Drum And Bass History In Context Film Studies Essay

tucker out And inscrutable History In Context Film Studies examineDrum and Bass is an electronic unison genre that that developed out of Jungle music. A shift of UK Breakbeat Hardcore and the rave scene of the mid-1990s. Drum and Bass has seen many transformations in its style, taking elements from, Hip hop, dancehall, funk, house, and techno. The genre is characterized by heavy bass and sub basslines as well as luxuriant Breakbeats (a sampling of a percussion section as a metal drum loop), usually played between 160 and 180 beats per minute.The most renown break is cognize as the Amen break, a four bar sampled drum solo of the song Amen Brother by funk and soul band The Winstons. It has been extensively used in Hip hop as well as sampled based music and also became the basis for Drum and Bass and Jungle music.Drum and Bass was seen to stimulate a much melodic form, differing from the rough style of Jungle. While Jungle seared to the unyielding sonic boom of Ragga another st yle was gently maturing merchantman closed studio doors. A soft more(prenominal) textural form of the Jungle equation which cross- matched spliced breaks with an ethereal ambience, cool jazziness and soulful twists. The complete antithesis to the jump up sonics of the humbled and raw Junglist locomotetrack, this new home listening version or Drum and Bass as it was simply referred to by artists involved. However promoters and journalists soon added the word, ambient or intelligent to the depiction. The insinuations of the intelligent label caused ramifications through with(predicate)out the scene. With Junglists arguing that the name implied that the jump up style of jungle was in some way brainless music for dim-witted people. It also had racial implications since the majority of jungle raves were largely dominated by black youths. However this new genre was thought to be targeted towards a more middle class white audience.Ironically Drum n Bass was simply trying to keep the o riginal ethos of jungle. Concerned with pushing the parameters of hale while engaging influences from the entire spectrum of music, Drum n Bass represented the very spirit of jungle since its earliest house incarnations.1Drum and Bass outgrowth of Breakbeat can be seen as far back as 1991. As T-Power has already suggested, Drum n Bass and Jungle were developing side by sideall on, although very much in the minority, the more mellow style of Drum n Bass was showing itself even during the Dark period.2One of the better cognise DJs to explore this development was L. T. J. Bukem. Alongside Fabio and Grooverider Bukem is known as one of the pioneering DJs of the rave scene. His tastes can be traced as far back as the jazzier endeavours of Giles Petersons Dingwall sessions. However by the time rave had hit Bukem was Djing a rare selection of kip down Funk and prime House tracks to a growing mass of fans.In 1991 Bukem released his tertiary LP Demons Theme pressing up a dub plate to d rop in his set the track gripped the attention of the crowd immediately. Its mellowing vibes along with the rushing breaks and plush ambience created a fresh outlook within the dark ambience of rave. Early 1994 saw a tirade of people climax together to join forces with Bukem. Artists such as La Bello Blanco and Omni Trio began push forward the smooth vibes as established by Bukem. This more ambient style seemed equally at home in clubs as it did on a personal stereo.One of the scenes most influential labels came in the shape of reinforce Records. Formed by Iain Barouille, Dego McFarlane, Gus Lawrence and Mark Clair who also created music as a collective under the name 4Hero, the label brought about a new take of sound. Boasting a roster of the scenes most influential figures Lemon D, Doc Scott, Goldie, L Double and Grooverider, together they fashioned a collection of tracks which would range from the other-worldly contortions of Peshays Protg to the fractured Breakbeats of Doc Sco tts Last Action hero.3Reinforceds approach to music resulted in a continuous ability to predict the next sonic development in Breakbeat science. This pageantry of sound shifts of the future would redefine the Drum and Bass scene.By June 1994 4 hero unleashed their debut album Parallel Universe this was to be a cutting-edge. Dabbling with observational Jazz, the album draw upon b-boy roots whilst incorporating strings, layered with clear-cut breaks. The album helped to coin a term which exposed the scenes