Music Sound

Liquid Funk is a style of drum and bass. While it uses the same basslines and bar layouts, it contains less bar-oriented samples and more progressive synths, harmonies, and ambience, producing a calmer atmosphere directed at a home listener rather than nightclub audiences. Examples of liquid funk can be found on the Good Looking Records music label founded by LTJ Bukem (a.k.a. Danny Williamson), although this label is strongly cross-genred with atmospheric drum and bass.

In 2000, Fabio began championing a new form of drum n' bass he called "Liquid Funk", with a compilation release of the same name on his Creative Source label. This was characterised by influences from disco and house, and widespread use of vocals. Although slow to catch on at first, the style grew massively in popularity around 2003-2004, and by 2005 it was established as one of the biggest-selling subgenres in drum n' bass, with labels like Hospital Records, and artists including High Contrast, Calibre, Nu:Tone, London Elektricity and Logistics among its main proponents. Other labels popular in the scene include: Liquid V and Rubik Records.

It could be argued that atmospheric and liquid funk are essentially the same, but liquid funk has subtle differences, perhaps more soca, latin, and jazz influences, while atmospheric has a "colder" sound to its calm nature, omitting these "real instrument" samples and replacing them with smooth synth and sampler lines. Other artists related to liquid funk are DJ Marky, Drumagick, Patife, Bailey, Mad Zoo, John B, A-Sides, XRS, Makoto, Commix, D Kay & Epsilon, Cyantific, Syncopix, Kubiks, BCee, Lomax, Electrosoul System, Young AX, 4 Hero, Influx Datum, Ramilson Maia, Koloral, DJ Andy and arguably, Lemon D, Drumsound & Bassline Smith, EZ Rollers, Greg Packer, Future Prophecies, Shy FX, DJ Suv.