“Speed Garage” was a very popular genre in the UK around 1996-1998 with artists and groups like Tuff Jam, 187 Lockdown, Serious Danger and occasionally even Armand Van Helden putting out top productions and remixes. The tracks usually had sped-up garage rhythms spiced up with samples and loops from drum’n'bass. One trademark was also a heavy bassline, so often the whole genre was referred to as the collission between jungle and house.

The genre soon evolved into 2step, or UK garage. This style didn’t incorporate so much references to drum’n'bass, but then again it had a breakbeat rhythm. Artists like Artful Dodger (with some help from Craig David amongst others) gained huge popularity.

Somewhere in the transition phase of these two genres a track called “Never Gonna Let You Go” by Tina Moore was released. While there were some decent speed garage remixes around, it was the “Kelly G Bump-N-Go Mix” that was the most famous. It already had the 2stepish rhythm and a lot of elements that would go under r’n'b these days. Here is this version for you!

By the way, it’s funny to see these two genres, already past their prime, recurring today in a slightly different form. Speed Garage is nowadays called Bassline House (Rico Tubbs anyone?) and that 2step groove can be found in many dubstep anthems.

Tina Moore – Never Gonna Let You Go (Kelly G Bump-N-Go Vocal Mix) [Mediafire 320]

Ps. Next time I’ll promise to post some proper 4/4 speed garage!

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