Tim Reaper
Keep Hush Live: Circadian Rhythms Takeover
The Circadian Rhythms takeover at Keep Hush finds us in the capable hands of Tim Reaper, a junglist so dedicated he probably dreams in amen breaks. This isn't a nostalgia trip; it's a vital, breathing session of drum & bass at its purest, with a BPM average locked at 166.1—proper jungle territory. The vibe is intimate and focused, a room of heads nodding in unison to every switch and drop, the sound system doing justice to those sub-bass frequencies.
Technically, Tim navigates keys like 12A, 5B, and 11B with ease, using harmonic mixing to glue together tracks that span decades. The energy arc is a steady climb, with low-end dominating at 74.5%, ensuring a physical presence that never lets up, while the mid and high frequencies punctuate the breaks and vocals. His mixing is swift and seamless, a testament to years spent in the dubplate culture, and the BPM range from 162 to 167 keeps the pace frantic yet controlled.
For crate diggers, this live set is a treasure trove: the opener 'Dem 2 Ruff - Nice Tune (Original Dub Plate Mix)' sets the tone with its raw, unpolished energy, followed by timeless weapons like Deep Blue's 'The Helicopter Tune' and Pharoah's 'Evil Toyz'. Each track is a lesson in jungle history, from the ravey stabs of 'Trinity - Gangsta' to the dark, rolling bass of 'Renegade - Dark', showcasing labels like Moving Shadow and Suburban Base. The journey starts with the dusty vibes of 'Dem 2 Ruff', peaks with the communal sing-along to 'The Helicopter Tune', and closes on the modern twist of 'Response & Pliskin - Plastic Face', proving that the past and present of drum & bass are inextricably linked in this full tracklist.