Photo: Dancehall USA

Jungle Jam has rightfully earned its place as one of the biggest parties in Leeds, and whether it’s your kind of thing or not, there’s no denying they’re good at what they do. What better way to celebrate than a showcase of over 30 of the most reputable jungle and drum & bass DJs all under Mint Warehouse’s one roof?

The lineup featured the likes of Grooverider, dubbed ‘The Godfather’ of drum & bass, Digital Soundboy’s Benny Page, The Ragga Twins and Serial Killaz. Such a prolific lineup and little vision of the high-set stage in the main room meant it was hard to tell who was playing at any given time, not that anyone seemed to mind.

If you expected anything other than jungle, you would have been disappointed. Classics like the Benny Page remix of Dawn Penn’s ‘No No No’ invited the entirety of the crowd to rush from the smoking area to the dancefloor. The two smaller rooms played host to some of the lesser known DJs and were more diverse in sound. The intimate third room, set back behind the smoking area, was a clear winner for anyone wishing to escape the chaos of the main room, with more space to dance. Among the more varied big beat and drum & bass was Wildchild’s ‘Renegade Master’. Between 5.30 and 6am rooms 2 and 3 began to close their doors, but the party didn’t end there, leaving the main room open until past 7am.

Jungle Jam are clearly masters in their field; all aspects of the night were well put together, from the venue to the music. It is easy to understand how they have gained such a cult following in Leeds and it’s left me excited for the next installment (in the tantalising Temple Works, no less) on March 28. 

Harriet Shepherd
Dawn Penn – ‘No No No’ (Benny Page & Visionary Remix) [Digital Soundboy Recording]