David Hickling reviews Blackout Ja, DJ Magic Touch and Duality’s new releases
David Hickling takes on another 3 jungle releases for Junglist Network. This time round it’s Blackout Ja’s “Gun Down”, DJ Magic Touch’s “Say What Wait” and Duality’s “Save Our Soul”.
Blackout Ja – “Gun Down”
Veteran Jamaican ragga star Blackout Ja is given a splendid ragga jungle spin on the release “Black 2 The Jungle” with the vocal track “Gun Down” ready for our first review.
“Gun Down” begins with an old school classic Jungle pad sequence reminiscent of Leviticus’ “Burial” before Blackout Ja’s booming voice cuts through the mix on a choppy Think break. Immediately, this track feels like it belongs on a Jetstar Jungle Hits compilation, a classic mid-1990s collection of ragga jungle anthems with its nostalgic ragga-muffin influence. Blackout Ja’s lyrics are tremendous, talking about the issues of gun crime, pride of being a Rasta, and how the youth must listen to his wise words. Ja’s tone and flow ride the breaks with confidence and ease; this lyricist belongs on a ragga jungle record.
The track then switches onto an Amen break before switching back to the Think break; this interchange repeats throughout the body of the track as reggae vocal and melody samples dance around the breaks and sub bass.
The drum programming is interesting but without ever blowing you away, providing enough rupture, variability, and groove to carry Blackout Ja’s energetic chattin’, although I reckon a remix would push this record even further (I’m imagining a Remarc or Marvellous Cain remix!).
There’s something serenely satisfying about the returning ragga jungle sound at a sub 170bpm tempo, with the more popular and contemporary ragga influenced drum n bass sounding tiringly robotic and constrained when compared to this flowing record.
For me, the finest record from Blackout Ja’s recent activity in the jungle scene, although some consideration must be given to his “Give Thanks (jungle remix)” track with the legendary producer they know as Potential Bad Boy. “Gun Down” has enough Blackout Ja vocal, syncopated breakage, and ragga samples to excite any DJ’s jungle mix, and I look forward to hearing more Blackout Ja records later this year.
Also check out “Gun Shot” featuring on the “Black 2 The Jungle” EP.
DJ Magic Touch – “Say What Wait”
It’s over to North London next as we get caught in a spell with another jungle journeyman, DJ Magic Touch’s new release “Say What Wait”. Magic Touch has been a busy boy over the last few years, consistently releasing jungle track after jungle track from his very own label 99 Records.
“Say What Wait” commences with a muddy, pitched-down hip hop style break clattering away before a slightly sinister-sounding string sequence screeches about, and we are treated to a hat-trick of layered drums, including the Soul Pride break as a busy and prominent crash cymbal takes up the centre stage. Magic Touch uses some nicely placed sound effects, including risers and police sirens, giving us the vibes of the early to mid-1990s during the pre-drop.
And yes, the drop is an enjoyable one. Magic Touch pulls the rabbit out of the hat with this one, giving us a 4 to the floor kick drop with a steady and rhythmic bassline as that undeterred crash cymbal splashes away with flair. Plenty of groove and energy allow the breaks to keep your head ringing as “Say What Wait” rocks away.
We are offered a busy mix of percussive hits, delayed drum hits, and dissonant sound effects that dance around in stereo, giving the impression of a nice, wide soundscape, including a moment of quiet and rupture before once again giving way to those delightful drums.
This track will not take your breath away with intricate over-conscious drum programming, whirlwind addictive bass grooves, or life and death pad sequences, but may provide an important track in any DJ’s arsenal for those wishing to inject a sense of rhythm, high percussive energy, and danceable urgency to their sets.
A technical composition showcasing DJ Magic Touch’s tenaciously syncopated rhythmic jungle style.
Duality – “Save Our Soul”
Bristol producer Duality has linked up with Manchester’s V Recordings producer and DJ Sl8er for one of this year’s most memorable releases, “Rough Grooves EP,” taken off Intaception and featuring five tantalizing jungle cuts, which I must admit are all worthy of a grab (that includes two remixes).
Duality has been in the thick of it recently, having last month released the rousing “Fully Lucid EP Volume 2” with fellow Bristolian Fez The Kid, and now we have Duality’s track “Save Our Soul”.
The track begins with a 1970s soul-inspired sample reminiscent of the type Tom & Jerry would adopt back in the 90s. A Scorpio break joins in the fun before a delightful female reggae harmony lets loose in the mix, giving you the impression this track is one for the dancefloors.
Duality drops a nicely moving bassline accompanied by an energy-inducing whistle melody harmonising with the female vocals nicely, the Scorpio break is slamming away for a shuffling, shoulder-relaxing, loose rhythm. We’re even treated to a cheeky intermittent rave stab piano melody.
“Save Our Soul” takes an impending turn, unleashing a glorious Amen breakdown. Duality is certainly getting the party started with this meticulously crafted section, a section perfectly earmarked for chaotic visions of “getting down” on the dancefloor and for time to “bruk out”!
This track in particular reminds us of the production strengths of another new generation producer in Duality. The skills of understanding the sometimes misrepresented elements of jungle, using the genre-specific dynamics, and demonstrating knowledge of history and authenticity within jungle music are where a lot of misdirected and short-sighted producers fall short.
It’s yet another pleasant reminder of the current climate within the jungle scene we live in, where every month there are at least two handfuls worth of slamming jungle tracks released, a time not seen in 30 years!
Make sure you hear the “Listen Up” track by Duality and Sl8er, also featuring on “Rough Grooves EP,” which is of a similar vein. In fact, just listen to the whole EP!
