Jungle

Originally a derivative of British hardcore techno, 'jungle' (also known as 'drum'n'bass') has been described as the most rhythmically-complex form of dance music^[1]. Primarily instrumental, it differs from techno (which relies on a straight four-on-the-floor beat) by employing the use of reggae bass riffs (often around 85 BPM) over double time hip hop break beats (around 170 BPM).

According to Larkin, jungle received its name through its connection with reggae music, ('junglist' is a term to describe a native of Trenchtown^[2]) and was an attempt by black musicians and DJs to reclaim techno from the white musicians and DJs who dominated the hardcore scene of the early 1990s.

The use of sped- up hip hop breakbeats had been popularised in rave music from as early as 1991/1992, in such songs as Smart E's 'Sesame's Treet', The Prodigy's 'Charly', and 'Urban Hype Trip to Trumpton' (all of which utilised the technique in an aim to achieve commercial success). By 1994 hardcore had divided into two separate sub-genres (happy hardcore and dark side) with the latter now starting to be called drum'n'bass or jungle by the mainstream press. Jungle was often used to describe ragga^[3] tracks which featured reggae samples and was starting to receive large amounts of airplay from pirate radio stations such as Kool FM, Rush FM, Eruption FM, who continuosly broadcast jungle rhythms throughout London^[4]. As a result of this exposure jungle events such as AWOL, World Dance, and Desire were staged throughout London, drawing big crowds. Live MCs who hyped up the crowd by employing the old dub music technique of toasting were common at these events.

Widespread experimentation with production techniques followed (such as Dead Dred's reversal of the bassline in his 1995 track 'Dread Bass') and the widespread use of more hip hop- based samples led to the formation of a new sub-genre of jungle called 'hardstep' or 'jump up'. Hardstep features a greater emphasis on development and growth, and employs varying drum patterns while focussing on the bass as a melodic element.

While this new sub-genre of jungle gained increasing mainstream success, the underground purists of the drum'n'bass movement turned back to the darker style of drum'n'bass, and 1996 witnessed a return to the dark side in the underground club scene. This style became known as 'techstep' and features more techno-type elements such as bleeps, synth squelches, and dense, heavily-treated basslines.