Jungle / Drum & Bass Documentaries
Big thanks to Jungle Drum & Bass Documentaries for unearthing and keeping these gems safe. These are essential viewing for anyone wanting to discover the roots of DnB, and a reminder of good times for those who lived them. Charting the rise of Drum and Bass from the underground to ubiquity, check their facebook page and website for more documentary videos.
1994
All Black – Jungle Fever. BBC 2 Documentary
BBC2 Documentary about the rise in popularity of Jungle music in the UK. Featuring UK Apache, LTJ Bukem, Fabio, DJ Rap, Shy FX, MC’s Lenny and Gunsmoke.
All Junglist – A London Sum’ting Dis (1994)
From 1994, discussion on the fusion of ragga and rave music as the basis for the new jungle style. Ragga Twins & MC Navigator, Ray Keith, DJ Randall, Nicky Blackmarket, MC’s Det & GQ, DJ Brockie, Grooverider and several promoters/labels including Reinforced, Basement, DeUnderground and Blackmarket Records feature here.
Radio Arena – Pirate Radio London Rush FM (1994)
This Arena documentary spotlights the rise of the pirate station ‘Rush FM’ and other stations broadcasting from the tops of tower blocks in Hackney in London and the cat-and-mouse games played with the police intent on shutting them down. Lots of details from both the police/DTI officers and the DJs/transmitter owners about the lengths gone to, to keep pirate stations on the air.
24H Canal – Jungle in London (1994)
This documentary records the the French take on the London Jungle scene in October 1994 featuring DJ Rap, UK Apache, & Billy Bunter. In French, with French subtitles.
1995
Welcome To The Jungle – Rude Fm (1995)
A Short documentary about ‘Rude FM’ featuring some of the DJ’s & MC’s involved.
1996
Sounds of the West – Bristol Jungle Documentary…
Superb documentary on the early jungle scene in Bristol, proving that it wasn’t just a London ‘ting! Lots of input from producers Markee Morrison and DJ Dazee (Substance) and MC Jakes, promoters/residents of ‘Ruffneck Ting‘ which recently celebrated 22 years in the jungalistic game. An interview with DJ Dazee about how she got into mixing. Virginia Lynch talks about recording ‘Rainbows‘ with Smith & Mighty. Appearances from Flynn & Flora, DJ Die, Ray Mighty and contributions from DJ’s Krust and Roni Size representing the Full Cycle crew.
Modern Times – LTJ Bukem Documentary (1996)
The life and times of LTJ Bukem.
Lost In Music – London Jungle
The German take on the London Jungle scene from 1996, in German. DJ Hype, Moving Shadow, Kemistry & Storm, 4Hero, Goldie, Source Direct, LTJ Bukem.
Lola da Musica Drum & Bass Documentary (1996)
Squarepusher, Photek and Source Direct feature in this rare Drum & Bass documentary from Dutch TV.
First Sight – Pirate Radio London, ‘Kool FM’ (1996)
TV documentary on pirate radio stations & police efforts to stop them, featuring DJ Brockie.
Underground inna Moss Side – Jungle Documentary…
Alright our kid? It’s the turn of Manchesters Jungle scene in the spotlight for this film. Featuring rare footage of DJ Sappo, DJ Dieman Ed, Johnny Jay, Zipparah Tafari, Trigga, The Quick Crew, and Umoja.
1997
Roni Size – BBC 2 – The Works Documentary (1997)
‘The Works’ programme goes on tour with Roni Size and Reprazent. Contributions from DJ Krust, LTJ Bukem and others.
1998
Talkin’ Headz – Metalheadz Documentary (1998)
Metalheadz records, co-founded by DJ/Producer Goldie. This documentary is set 3 years after the release of the ‘Timeless’ LP. Goldie is joined by a host of drum and bass originators discussing their influences and the history of the genre, the infamous club nights at ‘The Blue Note‘ and takes you behind the scenes at Metropolis Mastering studios. Appearances include Optical, Andy C, Lemon D, Grooverider, J Majik, Adam F, Dillinja, Matrix, Doc Scott, Ed Rush, Ray Keith, & Giles Peterson.
When Saturn Returnz – Goldie (1998)
Goldie, who is still perhaps best known for the 1995 epic ‘Inner City Life‘ which features the spine-tingling vocal talents of Diane Charlemagne, takes you on a journey through his personal history in this documentary from 1998 and revisits many of the places where he grew up.