Jungle Revolution

Last updated

Jungle Revolution
Jungle Revolution.jpg
Studio album by
Released1 July 2013 (2013-07-01)
Length47:10
Label Big Dada
Producer Congo Natty
Congo Natty chronology
Born Again
(2005)
Jungle Revolution
(2013)
Jungle Revolution in Dub
(2015)

Jungle Revolution is a studio album by English musician Michael West under the pseudonym Congo Natty. [1] It was released on 1 July 2013, [2] through Big Dada. [3] It received generally favorable reviews from critics. [4]

Contents

Background

Michael West has released his music under the pseudonyms Rebel MC, Conquering Lion, Blackstar, and Congo Natty. [5] He is also known as Mikail Tafari. [6] Jungle Revolution is West's first studio album release on Big Dada. [7] It includes contributions from Adrian Sherwood and Skip McDonald. [8]

A remix version of the album, titled Jungle Revolution in Dub, was later released in 2015. [9]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic 72/100 [4]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [10]
Clash 8/10 [11]
Exclaim! 8/10 [12]
The Irish Times Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [13]
MusicOMH Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [7]
The Observer Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [14]
The Skinny Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [15]

According to the review aggregator Metacritic , Jungle Revolution received "generally favorable reviews" based on a weighted average score of 72 out of 100 from 9 critic scores. [4]

Sam Wiseman of The Skinny commented that "the LP is mostly a straightforward blend of classic jungle breaks and Rastafarian vibes." [15] He added, "Jungle Revolution may not herald a new century, but it's a concise, infectious mashup of some of the most vital genres that emerged from 90s club music." [15] James Williams of Exclaim! stated, "The 150-bpm ragga bangers that we all know and love are present and correct, alongside more roots-based tracks and sub-heavy workouts, but the fantastic thing about Jungle Revolution is the feeling of the torch being passed to the new generation." [12] He described it as "an LP that manages to look forward while honouring the past simultaneously, which is no mean feat these days." [12] David Jeffries of AllMusic stated, "Bits of television and movie dialog work themselves in and out of the extremely busy mix, but On-U Sound's Adrian Sherwood is well in charge of the mix, and with Skip McDonald guest starring on guitar, this one is top veteran stuff." [10]

Accolades

Year-end lists for Jungle Revolution
PublicationListRankRef.
PopMatters The Best Electronic Music of 2013
19

Track listing

Jungle Revolution track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Jungle Souljah"
4:06
2."UK Allstars" (Congo Natty meets Benny Page mix)
4:54
3."Revolution"
  • M. Tafari
  • O. Chinangwa
4:57
4."Get Ready"
  • M. Tafari
  • N. Weir
  • T. Cowan
5:22
5."Jah Warriors" (Congo Natty meets Vital Elements mix)
  • M. Tafari
  • M. Hull
4:47
6."Nu Beginingz"
  • M. Tafari
  • M. Lamont
3:26
7."Jungle Is I and I" (Congo Natty meets Vital Elements mix)
  • M. Tafari
  • C. Williams
  • G. Warnock
4:13
8."London Dungeons" (Congo Natty meets Boyson and Crooks mix)
  • M. Tafari
  • M. Kean
  • J. Boyson
  • S. Crooks
5:20
9."Rebel"
  • M. Tafari
  • L. J. Blair
4:27
10."Micro Chip (Say No)"
  • M. Tafari
  • P. Hibbert
  • K. Tafari
5:36
Total length:47:10

Personnel

Credits adapted from liner notes. [17]

Additional musicians

Technical personnel

Charts

Chart performance for Jungle Revolution
Chart (2013)Peak
position
UK Independent Albums (OCC) [18] 41

References

  1. Beaumont-Thomas, Ben (4 July 2013). "Congo Natty and the jungle revolution". The Guardian . Retrieved 13 April 2025.
  2. "Premiere: stream Machinedrum's rowdy remix of soundsystem legend Congo Natty's 'UK AllStars'". Fact . 28 May 2013. Retrieved 13 April 2025.
  3. Whitehurst, Andrew (19 July 2013). "60 Seconds With...Congo Natty". DJ Mag . Retrieved 13 April 2025.
  4. 1 2 3 "Jungle Revolution by Congo Natty". Metacritic . Retrieved 13 April 2025.
  5. Bauer, Matt (17 July 2013). "Congo Natty". Exclaim! . Retrieved 13 April 2025.
  6. Clay, Joe (11 July 2013). "I've Got Souls To Save: An Interview With Congo Natty". The Quietus . Retrieved 19 May 2025.
  7. 1 2 Dutton, Jack (25 June 2013). "Congo Natty – Jungle Revolution". MusicOMH . Retrieved 13 April 2025.
  8. "Congo Natty: Jungle Revolution – album stream". The Guardian . 25 June 2013. Retrieved 13 April 2025.
  9. Jeffries, David. "Jungle Revolution in Dub - Congo Natty". AllMusic . Retrieved 13 April 2025.
  10. 1 2 Jeffries, David. "Jungle Revolution - Congo Natty". AllMusic . Retrieved 13 April 2025.
  11. Saville, Adam (26 June 2013). "Congo Natty – Jungle Revolution". Clash . Retrieved 13 April 2025.
  12. 1 2 3 Williams, James (28 June 2013). "Congo Natty". Exclaim! . Retrieved 13 April 2025.
  13. Carroll, Jim (5 July 2013). "Congo Natty: Jungle Revolution". The Irish Times . Retrieved 13 April 2025.
  14. Empire, Kitty (30 June 2013). "Congo Natty: Jungle Revolution – review". The Observer . Retrieved 13 April 2025.
  15. 1 2 3 Wiseman, Sam (4 June 2013). "Congo Natty – Jungle Revolution". The Skinny . Retrieved 13 April 2025.
  16. "The Best Electronic Music of 2013". PopMatters . 13 December 2013. Retrieved 13 April 2025.
  17. Congo Natty (2013). Jungle Revolution (CD booklet). Big Dada.
  18. "Official Independent Albums Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 13 April 2025.