#Jungle and DnB events

[adomainname]

The Global Rise of Jungle Drum and Bass Music

Jungle Drum and Bass (D&B), a dynamic genre that originated in the UK during the early 1990s, has transformed from a niche sound within rave culture into a major global music phenomenon. Characterized by rapid breakbeats, powerful basslines, and influences from reggae and dub, Jungle D&B boasts a rich history and a diverse spectrum of styles. This article explores the origins, evolution, and legacy of Jungle Drum and Bass.

What is Jungle Drum and Bass Music?

Definition and Characteristics

Jungle Drum and Bass is an electronic music genre known for its fast breakbeats (typically ranging from 160 to 180 BPM) and heavy basslines, drawing from reggae, dub, and dancehall influences. Initially popularized by underground rave scenes, it has evolved into various styles within the electronic music landscape. Producers often incorporate samples from reggae and hip-hop, crafting a raw, high-energy sound that resonates on dance floors.

Origins of Jungle Drum and Bass Music

UK Roots and Influences

The early 1990s UK rave scene provided fertile ground for the emergence of Jungle D&B, blending elements of reggae, dub, and breakbeat. One key precursor to Jungle was Breakbeat Hardcore, which combined uptempo breakbeats with dark basslines and samples, paving the way for Jungle's distinctive sound.

Key Pioneers in Jungle Drum and Bass

Goldie: Renowned for his iconic 1995 album Timeless, Goldie played a crucial role in bringing Jungle to mainstream audiences and defining its sound.

LTJ Bukem: A pioneer of atmospheric Drum and Bass, Bukem is celebrated for fusing jazz and ambient influences, establishing the sub-genre known as Liquid Drum & Bass.

DJ Hype, Fabio, Grooverider: These influential DJs were instrumental in spreading Jungle through pirate radio stations and rave events, significantly contributing to its initial popularity and growth.

The Evolution of Jungle and Drum & Bass Styles

Distinction Between Jungle and Drum & Bass

Jungle Music: Characterized by syncopated breakbeats and samples from reggae and dancehall, it often features the iconic Amen Break from The Winstons' "Amen, Brother."

Drum & Bass: A cleaner and more refined evolution of Jungle, Drum & Bass has branched into various sub-genres while maintaining the high-energy essence of its roots.

Popular Subgenres of Drum and Bass

Liquid Drum & Bass: A smoother, jazz-inspired style popularized by artists like Calibre and High Contrast.

Neurofunk: A darker, more mechanical style with techno and industrial influences, pioneered by Ed Rush & Optical.

Jump-Up: Known for its catchy basslines and high-energy beats, this dancefloor-oriented style is led by DJs like DJ Zinc and Hazard.

Technology and the Growth of Jungle Drum and Bass

Role of Technology in Production

Sampling and breakbeats have been vital to Jungle D&B production. Early producers relied on samplers like Akai MPCs to layer beats and manipulate sounds. The advent of Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs) such as Ableton and Logic Pro has made home production accessible, enabling new artists to innovate within the genre.

Global Expansion of Jungle and Drum & Bass

By the late 1990s, Jungle and Drum & Bass had gained popularity not only in the UK but also across Europe, North America, and eventually Asia and Latin America. International artists like Belgium's Netsky and the Netherlands' Noisia have introduced new sounds and cultural influences, broadening the genre's global appeal.

Jungle Drum and Bass Music Culture and Legacy

Event and Festival Culture

Jungle and Drum & Bass events, ranging from underground clubs to large-scale festivals, create high-energy, communal experiences for fans. Festivals such as Outlook in Croatia and Sun and Bass in Sardinia celebrate this genre, attracting fans from around the world and solidifying its presence in the electronic music scene.

Influence on Other Music Genres

Jungle and Drum & Bass rhythms and production techniques have permeated pop, hip-hop, and rock, enhancing their mainstream appeal. The genre has also laid the groundwork for subgenres like UK Garage, Grime, and Dubstep, further expanding the reach of electronic music.

