Creative pairings run deep in drum & bass history. From Fabio & Grooverider and Kemistry & Storm, to Ed Rush & Optical and Total Science, duos have been woven into the fabric of D&B since the very beginning. Married production duos are another story entirely, but Quadrant & Iris have long proved that it’s a winning formula. It was clear from the off that their studio link up would bear fruit, with their very first collaboration landing on Metalheadz back in 2012. Suffice it to say there has been no sign of let up since that flying start, with releases on CIA, Dispatch, Commercial Suicide and Sofa Sound forming just part of a truly stacked back catalogue.
Now, the Seattle-based pair return with their latest single, this time round on Carbon Music. It’s already been a strong year for Jubei’s imprint, with standout releases from Tyrone and Arcatype, and this most recent offering keeps the heat coming.
Quadrant & Iris’s new single is led by the hard-hitting, low-end fuelled ‘Prismatic’, while the flip ‘White Violet’ provides a more introspective, melodic flavour. Driven by expertly sculpted rolling drums, both tracks demonstrate the duo’s deep, innovative production, sounding fresh yet still reminiscent of early noughties techstep greats.
In keeping with that sound, it’s a strictly classic playlist selection from Quadrant & Iris as they reach for the back of the stack to draw ten certified gems. None of these tracks were released after 2011, yet each has firmly stood the test of time, reflecting the craft, energy and innovation of that golden era of D&B.
Ulterior Motive – 2098
We’ve probably listed this on in a previous top list but it’s always worth repeating. Ulterior Motive seemed like they came out of nowhere at a time when it felt like there was a bit of a lull in D&B for us and showed how the classic techstep/neurofunk sound was still alive and still sounded so fresh. This tune is still the basis of inspiration for a lot of our work.
Kemal & Rob Data – Gene Sequence
This is one we could probably take to a deserted island and listen to it nonstop and it won’t get old. It’s a master class of variations on a theme, something Kemal and Rob Data are geniuses at and which really shows up here. Not many people can make a six-plus minute tune maintain energy and stay interesting all the way through, but they manage it flawlessly.
Chris.SU – Solaris Theme VIP
Bring back second drops! Yet another exercise in variations and keeping a tune interesting. We will always, always play the second drop of this one because the whole first half of the tune builds to the energy and change up that comes with the second half. Hands down one of our favourites.
Bulletproof & Optiv – Camouflage
We’ll never not miss Optiv and what he could do with a rolling bass line. The energy of this one is just relentless, you can play it with just about anything. It’s still fresh, still goes off on a dancefloor and sounds ideal on a system that can really handle the low bass note. It will shake the whole room! The world lost both of these guys far too soon.
Mindscape & Hydro – Skid Row
Hydro always seems to add an extra funky flourish to any tune he works on and this one is no exception. Great bassline, great edits, absolutely relentless.
Klute – I Minder
Is it Trance? Techno? D&B? Yes! Picking a Klute favourite is an exercise in futility, but this one is right up at the top.
Break – Authentic
Did you know that Break has been making absolute bangers since 2003? It’s true, but there’s more: he’s still doing it! He could be making a face melter right this second and you’d have no idea. It’s not fair, but you know what, life isn’t fair. Anyway, tune.
Sinthetix – Ultraviolet
This one was so goddamn ahead of its time and we’re still not sure where they imported the alien technology necessary to make that bassline back in (checks notes) 2002? JFC.
Calyx & Teebee – Cyclone
An absolute study in atmosphere and pushing an idea forward piece by piece. Those dropouts when the midrange changes up? Chef’s kiss.
DBridge & Jubei – Patience
This thing drops with only drums and the most devastating sub you’ve ever heard in your entire life. Then the rides come in. Very few high quality ingredients, cooked to perfection.
Prismatic/White Violet is available to stream or puechase here. Check out the streamable Quadrant & Iris playlist below.