1991! What a year! If you have worked your way methodically through the previous years (which is kind of the point) then you'll have heard the very distinctive sound of UK breakbeat coming through, especially at the tail end of '89 and throughout '90, but 1991 was truly monumental.
It saw the UK adopt Italo house and Belgian techno as their own, birth the distinctive sound of UK hardcore, then blend both Belgian techno and UK hardcore to create jungle tekno. And while all this was going on the sound of pure jungle and drum and bass was still bubbling under the surface waiting to explode through sound systems all over the world!
For this list we're looking at the records that were hooking into that jungle vibe. The other lists in the 1991 section split the other styles on rotation into their respective genres for purposes of stylistic clarification.
But before we start......................
0. Reese Project - Just Another Chance (David Morales Remix)
While we first heard that iconic bass sound back in the 1988 section, it seems from our research that this 1991 remix by legendary American house DJ David Morales might also have been a catalyst for jungle producers picking it up and turning it into a staple part of our culture, so for histories sake and to keep things open to further suggestion, we've included it here on account of its year of release. Plus we're huge DM fans, so why wouldn't we?
1.Noise Factory - Jungle Techno
As far as we can see (and until we find a replacement) this seems to be the first time the term 'jungle techno' was committed to print. When you really listen hard to this though, there is less of the techno (compared to other tracks from 1991) and far, far more of the jungle.
We reckon this was quite early doors in '91 too, and when you pitch this against a lot of the more 'hardcore' tracks of that year, the actual jungle sound is plain to hear. Hardcore? Yeah. Jungle techno? Yeah! Proto-jungle? HELL YES!
But exactly what is 'hardcore'?????
2.Guru Josh - Hallelujah Chorus
We're not sure everyone would agree with this inclusion, but we felt it important to include for one reason and one reason only. To clarify what WE mean by the term 'hardcore'. 28 seconds in this track explodes into a blast of twisted synth scratches and booming drums. The power and intensity behind the tiny section of 32 bars of music encapsulate what we define as the sound of UK hardcore.
Guru Josh had a great sense of humour, and in 1991 almost anything went, so if you consider the period in time and the sentiment behind the entire track, you can see he was clearly having a lot of fun, HOWEVER, there is no denying the impact of those 32 bars of sound, so this track is here by way of definition.
3.Second Phase - Mentasm
So now we've looked at the very early rumblings of jungle and the in your face sounds of hardcore we need to look at Belgian techno. This style of music dominated many, many sets in 1991, and it was the blending of those distinctive synth sounds and the looped breakbeats seen in the 1990 section that birthed jungle tekno.
The sound we know as jungle that started to appear in late '93 and early '94 was influenced by jungle tekno, but they were two styles that were distinctively different. There was no techno in jungle for a start, and as well as a fierce increase in tempo, there was also a heavy reliance on reggae and of course, highly edited, impactful drums.
So why are we banging on about that here? And why are you listening to this record which is clearly techno? The reason is this:
Jungle tekno was a very unique and very British blend of UK hardcore and Belgian techno, and this record is probably one of two records that will to help explain what this sounded like.
This track is the classic sound of Belgium circa 1991. A sound known by many simply as 'Hoover', due to the weird, mechanical synth sounds that the genre utilised throughout the year and also into 1992. You can hear more of this in the Belgian techno drop down, but for now, listen to it, savour it, digest it, and then move on to track 4.
4. Doc Scott - Surgery
And now listen to this. Hoover + UK hardcore = jungle tekno
Simple!
We'll leave this concept here and you can explore both Belgian techno and UK hardcore (or 'ardkore) in more detail in the other 1991 section.
We're going to get back to the bubbling underbelly of jungle for the remainder of this section and try to detail the continuation of genre in musical terms. You're likely to hear a bit of jungle tekno while we do this, as the sound became a staple part of the UK sound, but for the most part, we're still looking at the continuation of the breakbeat era.
5.A Guy Called Gerald - 28 Gun Bad Boy
No pitch all of that up there ^ next to this and you can hopefully see how that jungle sound was starting to develop. A Guy Called Gerald was and still is an absolutely essential part of the jungle movement and this track is poles apart from the first 4 in this list. The bass is there. The drums are there. The reggae influence is there. It's ALL THERE!
6. Break The Limits - Paranoize
Bay B Kane was a hugely influential name during the birth of the jungle scene, and prior to this he was mashing up Chicago acid, looped Amens and a smattering of Belgian techno to create beasts like this. Baaaaaaaaaaaaad!
7. 2 Bad Mice - Bombscare
If ever there was a track from 1991 that not only defied description, but also almost defied categorisation, it would be this.