Modern Jungle and Drum & Bass: Current Trends and Innovations

Current Artists Shaping the Genre

Today, artists like Hybrid Minds, Mefjus, and Camo & Krooked are pushing the genre's boundaries by incorporating ambient, pop, and cinematic influences. The genre’s popularity continues to grow through collaborations with pop and hip-hop artists and success on streaming platforms.

Future Directions

Jungle and Drum & Bass are constantly evolving, embracing innovative sound design and diverse influences. Fans and new listeners can expect increased cross-genre experimentation and mainstream visibility in the coming years.

Conclusion

From its origins in London's underground rave scene to its status as a global movement, Jungle Drum and Bass has a rich history that continues to evolve. Its growth, stylistic diversity, and ongoing cultural impact underscore its lasting appeal in the electronic music landscape. As Jungle and Drum & Bass adapt to new sounds and technology, they remain at the forefront of music innovation, ensuring a vibrant future for both fans and artists alike.

Go To The Origins of Jungle Music

[da-ill-spot]

March 1st | Heart of Los Angeles feat. Hieroglyphics

San Pedro, CA | TIX

Dive into the vibrant heart of Los Angeles at Heart of LA, a groundbreaking event uniting three powerhouse music subcultures—jungle, hip-hop, and reggae—against the stunning backdrop of the San Pedro Pier, the historic coastal gateway to LA.

This unique celebration brings together the city’s rich cultural tapestry, blending sounds and rhythms that echo the diversity and creativity of Los Angeles.

Prepare for an unforgettable day featuring performances from some of the most iconic names in music:

* The Hieroglyphics: Experience the legendary crew live as they perform songs from 3rd Eye Vision and more.

* Queen Omega: Don’t miss this reggae powerhouse as she makes her triumphant return to the West Coast, marking her first Los Angeles performance in 15 years.

* The Visionaries: LA’s hip-hop legends take the stage with their timeless beats and rhymes.

* Funkdoobiest: Legendary Hiphop group that put Latinos in rap on the map, repping Soul Assasins Crew

* The Shapeshifters: A collective of boundary-pushing artists delivering electrifying performances.

* Gavlyn: The bold and dynamic voice of LA’s underground hip-hop scene.

Adding to the energy, Concrete Jungle Sessions LA residents Dier Times, Jahwy, and Beatrix team up to hold down the stage between performances with Diggin’ Daily’s Otek and Shownuff.

The stage will also feature performances from Original Junglist R.A.W. aka 6Blocc, and local hip hop staples Quaesar, Jizzm, Ice Cream Crew, and Poetik Prophets. 

Heart of Los Angeles will also be blessed by the positive vibrations of Dub Meeting powered by Dub Siren Hifi along the beautiful waterfront of San Pedro, CA. 

The stage will boast the first time US performance of Micah Shemaiah live dub mixed by The Scientist and performances from the full Dub Siren crew featuring MC’s General Zooz, Mello Banton, Rootsman, and Ryo Vibes.

Beyond the Music.

Explore Kulture Market curated by Raw Kulture showcasing artisanal vendors and food stalls from all over Los Angeles. From handcrafted goods to mouthwatering eats, this cultural experience is as diverse as the city itself.

Join us for Heart of LA, where music, culture, and community collide to create an unforgettable experience. Secure your tickets now and be part of this extraordinary gathering that celebrates the soul of Los Angeles.

Los Angeles is a community of creatives constantly out and about celebrating various facets of culture.

We thank all our collaborators, co-creators, mentors, and supporters who cherish all raw elements of life and the energy that drives us to connect and find one another. 

Thanks to Concrete Jungle Sessions Los Angeles, Bobby Dee Presents, TPG Events, Beatrix Presents, Da Ill Spot, We Live This Ent, Raw Kulture, Kulture Market, Justin Romo Presents, Sky’s Presents, Concerts For You, and Diggin’ Daily for keeping the DIY spirit alive and thriving.

This is just the start.  We are the Heart of Los Angeles!

