Given Michael West's debut album was released in 1990, Jungle Revolution is an astonishingly contemporary-sounding release. Perhaps best known as Rebel MC, West's work as Congo Natty heavily recalls many of the flavours he explored throughout his '90s work: ragga, drum'n'bass, dancehall, rave, jungle and breakbeat. With Jungle Revolution, he's done a remarkable job of fusing retro fascinations with more modern approaches.
The foundation of the album is contemporary drum'n'bass. West's more organic, African-influenced rhythms are consistently underpinned by the same boom-snap rhythm popularised by Pendulum over the past decade. The crisp use of sub-bass references more experimental contemporaries like Lynx and breakbeat/140 wunderkind Racknruin. Far from concessions, West's additions actually place him in the same space as rave revivalists like Skream. Jungle Revolution's cleverness extends beyond aesthetics, though. West's productions are well-crafted, exciting and memorable. His tendency to cram every tune with guest vocalists and MCs occasionally makes it hard to latch onto his productions – but that goes with the classic rave eclecticism of the LP. Jungle Revolution spirals through dub-reggae and roots music into punishing drum'n'bass with ease. Throughout, West is savvy enough to touch on dubstep's halfstep rhythms without ever really embracing the fad.
In bringing in just enough contemporary influences to make his work relatable, West has managed to deliver a sharp tribute to rave and jungle's revolutionary heritage that doesn't feel nostalgic. On the contrary, it's an exciting and invigorating release that, with a more streamlined approach, could easily transcend its retro origins altogether.
