So 1994 was the year of the infamous and now legendary 'Split', where jungle DJs decided to tread their own path, in turn influencing the producers of the genre, and happy hardcore DJs did the same, with many DJs turning their hands to production in order to add music to their sets.
During this essential and highly creative year for the hardcore movement, many of the drum patterns and samples remained similar to their jungle counterparts, and the only distinct difference was the added 4/4, piano riffs and hardcore stabs. The tail end of '93 saw a steady mix of hardcore and jungle in many DJ sets, but by '94 their was enough coming out to play stand alone sets and with the rising popularity of dub plate culture and cutting houses, hardcore very proudly became its own entity, never to return to the jungle fold.
Here are 15 absolute stompers carefully selected to give you an idea of the beautiful revolution taking place in '94!
1. Luna C - Piano Progression
Take a good listen to this and it's easy to see why many people called happy hardcore, happy jungle too. The attention to detail on many of the '94 hardcore tracks equalled that of many of the jungle tunes of the period. Sometimes more so. 1994 was an incredible year for happy hardcore and while this ws the year of the infamous 'SPLIT', where jungle and hardcore firmly seperated into two distinct styles, it was often only the addition (or subtraction) of an uplifting piano riff or hardcore 'stab' that defined the two. Luna C opens up proceedings on this short list of belters curated to give you an idea of exactly what was happening here in blighty during this pinnacle year. Enjoy!
2.Just Another Artist - Rhythm
Before Optical teamed up with Ed Rush to wreak havoc upon the senses of DNB fans across the Globe, he was making absolutely kick ass happy hardcore under the alias of Just Another Artist. With that relentless 4/4, layered breaks and hands in the air piano pushing everything forward, this thing just does not stop. Awesome.
3. Fat Controller - Livin' In Darkness
One of the finest examples of happy jungle/happy breakbeat from 1994, this absolute stomper from Fat Controller is beautifully engineered and pretty damn perfect. BIG!
4.Higher Level - Visions Of Light
The highly talented and uber creative team also known as Krome & Time moonlight here under the Higher Level moniker, delivering an expectedly incredible breaks driven euphoric monster. This thing rides the line between hardcore and jungle impeccably. With lots of their tell tale trade mark sounds littering the sonic landscape, this is a true gem of the genre. Brilliant.
5.DJ Dougal & DJ Vibes - Feel Free.
As the record label suggests, there was definitely a tangible feeling of the possibility of happy hardcore slipping away from consciousness during '93 and '94, as jungle came to dominate the rave scene. A core of producers (Dougal & Vibes being a part of that group) made a huge effort to create innovative and well respected hardcore that prevented that from happening. This gem from '94 still shines like a diamond. Amazing.
6.DJ Force & the Evolution - Perfect Dreams
Wow. Force and Evolution - who later morphed into Force and Styles blew raves to pieces with this epic stomper. There's not much that can said about this that it doesn't say for itself. EPIC.
7.DJ Dougal & Mickey Skeedale - Sky High
Released on the short lived Die Hard Records out of legendary Leicester hardcore club 'Diehard', this absolute brahmer bounds along with a heady mix of 4/4 and breaks. Relentless.
8.Vibes & Wishdokta - Feels Good
It is impossible not to get caught up in the energy of this beast. Bringing the 'happy hardcore' stabs fully into play and cantering along at full speed, this is an undisputed 'ardkor classic. Amazing.
9.DJ Brisk - Airhead
Some vocal/piano drops just sent you over edge when you were out raving, and this is one of them. This absolutely excellent offering from DJ Brisk hints at the 4/4 stab fest that hardcore went on to become in subsequent years, but still retains those frantic break patterns to keep you on your toes. Massive.
10.Piano Tunes Vol 1
What a corker. Borrowing from the Ce Ce Rodgers classic - Someday, which was a staple sample on many, many tracks during the early 90s, this is a fab example of the genre, with great use of added claps. Wikked!
11.DJ Morph - Message
One of the best from '94 and a pure jungle/hardcore thoroughbred, this DJ Morph production is beautifully produced and packed full of energy. A classic.
12.D.E.A - Summer Vibe
This awesome workout makes awesome use of those crashing amens with slightly more subtle piano work than contemporary releases. This is a pure hardcore heavyweight. The Bollox.
13.DJ Red Alert & Mike Slammer - Feel So Real
This is such a banger there are almost no words to describe it. Almost. PLAY LOUD!!!!!!!
14.DJ Ham - Green Eggs And
Possibly one of the classiest happy hardcore tracks from '94, this stunning piece of work from DJ Ham pretty much sums up what could be achieved when musicality and technology collided within the genre. Wonderful. Not like green eggs. Which are probably gross.
15.Cheddar Vol 1
Wrapping up this small but perfectly formed collection of 1994 happy hardcore/happy jungle/happy breakbeat is the DJ Sy classic, Cheddar Vol 1. Bounding along and with a slightly different take on the piano breakdown, this seems like a nice place to sign off, until we reconnect in 1995. BIG UP!
