FUZEN Presents LTJ BUKEM
The LEGEND that is LTJ Bukem is returning to Auckland on November 19. Lots of time to get yourselves organised for this one, as it is one that anyone who loves dnb cannot miss. There are important people in any genre, then there are founding fathers. Bukem is the latter.
From liquid to funky dnb to just all the good stuff, this will be a brilliant night! Tickets onsale soon - check out Fuzen Facebook page for more.
When the man behind those wire rimmed glasses and that disarming smile writes his job description just what does he put' The man who took the drum and bass concept from a small London venue, to the UK superclubs and then onto the international stage' The London geezer whose records launched breakbeat into a brand new galaxy of sound' Or maybe he just writes 'Renaissance man for a digital age'. In truth LTJ Bukem is all of the above.
Having an introduction to learning the Piano, Drums and Trumpet at a young age, as well as influences such as Rachmaninov and Tchaikovsky from his parents, Danny Williamson was destined to create music that would push boundaries. You may know him as LTJ BUKEM.
It was a break playing a main room set at one of the legendary RAINDANCE raves in 1990 where things became interesting for Bukem. A crowd of 10,000 may have been daunting for any DJ, however this would become a turning point for himself setting up a fledgling career within the DJ circuit.
With a strong reputation on the rise it was he soon released Logical Progression on the Vinyl Mania imprint. This became an introductory work to showcase what he viewed as an alternate direction for Drum & Bass. At once anthemic and relaxing, it offered the first true blueprint to Bukem's sonic vision.
By 1991 LTJ Bukem began pushing a more soulful side to the genre, etching out a new direction moving away from the Hardcore element. His Good Looking Records imprint became the means to do this, with his initial release 'Demon's Theme' immediately catching the imagination of many. With its soulful combination of rushing breaks, lush ambience and mellow vibes it opened up fresh vistas within the increasingly dark ambience of the rave.
Bukem continued his vision through releasing his own works such as Apollo, Music, and Horizons on the label. Through his own night ‘Speed’, he was able to continue to focus on his labels roster and the artists as the Drum & Bass scene continued to grow. Utilising the growth to best the situation of his label and roster, LTJ Bukem signed on for a compilation titled ‘Logical Progression’ to London Records.
I wanted to see the label grow, I wanted to invest in the people who were signed to the label, so the move had to happen.” Bukem states. “It was never simply about LTJ Bukem, it was about Good Looking Records, Logical Progression and the sound.
With a selection of older work and fresh cuts from the roster, it was the first of many best selling compilations such as further instalments of the Logical Progression series, the Earth Volumes, as well as the Progression Session series. Compilations that continue to sell to this day.
Having pushed the sound of Drum & Bass in new and exciting directions, all while maintaining his roots now losing sight of his original vision to begin with, LTJ Bukem has continued to be an icon not simply within the world of Drum & Bass but with the music world as a whole.
Tickets $35.90 from https://www.iticket.co.nz/events/2016/nov/ltj-bukem
