High Contrast / Various

For someone who didn’t even know what jungle was when other artists responsible for previous Fabric drum & bass mixes such as Fabio, Andy C and DJ Hype were already considered veterans, to be held amongst such illuminati is an honour well deserved. High Contrast’s 2004 sophomore LP High Society was considered one of the top three jungle albums of the last decade by Knowledge magazine, and his meteoric rise has been rewarded with the 50th release on the Fabric label. As one of the major contributors to Hospital Records’ success, High Contrast’s mix contains a plethora of tracks from other members of their roster such as London Elektricity’s "Power Ballad” and the ’90s synths of "Flashback” by Cyantific and Logistics. Slightly too rough around the edges to be liquid but far more soulful than jump-up, he has found a sound that appeals across the board and with the use of vocal samples and articulated instrumentation on tracks like Jenna G’s "Woe” or dance floor anthem "Love Insane,” this is the kind of late night music that would even attract house fans. Wrapping up the album with his only track and newest release, "Days Go By” samples Stevie Nicks’ "Edge of 17” sensationally (more subtly than on "Bootylicious”) with the bass and beat dropping to the lyrics "just like a white wing dove.” By far one of the best Fabriclive mixes, this is a jaw-dropping set in its own right, full of gems from start to finish.