Windows, Volume Four

In honor of the Halloween season, this month’s mix is a little darker than my usual fare—but not by much. I knew a number of kids who got way into the very dark, harsh side of drum and bass but it was never really my thing. But there’s a reason so many junglists turned to the dark side, and it’s because of the mid-90s jungle/happy hardcore schism.

An example of pre-schism hardcore from 1992

Jungle emerged from a genre called UK hardcore, or breakbeat hardcore. In the early 90’s, this began to diverge into the short-lived “darkcore” sound, and “4-beat” which became happy hardcore. Basically the scene was dividing into two moods: happy, upbeat and unserious, versus dark, evil and dissonant. Since the happy hardcore got its own genre, the remaining jungle producers used the emerging dnb/jungle scene as an outlet for their moodier, more brooding impulses.

A 4-beat record from 1993
Darkcore from 1993

This month’s mix incorporates the moodier, more brooding site of DnB and features essential remixes by Goldie, Peshay, and 4 Hero; platters from Metalheadz,

Windows Volume 4
Download the mix (MP3, 42 minutes, 95 MB)

Track List

Galliano — Freefall (Peshay Vocal Mix) (1996)
Galliano — Freefall (Peshay Vocal Mix) (1996)
Galliano — Freefall (Peshay Vocal Mix) (1996)

Peshay is perhaps best remembered for his remixes, but he was an important producer and DJ as well. His “Studio Mix” take tape was highly acclaimed despite the selections being suspiciously similar to LTJ Bukem’s Logical Progression mix.

This Galliano remix can be found on the second Unchartered Territories compilation.
Peshay — On The Nile Part II (1996)
Peshay — On The Nile Part II (1996)
Danny Breaks — The Bear (1995)
Danny Breaks — The Bear (1995)
Danny Breaks — The Bear (1995)

Danny Breaks was the owner and proprietor of the label Droppin’ Science, a name he also used for some of his releases. This choon can be found on his Volumes compilation.
Source Direct — The Silent Witness (1996)
Source Direct — The Silent Witness (1996)
Source Direct — The Silent Witness (1996)

Source Direct had a very specific sound. They loved that Apache break and the often clipped the front of their samples, giving the break that strange, clipped attack. I think this track samples Hellraiser. Anyway this is off the Mo’ Wax compilation Headz 2B.
Jaz Klash — Intrigue (Down For Whatever) (1996)
Jaz Klash — Intrigue (Down For Whatever) (1996)
Jaz Klash — Intrigue (Down For Whatever) (1996)

Jaz Klash was an interesting DnB fusion act out of London. This comes from their one and only full-length LP, Thru The Haze.
Doc vs. The Kaleidoscope — Friday (1996)
Doc vs. The Kaleidoscope — Friday (1996)
Kingsize — Better Time (1995)
Kingsize — Better Time (1995)
Kingsize — Better Time (1995)

Jungle Sky was the first American drum and bass label. Founded by Brazilian DJ Soul Slinger, who also owned the Liquid Sky clothing line. Fun fact: Chloe Sevigny was working at Liquid Sky at the time that she starred in the movie Kids.

“Better Time” comes from the compilation This Is Jungle Sky.
Shimon & Andy C — Quest (1995)
Shimon & Andy C — Quest (1995)
Stakka and K Tee — Hear Say (1995)
Stakka and K Tee — Hear Say (1995)
Stakka and K Tee — Hear Say (1995)

Another single from Ram records!
In-Deep — From The Depths (1996)
In-Deep — From The Depths (1996)
In-Deep — From The Depths (1996)

This record is a collaboration which includes Ian Stratford, who I spun in Volume 1 as Universal Indicator, and who appears in Volume 2 as Shifty.
Trip — Special Toke (The Erb Remix 3) (1994)
Trip — Special Toke (The Erb Remix 3) (1994)
Photek — The Rain (1995)
Photek — The Rain (1995)
Ed Rush — Check Me Out (1996)
Ed Rush — Check Me Out (1996)
Scarface — I Seen A Man Die (4hero Remix) (1994)
Scarface — I Seen A Man Die (4hero Remix) (1994)
Scarface — I Seen A Man Die (4hero Remix) (1994)

The promo for this came out in 1994, which is very early for any DnB record, much less a crossover track. Big ups to Scarface for exposing an American audience to 4hero and to the drum and bass scene!
Cloud 9 — Blissful Ignorance (Tango Remix) (1995)
Cloud 9 — Blissful Ignorance (Tango Remix) (1995)
Hidden Agenda — Swing Time (1996)
Hidden Agenda — Swing Time (1996)
Hidden Agenda — Swing Time (1996)

My buddy’s sister brought this single back from London when we were both 16 and it still sounds as good as when I first heard it! “Swing Time” samples “Oh Honey” by The Delegation.

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