incessant attraction with Jazz.Jazzstep becoming ever more prevalent towards the end of 1994 saw complex Breakbeat structures sounding increasingly similar to the rhythms of Jazz Fusion bands. The adoption of Jazzier vibes by Reinforced Records created a lambaste at the epi revolve about of the Drum and Bass scene. Artists such as Fabio would take very opportunity to weave together the jazzier tracks with his Breakbeat sets. Now with the arrival of this new Jazz element within Dr um and Bass sound.However for fans of Drum and Bass this new sound could only be enjoyed via the experimental shows of pirate radio stations. This was until October of 1994, Fabio, Bukem, Kemistry and charge along with an assortment of guests saw a creation of a Monday night session at Mars Bar in Londons west end. The night was title Speed, it was to become one of the countrys most important club nights. It not only gave a meeting place for likeminded Djs and producers it was also to be the new creative centre of Drum and Bass.However this particular night was far flung from the raging crowds of the old Jungle raves which often saw gatherings of up to 5000 people. Mars bar only had a capacity of a few hundred, paving the way for a whole new generation of Drum and Bass heads, Jungalists and Breakbeat enthusiasts. These were people who listened to Drum and Bass through pirate stations.Indeed Speed was to Drum and Bass what Roast had been to Jungle and Rage to Hardcore. Each week sa w Fabio play their smooth and rolling breaks, Bukem on the oceanic tip, washing the crowd with lush string drive epics while Fabio took he vibe mysticaler into Jazz land. Intricate beats intertwined with strolling bass lines, counter tempos and finish key refrains. Speed also saw the clothing style move away from the flesh-revealing lycra and designer casual chic. In its place was a style more in line with hiphop. 1995 finally saw the sound come to the forefront. As this new melodic style of Drum and Bass progressed it became progressively more support by the media. That years Goldies Inner City Life had been released to universal acclaim, suddenly everyone wanted a piece of Drum and Bass.Some definitionsAmbient jungleDrum and bass tracks with an atmospheric feel/mood/style to them. Some have long intros or ambient breaks. The most popular example isBukems Horizons.Artcore / IntelligentThese were the tracks that were initially written in a backlash against the big ragga jungle sce ne. The term was used most famously for the series of React Compilations, which have included mixes byKemistryandStorm. This was and still is a favourite style forGood Looking Records a label that was initially ignored as it did not base its music on the dancefloor.DarksideThe exact opposite to the optimistic and catchy hardcore anthems. Darkside takes in samples from horror movies, deep, dark basslines and screams. Has undergone some serious developements but an ever-present style throughout drum and bass history. chill out popular with todays producers i.e.Blue Sonics Devil Inside. It is not so much characterised by the samples now but more by the general sound and feel of the beats and synths.Happy hardcoreThis is what remains of the original hardcore style, after jungle split off in 1991/92 some DJs and ravers remained incorruptible to the manic pianos, cartoon samples and sped-up vocals. The music self-destructed to some extent by becoming stagnated and too repetitive, as a r esult it would appear to be fading fast in the UK but still retains a large following in other countries.HardstepA term borne out of Grooveriders seminal 1995 LP Hardstep Selection. Usually simple tracks with deep grinding basslines and minimal or simple Breakbeats. Jazzstep Another sub-genre for those artists who took in jazz influences for their productions. Originated with Alex Reecebut more recently publicised by BristolsRoni Size Reprazentand4 Hero. Still a style going strong.Jump-upThe style for the dancefloor. Big, bad drums and strong basslines. Often utilise vocal samples so once you hear some tracks you never immobilize them. Most at home in a club or event and guaranteed to get people moving (even if its only head-nodding.)Ragga-jungleThe style of the originators. Many of the too soon jungle tunes took in ragga influences spawned one of jungles greatest chart successes M-Beat feat. General LevysIncredibleand Shy FXsOriginal Nuttah. The influence has died right down w ith theTribe Of Issachars Tribal Natty world a lone example of recent years.