Jungle

Jungle, also known as drum and bass, is a genre of electronic dance music that originated in the United Kingdom in the early 1990s. The music is characterized by its fast-paced rhythms, heavy basslines, and deep sub-basslines. Jungle music incorporates elements of reggae, dub, hip-hop, and breakbeat, as well as samples from jazz, funk, soul, and other genres. The exact origins of jungle music are disputed, but it is widely believed to have emerged from the UK rave scene in the early 1990s. Jungle was a response to the growing popularity of house and techno, and is often seen as a more underground, experimental form of electronic music. The genre was heavily influenced by the breakbeats of hip-hop and the dub and reggae rhythms of Jamaica. The earliest jungle tracks were created using a combination of sampling techniques and drum machines. Producers would create beats using the classic Amen break, a drum sample from a song by the Winstons, which had been famously used in many hip-hop tracks. They would then layer this break with other samples, including vocal snippets and sound effects, to create complex and intricate rhythms. Jungle music gained in popularity throughout the early to mid-1990s, with artists such as Goldie, Roni Size, and LTJ Bukem leading the way. These artists were responsible for some of the most well-known jungle tracks of the era, including Goldie's "Timeless" and Roni Size's "New Forms," which won the 1997 Mercury Prize. In the late 1990s, jungle began to evolve into drum and bass. The tempo of tracks began to increase, with more emphasis on intricate drum patterns and basslines. Producers also began to incorporate more live instruments, such as guitars and keyboards, into their tracks. The drum and bass era of jungle music was characterized by a focus on technical proficiency and production skills. Producers began to use more advanced software and hardware to create their tracks, resulting in a more polished sound. Artists such as Pendulum, Noisia, and Chase & Status helped to bring drum and bass to a wider audience in the 2000s and 2010s. Today, jungle and drum and bass continue to be popular genres within the electronic music scene. Producers are constantly pushing the boundaries of the style, incorporating new sounds and influences into their tracks. Jungle has also influenced many other genres, including dubstep and grime, and its impact can still be heard in music across the world.

LTJ Bukem: A pioneer of the Jungle sound, LTJ Bukem is known for his smooth and atmospheric productions that blend Jazz, Funk, and Techno elements with the foundations of Jungle. His label, Good Looking Records, is known for releasing some of the most iconic and timeless tracks in Jungle history. Goldie: One of the most recognizable faces of Jungle, Goldie is known for his bold visual style and energetic DJ sets. He’s released multiple critically:acclaimed albums, including his seminal Timeless LP, and has produced music for video games and films. Roni Size: The co:founder of the massively influential label Full Cycle, Roni Size’s productions are known for their intricate breakbeats and technical proficiency. His debut album, New Forms, won the Mercury Music Prize and helped put Jungle on the map outside of the UK. Dillinja: One of the most respected producers in Jungle, Dillinja is known for his hard:hitting, bass:heavy sound. His tracks are often built around aggressive basslines and intricate drum programming and have been played by DJs across the electronic music spectrum. Photek: Though he’s best known for his contributions to the Drum and Bass genre, Photek’s early work in Jungle helped shape the sound and style of the genre. His productions are characterized by their use of intricate percussion and sparse, atmospheric melodies. DJ Hype: For over 30 years, DJ Hype has been one of the most influential DJs and producers in the UK Jungle scene. He’s released several mixtapes and albums, and his label, Playaz Recordings, is known for its high:energy, dancefloor:oriented releases. Adam F: Though he’s also known for his contributions to the Drum and Bass genre, Adam F’s early Jungle productions helped shape the sound of the genre. He’s had several crossover hits over the years, including his 1998 track “Circles.” Aphrodite: With his mix of Reggae samples and hard:hitting Jungle beats, Aphrodite’s productions are some of the most recognizable in the genre. His debut album, Aphrodite, is considered a classic of the genre and helped popularize the sound outside of the UK. Shy FX: Perhaps best known for his 1994 track “Original Nuttah,” Shy FX’s productions blend elements of Jungle, Reggae, and Drum and Bass. He’s released several successful albums over the years and has collaborated with a wide range of artists from across the electronic music spectrum. Congo Natty: A pioneer of the Jungle scene, Congo Natty’s productions blend elements of Reggae, Dub, and Jungle to create a unique sound that’s instantly recognizable. He’s released several classic tracks over the years, including “Police in Helicopter” and “Junglist.”

