Jungle/Drum 'n'
Bass
Based almost
entirely in England, Jungle (also known as drum'n'bass) is a permutation
of hardcore techno that emerged in the early '90s. Jungle is the most
rhythmically complex of all forms of techno, relying on extremely fast
polyrhythms and breakbeats. Usually, it's entirely instrumental — it is
among the hardest of all hardcore techno, consisting of nothing but fast
drum machines and deep bass. As its name implies, jungle does have more
overt reggae, dub, and R&B influences than most hardcore — and that is
why some critics claimed that the music was the sound of black techno
musicians and DJs reclaiming it from the white musicians and DJs who dominated
the hardcore scene. Nevertheless, jungle never slows down to develop a
groove — it just speeds along. Like most techno genres, jungle is primarily
a singles genre designed for a small, dedicated audience, although the
crossover success of Goldie and his 1995 debut Timeless suggested a broader
appeal and more musical possibilities than other forms of techno. Dozens
of respected artists followed in their wake, fusing breakbeats with influences
lifted from jazz, film music, ambient, and trip-hop.
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