Shades of Technology
DJ DB, the founder of Breakbeat Science (the first all-jungle record store in America) is a big proponent of accessible jungle. On this mix CD for his own F1-11 label, you can hear DB's attempt to push jungle up from the underground. Straying from the more popular and purist hard-edged "tech step" styles, DB mixes in tracks with vocals, some jump-up (definitely considered not cool by junglists), and even--gasp--melody. Don't think this means there's a lot of fluff. From the dark, moody opener, Exocet's "Demon Seed," to the tough beats of Krust's dynamite hit "Warhead" from 1998, this is jungle at its best--with all genres sharing center stage and mixed with flawless precision.--Tricia Romano