Artists and Producers

August 2009

Joe Nebula -Nebula 2

Antheama - Reinforced - 1991 - "We all liked both tracks upon first listening to them.
That single was the 4th biggest selling single on Reinforced" - Gus Lawrence - Reinforced Records

Tell us a bit about your introduction to the rave scene?

"My introduction was a very good one. I went to a party in a small village hall with DJ Coz. I remember he brought Adamski - NRG and Unique 3 - The Theme. It blew my mind. Well something did :o)"

Who were your earliest influences?

"While watching Top of Pops one week my friend Tom came around to my house with a tape called Electro 1 and my word, music just exploded from there. Hip Hop is where my real passion for it came from"

Seance - Reinforced Records - 1991

Can you remember the first big raves you attended and where they were?

"Yeah for me it was mostly local. Rhythm Collision put on by the DIY DJ's were Nottingham's biggest and best raves. Coz loved the out of town raves like Rag Market. We both were regulars at the Coventry Eclipse and various house parties in the Forest Fields area of Nottingham"

What DJ’s did you really rate back then?

"DJ SY, Alister Whitehead, Grooverider & Fabio. Back then they all played all types of music in there sets. Great variety of tunes"

Flatliners - J4M Records - 1992

What tracks really stand out pre Antheama that really made a big impact on you, and why?

"Mr Kirks Nightmare. Just a tune. Nothing like it at the time. I remember at Venus DJ SY dropped it and the place went mental"

How did Nebula 2 come about, name included?

"DJ Coz came up with the name. He wanted something spacey I think and there was to of us"

Where did the ideas for Antheama come from, and why do you think it has had such a lasting impact?

"Coz came up with the initial idea of sampling his favorite tunes and putting them together. It was just one of those moments in life where it all came together. We knew we had made a good tune but it was one of our first and we didn't know how big it would become. :o)"

Peacemaker -Reinforced Records-1992

Can you remember the first time you heard it played out?

"No I can't, but I remember the day standing outside our local record shop, Just Grooves. Someone came in and said that Top Buzz had played it the night before. That was wicked to hear. It just went mad from there"

Did you approach Reinforced about releasing the track? They were known even in ’91 as a hard hitting no nonsense label. How did it feel to be associated with them?

"No it was taken to our local shop who approached Reinforced with the track"

X-Plore H-Core - Reinforced Records - 1992

What did you do to keep focused after the success of Antheama/Séance? What releases followed on from that release, and how did they do?

"We were really young when the track came out and didn't really understand it all. We were just into rave and the whole culture. We just carried on making music because we liked doing it. The next release Flatliners & C.O.D. Rider did just as good and we just kept on going until the scene started to split into all the fragmentations. We got proppa bored of the scene then"

’93 was a quite year for you release wise. How did you feel about the Darkside movement and which way did you go after the split and why? (I know you went into Goa, but please explain what made you go that way)

"We went so called GOA before it even that scene even happened. Just a natural progression of thought and music. Just experimentation. The dark side was really just a break away from hardcore. I remember Goldie speaking about it and telling us his plans for the music. The darkside did kick off as well"

Nebula 2 faces

You were one of the few Hardcore bands to take the trance route. Were you going back to your Techno roots?

"That was really from the music we first listened to. We did want or even like to make the same thing again and again. So we just kept experimenting with different sounds and styles. bringing them altogether.

Eye Memory - Reinforced Records - 1993

Tell us bit about what happened next?

"We set up a company called The Volt and released over 100 singles in a few years. That was techno time. Great times and great music"

As the ’91-’92 generation are returning to the fold after growing up and having their families, there has been a massive resurgence in the Old Skool scene. Discuss.

"Oh yeah its good to see. Some of the old classic still sound good today which vindicates our whole upbringing. Its great to get a gig playing the old skool tunes. Even now to new faces who don't really know them. The parties going on now seem to get the vibe back. Its a shame that the music isn't getting the kudos it deserves. It still a massive scene. But Drum & Bass has replaced it really. Not a bad thing at all. But still mix and blend is the way forward"

Seance (Remix) - Reinforced Records - 1992

Antheama has gone down as an absolute classic of ’91. You must be very proud of it?