[frozen-planet]

some recent (not really) refs/lineup work of my nsr ocs, they arent very developed LOL but ill make this post a proper introduction to them, I have vaguely posted about them previously

Treble is my main oc, who acts as an ingame NPC. He's also a band manager for a friends oc!

he has the best/most art (including outfits for each district) as of now because he's existed waaay longer than my other two and he's my most lore-friendly one.

he's also supposed to allude to the mystery man/jazz nsrtist theory line, where he was made prior to nsr of course, and maintains that part of the character as a living remnant of it, it's just not explicitly stated unless you were to look around for lore tidbits around the city.

Solar Flair only just got a solidified design, so theres not a lot of art/reference work for her but she's a cosmic/progressive metal/djent artist who gains a proper career after the events of the game. The idea with her is that she's supposed to symbolise a voice of criticism post-game where she continues to directly do so in her songs.

She's mainly involved with cast tech/that whole region including the vague history of progressive metal alongside disco in the 70s.

Wisteria is my third (and least developed) nsr oc and I have absolutely no idea what to do with them. The idea is that they were some ice amalgamation of a former band created by the blackouts that gains a body of light through the reflection of the cities music, which also makes their genre along the lines of atmospheric dnb/jungle/breakcore, sampling the nsrtists existing music into their own thing.

It definitely covers more of the "powers" lore that the nsrtists gain with their status or however you perceive that working ingame, but I dont rlly know what to do with them other than that rn. I think the original design was styled around retrofuturism too.

[noellevanious]

here's your daily reminder that you NEED to listen to the archived radio blocks from the 90s uk ambient jungle/intelligent dnb scene. this shit is so amazing. it got me through what was frankly a super shitty job experience in 2022 and hearing both the amazing music AND the time-specific events and ads is beyond compare

[swampgallows]

if i could dj id do orc raves. i got a pair of pointy green ears i can wear. idk why im telling u this just felt like it. i am the owner of the blog orcpost-generator and have not posted there in some time

i have dreamed of throwing a warcraft rave (an irl one) since i was in high school and used to daydream about how many areas it'd have, what id name them, how id decorate them... if it was two rooms there could be horde and alliance, horde having the harder genres obv (hardcore, gabber, jungle) and alliance being the softer stuff (trance, house, liquid dnb). or they could be modeled after iconic areas in wow, like a teldrassil room covered in green party city streamers and purple lighting, orgrimmar, stormwind, or more obscure locations, like the gurubashi arena (for an outdoor/patio section), booty bay (ESP for like footwork/juke, jersey club, dubstep), and nesingwary's bass (hoho) camp for an all STV party. it would be a costly venture the way i imagine it but if i had an investor or collaborator it'd be something id really love to do. as a kid i of course didnt have the means and now as a semi functioning adult theres ms rona to worry about, and though ive also been looking into masked raves w air purifiers and stuff i cant seem to drum up enough interest to merit throwing the event. i wanna believe 'if i make it they will come' but i dont wanna be thousands in the hole and forced to experience the worst feeling on planet earth: throwing a party and having nobody come

anyway uhh Yes I Have Thought About This. if you can do the rave i will help and i will dj! also i miss orcpost generator!!! im happy for the posts you gave us though :>

[hollowtones]

Recently at some events my brother has said to be "this sounds like jungle music", referring to stuff sounding like jungle tracks form video games, so the fact that it'a also the name for a legit genre delights me.

There's a fair bit of jungle / dnb in video games from the 90s and early 2000s. Lotta game composers from around the time were real into dance / club / underground music scenes, from what I've heard!

[squoobest]

📻 six!!!

For those listening at home No. 10,0006 is an android who was built for and has worked in a public safety org related to managing and disposing viruses that manifest in the physical realm. This was a venture that only happened once and never again.

A lot of her tracks are instrumental jungle or liquid dnb since that is a genre I associate her with BUT this is one of the rare vocal ones in the playlist ^^ Primarily bc I feel like it fits her motivations and interactions with some characters and honestly would be something i’d love to make an amv/pmv to with her + the others.