Not hardcore, not jungle tekno, not rave as such......................just drum and bass! When the use of the term meant simply drums, and bass! Nothing comes close to this. Monumental. A game changer in every sense of the word.
8. 2 For Joy - Let The Bass Kick
As we've seen, this wasn't the first hardcore track to make full use of the Amen break, but it was one of the most effective. With that bubbling bass and sweeping synths, this still sounds awesome now. Brilliant.
9.MI 7 - Rockin' Down The House
Correct us if we're wrong, but '91 also seems to be the first time the term 'drum n bass' was also used as a musical definition. This sublime, understated beauty from MI 7 combines lush, laid back hints of reggae, that smooth Apache loop and an irresistible vocal that is almost impossible not to sing. A stunning record and far more important than many give credit for. An understated jungle prototype.
10.Altern 8 - Infiltrate 202
Easily one of the most beautifully crafted records of the year, this Archer/Peat production just screams quality. Drawing on the techno productions of their recent past and forging them into a brand new era that wasn't quite yet techno but wasn't quite jungle techno either, this incredible record still packs a massive punch today. Absolutely essential.
11. Blame - Music Takes You (Seal Version)
Taking sampling in the hardcore breakbeat era to a whole new level, this absolute monster was another record that in retrospect is hard to define. There are touches of Belgium in there, some devastatingly impactful drum loops from various sources, and that twisted Alex Lee vocal sample, but combined, they create something altogether magical. Another scene defining moment from Moving Shadow Records, highlighting again why they were so important to the movements progression.
12.Rebel MC Featuring Tenor Fly & Barrington Levy – Tribal Base
Bringing in the deep reggae influence and mashing it with those clacking breaks and of course, some wikked vocals from all three featured artists, this is proper proto jungle.
13.Austin - I Get High
Absolutely rammed with hardcore energy but with that reggae bassline thrusting itself into your consciousness and that kick ass break crashing at your temples, this was a huge smash in 1991. Austin Reynolds was absolutely unstoppable during the very early 90s and is definitely in our top 5 most essential producers of 1991. One of the Essex contingency. Hard as nails.
14.Nu-Matic - Hard Times
Woah. That sweet reggae intro and punching beats help this thing canter along like a thoroughbred. A favourite here for years. Totally wikked.
15.Kaotic Chemistry - Drumtrip
2 Bad Mice alter ego's Kaotic Chemistry split the mould in two after constructing it so perfectly with Bombscare earlier in the year. If you're talking about hardcore drum experimentation then this is a pretty good place to start.
Minus the reggae influence maybe, but the seeds of early jungle were clearly starting to germinate here. Moving Shadow once more at the forefront of the movement. LISTEN CAREFULLY.
16.Outphaze - Re-Activate
Pre-dating the darkside movement by a couple of years but clearly a forerunner for the more brooding, menacing style of hardcore that was to come after the hands in the air heyday of 1992, this chugger sends tingles down the spine even now. Dark and dangerous, this has early jungle written all over it. BAD!
17.Phuture Assassins - Shot Like Dis
Another proto jungle bass bin cruncher from Austin Reynolds. While there is a definite hardcore overtone to this, there is also the ragga vocal samples and that stepping bassline that worms its way through the entire composition. If you count half time to this you can hear the reggae running through it like a golden thread. THAT is what we call early jungle, and as you will see over the next 2 or 3 years, Suburban Base were at the very forefront of the movement. Game changing.
18.2 Bad Mice - Waremouse
Holy Moly. This EP was responsible for SO much. The drum play on this is exceptional. If ever their was a jungle prototype (in terms of drum edit impact and possibilities) then this is it. Effing Hardcore.
19.Rhythm Section - Comin' On Strong
Another veteran and utterly influential DJ and producer from these very earliest days was Ellis Dee. Another one of the first of the true old guard to commit music to vinyl (as part of Rhythm Section) this track is a perfect blend of rushing synths, slamming breaks and pure class. MEGA.
19.Ragga Twins - Hooligan 69 (RMX)
There from day 1, both Shut Up & Dance and The Ragga Twins were hugely influential for those hooking into the early jungle scene. Like track 1 in this list, this track is far removed from any kind of hardcore sound, instead it is packed full of ruff breaks and reggae, sloping along at a pace fast enough to keep any floor rocking but still riding that half time reggae groove. For those with the foresight to see where this was heading, the possibilities started to really show themselves and this track proves it. Proper early jungle.
