Jungle Are Forever has been developed as the fifth episode in Soda_Jerk’s ongoing multichannel installation Astro Black, a video cycle informed by cultural theories of Afrofuturism. Taking the cosmic jazz musician Sun Ra as a point of departure, this speculative history seeks to draw out the nexus of science fiction and social politics in Black Atlantic sonic culture.

In their latest episode Soda_Jerk forge connections between Afrofuturism and the role that quantum physics played in the UK breakbeat culture of the mid-90s. Taking the form of a 1970s spy thriller, Jungle Are Forever follows agent 007 as he investigates the development of a low frequency sonic weapon. Hidden beneath Rage nightclub, he uncovers a secret Jungle laboratory where Goldie is conducting quantum experiments into the acceleration of the break. Also featuring A Guy Called Gerald, 4hero, Grace Jones, John Akomfrah, Genesis Breyer P-Orrige and Lee Scratch Perry.

Post-production with Sam Smith

2-channel video installation, with 5 Astro Black episodes from 2007 – 2015, colour, sound, 31 min

Grant: May–July 2015, FACT (GB)