Ray Keith – Dread Double Pack EP

Interesting that this release refers to the "Classified" album which came out in 1999. I'm guessing that as there was a 2 year delay the tracks featured here would have been too old and "The Chopper" track was the only one to receive an updated remix.

An excellent double pack regardless with Foul Play delivering a classy rework of "Sing Time" and "The Chopper VIP" combining the best of the Shy FX and"Dirty Chopper" versions.

"Jazz It Up" sees Ray Keith present his funkier side while my favourite track, "Singtime (Breakage Mix)" tracks things on a more techstep top similar to the tearing "Midnite 96" released the year previous.

A great Dread Recordings package which is a cheap pickup on 2024.

This Deffo came out in 1997! In fact it was the only release by Dread that came out that year!

Singtime (Breakage Mix)

I hearing this for the first time on One In The Jungle when Ray Keith was mixing alongside MC's Moose & Navigator.
For me this was the stand out tune on the set despite it featuring tunes such as Matrix - Mute and others.
I always assumed it was a dubplate or indeed Ray mixing two tracks together.
I was delighted to pick this up for less than a fiver a few months back, this track has everything.
One of the pinnacles of the dark pre-millenium era which in itself was for me the best drum and bass/jungle since 93/94.

Whoops I actually do have the second album in this pack!!! Jazz It Up and Chopper VIP both have the chopped up jump up patterns familiar with Ray Keith releases. While Jazz It Up offers a more mellow feel with rolling basslines, as well as melodic basslines and bells. This track is good for a break down chill track while still keeping the jump up vibe. Chopper VIP is straight up pattern switching, hard hitting, amen laced, jump up that would be great for MC's in the house especially with the "May I Have Your Attention" sample laced throughout the track. Good things on these two tracks, geared towards the classic junglist....

Classic Dread Recordings. Unfortunately I only have one disk out of the double pack. Singtime (Foul Play remix) has the classic bouncy jungle sound bass with melodic vocals. Singtime (Breakage remix) has a more gritty break beat backing up the melody making it sound more along the lines of techstep. I prefer the Foul Play remix as far as keeping to the classic jungle sound. Both of these tracks come on the Dread Classified LP.

The A side has got some nice dark bass overlaided with chopper sounds and a nice high cimbal clash. This is one dnb 12" that would scratch well. About halfway through has that dark dummm dum thats very Ram Records.

Now the AA side is quite light, and funky the kinda thing thats works well at about 4am. 1/3 and we hit the bassline, not too hectic but just fast enough to dance too whilst mashed at 4am. about half way through it goes a bit high then low with no real mid range.