[DIVE INTO MUSIC] UK Apache with Shy FX - Original Nuttah (1994)

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The originator as most would say.

This is one of the earliest chart topping Jungle tracks to break out worldwide. Jungle, a sample heavy type of electronic music primarily based on breakbeats was initially pushed out of the United Kingdom. At the time most had no vocals until this tune came out.

Jungle producers had the artist credit because it was their music, but I came from reggae where the singer was the artist that got credited for the tune, so I wanted it to come out as 'Original Nuttah' by UK Apache. It was a tune I had written about myself, and I wanted it for my album.

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The original track has a sample from the film Goodfellas (1990) on the original pressing that is absent in the official music version for obvious copyright reasons.

One day, one day some of the kids from the neighborhood carried my mother's groceries all the way home. You know why? It was outta respect

As for the spelling of UK Apache vs UK Apachi as seen on the original pressing I still never found out the reasoning for this. Was this a simple spelling error? These type of occurrences were very common at the time.

Sampling long sections of films were common at this time, crazy in retrospect but this is underground music and nobody cared.

The heavy horns begin with UK Apache's distinctive vocal patterns gearing up the listener for something special. You won't soon forget the chorus of nonsensical words "Na-ni-ni-whoa, Zig-i-na-na-no-no-no" while the bassline starts to begin thumping. Half of the fun is trying to discern what UK Apache is actually saying as he has a very thick accent.

Once the drop hits and the breakbeats emerge you're in for something new. Hard and fast are two words the come together and you can't help but start moving. The bass is heavy on this track but often hard to discern without a proper setup that can reproduce the bassline.

Heavy ragga vocals compliment the frenetic breakbeats. This is one of the early tracks that most associate with Jungle and Ragga Jungle, one of the many sub-genres within this style of music.

While vocalists often steal the show for good reason let's not forget about Shy FX. The beat maestro extraordinaire. The entire song focuses on the Amen break sampled from the track Amen, Brother by The Winstons. The break that is Jungle and has inspired so many. This is almost unheard of to have a sample that is tied so closely to a genre and the general basis for said genre. I'll never forget it.

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The music itself came at the perfect time. While I may need to save a more in-depth analysis of the genre for a later date, the following needs to be said. Black, white and anything in-between did not matter. Class, religion or background had no bearing. The music is what matters as it should be. Any style could be incorporated and it was. In this instance, dancehall and reggae were the big influences in the early days and especially here. This culture seeped into jungle and has remained ever since.

The music video captures the beginning of a movement.

While the production values are barely present, the energy is and that's what counts. A true DIY movement was started and this was the forerunner of the genre. I'd love to see a true remastering of this iconic video but I'm not sure if the original sources are still available. The VHS quality music video along with tracking errors and soft image only add to the period where this music was something new and fresh with endless possibilities.

The original monster track

Before I leave I'll need to add a bit of a 'where are they now' follow up to this dynamic duo.

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Shy FX in 2018, still going strong

Shy FX is still making and producing music as always while maintaining his legendary status as one of the top producers within the genre.

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UK Apache providing his unique vocal stylings.

UK Apache left the scene for many years due to personal reasons but did return. He even recorded new vocals for a 25th anniversay release and I can understand every single word this time. Instead of sampling Goodfellas along with Ray Liotta they sampled Idiris Elba. An excellent choice in my opinion!

UK Apache had the following to say about acquiring the Idris Elba voice work.

As we always say - we give thanks to the Almighty you know! Whatever the Almighty put down he must have guided Idris Elba to do this... but obviously it's through a link with Shy FX! I haven't met him myself personally but I hear he's a big fan of the track - he loves music and he's a very inspired person himself. Just look at the things he's done, the man's the legend already y'know, so to have him on Original Nuttah 25 was like wow! We were waiting and Shy was like "you know it's going to come" and when he sent it to me out of the blue - cos that's what he did - I pushed play and I heard this voice and I just started to jump up and down like a nutter!

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UK Apache with Shy FX – Original Nuttah 25

Thank you very much for taking the time out of your day to read my posting. I really do appreciate it.

Listen to music each and everyday. Old, new and everything in-between. Music is a great equalizer and inspiration for those that listen. Many others have far more profound thoughts on the subject so I will leave you with this.

Without music, life would be a blank to me -Jane Austen