Showing posts with label TRU469D. Show all posts
Showing posts with label TRU469D. Show all posts

Friday, 3 October 2025

Posted by Gerry Hectic | File under : , ,

Bandcamp Friday gets Badboy album download 'Elusive' - you need to get on this as its 'Dangerous': not potentially dangerous, Ragga Twins level dangerous. And instrumentals!



Out today, London-based, legendary jungle pioneer, Potential Badboy (aka Chris Mcfarlane) releases his jungle album, Elusive, featuring previous singles such as the dubwise Ticker featuring JODIAN NATTY, Do What They Say featuring Indigo Reign and Syren Rivers, and Rise with Blackout JA, Talisman, and Coozie Mellers. With Elusive, Potential Badboy reminds us that he remains a heavyweight in UK rave culture. Since the early ’90s, he has been a key architect of jungle, drum and bass, and garage, pushing the scene forward for over three decades.

Focus track Give Me A Sign symbolises a special moment in the album, where Potential Badboy’s daughter, alternative R&B/Soul artist Havana, brings her own soulful, laid-back voice and perspective to a track that was her favourite in her dad’s archives. “It became a beautiful full-circle moment, allowing her to express herself on a song that once meant so much to her”.

Commenting on the collaborative nature of the album, Potential Badboy adds: “This project is a departure from the norm. It’s built from collaboration with artists who reflect my identity and taste, blending elements of jungle and drum and bass in ways that feel raw, honest, and entirely my own.”

Elusive presents a fresh lens on jungle and drum and bass. Drawing on Potential Badboy’s deep production pedigree and his instinctive feel for what’s next, it stays rooted in the culture while carving out bold new directions for the genre.

The project blossomed from a period of seclusion, when Chris, by his own admission, “became increasingly hard to reach—intentionally.” He adds “I took a step back from the public eye to reflect, recalibrate, and quietly reinvent myself. For the first time, I had the freedom and autonomy to create without outside expectations—just me, the sounds I love, and the styles that speak to me.”

“I named the album Elusive as a reflection of that period of transformation—when disappearing became a way of reclaiming myself creatively.” – Potential Badboy

Following suit is the track Bun Dem Out, born out of frustration with outside opinions, expectations, and the pressure they place on the creative process. Bun Dem Out is the pair’s response: raw, unapologetic, and heavy. Fusing metal energy with jungle rhythms, it pushes back against conformity and reclaims creative control through sound.

With collaboration at the core of Elusive, Potential Badboy invites a handful of artists to appear on multiple tracks. Junior Dangerous appears twice —on both Banger and Dangerous is Dangerous—two powerhouse, floor-shaking tunes, built for peak-time play. Banger blends the energy of the dancefloor with the grit of drum and bass, anchored by an undeniably catchy hook, delivered with unflinching ragga-style panache.

Also making a second appearance on the album are Indigo Reign and Syren Rivers, singing about human nature, community, and trusting your instincts. Their contributions carry the theme of staying strong as a unit in the face of systems that feel as though they’re working against you. The track Life, featuring Blackout JA, Mikey General, Talisman, and Coozie Miller, also tackles these issues—reminding listeners that “love is the only solution to find peace within” and to “Stand up and fight like buffalo soldier.” To give this powerful message space, Potential Badboy creates a mature, grounded production. “The message in the lyrics called for a sound that felt intentional and respectful, and the result is a track that speaks to life’s truths with strength, soul, and experience,” he adds.

This message of standing your ground continues on Dough, where TrueMendous brings her assertive energy, demanding to be paid what she’s owed over stripped-back, hard-hitting production that drives the message home.

The track Five Papers featuring Uncle Nuts is a heartfelt nod to the roots of the scene. Potential Badboy recalls looking up to Uncle Nuts in his youth—watching him run sound systems and shape the local sound culture. Five Papers serves as a tribute, “a way to pay homage to the old school man dem—the pioneers who laid the foundation and inspired my own journey through sound,” he explains.

Staying true to his commitment to honouring the genre’s origins, the album closes with We Are Dangerous featuring the legendary Ragga Twins. Known for their razor-sharp flow and unmistakable energy, Ragga Twins deliver a bold warning to the scene. With a career that includes collaborations with heavyweights like Skrillex, Sammy Virji, and DnB Allstars, their influence is undeniable. “This track is a tribute to their legacy and everything they’ve contributed to the genre. We Are Dangerous is both a celebration of their impact and a nod to the foundation they helped build,” says Potential Badboy.

For Potential Badboy, it’s another chapter in a career that’s been pushing boundaries for over 30 years. From early anthems like Work The Box and Greetings, to his ground-breaking work with SOUR Records alongside Shy FX & T.Power, and later his shift into UKG as Chris Mack (remixing the likes of Shaggy and Mary J. Blige), McFarlane’s output has always been one step ahead. His return to jungle in the 2000s with DJ Hype’s Playaz camp spawned bangers like Play It Kik It, Girlz, and You’re Mine, solidifying his place as one of the most versatile producers in the game.

These days, his independent label Hungry Hill is turning heads too; a platform for authentic, forward-facing jungle that’s already clocked up seven solid releases and earned support from tastemakers including Ray Keith, Molly Collins, Jamie Rodigan, Don Letts and Charlie Tee.




Artist: Potential Badboy 
Title:  Elusive
Release date: 3rd October, 2025
Label : Tru-Thoughts Recordings
Catalog Number: TRUD469D
Format: Digital / Bandcamp