Six is quite lonely even if she wouldn’t describe it that way. Prior to her world’s main story she had been working without a team (which is…uncommon) due to events i have yet to discuss. It’s not like she can’t transfer into another one, but this is something she chose due to said events. With a pretty strong sense of justice after this she sees her job, her “purpose” as a means of achieving her dreams to become more through helping others since that is what she was made for. yet this is at the expense of struggling with being able to actually fully discover herself as a person because of how much time she puts into it. While she has been able to slowly achieve this on her own, as time goes on, the weight of loneliness and fading connections has been gradually taking its toll as well.

[noisytenant]

i can be kinda a stickler for ppl to be on-theme for events, like if you show up to smth with "jungle" in the name and play nothing but liquid dnb im gonna be pissed. But also genres are really permeable so basically you can do whatever you want forever

[newmusicweekly]

Famous When Dead Records returns with its highly anticipated second release, “Together” by Dutch DJ and producer Xamount. Building upon the success of their debut track, “Another One” by UK artist Syncia, Famous When Dead continues to cement itself as a vital force in the current electronic music scene with this single. “Together” creates a seamless blend between House and Garage, embodying the bumpy groove of UKG from days gone by, driven with a solid 4X4 House drum pattern that amplifies the vibe. A searing, feel-good melody runs throughout the song as it fluently weaves succinct vocal chops transitioning into breakdowns that maintain the raw energy, keeping dance floors fuelled. Xamount is considered an exciting UK House & Garage DJ and producer hailing from Amsterdam. Being raised on the early Jungle and Garage scene back in the '90s. UK dance music runs through his veins, co-running the legendary That Garage Sound event in the Netherlands. Xamount’s talent appears on pivotal labels, including Puresa, Reptile Mob, Amigo Dubs, and Pogo House, with the latest Famous When Dead release adding to his growing discography. Starting his career at 17 as DJ Flanagan in the '90s, Xamount discovered his unadulterated love for UK underground dance music, merged with Jungle and DnB, often being at the core of his sets. Playing at clubs and festivals across the UK, Holland, and beyond to winning Best DJ at the Dutch Drum 'n Bass Awards in 2002, his talent has continued to soar. Read the full article

[elecalice]

ElecAlice 101 or Masterpost (Hi!)

Hi! I'm ElecAlice. I'm an autistic Chilean artist and internet resident.

Nickname: ElecAlice or just Elec (Previously known as Thunderblade2001)

Real Name: Natalia

DOB: August 14, 2001

Pronouns: She/Her

Country: Chile

Languages: Spanish (Native), English (Good on both writing and speaking, with some occasional typos)

My Main Fandoms! (Or the ones that I'm mostly focused on)

Mega Man (Mainly Battle Network and Classic)

Street Fighter (Mainly III and the EX series)

Fighting EX Layer

Doctor Who [NEW! ...ish. I'm returning to it recently]

I'm also interest in these! (I also post about these once in a while!)

Mascotverse and Event Mascots

Touhou

Len'en [Trying to get into it]

RPG Horror

Youtube stuff

I also love:

Animation

Video Games (especially Indie games like RPG maker games)

Electronic Music (Fav Genres: Synthpop, Synthwave, Vaporwave, New Wave, Darkwave, Eurobeat, DnB, Jungle, and the occassional Breakcore. I love Kraftwerk)

Post-Punk music (Other genres that I also like: Rock, some Jazz, Lo-fi. I love listening to Kino, Chernikovskaya Hata, )

Character design

Gijinka

Television history, graphic design and idents

Operative Systems

Lost Media

Drawing

I also do art! And I post my work on a dedicated Art Blog!

I do:

Writing

Translation (English to Spanish. I have a dedicated blog for it where I post my Youtube videos ENG-to-ESP/SPA translations)

List of Hashtags that I use on my posts!

elec ideas: Me coming up with ideas to use.

elec blog: I do some blog entries.

elec ramblings: I write weird shit at times.

elec rants: Sometimes I get angry/annoyed at times.

elec vents: Sometimes I get sad or even pessimistic at times.

elec memes: I do memes (rarely)

elec updates: Updates of me

elec being a fangirl: I get fangirly at times. Especially towards my special interests.

elec remember this: I need to check those as reminders or for future reference.

