Album Review: Various Artists – DJ Marky And Friends present Makoto (Innerground)

For the second instalment of the 'DJ Marky And Friends present' series, the Innerground label ropes in Tokyo-based drum n bass DJ Makoto Shimizu, who has recorded for a number of labels, most notably LTJ Bukem's Good Looking, where he has put out a couple of solid LPs. For this mix, he picks some choice cuts and mixes them with precision, going for what was once known as the 'intelligent' dnb vibe, although its on more of an atmospheric tip. The highlight is Makoto's own remix of Fabulous' 'Words of Love', which gets all housey as he kicks the BPMs down to a near sedentary pace, before bringing in the vocals and rolling back to dnb tempo. It's really refreshing and a brave move, mixing in to 'Like A Dream' by up-and-comer SPY, which leaves you on a high with its pick me up vibe. This mix is really quite good, and well worth a look. Its far more cerebral than your average knock 'em out  'intelligent' drum and bass DJ set. PV Buy from iTunes Buy from Amazon