|
After twenty years on major labels selling over nine million records with partner Tracey Thorn in Everything But The Girl, and in part inspired by the dance scene that so influenced the band's surge in popularity in the mid-nineties (Missing, Walking Wounded), Ben Watt has moved back towards his early roots in the independent sector in recent years with a new and fascinating globe- spanning lateral career as DJ-producer, remixer and promoter. It began with his five year spell as co-founder of the seminal underground club night and compilation series Lazy Dog (1998-2003) and the latest chapter has been the success of his independent label, Buzzin' Fly launched in April 2003.
2003 //
Buzzin' Fly's first release was Watt's own single, 'Lone Cat (Holding On)', a raw house track that drew unanimous acclaim after a limited release on one-sided promo at the end of 2002. First bootlegged, then finally commercially released in April 2003, it has sold over 10,000 copies on 12 inch and set the stall out for what DJ Magazine has descibed as 'surely the most vital deep house label in the UK at the moment.' Aside from being a vehicle for Watt's own dance-oriented productions, the label's ethos is to be wholly committed to breaking new talent. Early releases included the deep-latin-disco smash, 'Musica Feliz' by the fresh French-Portuguese production team Rodamaal which went from cult club status to a berth in a Cameron Diaz movie, and the serene and emotional 'Do You Feel?' by Automagic feat. Aswan. The fourth single in Novemeber 2003, 'The Sad Piano' by a young first-time producer from San Francisco, Justin Martin, earned the much coveted Single Of The Week slot in leading UK underground tip-sheet, Update, and broadened the appeal of the label with licenses to compilations by tougher spinners such as Steve Bug and the Circo Loco crew.
2004 //
In March 2004 the label released its first mix CD – 'Buzzin' Fly Vol 01: Replenishing Music For The Modern Soul', compiled and mixed by Ben Watt ('A sublime mix' – iDJ / 'A house music classic' – BPM). Avoiding clichés, it threw down exclusives and rare gems, and heralded the new breaking talent on the label. It also included the much feted cut, Ben Watt – 'A Stronger Man' (feat Sananda Maitreya aka Terence Trent D'Arby) b/w Justin Martin – 'The Sad Piano' (Charles Webster Remix). A licensing deal was secured with Astralwerks in North America. More innovative and diverse singles from Manoo and Francois A, indie slow-rockers Low, Moreno and Unity followed and the label was awarded the Best Breakthrough Label award at the House Music Awards 2004. The label was also nominated in three other categories including Best Breakthrough DJ (Justin Martin).
2005 //
Early 2005 saw a major crossover success as Ben Watt's unusual 'Outspoken Part 1' speak-song single featuring MOBO-winning UK MC and r 'n'b starlet Estelle and cult Philly MC Baby Blak went from underground acclaim to overground national radio play on daytime BBC Radio 1. It was followed by Alex S and D'Jazzy's genre-breaking electro-ragga cut 'Senti Sabi' featuring African MC, Fubu. In March 2005 the label released its second mix compilation, 'Buzzin' Fly Vol 02: Replenishing Music For The Modern Soul' again compiled and mixed by Ben Watt. A deeply evocative trailblazing 75 minute journey in modern house, it fuses spoken word street politics with rare cuts culled from afro-beat, electro and deep house.
(Not a a weak link in sight ... this mix freakin' rocks big time, there can be no doubt whatsoever. Superb. 5/5. Compilation of the Month' - iDJ / 'Impeccable taste in music and fluent mixing ... just what clubland requires to cure its ills. 4/5' - DMC Update / 'Sexy, smoothly and exquisitely produced ... crank it up and feel the full buzzin' force.' - Time Out / 'An urban oasis oozing with pulsating Afro-inflected grooves, sensuous textures and muscular electro beats featuring an arsenal of essential tunes. Easily the maestro's most ambitious collection to date.' - BPM / 'When you're on a roll, why break the flow? ... quality. 4/5' - DJ / 'Watt finds that rare balance between awareness and abandon. He nails both the mixing and the programming.' - XLR8R / 'This Year's Dance Music' - The Sunday Times / 'Edgy deep house grooves embellished with the odd hint of afro-beat, that ooze elegance and panache. It's not often that the sequel betters the original ... a label that is fast becoming the very epitome of cool.' - BBC Dance Music Reviews / 'Quite simply the best dance compilation of the year so far.' - Arena). An EP of outstanding cuts from the album was released including Justin Martin's feted Afro-electro track, 'Le Boom' Rodamaal's long-awaited follow-up to 'Musica Feliz' came out in June 2005. A deep electro-latin journey, 'Insomnia' saw heavy spins from a wide range of A-list DJs including Louie Vega, Roger Sanchez and Gilles Peterson. The label followed it in September with Manoo and Francois A's second release, the timeless 'Traffic EP', unveiled at Miami WMC 2005 and recently topping the influential tastemaker DJ Magazine Hype Chart at No. 1.
Late 2005 sees singles from Justin Martin and new Russian signings, Kayot. The label also celebrates five nominations at the House Music Awards 2005 (incl Label Of The Year and Oustanding A&R). 2006 will herald artist albums from Justin Martin and Rodamaal, new work from Ben Watt and Buzzin' Fly Vol 3.
|
01:04:11