"Oh yeah baby! We are totally proud and still today we hear of stories based around the track. Which of course makes us happy"

Where are the rest of the band, and what are they up to?

"We are still together making tunes. Both Me and Coz. We have some new bits on the way"

What are your other proudest moments of the period?

"Humm.... loads to many to mention really. Ones that stick out in my mind were meeting all our heroes (Dj's etc) Was great to be accepted and them play your tune. As we loved the scene so much"

What are you up to these days?

"We both work full time in computers. but we are both still active in music. Im releasing on Propa Talent and running the Back2You (www.back2you.co.uk) website. Which is back online in September. We also have a massive track coming out fropm a gruop called Savage Rehab. BIG TUNE. I also play on a local radio station called Kemet FM (www.975kemetfm.com). Plus we run a night up here called Retrograde (old skool / drum & bass)"

What are your plans for the future, and what is your take on the current J-Tek movement?

"The future if it could go by my choice well, It would be great" na lol. Things are going really well in the music. A new track coming out on Ministry of sound in September and a few projects on the cards. Im also working on a collective for Nottingham Drum & Bass artists, producers and promoters. Pilgim has said I should get into the J-Tek music and get making some tracks. Not had a moment to do so yet"

Just for the trainspotters, can you take us through Antheama in detail? Samples used, equipment and studio location etc. Anything at all.

"Boy! OK. The main samples are from Altern 8, Homeboy Hippy and Funky Dread and LFO. We made it on an Amiga 500. The sound card was made by my firend form parts from Maplins. A very simple set up"

Ok Joey, thanks for sharing your thoughts and memories with us. Is there anything you’d like to say to the OSR readers?

Love life and peace :o)

Tell us about your current ventures. Links/pages/releases whatever.

www.back2you.co.uk / Back 2 You remix projects. Your chance to remix history!

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August 2009

One of the most sublime old skool hardcore tracks ever recorded, 'Sweet Harmony' is 4 minutes 25 seconds of melodic beauty. First released on white label in 1991 under the catalogue number AME 001 with just 500 copies pressed, and then on XL records in 1992 with catalogue number XL28, it was played excessively in every rave up and down the country for at least 12 months, reached number ** in the National Pop Chart, has appeared on no less than 88 compilation albums and is still being played out at old skool raves and pirate radio stations regularly to this day. It lended itself perfectly to House music cross over events and is revered as an all time classic by DJ's, producers and ravers alike. It originally came out on a 4 track EP and shared its space with a Sweet Harmony remix and two other tracks entitled Phog and Feel 3. From then up until now it has been re-released on numerous other labels across Europe and lets's face it, theres no wonder. It's a wonderful piece of music...........

Sweet Harmony - Liquid - XL Records - 1992

Position

Artist

Title

Date

Details

Liquid

Sweet Harmony

March 1992

Liquid

Sweet Harmony (remix) / One Love Family

July

1995

Can you fill us in on how you were introduced to the rave scene initially?

"I had been to Land of Oz a couple of times with a friend, and then went to some of the bigger events, one at Donnington I think – it was wherever they did the drag racing (Perception-Long Masrton? ed) and then Energy around the Westway in London. A lot of the memories are hazy, I know where I was roughly speaking"

When did you first have the idea to start writing music?

"I started quite young. When I was a casual all my money went into buying clothes (it's a long, tear-jerking story but I was working from the age of 14 – not full-time mind) and then I started buying gear. I had a Roland TR-505 drum machine and a 4 track and a Yamaha DX100"

Was Sweet Harmony the first single you wrote?

"No, but it was the first time I had been to what I considered a ‘proper' studio and the first time I had made anything accessible to the public"

How did you become involved with XL. Did they come to you, or did you go to them?

