Commix / Various

When Call To Mind came out in 2007, the less widely known sounds of the duo of George Levings and Guy Brewer brought the name Commix to the forefront of liquid drum & bass. The lush textures and rich harmonies of their funk style helped breathe new life into the subgenre much undermined by thrill seeking since the glory days of Fabio and Bukem, but on the rise again with the help of Cambridge compatriots Nu:Tone and Logistics. In another thoroughly enjoyable release from the taste-making Fabriclive series, Commix demonstrate subtler, groove-oriented beats with layers of gentler synths and elegant orchestration over warm bass lines. From the weeping violin portamento descents and softly stated vocals of "Creatures of Habit" by )EIB('s dBridge to the cavernous bass wobbles of Spectrasoul's "Buried," the album explores every appreciable octave in the human audible range. With a collection of wistful journeys taken from some of the finest producers of the moment, such as Breakage and Calibre, much like their album, Commix compile an exceptionally listenable mix of sophisticated drum & bass music.