Tuesday, May 27, 2025

Latest:

WWW.INSIDEDNB.NET

Est 2021 – PROUD TO BE UNDERGROUND!

1991 – Jungle Tekno/Jungle Roots

1991! Jungle Tekno/Jungle Roots ! 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 history's 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. Lennie De Ice - We Are I.E

Cited by many of the originators as the first ever jungle tune, and also featured in our 1988 section (as it was allegedly first created then, although possibly in a slightly different version), this track simply has to be first up in this section.

With its crunching Amen break and heavy reggae influence, it really did set the blueprint for the musical blending of UK rave culture and Jamaican sonic prowess. It seeps the spirit of the island from every bit of data contained within its 5 minute journey, and set the standard for jungle in its infancy for the rest of 1991.

2. Dee Patten - Who's The Badman?

Hot on its heels though was this beauty, which could almost be seen as a continuation of We Are I.E in terms of style and rhythm. You can really hook into the skanking sensibilities of the jungle emotion on this one.

Tek 9 - Space 91

And then you’ve got what went on to become one of the most important outfits in the story (Tek 9/4 Hero)bringing out this beautiful slab of break infused proto jungle. Tucked away on the B side of the Kingdom of Dub EP, it is simply stunning.

3.Liquid - Liquid Is Liquid

And then such was (and still is) the beauty of rave culture, Liquid, two guys of Irish descent come out with this slow and steady floor rocker which is about as reggae as it gets! Maybe not a contender for everyone as we chart the true history of jungle and drum and bass, but for us this is a dead cert.

4.A Guy Called Gerald - 28 Gun Bad Boy

Now 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. The bass is there. The drums are there. The reggae influence is there. It's ALL THERE!

5. Doc Scott - Surgery

And now listen to this. Belgian techno + UK hardcore = jungle tekno

Simple!

We'll leave this concept here and you can explore both Belgian techno and UK hardcore in more detail in the other 1991 sections.

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 birth of the jungle era.

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.Noise Factory - Jungle Techno

Also there right at the start was Ibiza Records, and so far as we are aware, this was the first time the moniker jungle techno appeared in print on vinyl.

8. 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.

9. 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.

10.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. Weirdly, the Drum 'n' Bass Remake of this track has a 4/4 running right through it! So we've added the original to this list, BUT, we THINK this is the first time the term DNB was printed and presented to the world while linked to the dancefloor, rather than to reggae. 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.

11.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.

12. 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.

13.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.

14.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.

15.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.

16.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.

17.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!

18.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.

19.2 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.

20.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.

21.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 we're looking at the very first seeds of happy hardcore here. EPIC.

22.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.

23.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.

24.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!!!!!!

25. 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.

26.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.

27.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!

28.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!

29.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.

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!

Translate »