The prevailing sound running through 1991 like a golden thread was that of breakbeat hardcore. It wasn't jungle tekno, because it lacked hoovers, and it wasn't early jungle, because it had synth stabs and no reggae basslines. It wasn't techno either, because it didn't rely solely on 4/4 as a percussive medium. It was just 'hardcore', and for us it was all about the STABS, those jabbing synth riffs that ate away at your brain.
Thrashing breakbeats, loads of bass and often, but not always, a thudding 4/4 undercurrent that made you wanna stomp. If separating proto jungle from the other musical styles, which is ultimately what we're trying to do, then putting hardcore in it's own section seems logical.
So that's what we've done. Hopefully it make sense.
1. Q Bass - Hardcore Will Never Die
As a bit of a backlash against the chart positioning of a number of 'underground' rave records in '91. hardcore ravers (ourselves included) felt put out by the amount of unwanteds stealing their music. Such is the arrogance of youth.
This tune was a perfect fuck you to the pop kids and sounds super powerful today.
'Ardkore INNIT!
2.Acen - Close Your Eyes
Acen was on the cusp of hardcore domination with this '91 release. Full of panache and displaying amazing attention to detail, this cemented his place firmly in the UK rave hall of fame. You can find more in our 1992 Hardcore section, but for now, if you study this you'll hear the underbelly of breakbeat hardcore rumbling through every bar. No hoovers, no early jungle reggae basslines, just hardcore. And tekno.
3.Low Noise Block - Rave In The Bedroom
Here we have it! The epitome of the hardcore sound. Stabs, scrunchy saw wave synths, clanging breakbeats and almost always a hint of humour in there somewhere, this is what WE would call hardcore.
4. The Prodigy - Android
With a bumping 4/4 and every ingredient the UK fell in love with The Prodigy for on display, this epic basher mashed up raves across the whole of 1991. Booom!
5. Carl Cox - I Want You (Forever)
First coming into existence in the version described by Frankie Bones in our 1989 - UK Sounds Emerging section, this typifies the breakbeat hardcore sound of '91, with that pounding 4/4 and gruff stabs, it was a big, big tune in its day. Still sounds great too.
6. Cosmo and Dibs - Star Eyes
The Moving Shadow label was there right from day one, pushing boundaries and exerting influence. No wonder when you listen to tracks like this.
7. Nebula 2 - Seance
There it goes! that HARDCORE SOUND! Synths both high and low that turn your brains inside out and those stabs that became synonymous with the genre..............just wow.
8. Sound Corp - Dream Finder
Another absolute smasher that broke sound systems into tiny pieces with absolutely no remorse. Immense.
9. DJ Seduction - You and Me
DJ Seduction went on to become on the founding fathers of the Happy Hardcore scene, and when you hear how good his work was at the start of the decade, it's easy to see why. This is so good on every level and that pumping 4/4 just booms.
Anybody who tells you that jungle didn't come from 4/4 can report directly to this webpage for confirmation. EVERY sub style on this timeline had its part to play in 1991, and it ALL influenced jungle. That is all.
10. DJ Rap - Divine Rhythm
And if they still don't believe you, play them this. Then tell them to have a word with themselves.
