【コラム】 Drum & Bassの衝撃：速度と重低音が紡ぐ都市の詩学

Column en Drum n Bass Jungle

15 Jul 2025

Hybrid beat born in the city

Text: mmr｜Theme: Thoughts on Drum & Bass/Jungle/UK sound

Drum & Bass（以下D&B）は、1990年代初頭のロンドンの地下クラブシーンで生まれた音楽ジャンルであり、同時に多文化的都市生活のリズムそのものである。高速ブレイクビート、唸るようなベースライン、レゲエ／ダブ／ヒップホップ／テクノなどを融合し、UKの音楽史に革新をもたらした。

Its evolution has been incredible, with many branches ranging from jungle, liquid funk, and techstep to neurofunk, jump-up, and drumstep.

From Jungle to D&B

● 1990-1993: Jungle movement

D&Bのルーツはジャングルというジャンルにある。これは、アシッド・ハウス、レイヴ、ヒップホップ、レゲエなどが混ざり合って生まれたカオス的ビート音楽であり、特にアーメン・ブレイク（Amen Break）のサンプリングが中核を成していた。

Main characters:

Rebel MC / Congo Natty: Remains strongly influenced by reggae roots.

Shut Up and Dance：ジャングルとヒップホップの橋渡し。

LTJ Bukem: Leads to later Intelligent D&B.

1994-1997:

Establishment period of Drum & Bass

From this time on, the name “jungle” gradually changed to “D&B”. This means a more refined sound, improved sub-bass and production techniques. Its functionality as club music increases and the scene matures.

Representative artists:

Goldie (Metalheadz): Sublimated D&B to art with his masterpiece “Timeless”.

Roni Size / Reprazent: Won the Mercury Prize for "”New Forms’’, which was a fusion of live performance and jazz.

DJ Hype / Ganja Kru: Representative of jump-up sound.

Aesthetics of speed, deep bass, and decomposition

element	Contents
Tempo (BPM)	About 160-180. The fastest in club music.
Breakbeat	Large sampling of Amen, Funky Drummer, Apache, etc.
サブベース	Super bass that resonates with your body is the core of music
Rhythm structure	Characterized by syncopation, irregularity, and fragmentation
Sound Design	Effect processing such as filters, reverb, and distortion is very important

Subgenre: The world of D&B with its many faces

● ジャングル（Jungle）

The origin of D&B. Features ragga vocals, reggae bass, and rough breaks.

● Techstep

Dark, industrial, inorganic sound. Representatives include Ed Rush & Optical and Dom & Roland.

● Neurofunk

テックステップの進化形。神経質で歪んだベースラインが中心。Noisia、Phace、Mefjusなど。

● Liquid Funk

A mellow style that incorporates elements of jazz, soul, and R&B. Caliber, High Contrast, Netsky.

● Jump-Up

A catchy bass and simple structure that connects directly to the dance floor. DJ Hazard, Sub Zero, etc.

● Drumstep

A subgenre influenced by halftime and dubstep. Excision, Downlink etc.

The base that supported D&B

Metalheadz (Goldie): Combines depth and intelligence.

Hospital Records (Tony Colman aka London Elektricity): The home of liquid funk.

Ram Records (Andy C): Leading the mainstream.

Shogun Audio (Friction): Supports a wide range of styles.

Exit Records (dBridge): Developing experimental and sophisticated sounds.

また、Pirate Radio（海賊ラジオ）やRinse FMといった非公式メディアがD&Bの普及に果たした役割も大きい。

Music from UK multicultural cities

Born in multi-ethnic cities like London and Bristol, D&B grew up at the intersection of immigrant, street and rave culture.

Black British influence: sound system culture, reggae/dub techniques.

The DIY spirit of the white working class: Pirate radio, independent labels.

Intersection with techno/IDM: Squarepusher, Autechre, etc. develop D&B rhythms.

Fashion/Lifestyle

Clubwear: Sportswear, nylon, caps, jerseys.

Street Culture: Graffiti, skating, and junglist ideology.

Visual: Futuristic and cyberpunk. Artwork is also important.

Global expansion and branching

Currently, D&B reigns as the foundation of bass music around the world. Scenes are particularly established in Europe (Austria, the Netherlands), North America, Japan, Australia, etc.

● Featured contemporary artists

Noisia（解散済）：神レベルのプロダクション技術。

Alix Perez: A sonic alchemist who can do everything from dub to half-step.

Sub Focus / Wilkinson: A link between the mainstream and the underground.