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The History of Drum & Bass – 1994 – Jungle Style

Crikey. 1994. The year that 'jungle' as a musical style in its purest form came to exist. That is, no hardcore elements, no pianos, little or no influence from any where else in the world except the UK and Jamaica, highly edited drum patterns, bass that turned your head inside out, a foundation of two complex yet simple elements (drum and bass) and a very distinct separation from the emerging happy hardcore scene that came to be known forever more as 'the split'.

The beautiful thing about 1994 was that it waved a flag at producers and DJs that kind of said 'come on then, if you think your 'ard enough'. It presented a challenge to throw down the hardest of beats and the tuffest of basslines that goaded the next person to do it better and harder and deeper in a way that mirrored dancehall culture and the 'dub wars' of the 60s. And they did just that. DJs cut one off acetate dubplates straight from DAT tapes, passed on by fellow DJs and producers, in a bid to outdo rival DJs stepping up into the booth.

The Amen break (see The Winstons - Amen Brother in our Breakbeat Origins section) break among others came to symbolise the sound of the entire movement, and the first seeds of 'choppage' were sown this year, that is, the intense manipulation of the breakbeat in as shorter space as possible, in order to make a piece of music within a piece of music from drums alone. Track 4 is the perfect introduction to this. Pop back into 1989 after this section and see how far it had come in 5 short years!

As ever, we are presenting some stone cold classics, some lesser known beauties and some tracks that no self respecting website would ever consider missing out. We've decided to open up a separate section for the emerging intelligent drum and bass sound, as for us, this is where drum and bass a musical entity started to exist.

It was when the breaks dropped out of jungle that it too became drum and bass, and then intelligent drum and bass became liquid. Confusing, eh? Just our take on it. You might feel differently. Also as ever, this is a springboard into deeper territory and NOT a best of or best sellers run down. You want more? It's all out there. You just have to find it.

1.Renegade - Terrorist

Everybody has their own opinions and those looking at this list will have theirs, but I don't think many would dispute our choice to kick off this list. Ray Keith was no stranger to the production desk by this time, but boy, when this thing first emerged it spun the scene on its head. Dark, angry, destructive even, this track smashed everything in its path and if you ever get the chance to hear this on a big rig, DO NOT TURN IT DOWN. And if you're a body shaker, dancing to this is such good fun. Stunning.

2.Leviticus - Burial

With the essence of drum and bass at its very core, this Philly Blunt classic encapsulates perfectly the opposite end of the jungle scale in '94, which was the element of swing. Those undulating 808's and those smooth pads and vocals bought something completely new to the table. Jumpin' Jack Frost was one of the very earliest rave DJs and ranks highly amongst the list of dedicated pioneers still playing out today. Do your homework and you'll see his name appear on flyers from as far back as '87/'88. A true classic.

3. DJ Hype - Roll The Beats

When we said DJ Hype was absolutely unstoppable during the mid 90s (back in 1993) we meant it. With a heavy reggae underbelly and vocal snippets from the one and only MC GQ, there is nothing not to love about this jungle anthem. Absolutely T for Tremendous.

4.Dead Dred - Dred Bass

Sweet Jesus and Holy Mother of God. Just listen to it. Many prefer the remix, but nah. we'll take this one thanx. NO MORE WORDS REQUIRED.

5.Fire Fox and 4 Tree - Warning

Roni Size letting loose like a cannon on this absolute dancefloor smasher. With a wonderfully placed TTD vocal, scattered beats and raggamuffin samples throughout, THIS is what we'd call jungle in its purest form. Jamiaca and the UK blending perfectly across the side of one slab of vinyl. Boom!

6.Slipmatt - Breaking Free

Slipmatt had already carved out a huge name for himself during the early part of the decade, but by '94 was working his way towards becoming the rightly titled 'Godfather of Hardcore'. This incredible piece of music just predates that accolade and was one of the last true jungle/hardcore crossovers. Impeccably arranged with those signature snares that ride up and down the octaves, and with Amens that clash and overlap in a frenzy of junglism, this is one of the truly great records of 1994. And that vocal drop................seriously. Outsanding.

7. Cool Hand Flex - Melody Madness

Wooiiiiii. Come on then. Now this is jungle. Raw, bare bones breakbeats, spine shaking reece bass, just enough vocal to lift the spirits and a whole heap of energy. Just listen to it. Awesome.

8.Marvellous Cain - Hitman

Crikey. The energy bouncing out of this thing is difficult to quantify. So sparse and yet so full of life, this is junglism in its raw essence. The type of track you can dance in levels to. GET MASH UP.

9.DJ Ron - Dangerous

DJ Ron conducts absolutely brilliant YouTube interviews now with jungle originators under the name A London Someting. Essential viewing without a doubt, but in '94 he was churning out uplifting jungle like this. Has ALL the ingredients. BIG!