elec remember to draw this: I need to check those for future reference for drawings.

elec being neurodivergent: I'm autistic and sometimes I talk about my neurodivergence.

elec is watching youtube: I do comment about Youtube videos.

don't let elec get this late: Late-night posting.

comfort character posting: Reblogs and posts talking about my comfort characters.

elec talks about X: I talk about certain topics like:

== television

== video games

== writing

shout out to my art blog: Reblogs of art that I posted on my art blog.

elecalice works: Hashtag dedicated to my original works. (Both actual original and fanworks)

get equipped with: queue: Queued posts

useful stuff: Usually reblogs that are useful.

fun stuff on the internet: I... should use this one more often. (Rarely used)

Random lore, I created Elec Man Unhearted, a Mega Man creepypasta.

Also, you may notice from some posts that I mentioned me... Getting into certain situations that scarred me. Yeah. I'm currently recovered from those, even if I do struggle with some guilt episodes, as well as some cynicism still lurking on me during the worst moments. I need to get better at dealing those.

Currently I'm studying Public Administration, and I'm struggling to work as a functional person. Organizational issues, procrastination issues and struggling to start doing things.

Here's my Carrd.co where you can find my other SocMed.

[centralbeatz]

Blazing straight into the summer we bring you a weighty and fully stacked offering to dance the night away down at The Old Red!

Limited free tickets available here from RA:

https://ra.co/events/1929923

After hearing the Shimah's new release on Heist's Co-Lab recordings, we were straight onto getting this Hull based artist down to play. Having been the resident at his city's long running DNB fixture - Shinobi - Shimah is adept across a multitude of subgenres - the music he writes is a perfect reflection of the wealth of experience he's picked up over the years - so naturally we're delighted to see him down!

Locals Karishma & Third One have created a formidable force together on the decks, both have ears to the ground for fresh music as well as appreciation for the classics that form the foundation of Jungle & DNB.

With a new release scheduled on the brand new Leeds based record label 'Intuition Music' we're hyped to have Kampion play with us. Hoppa, having recently released a track with DLR on his Sofa Sound Bristol imprint, is like the icing on the cake for this event - another DJ who'll be bringing fire old & new straight to the dancefloor.

MC Pean of Vital Techniques & new DNB group 'Deep Crisis' joins our hosts Salem Focus & MC LD on the mic to keep the pressure high. Resident duo Loker & LD50 provide support to keep you hooked to the floor with punchy, minimal & brooding cuts of darker DNB funk pressure.

Expect an inclusive atmosphere and weighty tunes over a thumping sound system until the early hours. FREE advance tickets are available however places are limited, make sure you bag one beforehand to secure entry for zero cost!

Free tickets are valid until midnight. Entry is £5 after midnight for all guests.

[anitosoul]

tripreport.046_dubechoes

This was the month of dub and soundsystems. This entire episode was heavily inspired by Edward George, and specifically his radio show The Strangeness of Dub. I was fascinated by George’s explorations of dub not only historically, but also socially and spiritually. I had never thought about dub as a queer genre, but there is an inherent strangeness in the genre, one which was developed on the B-side. Dub’s existence as a variant, with all its versions, instrumentals, and experimentations in sound, could even be considered a glitch. That is, dub exists only in relation to the “normal” version of the track, that is, until it eventually went on to influence the entirety of electronic music, specifically through remixes, bass, and exploration of effects such as reverb and delay.

Tying it further to the current moment and what’s been on my mind lately, I began thinking of dub and Jamaican music in general as a framework for a collectivist music future. I was very interested in the utility of the music as a gathering opportunity, where music was made for the physical soundsystems that would serve as the centerpiece for community events. The idea of originality was different too—copyright laws were not a factor in the creation of Jamaican music, and artists would often iterate and create versions of an established, popular riddim. To consider originality in this way was refreshing and honest; the notion of copying, bootlegging, sampling, etc. is a big part of my own practice, and I’m generally much more suspicious of people who treat music as some sort of competition, as something to be protected or gatekept. I find beauty in the listener taking an existing work and “customizing” it for their own experience. That, to me, is art succeeding.

