Concept 2, otherwise known as Andy C and Ant Miles, created something a bit special with ‘Cause N’ Effect’. In part it was a dark and moody tune, loved by the corner huggers and rude boys alike, but no matter how haunting this track became it was also a massive with the lovers of everything Jump Up.
Released in 1996 on RAM Records as part of the groundbreaking album ‘Speed of Sound’ which also featured the legendary ‘Lunar Bass VIP’ and ‘Recharge’. Prior to the albums release, RAM had already built a credible relationship with dedicated ravers, bedroom DJ6s and general lovers of the scene. Every release on the label was supported heavily by everyone on the circuit and tracks such as ‘Valley of the Shadows’ and ‘Truly One’ became pretty much household names, the same could probably be said for Andy C – even my mother knows who he is to this day.
The thing with the ‘Speed of Sound’ album though, was that it brought a whole new audience to RAM, mainly because it was one of those that was an essential purchase whether you were playing happy hardcore, jungle, drum & bass or the softer stuff which later went on to be penned as ‘liquid’. I really can’t recall a DJ I knew at the time from any ‘underground’ genre that didn’t own a copy of this album, let alone knew every tune inside out.
I chose ‘Cause N’ Effect’ mainly because it’s a personal favourite of mine, it really symbolises where production was for me. I have no doubt listened to this track millions of times and still to this day it makes the hair on my arms stand up. From the initial spooky pads to the first crunching filtered break leading into the almost hard step like driving rhythm.
If an event could symbolise this track it would be United Dance ‘Future Science’ held at Stevenage Arts and Leisure Centre way back on 11th October 1996. The Grooverider set is superb and MCs Fearless and Prince do a fine job on the hosting side of things. It’s a shame Rider didn’t continue along the lines of the darkside selection as this set really proves that he was a top selector. Not that I blame him in the slightest for where his career has taken him since ‘96, as to an extent he can really only play what the crowd want to hear and long gone are people that appreciate this kind of style from the scene. I’m talking volumes here. Some of the tunes from ‘Speed of Sound’ feature heavily on this set. As Fearless would say “Wicked Wicked!”
