The Original Sound will Never Die
It’s the dawn of the 1990s and fuelled by a surging wave of rave culture carried from the previous decade, a new UK underground genre is beginning to emerge.
Blasting through sound systems in UK clubs like Telepathy uses imports from Detroit techno and hardcore acid house, alongside hip-hop breakbeats and reggae basslines.
At a time when racism was still rife at club-doors up and down the country, a jungle movement rooted in Black culture and community created a space for those excluded from the house-music crowds that had come before. Working with up-and-coming artists, labels like IBIZA and Reinforced Records pioneered a movement that saw dedicated members of the Junglist Massive raving far into the future
All of underground and soundsystem music as being “hyper-social – formed from interlocking networks of crews and movements, each one comprised of individuals whose cultural perspective is formed from thousands of hours immersed in crowds, sounds, words and bass.
If any music is perfect to express your anger – how you’ve been treated by governments – jungle is definitely the way to unleash that energy. It’s coming from revolution music reggae and heading towards revolution. This music should be a This music should be a platform against oppression.
Crunchy, syncopated breakbeats, soundsystem-rattling 808s and a plethora of well-sourced samples. The foundations of jungle are to many rooted sonically with these three unassuming elements. To some, the word jungle is a hazy trip back in time to Metalheadz’ infamous Blue Note Sessions, or to smoke-filled dancefloors of the seminal Jungle Fever raves. To others, it’s sat at home listening to the latest Western Lore release, or raving with the regulars at Rupture in Corsica Studios.
Names like Ray Keith, LTJ Bukem and Peshay (to name a mere few) are often linked with the adored sound, and their early efforts still have an impact on the music today.
Like any genre, the music has evolved with the times, and technology has as much a part to play as the constantly shifting audience and surrounding political/social climates. However, these musical elements remain at the forefront, and there is a craving for that 90s sound that sticks with even the newest of jungle releases.
