TNG Chart Update: Drum & Bass

TNG Chart Update

Now we’re entering another new phase here at The Noise Gate, this time with the brand new Drum and Bass chart; and with it being the first time for everything this part of our chart update series is again going to be a full coverage article. In this week’s chart we have likes of Ed Solo; State of Mind, Foreign Concept, Ulterior Motive plus many more.

Drum & Bass

Propping up our new chart this week is Viper Recordings’ The Prototypes with ‘Humanoid’. After bursting on to the scene in 2010, the Brighton based duo – Chris Garvey and Nick White – haven’t held anything back and battered the doors down time and time again with popular smashes such as ‘Cascade’ and ‘Breathless’. The Prototypes are currently lying in sixth position on the BeatPort charts with ‘Humanoid’ and for the time being is our number 10. Even though the track was released six weeks ago, this compelling tune of hard-hitting patterns – as well as air play through Radio 1 Extra a few months back – this incredible smash will still have its popularity to remain high in the charts and we can expect from The Prototypes in the future. ‘Humanoid’ is currently lying in sixth position on the BeatPort charts and for the time being it is our number 10.

‘Red Alert’ by Bladerunner is next up at number 9, released through Formation Records last week. This track brings back memories of the old-school Jungle era when Drum & Bass started to diverge from its roots into the mainstream. The Jungle ambience is so strong with ‘Red Alert’ that most likely the more knowledgeable listeners of Drum and Bass gained its acceptance to strike into the Top 5 of the Juno D&B charts.

Our number 8 is Prolix and Mob Tactics with the epic bass frenzy ‘Transmission’. The composition released through Trendkill Records at the very beginning of the month, is part of Prolix’s latest five track collaborations EP ‘Transcendent’. The EP itself seems to be generally well received on BeatPort; with the other four songs entering at 24, 25, 70 and 71 in the Drum & Bass Top 100. Compared to Juno, the tune ‘Exploration’ featuring Rido – from the same EP – has made its mark into the Top 20 this week. All in all, it seems it’s been a good day at the office for Prolix, with ‘Transmission’ being his highest hit on BeatPort at number 5.

The ever-brilliant State of Mind has come back with another colossal banger called ‘Long Term Effect’ released through Citrus Recordings last Monday. According to BeatPort’s chart, ‘Long Term Effect’ has maintained the usual high standard of production quality from the duo from New Zealand, nailing down another Top 5 entry. Due to State of Mind’s massive following, I can see this track becoming a ‘Long Term Effect’ – pun intended – on the chart for the coming months, yet this week in the Noise Gate Drum and Bass chart update, it is currently our number 7.

Just like Prolix at number 8, our next two entries in the chart at 6 and 5 are from the same EP and artist. Firstly in sixth place is ‘When You’re Alone’ tailing behind fifth place ‘Ask Yourself’ featuring Klax – both of these dynamically produced tunes are by Critical Music’s returning artist Foreign Concept. The pair of these charismatic productions was released as part of Foreign Concept’s EP ‘Make Meals’ this month. Overall, the EP has favourable reviews; the most stand out positive judgement coming from British producer Sub Focus. The Londoner was quoted as saying the following about ‘Make Meals’: “Great fusion of genres in this track that seems to work in every set I play, love this!”

On another note again with similarities to Prolix’s chart successes across Juno and BeatPort with his EP ‘Transcendent’; Foreign Concept has entries of the ‘Make Meals’ EP spread all across Juno at 10, 11, 15, and 30. This trend continues into BeatPort with hits all inside the top 100 (20, 23, 48 and 61). Foreign Concept’s two highest charting songs from the EP – both included in our chart – ‘When You’re Alone’ is at number 4 in Juno and 17 in BeatPort and ‘Ask Yourself’ is Juno’s number 3 and entered in BeatPort at number 13.

Only just missing out on the podium this week is Metrik with ‘Slipstream’ released through Hospital Records. Having personally listened to previous pieces by Metrik such as ‘Genesis’ and ‘Freefall’ it does not surprise me that, Metrik a.k.a Tom Mundell; has managed to ascend the BeatPort chart and hit the number three spot with also a respectable top 40 hit to boot in the Juno chart with ‘Slipstream’. The continuously bouncy flow to this tune can really get bass-heads raving wildly and it’s a confirmed track for Metrik’s greatly anticipated album ‘Universal Language’, coming out this next Monday (29th)- keep watch on it!

In the bronze medal position this week here at The Noise Gate is another smack down of a tune from the Jungle style; number 2 at present in the Juno Chart its Ed Solo featuring Elijah MC with ‘Ruffneck’. This unique blend of heavy drum and bass synthesis combined a reggae influenced backbeat, adds a bit more spice to your usual fast paced syncopations – a style that Ed Solo is known for and role he can fulfil with relative ease.

Moving up to second place and taking the silver home is the alliance of Phace and Misanthrop with the track titled ‘Sex Sells’. Regardless of its unequivocal explicit innuendos, this gritty production by the duo, really hammers home the core of an emphatic bassline immediately capturing your attention. Even though it is currently at number 43 on the Juno rankings, ‘Sex Sells’ has beaten a tonne of big name players in the Drum and Bass circuit to claim second in the BeatPort charts this week, holding its own for over a month now since its release through Neosignal.

The winner of the gold medal this week is Bournemouth duo Ulterior Motive with ‘Tape Pack’ released through Metalheadz last Monday. ‘Tape Pack’ has prevailed at both Juno and BeatPort to thrash the opposition and gain the number one spot. This authentic rave anthem with a classic 90s dance impression had its exclusive premiere on Friction’s Radio 1 show last month and the reputation of ‘Tape Pack’ as a single is only getting stronger. Will Ulterior Motive hang on to the top spot? We’ll have to find out next week here at The Noise Gate, on the Drum and Bass Chart Update.

10. The Prototypes – ‘Humanoid’
9. Bladerunner – ‘Red Alert’
8. Prolix & Mob Tactics – ‘Transmission’
7. State of Mind – ‘Long Term Effect’
6. Foreign Concept – ‘When You’re Alone’
5. Foreign Concept & Klax – ‘Ask Yourself’
4. Metrik – ‘Slipstream’
3. Ed Solo & Elijah MC – ‘Ruffneck’ (2014 DnB Mix)
2. Phace & Misanthrop – ‘Sex Sells’
1. Ulterior Motive – ‘Tape Pack’ explicative