1. Goldie - "Timeless" (1995) 2. DJ Hype - "FabricLive.03" (2002) 3. Various Artists - "Jungle Mania" (1994) 4. Photek - "Modus Operandi" (1997) 5. LTJ Bukem - "Logical Progression" (1996) 6. Shy FX - "Original Nuttah" (1995) 7. Roni Size & Reprazent - "New Forms" (1997) 8. Ed Rush & Optical - "Wormhole" (1998) 9. 4hero - "Parallel Universe" (1994) 10. Omni Trio - "The Deepest Cut Vol. 1" (1995) 11. Soundmurderer - "Rewind Records" (2005) 12. Doc Scott - "NHS - Drum & Bass Selection 3" (1996) 13. Foul Play - "Suspected" (1995) 14. DJ Krust - "Coded Language" (1999) 15. Adam F - "Colours" (1997) 16. Remarc - "Unreleased Dubs 94-96" (2009) 17. Deep Blue - "The Helicopter Tune" (1994) 18. Leviticus - "Burial" (1994) 19. Omni Trio - "Music for the Next Millennium" (1994) 20. Aphrodite - "Aphrodite" (1999) 21. Roni Size & Reprazent - "In the Mode" (2000) 22. Roni Size - "New Forms" (1997) 23. Potential Bad Boy - "Jungle Fever" (1994) 24. The Ganja Kru - "New Frontiers" (1997) 25. Dillinja - "Cybotron" (1997)

Music journalist Simon Reynolds, in his book "Energy Flash: A Journey Through Rave Music and Dance Culture," highlights Jungle's pivotal role in the evolution of electronic music. He notes, "Jungle was a breakaway moment when dance music suddenly started evolving in ways that were unpredictable, unprecedented, and unconstrained by prior expectations." Academic and musicologist Paul Sullivan, in his article "Rave and jungle: fragmentation and appropriation in the late capitalist city," delves into Jungle's urban context, stating, "Jungle’s embrace of black urban culture and its heavily politicized opposition to the white rave scene can be seen as indicative of the way that dance music seeks to assert its autonomy from the mainstream." The cultural significance of Jungle extends to its roots in sound system culture. Brian Belle-Fortune's book "All Crews: Journeys Through Jungle / Drum and Bass Culture" captures the ethos of Jungle's early days: "Sound system culture… was born out of the black community in London and provided the vehicle for the renaissance in the UK's own music." Jungle's connection to its cultural origins resonates in its music and community ethos. The innovative nature of Jungle music is praised by many. Music journalist David Stubbs, in "Kodwo Eshun's More Brilliant Than the Sun: Adventures in Sonic Fiction," discusses Jungle's transformative qualities, stating, "Jungle has emerged as a genuinely new sonic art form, evoking the fractured, splintered, speedy, cityscape that is our fin de siècle planet." Jungle's impact on the UK's musical landscape is a recurring theme. In an interview with Resident Advisor, artist Goldie reflects on the genre's inception: "The scenes at Rage or Telepathy [events] were more like a snapshot of what was happening in the clubs and backrooms all over London at the time. So for me, jungle and drum & bass was London." Further praise comes from renowned musician and DJ David Rodigan, who remarks in the documentary "Rumble in the Jungle," "Jungle music was a fusion that was quite groundbreaking in its time, a mixture of Jamaican sound system culture with British urban culture. This fusion produced the energy that Jungle music had." In conclusion, Jungle's impact on music and culture is evident through the words of critics, authors, and musicians. Its status as a transformative genre that defied norms, embraced urban culture, and reshaped electronic music is celebrated by those who recognize its unique contribution to the global musical landscape.

The Jungle scene was heavily influenced by the rave culture of the late 80s and early 90s, which was characterized by all-night dance parties and the use of MDMA and other mind-expanding drugs. Jungle was the product of this culture, born out of a need for a new kind of music that could keep up with the frenetic pace of the party scene. It was also heavily influenced by the sound system culture of the Caribbean, with its emphasis on bass-heavy rhythms and dub mixing techniques. One of the most important record labels in the Jungle scene was Suburban Base, which released some of the earliest Jungle tracks and helped to establish the sound of the genre. Other important labels included Renegade Hardware, Metalheadz, and Moving Shadow, all of which helped to define the sound of the Jungle scene and provide a platform for emerging artists. While the Jungle genre was born out of the rave and sound system cultures, it quickly became a reflection of the social and cultural context of contemporary Britain. The early 90s was a time of intense social change in the UK, with the Conservative government of Margaret Thatcher giving way to the more liberal administrations of John Major and Tony Blair. This was also a time of great diversity, with waves of immigration from the Caribbean, Africa, and Asia bringing new cultural influences and introducing new forms of music to the UK. Jungle was one of the most significant manifestations of this diversity, blending Jamaican dub techniques with electronic music to create a new sound that was uniquely British. The genre was also notable for its explicit political content, with many tracks addressing issues of racism, poverty, and political oppression. In terms of technology, Jungle was a product of the emerging digital age, with the rise of home computing and MIDI technology making it possible for artists to create complex, layered tracks with minimal equipment. Jungle was also notable for its use of samples, with artists using loops from old reggae records and classic funk tracks to create the intricate rhythms and textures that defined the sound of the genre. Notable journalists and critics that helped to promote and popularize Jungle included Simon Reynolds, who wrote extensively on the genre and its cultural significance, as well as The Wire magazine, which provided a platform for emerging artists and helped to legitimize the sound of the genre. In terms of notable figures, Jungle was defined by a number of key artists and DJs, including Goldie, who helped to popularize the genre through his work as a DJ and producer, and Dillinja, who was known for his aggressive drum and bass production style.