What’s in a classic? 4Hero and Marky explore d’n’b for BBE

What’s in a classic? 4Hero and Marky explore d’n’b for BBE

22 February, 2010 | 8.07AM

• Written by: Caleb Rakes
• Filed under: Music News: 4hero, bbe, dj marky, drum & bass

There has been a lot of talk recently at Beatport HQ about what defines a ‘classic’? Can something under 12 months of age, or even an underground record that only shifted a few hundred units, be given such a title?

As ease of access to production software has reduced the barriers of entry to the contemporary electronic music scene, our shopping crates and digital music collections have vastly increased. To differentiate yourself and to stand the test of time a track needs to go classic, but what’s in a classic?

In the drum & bass and jungle world, a classic record played at the appropriate moment can earn you respect from a crowd, and thankfully there are hundreds of classics available that span over two decades.

Recently 4Hero and DJ Marky paired up for a compilation on the BBE imprint, entitled ‘The Kings of Drum & Bass’. For those of you unfamiliar with the ‘Kings of’ series let me explain - BBE ask leading DJs within certain spectrums of music to produce retrospective mixes that contains plenty of past and future classics.

Previously Londoner Giles Peterson and Germany’s Jazzanova collective teamed up on ‘The Kings of Jazz’, and Carl Craig joined forces with Frenchman Laurent Garnier on ‘The Kings of Techno’ (unreleased digitally but definitely worth checking out).

On the latest installment Marky serves up a liquid, uptempo high rolling selection of tracks from the likes of Lynx, Calibre and Random Movement, whilst 4Hero provides a trip through classic drum & bass that acts as an extensive guide to the genre’s classic sounds.

With Rufige Kru’s hard edged rave anthem ‘Terminator II’, A Guy Called Gerald’s ‘Sunshine’ (a little bit of Roy Ayers please), and Aquasky’s earlier Moving Shadow jungle rhythm ‘Images’, there’s plenty of magical moments.

There are also enough Amen breaks on the compilation to make The Winstons think twice about their effect on the dance community.

But talking of future classics, Marky’s selection also showcases Calibre’s ‘Let Me Hold You’ (2009’s underrated liquid anthem), Marky and S.P.Y’s ‘Days Go Slow’, and Stunna’s epic, ‘Back In Time’.

The debate over what constitutes a classic will no doubt continue to rage for some time. Let us know your thoughts below.

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