18/12/2025
We finally reach our 80th release and with it comes the first hint of what they have planned as we move into 2026.
We are proud to announce DNB Essentials, a New Annual Series Reviving a Lost Part of Drum and Bass Culture.
With the end of Ram Records came the end of the Andy C’s Nightlife compilation series. And while `Nightlife` was more than a mix series. It showcased huge amounts of new and forthcoming music and helped countless listeners discover both new and established artists.
That spirit of curation on albums for us has been missing, and for many, it left a real gap.
DNB Essentials is our take on that legacy. And while we are not thinking we are here to fill in Andy C’s big shoes, It will be an annual project focused on bringing new artists into the label and placing them side by side with long-standing Dirtbox names.
Each volume will feature a guest curator who will assemble the full tracklist and create a full-length, continuous mix of the release.
Supporting artists has always been at the core of what Dirtbox does, and DNB Essentials continues that approach. To start this project, 20 artists will be joining the label roster with music set to roll out over the coming years.
The first curator for the series is label owner, producer and DJ, Lee UHF. He has overseen the track selection and delivered the mix to launch the project. For collectors, each DNB Essentials release will be available not only digitally but also on limited vinyl and CD runs.
1/ Lee UHF & Noise Souls- "Introspective Thoughts"
The first of three samplers, “Introspective Thoughts” marks several important firsts for the label. It introduces the DNB Essentials project, and is also the first drum and bass collaboration between Lee UHF and Noise Souls.
This record is the beginning of an ongoing partnership between the two producers, with a heavy run of joint music already planned for 2026. Noise Souls, known for his 2025 Tape Pack Project series titled `Sequence`, has been releasing monthly singles this whole year that build toward a full album in 2026. Based in Argentina, Nic has been part of the Dirtbox family since 2022 providing us with amazing releases past and present.
Lee UHF, the driving force behind Dirtbox and its affiliate labels, has spent 27 years working across the music industry. He has played a part in several influential brands over the years, but drum and bass is where his focus lies now. As Dirtbox moves into its seventh year, listeners can expect a strong run of releases from Lee as he has been honing his skills in recent months as well as freeing up time to create an onslaught of music for 2026 that's already waiting in the wings.
Introspective Thoughts blends the trademark rolling style from Noise Souls Sequence work with Lee’s own gritty, raw, sound, creating a joint piece that feels like a meeting point between the UK and Argentina.
This release marks the start of something new for Dirtbox Recordings, both in the form of the DNB Essentials project and in the growing collaboration between these two artists.
Introspective Thoughts is out exclusively on Beatport & Spotify December 19th before a worldwide release January 2nd.
AUDIO- https://on.soundcloud.com/c5RJcVlP7KYcAGMty7
PRESAVE- https://cygnusmusic.link/lpravqp
