with loud heavy rock rushes at you.

Crank it up loud.

The track is included on their third album, Warrior Sound, released in 2016.

QuestShimon & Andy C

Andy C & Shimon – Quest

Andy C, the British artist who heads the prestigious and long-established drum and bass label RAM Records and serves as a leading figure in the scene.

The fact that he founded the label at just 16 speaks volumes about his precocious talent.

Still incredibly busy today as a top-tier DJ, Andy C remains deeply involved in the evolution of drum and bass—so much so that following his trajectory is almost like tracing the genre’s history itself.

Let me introduce “Quest,” a 12-inch single released in 1996 on his own label, produced in collaboration with fellow British DJ/producer Shimon during Andy C’s younger days.

Despite its overall simplicity, the track is strikingly cool, pairing airy electronic textures with tight breakbeats.

Considering its release year, it stands as an important testament to early drum and bass, showcasing the creative talents of both Andy C and Shimon.

I also recommend the B-side, “Night Flight,” which features a more primitive, jungle-inspired structure.

LK Feat. Stamina MCDJ Marky & XRS

DJ Marky & XRS – LK Feat. Stamina MC

The home of drum and bass is the UK, but of course iconic tracks have been born in other countries as well.

The track featured here, “LK feat.

Stamina MC,” is a classic released in 2002 by DJ Marky, a São Paulo native known for pioneering “Brazilian drum and bass.” If you give it a listen, you’ll likely notice a vibe that feels different from typical drum and bass.

In fact, the track samples “Carolina Carol Bela,” a song created by Brazil’s celebrated singer-songwriter Toquinho with samba-funk icon Jorge Ben as a guest.

The fusion of samba’s characteristically cheerful rhythms and acoustic guitar tones with the cool textures of drum and bass yields an effect that’s even more powerful than you might expect.

If you’re looking to explore drum and bass with a twist, this one’s a must.

Time (feat. Cleveland Watkiss)Makoto

Makoto feat Cleveland Watkiss – Time

Makoto, a Tokyo-born DJ and composer who continues to make waves globally with drum and bass at his core.

While studying at Nihon University College of Art, he was influenced by the burgeoning drum and bass scene and began producing his own tracks.

Discovered by LTJ Bukem, one of the originators of drum and bass, Makoto quickly rose to prominence.

From his discography, let’s highlight the classic “Human Elements,” which is also included on his landmark 2003 debut album released on the prestigious Good Looking Records.

Featuring British singer Cleveland Watkiss, it’s a melodious track with a slightly relaxed BPM for drum and bass—an undeniably smooth listen that will appeal even to fans of vocal-centric music.

There’s also a remix included on the 12-inch single, so be sure to check that out as well.