This fascination in Jamaican soundsystem culture also ignited even more interest in building up my record collection, so I spent a lot of my time this month digging for 45”s from 1970s-1980s Jamaica. The first half of this mix is a selection of some of the records I’ve collected interspersed with other reggae/dub tracks that I enjoyed but don’t own. The back half is other music I’ve been listening to in typical tripreport fashion, but all tracks that I feel to have a through line connection with dub, whether that be sonically, conceptually, or spiritually. It’s pretty much all contemporary music from the 90s onwards, spanning hip-hop, R&B, house, afrobeats, bass, dubstep, grime, trap, techno, jungle, ghettotech, footwork, and dnb. 

It being Black History Month, I was lucky enough to hear some great music live in-person as well, including a deep dive from Edward George at NYU on the connection between Billy Strayhorn, and the interlinked histories of jazz, dub, and subsequently all modern electronic music. That put me on a big jazz kick too, listening to a lot of Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn. As part of Dweller, I attended the dub and jungle nights and got to see performances from Liv.e, Embaci, Edward George, Tim Reaper, and Kush Jones. That night resulted in several of the tracks that I’ve included in this episode. Outside of that, I also got to see Sully and Anz at Nowadays Nonstop and also got back in my indie bag and last minute saw Mitski at the Beacon Theatre on the UWS. 

Overall, it was fun that this episode was more of a deep dive in a specific genre in addition to what the tripreport format has tended to become since I’ve started DJing. Tying it to my personal life, I think that dub has really helped me slow down. If I had a New Years Resolution, it would be to take life slower in 2024. It’s difficult for me to take time to myself, or at least time to relax. Since getting back into dub, getting sick, and consequently getting back into smoking weed, I feel like I had a hard reset and some kind of return to form. For pretty much all of this year up until right now, I’ve been staying sober, running a ton, trying to be “normal” to cope with the grief. To be honest, though, that month was one of the trippiest months of my life. I feel a lot more grounded since taking a week off running and socializing and since starting to smoke weed again. It helped too that I was working from home for most of this month. It feels counterintuitive, but I’m going to trust my body. 

The day before I released this episode, we had the best weather of the year. I went for an incredibly long walk and listened to music and got an ice cream cone. It was really nice to have a glimpse of the spring. It quickly went back to being terrible and stormed/was cloudy all the rest of the week, but we finally got to Daylight Savings Time ending as I write this and it already feels like a shift that the sun is still out when I get off work. I guess what I’m trying to say is that I’m trying to trust the natural rhythm of life and go with the flow. The strangeness of dub.

tracklist

Intro: Pan-Afrikan Peoples Arkestra - The Golden Pearl

A-Side

The Upsetters - Blackboard Jungle Dub (version 1) (1981)

Courtney Melody - Ninja Mi Ninja (Version) (1988)

C Patterson - Labour Ward (1981)

Joe Gibbs - Bionic Mix (~1979)

Jah Shaka - Verse 1 (1982)

The Aggrovators - Dunza Dub (1977)

Shabba Ranks - Respect (1993)

Augustus Pablo - Only Jah Jah Dub (1988)

The Skatalites - Roots Dub (1976)

Lloyd Brevett & the Skatalites - Rock Bottom (1978)

Scientist - Taxi to Baltimore Dub (1981)

The Wailing Souls - Kingdom Rise & Kingdom Fall (12” mix) [1980]

Bob Marley - The Heathen (1977)

Lee Scratch Perry - Bird In Hand (1978)

Johnny Lover - Ital Locks (1975)

Jah Stittch - Good For Us All (1976)

Jackie Mittoo - Oboe (1980)

Carlton & the Shoes - Let Me Love You (~1980) 

Prince Mohamid - Bubbling Love (1977)

Barrington Levy - Black Heart Man (Version) [1983]

Intermission: Splash - Babylon (DJ SS Remix), Lee Perry & Mad Professor - Super Ape Inna Jungle

B-Side

SZA - Saturn (Instrumental)

SZA - Saturn

GZA - Gold (Instrumental)

GZA - Gold (Feat. Method Man)

Jlin - Eye Am

A.R. Kane - Baby Milk Snatcher (12" Version)

1600j - Bank Account [RockyyThugn] (Ft Boofpaxmooky)

Little Simz - SOS

Babyfather - Fonda

Kerri Chandler - The Steel Drum Song

Identified Patient - Visualize It

The System - Vampirella

Dean Blunt - PRAYER 2015

Ahadadream - Spaceship

Skepta - Same Old Story

Digital Mystikz - Misty Winter

DJ Blackpower - Haha-haHAAA!

