After a four-year stint as one of the band's lead guitarists, Walter Trout left John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers in 1989 to pursue a solo career with his own eponymous group.

[5] Life in the Jungle initially received a limited release in Scandinavian countries from Bozz, a sub-division of Swedish record label Electra, in 1989.

In a four-star review published by the Los Angeles Times, Mike Boehm enthused that the album "heralds the arrival of a blues-rock talent of the first order", and claimed that it "showcases a performer who is confident, mature and strikingly well rounded".

But there is nothing inconsistent or uneven about Walter Trout's debut album, Life in the Jungle ... on this release, the blues-rocker is as focused and inspired on-stage as he is in the studio.

"[1] Awarding the album four out of five stars, Ruhlmann hailed Life in the Jungle as "tough, gritty, rugged, and heartfelt ... the Trout album that blues-rock enthusiasts should be happiest to get their hands on", praising the musician for "going that extra mile on original tunes" as well as producing "passionate versions" of songs originally recorded by other artists.