Jungle Brothers

The original trio consisted of: Michael Small (aka Mike Gee), Nathaniel Hall (aka Afrika Baby Bam) and Sammy Burwell (aka DJ Sammy B). The group released their debut album “Straight out the Jungle” in 1988 through independent label Warlock. Incorporating a variety genres made it difficult for the band to identify or appeal with audiences as they experimented with house, jazz, rap and R&B. The Afrocentric vibe in the album gained them recognition as they became part of hip-hop collective Native Tongue Posse which included Afrika Bambaataa, Queen Latifah and De La Soul.

Despite the album failing to become a commercial success, in 1989 the trio signed with Warner Bros Records. The same year Jungle Brothers released their follow up album “Done by the Force of Nature” which was well received. Released at the same time as De La Soul’s iconic album “3 Feet High and Rising” and in similar vein, audiences overlooked Jungle Brothers’ album which many regard as an underrated classic.

Confines of the record label’s marketing strategy resulted in a four year absence from the trio and they returned in 1993 with the album “J Beez Wit the Remedy”. In the meantime the Jungle Brothers had become more actively involved with the organisation Ill Crew Universal which helped to support independent hip-hop artists and produced compilation albums globally.

The trio released their fifth album “V.I.P” in 2000 and the following year their track “What’s the Five 0” featured on the video game FreQuency. Jungle Brothers worked with the British producer Mr On in 2004 to produce the track “Breathe (Don’t Stop)” which sampled Michael Jackson’s “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough” and Q-Tip’s “A Tribe Called Quest”.

In 2005 the band released their greatest hits album “This Is” featuring remixes and a collection of unreleased material. Despite never really achieving the commercial success, their innovative music was inspired and they are regarded as pioneers of the hip-hop jazz fusion.