Coupés Du Monde 98 Baden à JLH: A Drum ‘n’ Bass Rager from ‘98 That Still Kicks Ass
Alright, let’s cut the crap. DJ Umkra & Full Duplex didn’t just drop an album in ‘98—they unleashed a beast. Coupés Du Monde 98 Baden à JLH is one of those records that makes you wanna punch the air while losing your mind on the dancefloor. It’s raw, it’s relentless, and it smacks harder than most stuff today. Released under Myzé Records outta France, this thing slaps like a baguette to the face—crusty but full of flavor.
Now, let’s talk tracks. First up, “Coupés Du Monde 98.” Holy hell, this tune grabs you by the throat and doesn’t let go. The breakbeats hit so fast they feel like they’re glitching, but somehow it all clicks into place like magic. There’s this insane energy running through the track, like someone cranked the tempo way past safe levels and said, “Fuck it, ship it.” You can hear snippets of chopped-up samples weaving in and out, giving it that chaotic vibe that screams early drum ‘n’ bass. This isn’t background music; this is front-and-center chaos designed to make your heart race. I remember blasting this late at night with headphones on, thinking my brain might explode. And honestly? That’s how every great DnB track should feel.
Then there’s “Baden à J.L.H,” which flips the script entirely. Where the first track feels like a runaway train, this one’s got more groove, more swagger. The bassline rumbles like distant thunder before exploding into these razor-sharp beats that slice right through you. There’s something hypnotic about the way the layers build up—just when you think it can’t get any heavier, BAM, another layer drops in. It’s sneaky as hell, pulling you deeper without you even realizing it. By the time the track ends, you’re left breathless, wondering what the fuck just happened. That’s the mark of a killer production.
What sticks with me about this album isn’t just the technical skill—it’s the sheer audacity of it. These guys weren’t trying to play it safe or fit some mold. They were throwing everything they had into the mix, consequences be damned. And yeah, maybe not every moment lands perfectly, but who cares? Perfection’s overrated anyway. What matters is the impact, and this record hits like a freight train.
Here’s the kicker though—listening to this now, two decades later, it still feels fresh. Like, WTF? How does something from ‘98 sound like it could’ve been made yesterday? Maybe we’ve been going backwards instead of forwards in electronic music. Or maybe DJ Umkra & Full Duplex were just ahead of their time. Either way, Coupés Du Monde 98 Baden à JLH deserves mad respect. So go dig it up if you haven’t already. Just don’t blame me if your speakers blow.
