Reinforced Records: the 4hero label that helped launch a sound

Many labels claim to have shaped drum and bass. Reinforced Records has a stronger claim than most, because it was there before the name existed. It started in 1989, in the rave years, and it grew alongside the music that became jungle.

How it began

Wikipedia records that Reinforced was started in 1989 by Mark Clair, known as Marc Mac, of 4hero, and Gus Lawrence. They were soon joined by Dennis McFarlane, known as Dego and also of 4hero, and Ian Bardouille. The label was based in Dollis Hill, London, and its first releases were all 4hero productions.

One of them, Mr Kirk's Nightmare, sold more than 24,000 copies and, in the words of the Wikipedia account, truly launched the label. That is a large number for a small independent record in that period, and it gave the label the money and confidence to keep releasing.

The rave years

At the height of the rave scene in 1991 and 1992, Reinforced was prolific, as was its neighbour on the scene, Moving Shadow, and others such as Suburban Base. Wikipedia lists singles from that time including The Head Hunter and Cooking Up Yah Brain by 4hero, and Feel Real Good, Oblivion (Head in the Clouds) and Rainbow People by Manix.

Those are records from the breakbeat hardcore period, the stage that came before jungle. Listening to them now, you can hear the tempo and the breaks that later became the basis of the new sound, alongside the piano lines and samples of the rave.

A link to Metalheadz

The label's story connects to another important one. The Wikipedia entry for Metalheadz explains that DJ Kemistry introduced Goldie to 4hero's Reinforced Records, where he went on to create some design and artwork for them, leading to doing A and R for the label. That experience fed into the creation of Metalheadz in 1994.

It is a good illustration of how small and connected the early scene was. A designer who worked on sleeves, a DJ who made introductions and a pair of producers with a label became the people who defined the genre.

Why it matters

Reinforced shows how drum and bass grew from the bottom up. There was no master plan. A few people with records, a pressing deal and an ear for what the dancefloor wanted built the infrastructure of a new scene, and others followed.

If you want to hear that period for yourself, start with the 4hero singles named above and follow the label's catalogue forward. The sound changes quickly, and the pace of that change is part of the story.