Danny Byrd’s Top 10 Essential Jungle Records

Danny Byrd is a name that surely needs no introduction, as his name is synonymous with uplifting and melodic drum n bass. Over the span of his decades-long career, his records have helped define the genre. His latest single sees him and vocalist Charlotte Plank return to his earlier days with a lush and powerful jungle anthem. We asked Danny to give us some of his most influential jungle records, which you can find below, along with his new single. 

1) DJ Stretch – Papa Lover (Serum remix)

If we’re talking about the jungle revival over the last 20 years, Serum is firmly at the top in re-starting the jungle revolution 2.0. In 2010 when everyone in D&B was more related to Trance & Electro in their sound, Serum stuck to his guns. Love this remix it’s even better than the original, with a wicked soul loop at the beginning, sound clash samples and heavy amen!

2) Jonny L – Oh yeah

Jonny L has been at the forefront of music since rave began. In 2008 he released this great little music roller. Simple think break, wicked chords and vocals. I loved playing this in 4am sets, that end of the night vibe was perfectly summed up by this tune!

3) Rawhide Cru – Mo Fire (Bad Company UK Remix)

Keeping in the strict remit of jungle classic’s in the last 20 years, this banger released in 2003 may be the oldest on the list. What can I say other than Navigator & Spyda just rode this tune perfectly! A lot of these retro jungle tunes always packed more punch when the scene had been starved of that sound for a while and this was no different. Backed up by the sonic genius of DJ Fresh/Bad Company assured dancefloor destruction.

4) Roni Size – Siren Sounds

Again going right back to the early 2000’s on this, I just loved the groove on this tune as soon as I heard it. Employing the agility and think break combo creates a deadly sound. Simple 808 bass rolls and a distorted sound accenting every bar. One of the great examples of 2000’s jungle by the master Roni! He sent me the stems for this tune for a remix ages ago! I just haven’t been able to nail it down yet to do such a big tune justice!

5) Danny Byrd – Shock Out

Eh! A bit cheeky! But it probably deserves a place here, again being part of that 2008 sound of jungle revival. I remember this was the first single from my debut album “Supersized”. Hospital weren’t really into a lot of the demos I’d been sending up to that point, so I decided to go in a different direction and use some classic breaks with modern sonics of the day. They loved the initial demo so I contacted my singer IK whom I was using heavily at the time to come and sing some hooks that we slowed down and then sped up for that helium effect.

6) Watch the Ride – Wicked Man

Going straight right up to the modern day, this was released a few weeks ago but captures the original essence of jungle perfectly. Of course, it does with DJ Die / Randall and Dismantle on the buttons! Wicked vocal and heavy processed amen break for the modern times. Released on the new Kool FM compilation, go stream this today!

7) Dead Dred – Dred Bass (Drumsound & Bassline Smith Remix)

So cheating again a little bit here… but this remix of the classic Dred Bass was so great to be playing in the clubs last year. In fact, most of the original jungle tunes are great and would work in a club if they were mixed and mastered for today’s tastes. No cranking up the gains on the mixer for this one… a great refix of a classic tune.

8) Sully – 5Ives

Another modern roller with the reverse bass sound and some amazing edits… a heavy thick break and some wicked orchestral strings omini trio style that sounds like they are straight out of an old Roland JV 1080 module. Coming on the excellent overshadow label, a new label started by the originators behind the legendary Moving Shadow label, keep an eye out for their releases!

9) Serum – Rat Trap

I remember reaching out to Serum when I was putting together a BBC Radio 1 essential mix in 2010, and again this tune just stood out for its retro feel. It’s got a proper Capone-style bassline that just sounds huge on any system! Big up to Serum, one of the very best to ever do it!

10) Kid Lib – The Warning

One of the new jungle tunes I’m loving… proper amen choppage here from Kid Lib. I actually found out about Kid Lib from a neighbour of mine in the local cafe in Box, Wiltshire. I had to go and check his back catalogue and it blew me away. This is proper authentic… no DAW sounds here. On the excellent Deep Jungle label, which have been responsible for re-releasing some very rare tunes indeed.