Jumpity Jump Jump Jump

I'm sure by this point virtually everyone in North America has heard of Jumpstyle. You've probably watched a video or ten on YouTube and giggled as you watched some young Belgians kicking their legs in a folk dance inspired fashion to the hard beats commonly heard in Jumpstyle music.

I can't claim to be an aficionado on Jumpstyle music. It seems pretty complicated for a cultural phenomenon and genre that is simply regarded as 'gay' by so many. Let's start with what I DO know. I know that it's been around for a number of years. I know that it is now commercially popular in the Netherlands. I know that it is similar to hardcore, with a slower BPM. I have read that Jumpstyle is exactly the same as Chicago Hard House. Maybe Jumpstyle drew its inspiration from Chicago Hard House, but the typical Chicago Hard House song sounds a lot different from the typical Jumpstyle song to me. Chicago Hard House songs usually incorporate high-pitched mosquito inspired notes, whereas Jumpstyle songs often feature a melody that sounds like some sort of polka or folk dance music.

While there may be a whole slew of commercial and perhaps even mediocre sounding Jumpstyle anthems out there, I must say that I am impressed by and totally in love with some of the Jumpstyle songs I have heard thus far. Who can resist a Jumpstyle cover of Depeche Mode's classic 'Just Can't Get Enough'? A Jumpstyle remix of the A-Team theme? Please sign me up.

Wacky Jumpers - Just Can't Jump (zshare)

Crazy Fool - A-Team Theme (Picco Vs. Jens O Remix) (zshare)

Everyone seems to be jumping aboard the Jumpstyle train these days. Even If you don't like Jumpstyle music as much as I do, you still might appreciate Doormouse's homage to Jumpstyle. His song 'Ultimate Jumpstyle' fittingly enough, is not a Jumpstyle song at all. It is however, hilarious and jumperific.

Doormouse - Ultimate Jumpstyle (zshare)

Time for the icing on the cake. Apparently I'm not the only non-Netherlander that enjoys listening to Jumpstyle. It would seem that DJ Donna Summer AKA Jason Forrest also has a soft spot in his heart for Jumpstyle music. Back in September he posted a free download of an epic Jumpstyle inspired mix that he conjured up. Even If you don't love Jumpstyle music, you still might enjoy it. Not everything in it is Jumpstyle. It's a great mixture of songs (there are even some rave classics hidden in there). I would go as far as to say that this is my favorite thing that DJ Donna Summer/Jason Forrest has ever done. This mix is truly a treat.

DJ Donna Summer - Jumpstyle Mix (right click to save)

The first time I listened to that mix it was 4 a.m. I was in my jammies, pumping my fist in the air and doing miniature jumpstyle inspired kicks with my legs. Yup, It's that good.