I made a random social media post, as I do, pondering putting out an album of just jungle. As a label we’d been focused on Drum and Bass with the occasional jungle release. The response was crazy, and it took on a life of its own. I was actually humbled by how many people got in touch and the pure quality of what I was hearing. It just grew into a monster from there. There are tunes from new producers, seasoned veterans, and a real mix of styles. I am actually really happy with it. It’s a snapshot of what’s happening now in a really healthy music scene. I actually had too much music and have held a bunch of tunes back for the coming months.

The idea for the comp is ‘Nu Skool Jungle’ how would you describe this style to someone?

Don’t expect to listen to this album and hear a collection of jungle from the 1990s. This is more modern. It is produced now and has different influences, technology, and production possibilities. Although there are producers who prefer to produce in that 90s style (and these are represented on the album) - Nu Skool Jungle has a modern sound and draws on its parents. It is the offspring of old skool Jungle and DnB. Hahaha Try not to think too hard about the fact that DnB is the child of Jungle.

Listening to the album I think it’s really interesting to hear people’s different interpretations and production styles. What sort of sounds can we expect on the comp?

There’s such a wide variety of styles on the compilation. There are soulful jungle rollers, amen bangers, highly technical tracks, sweeping scifi jungle, drum work, amen rollers, reggae and dancehall themed jungle, ragga jungle, the more traditional jungle sounds are represented well on the compilation too. It really is a snapshot of the scene at the moment, worldwide.

How do you feel jungle has changed since its early days when you first started out in 95? I assume the way you make music will have changed a lot since back then?

Yeah, a lot has changed. Not only has the way we produce it changed but also the way it is consumed, sold, distributed, and listened to. Everything is different and it’s probably easier to get your music to market now but it is a lot harder to be heard above the crowd. Social media is now a large part of most people's lives, and this is no different for a record label. It’s easier to reach the people who like what you’re doing but there are a lot of people doing it. Making yourself heard is harder.

51 tracks certainly make this one behemoth of a compilation! Can you share some of your absolute favourites?

“Theorized Destruction” by SuM is an absolute banger and is a standout tune for me. SuM is one of the producers that you are going to see a lot of on the label. I really like what he is doing and his attention to detail. His tunes are incredible. We’ve given you one free ;)

The remix of “Done This” by myself and Ras Demo brings down the dance any time I play it so that has to be in there.

Foundation by S Man, Selecta by Epicentre, This Generation by Epicentre and Veak… there’s too many... the list goes on and on...

What else should we expect to see from 24 Karat coming up in 2023 and beyond?

Expect plenty more of the same. I’ve got so much great music stashed away from so many great artists. - Jungle and Drum & Bass - we’ve got a dancehall project we’re working on at the moment too. There are plans for us to put some jungle on vinyl next year, hopefully and just to keep on putting out music.