20.SL2 - DJ's Take Control
XL were another boundary pushing label during 1991 and this belter is no exception. While other producers were busy creating jungle tekno to melt your brain, SL2 and others were creating beautifully blended Italo/breakbeat crossovers like this. Clearly Italo influenced but very distinctly British, this is just pure class and were looking at the very first seeds of happy hardcore here. EPIC.
21.Sonic Experience - Protein (MTS Mix)
Mark Ryder (who features on the timeline way back in 1988) is criminally under represented when it comes to influential producers during the foundation years of our movement. His label Strictly Underground was responsible for so many hardcore masterpieces that it's almost ridiculous, not to mention his contribution to the jungle movement of '94/'95. This beauty blends in your face Belgian sensibilities with a hardcore undercurrent, and of course that kicking amen which was still a comparative rarity in '91. One of the Essex contingency. MARK RYDER MUST NOT BE FORGOTTEN.
22.Kicks Like A Mule - The Bouncer (Housequake Mix)
An incredibly influential record, and a massive, massive tune for the year in question. There are definite junglist roots buried deep, deep inside this one. Bad Ass.
23.The House Crew - Keep The Fire Burning
Now THIS is next level. Production House was certainly staking its claim in the hardcore arena up to this point, this time at the hands of the mighty Floyd Dyce. It's also our favourite ever old skool choon, so allow us a bit of room! Floyd Dyce grabbed the baton with this one and just kept on running. We think this is about as good as it gets. It's the DROP. IMMENSE!!!!!!
24. The Prodigy - Everybody Is In The Place
Not everyone is quite aware we don't think of the sheer impact The Prodigy had on the early rave movement.
In 1991 they were as hardcore as you like, and were smashing out contemporary bangers like this one.
With finite attention to detail and a sample library that still throws up surprises even now, Liam Howlett took the scene to new levels of popularity with his infectious blend of hard as nails beats and over ground yet somehow still underground melodies.
To us he was the Kurt Cobain of the early hardcore movement, and we mean in terms of his instantly recognisable and totally unique sound. One of the Essex contingency. AN ESSENTIAL COG IN THE MACHINE.
25.Tigers In Space - Untitled Revolution
DJ Hype and Mikey James both at the helm for this classic slice of PURE jungle techno. Borrowing a small chunk of the epic synth line from Set Up System's Fairy Dust and combining them with an absolutely filthy synth bass and killer breaks, this is not only pure jungle techno, but it is also pure hardcore. An amazing blend of the hardest styles on the UK rave scene at the time. Shows quite distinctly just how Belgium was influencing the UK at this point. KILLER.
26.Altern 8 - Armageddon
With undeniable hardcore overtones but some absolutely kick ass drum layers and that booming 808 making your toes curl, it would have been crazy not to include this. It just rumbles along so nicely!
27.Zero B - Lock Up
There's absolutely no way we could leave this out. This tune was one of the first hands in the air tracks we can remember that wasn't a piano tune. And that snare roll!! Seriously!! If you've never seen a room full of ravers air drum before, play them this. That on top of the way every single whistle in the house peeped in unison with the sample, and then, that burbling bassline. Wow. Totally epic. CHOON!
28.Urban Shakedown ft Micky Finn - Some Justice
In a class of it's own, much like Bombscare and Blame, this is also pure, unadulterated drum and bass. Wholly responsible (as much as we can remember) for starting off the pitch shifting bass tone that became massively popular towards the latter end of '91 and '92, this is quite exceptional.
This is not a jungle techno tune. This is a very early jungle tune. No Hoovers, no techno bleeps, no pads or synths. just bass and drums, Using the absolutely beautiful refrain from the classic Ce Ce Rogers track, this still makes the hairs on the back of the neck stand up. This is also a DNB supergroup. More on that later. WORLD CLASS.
29.Moby - Go
Considering Moby was making techno during this very early period in his career I'm not sure he ever intended this to become an underground smash on the UK hardcore circuit, but that's exactly what he did.
This tore places apart in 1991 with it's sublime Twin Peaks sample and galloping drums. It kind of crossed a bridge between Beltram, breakbeat and Italo hardcore. Still regarded today as one of the best tracks of the year and with that bumping 4/4 propelling the whole thing forward, we have very very fond memories of seeing this do damage at 2 in the morning. A rare American tune in a sea of UK hardcore. SO GOOD!
30.Underkut – Both Ends
There are some very definitive jungle seeds being sown on this wicked tune. From lush pads, cantering, overlapping breaks and those signature MC vocals, this is the real deal. This seemed like a wikked place to end the story highlighting the very first musical strains of jungle before we head off into 1992. London Massive!
