Drum'n'Bass
Workshop
with
DJ P
8th
May 2004
DJP's
DRUM N BASS GENRE LIST
JUNGLE
Jungle evolved from breakbeat and hardcore, and is generally acknowledged
to be the predecessor of d'n'b. Speedy breaks, complex rhythms and
highly-varied percussion couple with heavy basslines and ragga vocals.
Jungle can have a funkier edge to it than d'n'b due to a heavier reliance
on traditional breaks. Often, however, the terms are used interchangeably.
The current term used to describe this more roots-oriented type of
d'n'b is "jump up," although this may also refer to more
danceable takes on this style.
DRUM 'n BASS
D'n'b is fast-paced (usually more than 150 bpm up to 200 bpm or more),
rhythm-focused electronic with an emphasis on intricate and complex
drum sequencing and breaks, coupled with a fat, powerful bottom end.
Melodic elements are similarly complexly sequenced, and are usually
aggressively electronic and feature many effects. Song structure is
very important, as the music often includes many changes. Vocals are
relatively uncommon, media sampling is similarly not a regular feature,
but really anything and everything that can be sampled and sequenced
probably will be.
AMBIENT DRUM 'n BASS
Swirly pads, atmospheric soundscapes. Ambient, chill out drum n bass.
Not so much for the dance floor as for the headphones. Complex drum
programming" (ReKwest, 06/08/00). This is an offshoot of DnB,
created more for the pleasure of listening to than dancing to. Interesting
melodies blend with atmospheric pads and ambience on top of artistic
drum patterns. Although often conventional, many artists take great
strides to create a very unique style with this music. Many artists
have incorporated a Dub style into their music as well. This is a
calming, often meditative, style of Drum and Bass music and is becoming
ever more present in the music scene" (Aois-Dubh, 06/06/00).
As these descriptions suggest, Ambient D'n'B is a softer and more
subtle take on D'n'B. The bass lines are often less busy and provide
an anchor for complex and, usually, very light-sounding drumwork
DARK STEP
Two-step D'n'B with an unhealthy dose of evil. There is little to
distinguish Dark Step from Tech Step, except perhaps for Tech Step's
tendency to be a little more sci-fi influenced and aggressively technoid,
versus Dark Step's tendency to be more organic and broodingly evil.
TECH STEP
Tech step is d'n'b with the mean meter turned up to 11. Hard and aggressive,
emphasis is paced on extremely fat and nasty basslines that crank
and growl. As with all d'n'b, beats and drums are focal and complex.
Tempo is often very fast, but does not have to be. "Crisp two
step beats. Dark techno, sci-fi influences. Huge bass lines, often
having lots of filter effects. Aimed at the dancefloors. 170-180 bpms.
(Artist: S.O.U. - Minmalien, Transfusion, slipstream, etc.)"
(ReKwest - 06/08/00).
BREAKBEAT
With an emphasis on clearly defined percussion and syncopated beats,
breakbeat has established itself as one of the major "parent"
genres from which many subgenres have spun off. Besides the obvious
"Funky Breaks," Breaks are at the heart of d'n'b, trip hop,
much down tempo, illbient, and any other genres that feature groovy,
syncopated rhythms. Breakbeat usually features a 4/4 time signature,
a snare on 2 and 4, and a tendency to slice up drum loops and rearrange
their emphasis (often moving emphasis on and off the third beat).
The James Brown/funk influence is often clearly seen in the use of
vocal punctuation ("HUNH!") and the "break" -
a point in the track where all elements are suddenly and climactically
suspended, followed by a syncopated percussive lead-in or vocal before
the other elements resume. While breakbeat is ideal for breakdancing,
the syncopation and unusual rhythms can make it difficult for the
regular dancefloor crowd.
BREAKCORE
Breakcore combines elements of industrial techno, gabber, drum 'n
bass, and noise. It relies on breakbeats which are then chopped up
and distorted to extremes. Notable examples included DJ Scud, Slepcy,
Rotator, Somatic Responses and Venetian Snares.
