All of these tracks can be found on YouTube, often with record label links should you wish to purchase hi resolution copies. Do the right thing. Support independent record labels and their artists!
Alongside the happy hardcore revolution and tear out junglism taking shape in 1994, another style started to emerge known as intelligent drum and bass.
Their was lots of uproar at the time suggesting that it saw itself as a cut above the rest and looked down on jungle, but the truth was it needed a label and some bright spark called it intelligent, but it did separate itself stylistically from jungle, and so to us at least, there are two distinct styles in play from this point forward. In a nutshell it was smoother, more melodic, had bright musical overlays (as opposed to in your face drum edits) and you could probably play it to your mum without her reaching for the earplugs. It spawned some incredibly inventive compositions and a whole sub genre of its own, not to mention being the pre-cursor to modern day liquid drum and bass, and it clearly had longevity and was awash with passion and style.
We’ve done our best to pick 15 tracks that encapsulate the very best of the intelligent sound of ’94. As ever, this is just a springboard to ignite your curiosity. Enjoy!
