When a die hard drum & bass fan thinks of big name DJs and producers from outside the UK, it is more than likely that they’ll think of the name Teebee. Since igniting the Norwegian drum & bass scene by staging the very first underground jungle rave back in the early 90s, Torgeir Byrknes has been at the forefront of the sound. One of his many achievements was co-founding the Subtitles imprint with fellow d&b producer Polar back in 2000. To celebrate 50 huge releases on the label, Teebee has thrown together a mix CD jam packed full of the best Subtitles releases from both yesterday and today on a compilation entitled “Subliminal vol. 1.” The emphasis on this record label is all about a different sound of drum & bass so for those wanting to learn more about the label’s sound, there is no better place to look than this compilation.

This isn’t a mix CD which reflects what Teebee played on his recent Australian tour, apart from the odd track here and there, as mentioned it’s all about the Subtitles label and its unique sound. This mix is not really oriented around a big room crowd. It’s darker but not harder and has a very psychedelic feel throughout. This is drum & bass at its inventive best. The mix gets underway with “Natural Selection” by Zero Tolerance, which has a long beatless intro perfect for setting the scene for what is to come. Its beat is solid but not hard and there are subtle touches of South American percussion and echoing vocals that give the tune a haunting feel. “Brainwave” by Phace keeps the mix in deep, dark, subterranean territory with the occasional “hiss” to create a fearful industrial atmosphere. This is d&b not for the feint of heart.

“Acid City” is one of this mix’s highlights with its simple yet futuristic flow. The beat isn’t quite as percussive as some of the other tracks on offer however this is a good thing as any more of a beat and it would have been overdone. Good production values on this collection are the order of the day as this is the whole ethos behind Subtitles label. It’s not all darkness, doom and gloom here though as the jump up funkiness of Teebee’s “Catch My Breath” breathes a bi of fresh air and light into the selection. Without a tune like this the mix (and even the label) might seem a bit two-dimensional. Another international name in drum & bass who is making some serious waves right now is of course Noisia, and these three Dutchmen feature on this mix on a number of occasions with “Sandworm” (a tune which really does conjure up images of a world under the surface,) “Brainwave” (not to be confused with Phace’s track of the same name) and “Backdraft.”

“Dimentional Entity” by Teebee & Future Prophecies provides yet another highlight as it combines a heavy but not too overwhelming amen break, a dark brooding bassline and the first verse of one of the most beautiful love songs of all time; “The First Time I Ever Saw Your Face” (originally sung by Roberta Flack.) The mix continues on in a dark and drifty mood until K’s “Oblivious” seems to warn of impending danger with its clever sound effects and a beat which takes a back seat to the masterful sounds. To add to the thriller theme of the tune K has even added the sound of crows looping over and over during build-ups which occur within the track. The following tune “Futile Dream” is also by K and again this is a clever piece of music which tells a story of a vivid dream from which there is little by way of escape.

“Let Go” by Teebee shifts the momentum again back into a more traditional d&b direction with a deep and soulful vocal and a bouncy old meets new jungle beat. There is enough variety on this mix to keep drum & bass fans with varying interests happy whilst the beat seems to maintain a similar level of intensity throughout. “Snakefork” also by Teebee meanwhile is another real groover with a swaying bassline and a top notch punching beat which again reflects the title perfectly Teebee fans should look elsewhere if they are after a mix which represents his live sound but for his productions alone this is a definite must have.

“Subliminal vol. 1” is capped off by two very different, contrasting tunes. “Solaris” by well known d&b producer Chris Su is an excellent tune which has a warm, driving melody and a smooth but by no means soft beat. Inventive drum & bass like this is ultimately what will keep the sound going strong through thick and thin. The closing track (“Go Between” by Commix) isn’t quite as special but it is no less effective as the dark groove once again returns. Be sure to grab this CD if you like drum & bass at its cutting edge and innovative best.