Part 3 of the UK Jungle mix series, this one covering the golden age of 1993-1995, when the jungle sound blew up, where the tempos of 160-170bpm got settled on, and the formulas gelled together into a tradition. That said, the line of 'what is Jungle' is always a blurry one - is a firing ambient amen Bukemesque track from the period Jungle? Or a darkcore roller? For me Yes and No. Genre names are useful but they can also be restrictive, and there are so many different moods and directions you can play a Jungle set from this period (such as this recent mix of mine focussing on loved up jungle).
What I've tried to do here is keep clear of the harder amen rinse outs, and also anything too cosmic or gurn inducing (much as I love all of that!). Going for a more bubbling vibe, with some deeper drum workouts and a couple of rarer ones in there to keep it interesting.
Next up after this, for the final mix in this series, Part 4, I'll be playing some new tunes that are reviving the jungle tradition in fine style.
Junglism Pt.3 - Golden Jungle 1993-95
160-170bpm
1. Family of Intelligence - Learning From My Brother (1993)
James Stephens, the man involved with those pivotal Noise Factory releases of 1992, here breaking new ground and creating new formulas for the Jungle sound of 1993. Jungle breaks, rare groove samples, dancehall attitude - a template of what was to come, and a step aside from anything too ravey sounding. Released on the mighty Kemet label, such an important camp for out-and-out jungle in 93 and 94. Long mixing this one with:
2. Gappa G and Hypa Hyper - Information Centre (DJ Ron Remix) (1993)
9pm Friday nights there was only one was place to be: locked in to Kool FM for DJ Ron and SL, with MCs 5ive-O and Moose. The definitive jungle radio show of all time in my opinion. Ron not only a visionary DJ, but also a massively talented producer, whose tunes, especially Canaan Land, Mo Musik, Crackman and this one here are I think masterpieces of the genre. Really clever arrangement and elements.
3. Roni Size - Fresh (1993)
1993 was the year Roni Size burst onto the scene, and this one also the first official release on Jumping Jack Frost and Bryan Gee's newly formed V Recordings - the rest is history! Still sounds so fresh this one I think.
4. White Label (1993)
Absolutely personal favourite underground white label pressure. Not that its even possible to do this in this day and age, but I'm going to keep the name on this one held back.
5. Code 071 - Ease Up Soundboy (Don Gargon Mix) (1993)
Slightly overlooked release on Reinforced Records I think, with a brilliant dreamlike breakdown in the second half, from the pair that made the classic A London Sumtin.
6. Simon Bassline Smith - Music and Life (1993)
Massive 2-track EP from Simon Smith, another enormous figure still going as strong today as thirty years ago. Both sides of this got caned. All about the power of a bassline this track. Proper vibes, seminal EP. Impossible not to long mix this right up to the breakdown.
7. Potential Bad Boy - 4 The Ladies (1993)
Another mighty release from PBB. I think this possibly one of the first ever tracks to really get that ragga-jungle thing sitting quite so neatly in the drum feel. I'm a sucker for Melody Madness on the A side, but that gets a bit hardcore in places.
8. DJ Solo - Darkage (1993)
I don't know how others see this track but for me this is probably the jungle anthem of 1993. From what I can see its never been licensed to compilations and the like, and maybe that's kept it status slightly more low key, but this was rinsed so hard at the time. Was in two minds whether to include it, as rinsed tunes can only be heard so many times, but personally I never tire of this one. Great fun to mix in and to mix out, begs to get played. All about the bassline. Every day and every night, jungle it.
9. Doc Scott - Far Away (1994)
One of the first releases on Goldie's freshly launched Metalheadz label, from the mighty Doc Scott. At first glance this might seem a mellow ambient tune, but on a system it really packs a punch and the jungle drum feel and bassline really make it come alive. Moving into a deeper section of the mix with this.
10. Smith and Mighty - Come Fly Away (Dub) (1994)
Following the theme of Far Away, flying off dubwise on this one - a unique rubadub sounding tune this I think from Bristol's Smith and Mighty.
11. Timmi Magic - Everything (1994)
Timmi Magic is best known as part of the legendary UK Garage trio Dreem Teem, but in 94 he was producing jungle, and this EP is a personal favourite. I played the other side in my recent Jungle Love mix. A lesser known record, but I think its got something special about it.
12. The Family Foundation - Express '95 (Steve Gurley Remix) (1995)
A wicked upfull jungle update on a huge tune from 92 from Foul Play's brilliant Steve Gurley.
13. Dillinja - Tear Down (Da Whole Place) (1995)
Had to include a Dillinja tune, such an important figure. This one perhaps a slightly lesser known one I guess, as much as that is possible in such a revered discography. Deep rolling.
14. Bizzy B - 16 Track Ting (1995)
Bizzy is a monster and is responsible for some of the wildest tunes to ever come out of the rave scene. By comparison to some of those tunes this one is kind of reigned in but is as powerful a tune of his as any of them. I said in the intro Id hold back from amen rippers in this mix but here's one for good measure.
15. Noodles & Wonder - Rarities (1995)
Getting to the last quarter, moving into three more soulful jams. Noodles became a big name on the UKG scene as Groove Chronicles, but was also well known for working in a range of record shops around London. This one a spot on rares-to-ragga cut.
16. Hot Steppers - Vol1 A (1995)
Undercover release from DJ SS, no doubt because of sample clearance issues. I don't care what they say, always had a big soft spot for this.
17. Dextrous - Moonlight (1995)
Unreleased rare-to-ragga jungle from King of the Jungle Dextrous. Got to send big thanks to Steph for the dubplate hook up - wicked track.
18. Andy C - Roll On (1995)
Finishing on an undisputed classic, Andy C proving that whatever year it is he can create era-defining music.
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