Let’s rewind our record memory to the mid 1990′s, the heyday of a fast tempo style called jungle. The electrifying mix of ragga, dancehall , funk and hip hop elements combined with breakbeats emerged first in London around the beginning of the 90ies. The rave scene, which started in the late 1980′s with acid house became too commercial for some DJ’s. Rave music wasn’t really underground, anymore and new directions of mixing and sound needed to be explored. London’s vibrating Jamaican community was the inspiration for this new fusion. Dancehall MC’s were very popular, and DJ’s were starting to create more complicated breakbeats. The result was faster, louder, wicked! Jungle was born.
The Record Label
A Berlin based label, Downbeat Records, released in 1994 the double album “Downbeat in the Jungle” via its German parent label WEA. It was the first publication of the hottest jungle tracks that were only played at clubs from dub plates or live mixing, at that time. They were already considered as classics of jungle. Since Berlin was (and still is) known for its thriving club scene, this style of music conquered ravers in the capitol city pretty fast. Downbeat Records gathered the finest tracks and the first compilation of original jungle was pressed on vinyl. The second compilation, “Downbeat in the Jungle 2” is like its predecessor a double album containing 16 tracks from various artists. This compilation is a good choice for every newcomer to this music style, and it is a goodie for every DJ and collector. Today we’re talking of drum & bass, but it all got started with jungle.
The Music – LP 1
Reggae or ragga fans are probably familiar with Jamaican MC’s like the king of dancehall Beenie Man or other famous dancehall artists like Frankie Paul or Barrington Levy. They all and many others appear on that jungle compilation – bad like yaz! It kicks off with “Warning” mixed and produced by Firefox & Fourtree, a smooth “intro” track for jungle and rises curiosity for more.
“Warning” by Firefox & Fourtree
Don’t get confused by different track numbers you’ll might find on the internet. The track listing is just on one side, the other one is artwork by Jim Avignon, and this side is actually the A side! The second track on LP1 side A, “Stamina” by the Dream Team offers you the snare drums, synthesizers and hard breakbeats, so it’s best to just close your eyes and get into the sound. Dollar Don Paul with “Bazooka” and dancehall legends Barrington Levy & Beenie Man with their ganja anthem “Under Mi Sensi” in a remix version complete the A side of LP1. By the way, this single has been unofficially re-released on vinyl in 2001!
“Under Mi Sensi” (Remix) by Barrington Levy & Beenie Man
The B side of LP1 starts off with a veteran ragga MC Topcat and his smash track “Roughest Gunark”, (= roughest gunman). As many of you know, not only rap has its gangstas or hot steppers, ragga and dancehall lyrics were and still are often pretty rude and quite homophobic, the same we know from rap. Both music styles are pretty much macho, no doubt, but don’t we like to challenge the bad boy or bad girl in us, sometimes? Lord, have mercy! However, jungle is mainly about the energetic breakbeats that makes you shake your rump. Next on the B side comes Demolition Man massive with “Fire”, which today we know in different remixes (2001 and 2006!) followed by Marvellous Cain and “Killer”. The first LP ends with a special dedication to women, the 7 minutes long Ladies Mix of “Special Dedication” by DJ Nut feat. Top Cat and Frankie Paul. It’s one of my favorites on that compilation bearing some trance elements, rhythm breaks and the lovely voice of Frankie Paul.
“Special Dedication” (Ladies Mix) by DJ Nut feat. Top Cat and Frankie Paul
The Music – LP 2
The first song on the A side of compilation 2 sounds familiar from the first note on, borrowing the melody from Michael Jackson‘s song “Human Nature”, but it’s the Booyaka Crew wanting us to kill with positive vibes on “Ghetto Youth“! It provides a nice change of moods, from melodic to rough and starting all over, again. Next is D.R.S. feat. Kenny Ken (“Everyman“) and DJ Ash (“Squeeze“) offering more reggae vibes. My absolute favorite completes the A side of LP 2: “Rough Rider” by Dollar Don Paul, containing a sample of an R&B smash hit “Night and Day” by Al B. Sure (1988). For hardcore jungle fans probably too harmless, but I’ll tell you a secret – da girlz will love it! The B side of LP 2 starts with a soulful lady, Elisabeth Troy, and her big club success and all time classic “Greater Love” produced by Soundman and Don Lloydie.
“Greater Love” by Elisabeth Troy
Admittingly, the B side continues with more mainstream jungle, but nevertheless it’s fine music from the clubs, back in the days. Loggi with the beautiful track “Rescue Me”,as well as the floating tune of one of the first German jungle projects, JWM & Rankin’ D feat. Cutty Ranks in “Night & Day“. A perfect windup for this compilation is the complete instrumental chill-out track by T-Power with “Horny Mutant Jazz“. This song also hints to a future form deriving from jungle – a strongly trance influenced drum & bass style. But however we describe whatever style, there’s one question about every record: is it jammin’ or not? I’d say Downbeat in the Jungle 2 is definitely jammin’, so get your hands on it if you can!
“Horny Mutant Jazz” by T-Power
Cover Art
Last but not least I’d like to mention the cover art of Downbeat in the Jungle 2. German pop-art artist and DJ, Jim Avignon, gave the album cover a unique look as he already did with Volume 1 and various 12″ releases of both compliations. He started his painting career in the early 1990′s in Berlin and he was a popular illustrator in the German techno scene. Avignon produced his images in a fast tempo, being inspired by the fast changing techno scene in Berlin. He also designed some of the famous SWATCH watches and painted Rover cars. Today, he’s living in New York, still doing his thing!
Jim Avignon and his art
