Tuesday 8 December 2009

ΑΛΛΟ ΦΡΟΥΤΟ



Αν και είναι ο πιο παλιός, μάλλον είναι και ο dj του οποίου τη δουλειά εμείς στον Κορμοράνο γνωρίζουμε λιγότερο καλά από σχεδόν όλων των άλλων που έχουμε κατά καιρούς φιλοξενήσει. Τον περιμένουμε με ανυπομονησία, μάθαμε ότι μόλις παντρεύτηκε (προχτές!) και αντιγράφουμε το βιογραφικό του στα αγγλικά: 



Justin Robertson's tastes have always been catholic though in 2009 you
would be hard pushed to find a musician working successfully in areas as
diverse as techno, house, dancehall and art pop. Justin is a true modernist: he
excels as a DJ of international repute; is a creator of bespoke techno; one
third of New Pop band Thee Earls, a remixer for the likes of The Whip, Filthy
Dukes, Bjork and Felix Da Housecat and, most recently he has written and produced
an album ''Underneath The Pines'' as  DEADSTOCK 33'S, his latest solo
venture due for release in 2010. In the midst of a creative purple patch
Justin's Deadstock 33's have also just released the Voodoo Swamp EP for
Southern Fried , ''the ascension'' ep for Paper recordings, and ''floating on a
wave'' for is it balearic - he calls it cosmic psych house - Justin works in
so many genres that he sometimes needs to create new ones.
Last year Justin was
approached by Harmless records to compile and mix their Art of Acid compilation
which was reviewed to universal acclaim in September. As a DJ of 20 years
repute Justin was the obvious choice to be allowed access to the Trax back
catalogue that Harmless own and he collated a mix of house music that had inspired
him as a clubber on the Hacienda dancefloor back in 1988. He also curated a
se
cond disc which featured re-edits from the likes of Boys Noize and Dusty Kid.
It was compilation of the issue in DJ magazine on release ,also being nominated
for compilation of the year,and made Mixmag's top 20 best of 2008.


Justin's lineage through
music has taken many twists and turns. He began as a DJ
in Manchester and his
early 90s clubs - Spice and Most Excellent - were hugely influential and
cornerstones of the burgeoning dance movement. The Chemical Brothers, then
students in the city, cited him as their mentor. His Rebellious Jukebox club -
also in Manchester - pre-empted the Heavenly Social and the mid 90s trend for
mish-mashing musical styles. In the 90s Justin generally operated under
various
nom de stages, the most renowned being Lionrock with whom he scored several Top
40s hits - 'Rudeboy Rock' and 'Packet Of Peace' among them - and appeared on
Top Of The Pops in a dashing purple suit opting for twin gramophones over
Technics.


It wasn't until 2001 that
Justin stepped out under his own name releasing house and techno like 'Have
Mercy' for the Bugged Out imprint. In 2001 he recorded his most critically
acclaimed project to date Justin Robertson presents Revtone which brought
primitive house and new wave disco into the digital age. Originally on Nuphonic
the best tracks came
out through Bugged Out, with 'Love Movement' - remixed by
Ulrich Schnauss who cited Justin's early work as an influence - being placed
second best single of 2003 by Jockey Slut magazine. Contemporaries Black
Strobe, Chicken Lips and Kiki also remixed Revtone tracks.  
For someone
with such diverse tastes it should have come as no surprise to anyone when
Justin began recording and singing with a guitar. He has been writing songs
since his school days and played electric guitar in Lionrock. 2004's 'Twisted
and Torn' (released on Slut Smalls) reflected his love for singer songwriters
like Neil
Young and Nick Drake. In the same year he also wrote a song with Tim
Burgess and Rob Playford called 'Yes It Is'. It became one of the most
requested songs on Sean Rowley's BBC London show and came out on Justin's
Blister Ballads 7" label in the fall of 2006. He continued in this vein writing
songs for Fatboy Slim's Palookaville and he has also contributed and sung on
two songs for his BPA album. Further co-writes have been completed for Dub
Pistols and also with Jon Carter and
Anil Chalwa. His band Thee Earls have been
regulars on the festival circuit and singles Bombs To Fall and Let it Rain were
popular on NME and XFM radio. Always keen to seek out new bands Justin has lent
his support to several new acts with remixes for Shed, Coyote and
Hacksaw. Justin has also produced an album for the future kings of argentinas
electronic scene Poncho.


As a man as reknowned for
his reggae collection as his electronica Justin was an obvious choice for Wall
of Sound's Two Culture Clash album project. He recorded in Jamaica in 200
5 at
the legendary Gee Jam studios with the lovers rock of 'Save Me' - featuring
guitarist Ernest Ranglin and Nadine Sutherland - the beautiful result.


As a DJ Justin
continues to play a mix of techno and electronic house at clubs such as The
Loft in Barcelona, Pacha in Buenos Aires, Bugged Out in London, Shine in
Belfast, Chibuku in Liverpool,Warehouse Project in Manchester and at various
clubs all over Europe and the rest of the world. Alongside Guy Williams, Bones
and Ed Chemical Justin formed the Black Rabb
it club in 2006 who throw parties across
London and Ibiza. He also plays more eclectic sets featuring his love of
reggae, northern soul and pop at festivals and nights like Sunday Best.


Justin will
continue to wear several hats, metaphorical as well as some stylish real ones!










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