Drum and bass has its roots in the 1980s Black culture of North America. In the 1990s, it was known as jungle music and expanded from the USA to Europe.
Drum and bass is a diverse genre, incorporating a wide range of effects and sounds from various other music styles. Liquid drum and bass originated as what was initially called “intelligent drum and bass.” Key figures in the 1990s, such as LTJ Bukem, or Calibre, were instrumental in its development. At that time, it wasn’t referred to as “liquid drum and bass” but was known as “intelligent jungle” or “intelligent drum and bass.”
Liquid drum and bass is characterized by the use of instruments, vocals, and melodies that evoke sweetness or sadness. Due to its incorporation of live instruments, symphonic elements, and vocals, it isn’t strictly an electronic genre. This musical richness is why it’s often associated with the term “intelligent drum and bass.”
Although liquid drum and bass has existed since the 1990s, it gained a larger audience after 2010, thanks to platforms like YouTube. Artists like Netsky played a significant role in increasing its popularity. YouTube channels such as Chilloutbear and Liquiddnbftw were influential in promoting the genre. Around this time, Liquicity Records also emerged. Liquicity Records is notable for organizing liquid drum and bass events beyond YouTube. Today, Liquicity events are among the largest of their kind in Europe, though not necessarily in the United Kingdom.
In the UK, Hospital Records has been a significant label since the 1990s and remains one of the most influential drum and bass labels globally. Other UK-based labels contributing to the liquid drum and bass scene include Soulvent Records and Spearhead Records, both of which have been dedicated to the genre since their inception.
In the Germany, C Recordings is a label that embraces liquid drum and bass. The Netherlands is home to Liquicity Records and other labels like High Tea Music.
Historically, labels such as V Recordings and Metalheadz have also played important roles in the development of liquid drum and bass. Fokuz Recordings, based in the Netherlands, is another significant label, along with its subsidiary, Celsius Recordings.
Austria has also seen the rise of labels like Yumi Recordings. In the UK, Goldfat Records and Offworld Recordings are noteworthy contributors to the genre.
Prominent artists in the liquid drum and bass scene include LTJ Bukem, London Elektricity, Pola & Bryson, Maduk, Nymfo, Riya, Hybrid Minds, Charlotte Haining, Ruth Royall, Changing Faces, DJ Marky, Aperio, Seba, Commix, Keeno, Fred V, Polaris, Makoto, Nu:Logic, Nu:Tone, Technimatic, BCee, Etherwood, Humanature, LSB, and Leniz, among others. Many talented producers are currently shaping the liquid drum and bass landscape.
Sidney SN believe that liquid drum and bass can stand as its own genre, independent of other drum and bass styles. Initially, many producers aimed to create something distinct from the prevailing drum and bass scene, driven by a desire to innovate and express their unique musical visions.
⸻ Some of Sidney SN favorite liquid drum and bass tracks include:
• Nymfo & Riya – “Something Tells Me”
• London Elektricity – “Dub My Dreams”
• BCee, Charlotte Haining & LSB – “Endlessly Unlimited”
• LSB & Charlotte Haining – “Day Dreamer”
• Pola & Bryson, Charlotte Haining – “Find Your Way”
• Technimatic & Riya – “When the Dawn Breaks”
• SOLAH – “Elevate”
• Koherent – “Mirrors”
• Flava D – “What I’ve Always Waited For”
• In:Most & Ruth Royall – “Back to The Sun”
• DJ Marky & SOLAH – “Poetry”
• Polaris, Ritual & Vio.let – “Lullaby”
• imo:lu – “Circle”
• Winslow – “Lost In Black Lodge”
• Metrik feat. NAMGAWD - LIFE/THRILLS