"As I remember, I called them and they were remotely interested, but not overly. It's funny, a lot of the record companies couldn't really get their heads around the track as it was and were intent on changing it. The clincher with XL was that they would release it as it was"

What was the initial reaction to the single like (before it was released. Friends, DJ's etc)?

"Everyone's an expert! I always try and encourage people making music to trust how they feel about the track. If we had been weak-minded we could have easily been talked into changing Sweet Harmony before we'd even started"

In the mix

XL is a very well respected label. You must have been very proud to have been associated with a label responsible for signing so many inspiring acts?

"Indeed, and they're still going strong now"

Can you recall your reaction the first time you heard the track played out?

"No, because I was the one that got it played! A friend of mine was Djing the night that the vinyl was ready. However, I remember the night I first heard it on Pete Tong's Radio 1 show. It had only been in the shops for two days and I never really listened to his show that much at the time. That night, within about a minute of turning the radio one I heard the sweet sound of our strings......"

Why do you think the track had such a huge impact? In essence it is quite a simple composition, yet it has been remembered and cherished by all from the era as a defining classic?

"Heaven knows? I suppose, at the time, house has been dominated by more of a Belgian/European influence and though I like the records, it still felt detached from the original soul of Chicago/Detroit house. Shane, who was my partner in Liquid at the time, was of the same opinion.

Maybe it was just a case of right track, right place, right time. I don't know, really"

Where did you get the breakbeat from and can you fill us in on how you found the Ce Ce Rogers piano break? Was it fluke that you put the two together, or was it a pre determined idea?

"Haha. I am still precious about where we sampled them from even today. Loads of people know, but I am anal like that. We knew the breaks and samples we would use before we went to the record it, so there was an element of planning"

Ce Ce Rogers - Someday - Atlantic Records - 1987

Purists might disagree, as this is a seminal track in the history of house music, but for Hardcore ravers like me that fantastic piano riff will always sound better stradling the awesome breakbeat in 'Sweet Harmony'. The vocals on thistrack was also utilised in the 1992 Urban Shakedown (Micky Finn/Aphrodite) track 'One Family'.

What category would you put the track into? I've heard it mixed brilliantly into house sets, it is on untold compilations, and to me, it has all the trademarks of an early Jungle Techno track (in that it is break driven, if that makes sense?)

"I would put it in the category of ‘dope' or ‘timeless'. Haha!"

The 2 other tracks that shared the space on the Sweet Harmony EP

Liquid - Phog - XL Records - 1992

Liquid - Feel 3 - XL Records - 1992

If the Discogs information is correct, Sweet Harmony has been featured on no less than 88 compilations in one form or another. That is a pretty amazing feat for an underground rave record that is 18 years old. (The royalties must be nice ?. Discuss.

"Not as much as people think. The record company enjoy taking their healthy slice of the action and charging for everything from packaging to the wages of the fella that cleans their windows"

Eamonn Downes - Liquid

Sweet Harmony is still getting huge plays out in old skool raves. What is your feeling about old skool events, and what are your thoughts on a room full of mid 30's/40's old skool heads keeping the vibe alive?

"I am cool with it, though when I play live there is still a broad mix of people of various age groups. I do think it is a tad weird when people try and live like the last 20 years haven't happened – though that tends to be the exception rather than the norm"

Could you tell us about your other releases, and do you feel like your work after SHhas been overshadowed?

"Obviously, yes. Though I would've settled for that in advance it is difficult when you're in the middle of it. Liquid is Liquid was always a great track for me, as was One Love Family (which was number one in Greece you know)"

Liquid - One Love Family - 1995

Sweet Harmony - Jam & Spoon Remix -

Did you find it difficult to create more music after Sweet Harmony. Did you purposely decide to change direction?

"We decided not to take the classic ‘let's do another almost identical version of our last single' route. Most big tracks come from the moment, it is nigh on impossible to replicate them – there have been some awful examples of people attempting to do so"

Your releases as Liquid have been fairly sparodic. Do you produce when you feel like it, or do you have a schedule?

