LTJ Bukem

Call it smooth, intricate, complex, jazz-influenced, even masterful, but do not call the drum-and-bass of LTJ Bukem "intelligent." Bukem has rejected the label on the grounds that it implies that other artists aren't intelligent, which is eminently decent of the guy. The thing is, it is intelligent. Layered and deep,...

By Cory Casciato

September 27, 2007

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Call it smooth, intricate, complex, jazz-influenced, even masterful, but do not call the drum-and-bass of LTJ Bukem "intelligent." Bukem has rejected the label on the grounds that it implies that other artists aren't intelligent, which is eminently decent of the guy. The thing is, it is intelligent. Layered and deep, his music abandons the harsh sci-fi futuristics of most jungle for a melodic, soulful sound that's obviously the work of a sharp mind and clever ear. Bukem's productions and his stable of artists on Looking Good and Good Looking Records have produced some of the most consistently listenable tunes to emerge from the genre, without sacrificing intensity or devolving into down-tempo/lounge territory. He's also released a number of consistently strong DJ mixes highlighting the artists who have followed in his wake, helping to push the evolution of the style forward. His set at Vinyl this Friday, September 28, should showcase some of the best stuff in drum-and-bass today — and, ahem, some of the most intelligent.

Cory Casciato is a Denver-based writer with a passion for the geeky, from old science fiction movies to brand-new video games.

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