The Sound Of: 31 Recordings
Other artists who’ve signed music since the rebirth include J:Kenzo, Voltage, Sinistarr, Vromm, Ray Keith, Mozey, Current Value, Hobzee, Heron Flow, Heist, and Amit, between them covering just about every aspect of D&B, from modern jump-up to retro techstep, neuro aggression to the emotional depth of liquid and autonomic, and much more besides. “I’d like to think that whenever something comes out, you’re not quite sure what it’s going to be,” says Scott, explaining how running the label scratches a “creative itch” he no longer fulfils through production. “I would really, really not be happy if I wasn’t doing the label,” he says.
In 2024, Crystal Clear’s snarling wobbler ‘Serious Sounds’ was one of the best-selling drum & bass tracks of the year on Juno — another accolade for a label with a trophy cabinet fit to burst. Anyone can be a one-hit wonder, but the key to long-lasting success, undying respect, and untold influence is consistency. And 31 is nothing if not consistent.
With another 10 releases lined up for 2025, that’s not looking like it’ll change any time soon. We could tell you those drops might include VIPs from Crystal Clear, that there’s fresh Bungle cuts on the way, or that Scott has requested music from Sweetpea, an artist with a rapidly growing arsenal of top-flight productions. We could even tell you he’s got half a mind to do another compilation (if it wasn’t such a “ball ache”). But the beauty of 31 is that it doesn’t matter what’s next, and in fact, not knowing is half the fun — if you’re willing to keep an open mind and trust in Doc Scott, then quality is guaranteed.
Listen to The Sound Of: 31 Recordings, mixed by Doc Scott, below