A$AP Rocky - D.M.B.

IZCO - RITE NOW

Kelela - Raven (TYGAPAW Remix feat. Rochelle Jordan)

Playboi Carti ft Travis Scott - BACKR00MS

Seekersinternational - SaturdayNiteDrive

The Ganja Kru - Mash Up Da Place (Origin Unknown Remix)

DJ Taktix - The Way (VIP Mix)

Atrice - Pipe Dreams

Dastardly Kids - Bu$$ The Bank (Ka!ros Flip)

DJ RASHAD - Kush Ain't Loud

Sully - Vérité

Outro: Duke Ellington - Solitude, Billy Strayhorn - Day Dream

[ravetaper]

Mampi Swift, Star Eyes, live sets from Jungle 2023 Los Angeles

VIDEO and AUDIO live sets of Mampi Swift, Star Eyes, and R.A.W. live at Jungle 2023! Recorded on June 3, 2023, in a small warehouse near the heart of Los Angeles. Content below!

Ahh jungle and drum and bass. It seems there has been a resurging popularity in the genre recently, but did interest ever go away since the style emerged in the early 90's? I'm not sure.

I know that since the beginning, jungle offered an alternative to the inherently repetitive 4-on-the-floor beat of house, techno, and trance. As a drummer and percussionist, I was intrigued by jungle's complex breakbeats and chopped-up rhythms. It was very different than anything else being played at raves and clubs at the time.

Junglists were dedicated. I imagined they saw themselves as graduates of breakbeat and techno, whose taste had evolved into something more sophisticated.

The undisputed leader of the LA movement was and continues to be R.A.W. I've written quite a lot about him, I won't repeat myself. Suffice to say he has mythical status. If he showed up at a party, you knew you were in for something special. You could be sure he would bring things no one had heard before, as well as mix in anthems that he himself elevated into anthems.

I eventually drifted away from jungle simply because it was harder for me to dance to. I found the slower, consistent beat of deep house more seductive. But I admit my preference is purely subjective, purely personal taste.

Yet, the genre always maintained a following. Today, jungle events seem to happen quite regularly. And every year drum and bass has noticeable footprint at EDC, with 2023's lineup including Andy C.

This show was the second in a series of three underground jungle events in LA scheduled for Summer 2023. Not insignificantly, the production crew includes members that have been around since the early days. These folks know a thing or two about throwing all night dance events. As expected, all the requirements were met: smallish warehouse in a commercial district 15 minutes from Downtown LA, massive sound system, a few lights and lasers, and top-tier talent. What else is needed?

Last month's installment featured three amazing dnb artists/dj's I hadn't heard before: Kallan HK, DJ Dazee, and Empress. I didn't know them not because they aren't well known. I'm simply ignorant of the dnb scene, that's all. Dazee's set can be found on YouTube and SoundCloud, Kallan HK's live set is on SoundCloud. Highly recommended.

Likewise, I was unfamiliar with the two headliners this time: Star Eyes and Mampi Swift. And like before, I was blown away.

Star Eyes' set was a master class on drum and bass dj'ing technique. I often frequent dj forums on Reddit and elsewhere. Sometimes I'll offer advice to newbies asking "how to dj". In most cases, I want to tell them how I learned to dj – by watching the pros, up close, for hours.

And that's just what I did. I was there in the room recording, anyway. Of course I was fascinated by how the dj's cue'd up and mixed records. Back in the day, when dj's were positioned on the floor next to the dancers, one could stand to the side and watch – and study – the dj's moves.

