Junglists – “Check It Out”! This is a mix of classic drum and bass tunes from the mid 1990′s are hand picked from the personal collection of classics owned by Miami’s veteran DNB DJ, DJ Vetoe. If you’re just tuning into drum and bass music, this mix is a great intro to the “golden years” of drum and bass, and for the veteran junglists you’ll remember a lot of these tunes in all of their raw, booming, amen laced glory.

1. Bass Thieves – Check It Out – Strange Youth Records – 1995
2. Freaky Flow & PJ – On The Down Low – Placebo Records – 1997
3. B-Jam – Rukus – No Smoking Records – 1995
4. Prime – Madman ( Instrumental ) – Molemen – 2002
5. Unknown – Fat Beats 1 – Fat Beats Records – 1996
6. Digifex – Beyond Control – Inverse Records – 1996
7. Regulate – Brotherhood – Hardleaders Records -1995
8. Mind Rise – Solo Mission – Inverse Records – 1996
9. Tekniq – Yellow – Formation Records Colours Series – 1996
10. Marc Mac & Swift – Feels Good – Integral Records – 1997
11. S.K. One – Make Room – Future Vinyl Records – 1996
12. DJ Red – Murder One – Trouble On Vinyl -1996
13. Prisoner H.M.P 021168 – Shimmie – London Some’ting Records – 1996
14. 2 For The Show – 2 For the Show – Brain Records – 1996
15. DJ Flashback & Oz – The Fresh Stuff – Turmoil Records – 1996
16. DJ Nikki C – Flava – White Label – 1995
17. IC1 – Cooper – 5HQ Records – 1996
18. T.I.C – Promo #8 Untiltiled – Promo Records – 1996
19. Elementz of Noize – Hit The Deck – SOUR Records – 1996

How long have you been spinning jungle/dnb? What first got you into it?

I’ve been spinning now for 13 years. I first got into Jungle/ DnB after attending a party up in Orlando in late 94′. I head Nookie’s ” Celebrate Life” and I’ve been hooked ever since. Being a drummer also helped to spark my interest in the genre as well as other forms of EDM.

How have things changed, in terms of the music, the medium and the message?

In the past 4 to 5 years there has been a return to the “classic sound” of DnB and Jungle and I couldn’t be more happier. A slew of labels are putting out releases that are right up there in caliber with the older tunes that I love. Labels like Scientific Wax, Subtle Audio, and Beat Lab are at the forefront of pushing that 94-96 sound. There also seems to be a return to that simple but effective techstep of the late 90′s as well. DnB has definitely had its ups and downs since the beginning, but the message is still the same…” Dope Beats, Heavy Bass, and Good Vibes!”

In a world saturated with sub-genres, sub-sub-genres, templates and presets, do you think there will be any modern dance music that will shine through and become timeless classics?

That’s a great question. In my eyes there will always be anthems that withstand the test of time in all forms of EDM. If you are a fan of house, electro, drum and bass, dubstep etc…there will always be those tunes that you will never get tired of hearing. These days there definitely seems to be less and less anthems though. I think its a matter of originality, but it just might be a matter of growing older in age and taste. Anthems are usually classics and what comes out today might very well be an anthem to the next generation, but not necessarily to me. In mainstream popular culture unfortunately I think people will look back and group it all as “dance music” with no stand out tunes or producers.

Breakbeat hardgore begat jungle, jungle begat drum and bass and drum n bass begat, well, all kinds of music. Where do you hear the music going?

I hear DnB starting to slow down more. Some producers are going back to the basics which I think is a good thing. Is it dubstep having influence as some would say?…possibly, but everything goes around in full circle. Like other forms of music its natural process. Without this action the music would go stale and possibly loose some of its fan base. I see DnB being around as long as any other form of music. I might not like all styles or tunes coming out, but I’ll never turn my back on the genre.

I really have enjoyed your Moving Shadow mixes, as well as your other classic jungle mixes. Clearly you want to preserve and expose culture of jungle and DNB music – for those just tuning in to the sound, what labels/tunes/mixes/whatever can you recommend?

Damn, that’s a tough list to compile. For people just getting into dnb, its important to listen to all styles and years. I would recommend listening to mixes by LTJ Bukem, Andy C, and R.A.W.. After that the door is wide open. Listen to as many mixes by as many DJs as possible. Right now I’m feeling labels like Scientific Wax, Subtle Audio, Dispatch, Symmetry, Traffic, Grid, Paradox Music, Foundation X… and of course Digital Felon, Foul Play, Force Recordings, and all other stateside labels keeping the sound of DnB alive in sunny Florida!