"Good question. Varies really. I have been engrossed in something for the last couple of years that is time-consuming but my real passion. I grew up listening to dub and am working on a new album featuring some legendary reggae singers. Liquidis taking a back seat"

Sweet Harmony - Artful Dodger Remix

Do you take Liquid out on the road to old skool events?

"Yep. Play semi-regularly and run it live using a laptop so it's not just the version on record coming off a CD"

Is Liquid still a double act? Can yopu tell us what happened with Shane Heneghan?

"Shane? He left quite early on and now makes a lot of pretty cool drum and bass tracks. We still get on and speak/meet up from time to time"

Excuse my ignorance. I'm assuming that you're Irish. If so do you still (and have you always) lived there?

"My mum and dad are both Irish, but I was born here which I think qualifies me for membership of the ‘plastic paddy' club. I have lived there for short periods, but never permanently"

What are the future plans for the band?

"Like I said, it is very slightly on the back burner – but there are new mixes of Liquid is Liquid available on Dave Spoon's Televizion label. I am going to start a new single in a week or so and aim to have an album in the bag by the end of the year"

Any extra info you'd like to add???? (chart positions/sales statistics etc would be brilliant!!!) What is your take on the current scene and it's sub genres. Is there anything that is really interesting you style wise at the moment. Any plans to make a comeback as a Dubstep pioneer or Drum and Bass artist???

"I do quite like a lot of dubstep, but a lot of it is a bit faddy. People see a scene develop and jump all over it and record companies spot it and within a short period of time, everyone's sucked the life out of it.

Forgive me, I am not one for blowing my own trumpet (though did I mention my number one in Greece?) Oh, and I can speak Italian!!"

Liquid -Liquid is Liquid - 1991

The other seminal hardcore track from Liquid, takenfrom the original limited pressing of Sweet Harmony.

Express thanks to Eamonn Downes & www.emmajanerichards.com

.............................................................................................................................................................

August 2009

Brain Records and the Bizzy B Story

Before we even start on the Bizzy B story, we need to discuss the Amen. The Amen Break is a drum beat that spawned the entire Jungle genre. It defined a feeling, a state of mind, a collective of producers and artists that in turn influenced a collective of ravers and record buying DJ's witha mind set that embodied the term we now know as Jungle.

Bizzy B went on to become known as 'The Amen Master'. Watch this amazing video to truly understand the history of the Amen break. The producer of this video has done the Jungle scene a huge justice, and I have to be honest, I pinched the idea of embedding it into the site from the Kool FM website, so thanks to those guys for finding it in the first place. Watch and learn...........

The History of the Amen Break

So why did I choose Bizzy B as theproducer to start the Jungle story? I was asked by Colin Steven, editor of Knowledge Magazine to review Bizzy B's latest compilation album 'Retrospective'. Upon doing so I embarked on a research project that took me from his earliest releases as a Jungle Tekno producer to a Jungle Pioneer in '94-'95 through to the Hardstep style of '96 and beyond. It's true, there were a lot producers out there that were using the Amen break in their productions. In fact, the entire genre was almost built around it, but for me personally Bizzy B pushed boundaries. He mashed the Amen up so badly that the poor thing couldn't even walk straight. Listen to his remix of the Cutty Ranks track The Return (with Ruffkut) and it will give you an idea of the kind of abuse Bizzy B subjected the Amen to.

Cutty Ranks- The Return - (Bizzy B & Ruffkut remix) - Suburban Base - 1995

Bizzy B is one of the most prolific and inspiring producers to come out of the original Jungle Tekno movement. His sound was dark and twisted, evil almost. With self penned releases and collaborations on his own label Brain Records and numerous other releases on White House, One Nation and Jet Star among others, he was also responsible for a whole host of remixes on labels like Rogue Trooper, Suburban Base and Joker. Bizzy's output is nothing short of prolific. Many say he was one of the masters of the Darkside and there is no doubt that his music was hugely influential both then as well as now. He is a master of the Amen, and his manipulation of that breakbeat is incomparable to any other producer of the period. In fact, on many of his tracks the Amen brutality is second to none.

