Culture Shock
James was
brought up in a musical household with both parents involved with Classical
music, and always showed a healthy curiosity about music, listening to anything
from Jazz to house. He first heard about drum and bass around 96 on London’s
pirate radio stations and at school where everyone talked about Jungle music
being the cool new thing. In his own words, ‘it sounded totally alien’ and he
was blown away. He started reading music technology magazines, managed to set
up a basic studio and started experimenting.
James’
first release happened thanks to a hook up with Dom Angus (Dom & Roland)
though their parents who are friends and colleagues. The result was the 2004
‘Vega EP’ on Moving Shadow. It was well received but unfortunately the seminal
label stopped releasing music and it was another two years before James found
another home with the legendary Ram Records.
Impressed
by the production skills displayed on the Vega EP, Andy C followed the progress
of the young producer and ended up signing him to his label, with the first
track ‘The Bypass’ – one of Optical’s favourite tunes – appearing on 2006′s
Dimension EP and getting tongues wagging on the scene.
James was
then given the chance to make his own EP, and ‘the third stage’ was released in
summer 2007. It included the suave ‘Rework’, produced in partnership with the
Brookes Brothers, and a brilliant electro-breaks track ‘Asteroids’ that fits
well with James’ open approach to music: ‘I’ve been into drum and bass for a
long, long time – he recently told Knowlede magazine – That is great but it’s
all about bringing in influences from elsewhere. I am really into all
electronic music and I listen to a lot of techno and electro’.
With signing Culture shock to its prestigious stable, Ram are nurturing yet another talent destined to expend the boundaries of the scene.