10.DJ Dextrous & Rude Boy Keith - Wicked

The musical definition of jungle. Crashing breaks. Reggae basslines. Vocal snippets. Twisted sound bites. To us THIS IS JUNGLE and if you compare it to the intelligent DRUM AND BASS in the subsequent section, there is simply no comparison. THIS is how we make the definition between the two. Maybe you do too? BAD!

11.DJ Rap - Digable Bass

Talk about a false sense of security. What starts out as a beautiful piece of downtempo chill out soon smacks you full force in the face with metallic snares. A bit like a digital wet kipper. A proper tear out if ever there was one. Absolutely ridiculous.

12. Smokey Joe - Special Request

A true heavyweight plate if ever there was one. This induces visions of smoke and lazers with every bar. Full on 4AM junglism. Stone cold classic.

13.Dillinja – Deadly Deep Subs

Coming at your brain box like something from a galaxy far, far away, this was and still is a stand out tune of the year, and quite unlike anything else. Big peoples music.

14.Marvellous Cain - Dub Plate Style

One of the biggest anthems of '94 with no mistake, this thing almost defies description, so we'll let the music do the talking instead. IMMENSE!

15.Remarc - Sound Murderer

You wot. This is chaos on vinyl. Remarc was at the forefront of drum edits that bordered on the insane and this is no exception. Loose yourself in this madness if you dare. CRACKERS!

16. DJ Krome & Mr Time – The Licence

OOOOFF. With an up tempo reggae bassline warbling its way into your brain and those amens smashing up the sound, this thing is just wild, and a fantastic example of the kind of tear out jungle exploding through 1994 like a sonic grenade.

17. D.R.S. Featuring Kenny Ken – Everyman

What an anthem! We loved this from the very first second we heard it, and dare we say it, we had it on vinyl. Two legends clashing head to head on this reggae infused bouncer.

18. DJ Nut Nut - Special Dedication

Absolutely tearing and full of both roughneck vibes and sweet soul sensations, this bad boy tune still sounds as sick AF today. Awesome.

19. DJ Aphrodite - Calling All The People

Crisp, clean, snappy............This Aphrodite track has it all, including that funky bassline that calls your body to move! Excellent.

20. Dream team - Stamina

Bizzy B and Pugwash causing jungle mayhem on this absolute slammer on Suburban Base. When that bass lets rip it's pure carnage, and on a big rig this thing blows your brains out.

21. New Blood - Worries In The Dance

Released on DJ Ron's London Somet'ing label and sounding as sweet as a lush summers day, this tune epitomises inner city jungle from '94. Brock out!

22. Shimon - Predator

Veering away from the jump up jungle style we've looked at so far, but not quite atmospheric enough to flip over the intelligent drum and bass section, this thing employs some neat drum play and still has oodles of bass. Wikked.

23. Gappa G & Hyper Hypa - River Nijer (Nookie Remix)

A Kenny Ken favourite during '94 and a beautifully contrasting track as per usual Nookie standards, ranging from blissful pads to bashing beats, this one is a bad.

24. Flynn & Flora - Flowers

Flynn and Flora were an epic Bristol based duo who created some deadly jungle during the golden era, with Flynn being none other than DJ Krust's brother. This is probably one of the most beautiful jungle tracks ever written. Awesome. RIEP Flora.

25. DJ Mayhem - Inesse (Ray Keith Remix)

What a TUNE!!!!!!!!!! An absolute must have in any list from this scene defining year and so good. With the tiniest hint of Belgium seeping through the mix and those sinister pads, this thing is just insane.

26. DJ Hype - Computerised Cops

Showing no signs of slowing down after 5 years in the production game at this point, Hype was at his creative peak right here, and that was a creative peak that lasted until well into the late 90's. An absolutely excellent example of the best of 1994 jungle.

27. DJ SS - Anything Possible

DJ SS's 1995 releases categorically defined the jungle sound of that year, but in '94 he released one of the best jungle artist albums of the genre. That LP was backed up by two excellent EPs and this tune was an absolute stand out. It's also one of the few 1994 jungle tracks to utilise a 4/4 kick drum. A firm favourite.

28. Nookie - Only You

28. We've said it before, and we're going to say it agin right now, Nookie defied musical boundaries during the golden era, and he's doing it again here. This sublime tune hovers between happy hardcore, jungle and intelligent drum and bass effortlessly. In short, it's just beautiful.

29. Brain Killers - Screwface

Holy Moly. What an absolute powerhouse of a track. Defies words.

30. M-Beat - Sweet Love

A lush way to end this year of years for jungle music. The year before the media got hold of it. The year before the majors got hold of it. The year that it birthed and flourished unabashed as a pure musical artform. The year where it was just jungle.

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