Further Junglist debate

Terry on the Miles list writes:
… I think length is a key element in the dilution of the vitality and capacity to astonish of the first few years. I think the five or six minutes often taken by the earlier records contributed to the malaise that led to the impulse to tidy drum and bass up. For me, at least, cathartic and visceral experiences don’t generally go on that long and after a while I found I was losing interest before the end.
Good point, but that would depend upon the environment in which you’re experiencing the catharsis (not forgetting the particular stimulants you’ve ingested…) Music is of course very functional in its responsiveness both to new technologies and to different environments (chemical, corporeal and environmental).

Anyway, and for whatever reason, the idea developed that more “musical” elements had to be introduced and that meant removing the rougher MC content and the more immediate “home made” atmosphere along with (and I like your expression) the dominant “percussive/abrasive” feel.
Agreed, although to be historically accurate LTJ Bukem’s ‘classic’ tracks – and I use that term advisedly despite enjoying them – such as Demon’s Theme and Music were contemporaneous to the advent of ‘ardcore in the early 90s. That said, their influence was probably mainly felt from the mid 90s onwards.

Then came the addition of the reassuring melodic bits, typified by a moody string synthesized “overture”, and a duration supposedly more in keeping with the significance of the music than the traditional three minute form.
But this is where I disagree – most of the early (’92 to ’94) stuff is in the 4 to 6 minute mark. if there’s one classic in-the-trenches Junglist it must be Remarc (though I’m always open to debate) and the average length of his tracks is probably between 4.5 and 5 minutes. Having said that there’s probably a median line for duration and the difference between 6 and 5 minutes is much greater than between 5 and 4. BTW Planet Mu released a Remarc compilation last year which is well worth getting called Sound Murderer. Archetypal stuff – though be less tempted by the second volume which has a few duff tracks.

As I said before, Goldie is the worst offender I’ve come across, taking an entire cd to say what could have been condensed into a few minutes (I’m assuming this as I never managed to listen to the whole thing – it certainly should have been). It wasn’t even the big labels seeking to mainstream the music that drove this (AFAIK), so much as the grandiosity and self importance of the musicians.
I’d be interested in what content you’re referring to when you say “taking an entire cd to say what could have been condensed into a few minutes”. My take on Jungle is that it’s a very moment to moment form, the transcendence is in the percussive action and its tension with the phat and mostly half speed bass and the fx.