The problem today is that most times, dj's are physically separated from the audience, either by a big stage or distant booth. A wannabe dj can't stand and look over a dj's shoulder anymore. Now, we fans are down in the pit looking up at the dj, with no clear view of the decks and mixer.

Well, videos like these are the next best option. The side angle provides an excellent view of the dj and decks, making it possible to observe their craft.

And what a craft.

One is mesmerized listening and watching Star Eyes seamlessly bring each track in and out, with flourishes of filter tweaks and fader cuts.

And Mampi Swift? Oh my days!

I told him afterwards his set was like a religious experience for me. I don't even listen to jungle and dnb that much. But holy smokes, I had never heard anything like that before. It was some powerful stuff. I have to go back and give the set a few good listens to fully comprehend the experience. I can just say that the tracks were really extraordinary. The production/sound quality was tops, technically speaking. But the sounds, arrangements, samples, and the builds... It was a mind-bending trip. A sonic journey through the lens of drum and bass, yes, but a fascinating musical journey regardless of the genre.

As is the tradition with this genre, the music is accompanied by emceeing. Originally, I was indifferent to emcees rapping over drum and bass. But it's grown on me. Indeed, if I heard it without an emcee, it would probably sound like something was missing.

Saturday night we were blessed with two local emcees trading off – MCMC, and MC Word. The guys add a lot. It takes talent to come up with the lyrical flows, remember them, and execute without fumbling. And good adlib is very entertaining. Balance is usually best, and fortunately MCMC and Word know when to let it rip and when to lay low.

Local legend R.A.W. opened the event. Respected veteran Scooba closed it out. Audio of their sets can be found below.

The recordings came out nice. The video is decent – my gear is entry level 1080 HD, old technology. Still, better than nothing. The audio sounds good – strong levels, no issues besides the dj mic levels getting hot occasionally (beyond my control). The audio of the YouTube and Soundcloud versions will be different, with the SoundCloud versions sounding slightly better.

If you missed this event, now's your chance to experience some of it. I hope you enjoy!

The next installment of Jungle 2023 will happen July 8. Featured artist will be Kenny Ken (UK). Visit Jungle2023.com for more info. I'm not sure if that one will be streamed live or recorded for sharing later. In any case, follow Rave Tapes on Instagram, SoundCloud, and Facebook to know when new content goes live.

Mampi Swift Live Set – Jungle 2023 LA dnb warehouse rave

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Rave Tapes · Mampi Swift Live Set - Jungle 2023 LA Warehouse

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Star Eyes Live Set – Jungle 2023 LA dnb warehouse rave

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Rave Tapes · Star Eyes Live Set - Jungle 2023 LA Warehouse

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R.A.W. Live Set – Jungle 2023 LA dnb warehouse rave

Rave Tapes · R.A.W. Jungle 2023 Live Set - LA Warehouse - June 3 2023

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DJ Scooba Live Set – Jungle 2023 Los Angeles

Rave Tapes · Scooba Live Set - Jungle 2023 LA Warehouse

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Jungle 2023 – June 3, 2023 flyer

[da-ill-spot]

Sunday, January 30 | Concrete Jungle Renegade Battle Los Angeles | 1-10pm

[boredom-kills-braincells]

The other night at Drumslinga was low key a movie and the word is officially being spread through the LA drum&bass underground community. It's become a regular spot for all the homies to gather and hear new tunes from some of the scene's most talented up and coming producers and djs, and experience intimate yet poppin sets in a 420 friendly lounge setting. Next week's lineup coming later this weekend, but if you're in Los Angeles on a Tuesday night, come thru and hang with the crew. 🔥👑💯

[djeuphonique]

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Jungle Splash last night with Nutsie on mic was 🔥🔥🔥 big up to all ravers and Splash crewww 💙 And shouts DJ Rhispect for the videos ya lil legend! #dnb #jungle #drumnbass #junglesplash #london #ravers #stamina #femaledj #music #event #womeninmusic #jungleclassic #junglist #junglists https://www.instagram.com/p/Bs0DGLPF9hB/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=lsnycljpe7bt