Boris Daenen, better known as Netsky is a Belgian Liquid Drum and Bass producer. He has been on the radar in the last few years with a few infrequent releases on such labels as Liqweed Ganja and Talkin Beatz. I remember being introduced to him about a year ago and not being too blown away with his productions, they were quite cliche in the liquid scene. There was something a bit too close to Brookes Brothers for me I think, where they could just do it better.

However, after a while of not listening to said producer, I was met with the self named album, Netsky, released on the 31st May this year. He seems to have brought on himself a new lease of life and with it a different direction of creativity. You can tell from certain songs on the album that he wants to ‘stretch the boundaries’ for want of a less used way of putting it. Tracks like “The Magic Russian Bottle”, come with a certain sly evil, something that Eddie K and Chase and Status often bring to the table. He underlays these with smooth breaks and some vocals which are as integral to the composition as the drums themselves. On the flipside, there are tracks like “Iron Heart”, just purely inspirational, airy, synth pad dominated pieces of beauty.

He really has tried his hand at everything on this album and it has worked like a charm. “I Can’t Hold It” starts off with quiet breaks and a repeated vocal, lulling you into the false sense of comfort and to the break where there’s a whining bassline to rival the best (or worst) in the dubstep business. And of course, the album wouldn’t be complete without some healthy liquid. Two tracks which are pretty nice are “Porcelain” but moreso “Escape”, typical liquid tracks with a certain something else which I can’t quite put my finger on.

Overall, a great first album and hopefully he will keep releasing great things on Hospital Records which of course have seen the Drum and Bass greats of High Contrast, London Elektricity, Danny Byrd, and another Jazz Cats favourite, Bop.

Buy Album on iTunes

Netsky Myspace

Black & Blue (Netsky Remix)

Classic banger and remix of Miike Snow's "Black & Blue", showing off remix skills as well as typical drum and bass acumen

MarvinGKHarris