With the J-Tek movement gathering pace daily, producers are drawing inspiration from the music that packed out raves 15/16 years ago and are re-visiting these early productions and adding a modern twist, propelling the authentic sound of '92 and '93 through our speaker cones. Bizzy B was toiling hard in the studio throughout this period of intense musical change, and his legacy is now available for the Nu-Skool to sample on a new album due out mid July (see New Releases). As original Junglists and new comers alike start to reflect on what was happening in the UK during the early 90's we thought now was the perfect opportunity to talk history with the man like Bizzy B.

Bizzy DJ

Bizzy in full effect!!

This One is Computerised - The Brainstorm EP - Brain Records - 1992

Brainwave - The Brainwave EP -Bizzy B and TDK - Brain Records - 1992

We caught up with the East London Don and shared some thoughts on his days as one of the UK's leading Jungle artists.

Bizzy busy at the controls circa 1994

What was your first introduction to the rave scene?

I got into the rave scene in the late 80's when I started raving to Acid House music. I was listening to the sounds of DJ's like Africa Bambaata, The Ratpack ( Trip City), Linden C, Rob Atkinson and Mr C. The rave scene back then was so alive and exciting and the whole vibe was very soulful. I used to go out raving almost every week alongside the late Babyface Ragga (RIP). I would bump into stars to be like Lennie De Ice and meet lots of like minded people who loved rave music. Back then the rave music sent out powerful messages whilst at the same time focused on a brand new rhythm. There were all styles of underground tunes coming out every week, like tunes from Joe Smooth (The Promised Land ) sending out a message of unity and influencing people from all walks of life to shake hands on the dance floor. Artists like Todd Terry and The Corporation of One were pounding out the speakers like I had never heard before. I was totally addicted to the sound of the underground"

Merder Style - The DOPE EP - Brain Records - 1993

"Bizzy and me did Merder Style back in '92 I think it was. It was always good workin' with Bizzy. We did quite a few things together and we always had a good laugh. I've worked with a lot of different people over the years, but Bizzy was one of my favourites for sure!" - Peshay

When did you start producing (music in general)?

My dad was in a band and I have always been into DJ'ing and the creation of music right back to my school days. Back in 1989 I bought a Casio sampler with mini drum pads and an Amstrad 4 track reel to reel which I used to create some very hissy demos on. I then later went on to purchasing a Commodore Amiga which I produced my first track ‘Revolution' with.

What was your first big hit (even if it's not on this CD) and what label was it on?

Well it depends what you call a hit really? My first ever track “Usi – Revolution “ sold over 1000 copies. In terms of the sales of a huge rave back then I guess you could call that a hit, but my biggest seller to date has to be a collaborated track under another alias Second Protocol called ‘Bass Lick' on 02 recordings which sold over 22 000 copies"

Second Protocol - Basslick - East West - 2000

Dubplate Wars - Bizzy B & Technochild - Brain Records - 1993

The Brain Cartel 1994

What is your favourite track on the ‘Retrospective' album and why?

Man, that's a tuff question, in fact its torture! I really do love all of those tunes to pieces as they all have a memory to go with them, but if I were to pick one it would be the Twisted Mentazm, because I programmed the Mentazm using the old Commodore Amiga which sounded completely twisted. I was chuffed to see the crowd reaction it got when I played it out at clubs! Even today it is still hard to replicate that sound with all of the technology I have"

How would you best describe your sound in the period '93-'94?

I would say mad, dark, twisted and very experimental!"

The Twisted Mentazm - Brain Progression - 1993

Can you tell me where the idea behind the ‘Retrospective' album. Why '93-'94 and not tracks from earlier/later?

