Moving Shadow are without a doubt the label I have bought the most releases from. When the label folded in 2008 I felt like a part of Drum & Bass had died. Rob Playford’s label has had more outstanding releases from more heavy hitting producers than any other, and their influence on broken beats since 1990 can not be ignored. Their logo has the words ‘world domination’ written around it, and I think as a label they achieved this.

In the early days when I was cutting my teeth on rave tunes Moving Shadow had some of the deepest, roughest and most danceable tunes on the scene. Rob Playford as 2 Bad Mice (along with Sean O’Keeffe & Simon Colebrooke) was killing it with Bomb Scare, an anthem so large it still influences producers and gets sampled today. Blame’s – Music Takes You and Omni Trio’s – Mystic Stepper pretty much kicked off the lighter and more musical Intelligent genre of Jungle and D&B. And Kaotic Chemistry’s – Illegal Subs showed just how catchy and devastating Breakbeat Hardcore really could be.

This mix is the beginning of a series that will take you through 15+ years of Moving Shadow History. It is going to be long and god knows how many parts there will be to it, because as a label Moving Shadow have literally thousands of releases. But one thing I do know is that the mixes are going to be quality and the music exceptional.

Shadow Wax Vol.1 – 1hr of Moving Shadow from 91-93

Cosmos & Dibs – Oh So Nice
2 Bad Mice – 2 Bad Mice
Cosmos & Dibs – Star Eyes
2 Bad Mice – Ware Mouse
2 Bad Mice – Bomb Scare
2 Bad Mice – 2 Bad Mice (Remix)
Tone Def – Big Love (Love Mix)
Sci – Uprising
Blame – Music Takes You (Original Version)
Blame – Ecstasy Takes You
Blame – Music Takes Two
Blame – Piano Takes You
Hyper On Experience – H.E. Anthem
Kaotic Chemistry – Space Cakes
Omni Trio – Mystic Stepper (Feel Better)
Kaotic Chemistry – Illegal Subs (Krome & Time Remix)
Blame – 2 Bad Mice Take You

Suburban Base & Moving Shadow were first two major labels in the Breakbeat/Hardcore scene. By ‘major’ I mean spitting out top quality 12″ release after release and managing to pump out CD compilations as well. The Suburban Base influence was all over pirate radio in the early days and looking at their roster of artists it is pretty easy to see why.

Between Sonz of a Loop Da Loop Era, Krome & Time, D’Cruze, Blame, DJ Hype, Foul Play, EZ Rollers, 2 Bad Mice and Marvelous Cain they had just about every big name in the Breakbeat/Hardcore scene. Rave anthems were the name of game back then and Subbase had them covered. I don’t remember ever seeing a DJ’s crate worth his salt back in 92-93 who didn’t have a stack of Suburban Base records in his selection.

This mix was played live on my birthday at a party I held. I did consider going back in to the studio to do a more controlled version of the mix, but I got worried I would lose the energy and spontaneity captured in this one. So I have left well alone and just let it roll. I’m dedicating this mix to Stevie Boy who reminded me just what a great label Suburban Base were and to all those who remember.

Subbase Statione One – 1hr of Suburban Base Records

Run Tings – Fire Burning
Sonz of a Loop Da Loop Era – Far Out
Future Assassins – Future Sound
Krome & Time – This Sound is for the Underground
Smart E’s – Sesame’s Treat (Krome & Time Remix)
D’Cruze – Life (Hands to Heaven)
Sonz of a Loop Da Loop Era – Breaks the Unbreakable
Blame – A21
Krome & Time – The Slammer (Nookie Remix)
Sonz of a Loop Da Loop Era – Calm Downizm
Krome & Time – The Slammer
DJ Hype – I Don’t Understand
EZ Rollers – Rolled Into One
Flex & Fats – Somebody
DJ Hype – Weird Energy
Foul Play – Open Your Mind
2 Bad Mice – Underworld
DJ Hype – The Chopper (Johnny Jungle Remix)
Marvellous Cain – CB4