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Description
Deep Liquid is a sophisticated subgenre of Drum and Bass that sits at the intersection of Liquid Funk and Deep Drum and Bass. It retains the soulful, melodic, and emotive elements of Liquid Funk—often utilizing jazz, soul, and R&B samples—but pairs them with the rolling, sub-heavy basslines and minimalist production aesthetics of Deep DnB. Unlike its more commercial 'Dancefloor Liquid' counterpart, Deep Liquid focuses on introspection, atmosphere, and groove, often featuring stripped-back percussion and immersive soundscapes designed for head-nodding rather than aggressive raving.
History
The roots of Deep Liquid can be traced back to the late 1990s and early 2000s with the emergence of 'Liquid Funk,' a term coined by DJ Fabio to describe the soulful, funk-influenced side of Drum and Bass.
As the 2000s progressed, the Liquid scene began to bifurcate. While one side moved towards high-energy, synth-heavy 'Dancefloor Liquid' popularized by artists like High Contrast and Netsky, another faction stayed true to the genre's deeper, more organic roots. Pioneered by the legendary Calibre and the late Marcus Intalex (and his Soul:r label), this deeper style focused on rolling basslines, intricate sampling, and a 'less is more' approach.
By the late 2000s and early 2010s, this sound solidified into what is now recognized as Deep Liquid. Labels such as Shogun Audio, Critical Music, and Spearhead Records championed artists who blended the technical precision of deep tech DnB with musicality. The emergence of the 'Autonomic' sound also pushed producers to experiment with deeper, more minimal atmospheres, further refining the genre into the introspective and emotive style prominent today.
How to make a track in this genre
Composing Deep Liquid requires balancing musicality with restraint.
Tempo and Rhythm: Set your tempo between 170 and 174 BPM. Use 'rolling' breakbeats that flow smoothly rather than hitting hard; focus on tight, snappy snares and ghost notes to create a shuffling groove. The drums should sit slightly further back in the mix compared to dancefloor DnB.
Bass: The bassline is the anchor. Use deep, warm sine waves or smoothed-out Reese basses that modulate slowly. The bass should be felt more than heard, providing a 'warm blanket' for the track.
Instrumentation: Layer lush, atmospheric pads and chords (often using Rhodes pianos or soft synths) to create a dreamy backdrop. Use samples from Jazz, Soul, or R&B records—particularly vocals, piano licks, or guitar riffs—but process them with reverb and delay to make them sit in the 'deep' space.
Arrangement: Keep the arrangement progressive and fluid. Avoid sudden, jarring drops; instead, introduce elements gradually to build a hypnotic, emotive journey.