The idea for the Retrospective album was Mike Paradina`s, (Planet Mu). I basically rounded up as many DAT archives as I could and then we selected through the possible candidate tracks"

Slow Jam - The Science EP - White House Records - 1993

Was the ‘Warped Kore' your first alias? What made you change to Bizzy B, and was ‘The Power' your first ever release? (The Power is the first track on the album)

The Power - Warped Kore - White House Records - 1993

"No, most certainly not, as this was released just after the Science EP on White House Recordings in 1993. I have released many different releases under many different aliases in the past, but the reason behind the alias “Warped Kore” was because it was collaboration project that consisted Lee Muspratt (Mo`s Music Machine record distribution) and myself. We figured it would be a good idea to give it a group name"

Who or what would you say you looked to for ideas back then?

Anything I watched or heard. If only I could remember the exact sources I would be able to make some new mixes! Generallyall over the place. Hypnosisvideos, TV programs, movies, radio and old vinyl. It was like, as soon as I heard something that inspired a tune it was like an instant ear ping, even if I was dosing off on the couch in front of the TV. I would have to get up and find a way to record it and name it in my sample collection ready for the next tune, but many TV ones were missed (if only we had Sky+ and the internet back then!!)"

What tracks by other Artists/DJ's really made you sit up and think about the sound, and who would you say had a big impact on you and the scene in general?

Most of the early Reinforced stuff really did it for me, Goldie with The Terminator EP, and the early Acid House music like Baby Ford, Fingers inc etc….."

What made you decide to start Brain? What was your initial plan, where did the name come from, and how did you decide on things like art work and release names?

"I loved producing music more than anything and life came to the point where It was a make or break career move time. My parents weren't around and I was cornered into looking after my younger 12 year old brother at the age of 17, so I had to either forget making music or make the career move and turn my music from being a hobby into something more professional. The name Brain came from the idea of me making music that blew your brains apart hence the logo"

Take A Deep Breath - Bizzy B& D.Lux - Brain Records - 1993

What are you doing these days?

"DJ'ing more now than ever!!

I have a lot of new tracks which I am releasing through my website http://www.junglistdownload.com/ as well as plenty of remixes in the pipeline. I am running my ‘producer samples resource website' (www.sampleoidz.co.uk) as well as my ‘Everyday Junglist' t-shirt brand and printing business. Look out for the new track ‘Old Skool' by myself and Kosha coming out soon"

Come Back To Me - Bizzy B & Cool Hand Flex - Brain Records - 1994

Come On People - Bizzy B and TDK - Brain Records - 1995

What do you think of the J-Tek movement?

"Great! J-Tek, Choppage, Jungle, Dubstep, Hardcore Breaks, to me its all a part of this “Nu Rave Concept” and I am absolutely loving it to the bone. Anything to do with the idea of bringing the Old Skool sound back into the clubs definately gets the thumbs up from me. The past few years have been really refreshing and exciting sound wise. Its like the soul of dance music has come back to life"

Bizzy B - 16 Track 'Ting - Brain Records - 1996

On the J-Tek Records forum you have been named as a Jungle Tekno originator. How does that make you feel?

"I'm very proud for that kind of recognition. Things like that will always inspire me to carry on. I can't thank them enough"

Silver Fox - The Dream Team (Bizzy B & Pugwash) - Joker Records - 1996

Please fill us in on any new projects/gigs that our old skool devotees might be interested in...

‘Old Skool' – Myself featuring Kosha"

Check out my Dubplate albums and p lease also check out my websites as they speak a million words"

http://www.junglistdownload.com/ (mp3s / dubplates)

http://www.sampleoidz.co.uk/ (sample CD's and sounds for producers)

http://www.ravintunes.co.uk/ (deleted vinyl for sale)

You can also catch Bizzy B on the road most weekends at specialist Jungle & Old Skool raves. Much respect goes out to Bizzy for taking the time to chat with us for this interview. Check out the new releases page of this site for information on the new Bizzy B LP 'Retrospective', where you can hear soundbites of the tracks featured.

Bizzy is a highly influential player in our scene, and hopefully this article goes just a small way in recognizing that fact........................

Bizzy B & Marvellous Cain - Everyday Junglist- Congo Natty

BizzyB Live & Direct

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