brief history

(this section will eventually be expanded)

heralded as the first innovative music genre from the uk since punk in the late 70's, it evolved from the acid house/hardcore raves of the late 80's.  trying to pin point the exact time is hard enough, let alone narrow it to one particular record.   examples can be shut up and dance, 4 hero's "mr kirk's nightmare", urban takeover's "some justice"...countless others.   but what set them apart was, well, they were drummier and bassier than the hardcore tunes - often using basslines from reggae and drum beats from funk.  

as the scene grew apart from the rave circuit, dj's such as fabio, grooverider, hype, randall began specialising in jungle sets.  the music evolved further and took upon other influences such as reggae, ragga and jazz.  examples: the ragga twins, rebel mc, m-beat, shy fx, roni size - reprazent, goldie, ltj bukeham...

trip hop, nu beatz, big beat, leftfield...call it what you like but around the early 90's a new sound was emerging from bristol.  echoing what was happening in london with jungle, heavy influences from other music had a part to play. examples: massive attack, portishead, nicollete, tricky.

needless to say the 90's were very "beat" orientated, award winners such as roni size and talvin singh have demonstrated the potential this music has in future projects.

last updated: 7th july 2003