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Pics:
A Brit of a classic Mary Anne Hobbs
With Goldie on the mic and the cream of homegrown talent in tow, our Best of British
party celebrates the best of the UK underground
J
ust off London’s Savile Row, Comprising of one of our nation’s unsung spare before the ceremony kicks off, he “I’ve never experienced a more vibrant
home of the fi nest sartoria in the underground house heroes Mat Playford takes to the stage with aplomb and starts time for British music,” says Radio 1’s
world, the fi nest producers and on keyboards and production partner Tom dishing out the dues with banter and wit Mary Anne Hobbes, a DJ who has been
exponents of UK electronic music Gray adding live bass and vocals, Weirdo as standard. among the most vocal and enthusiastic of
have assembled for our third DJmag Best Police’s fun, funky and full-fl avoured set Afterwards, he’s ebullient. “It’s always a emerging UK talent from the dubstep and
of British poll winners’ party. Smash Hits, sees them work through tracks like good year for British music,” he rattles. “It grime scenes, and who walked home with
frankly, has nothing on us. fl oating cosmic funk boogie ‘Word With always manages to reinvent itself. From a the Best Radio Show award, dedicating to
Warming up the early birds are the Myself’, deep melodic electronica gem very small island, we do a lot for world it John Peel.
Instra:mental duo (aka Alex Green and ‘One Third Doing Bird’ and the triumphant music. We’ve always been the innovators. “It’s incendiary at the moment,” she
Damon Kirkham), who frame the sonic trumpets and rousing Salsoul strings of I didn’t make things like ‘Mother’ if I continues. “And it’s exciting to see so
vision that has earned them the Best ‘Pink Mikki’. If tonight’s show is anything thought that in 10 years people wouldn’t many young British artists making such a
Breakthrough Producer award they’ll later to go by, there’s every chance their get it. We’ve got to be able to trailblaze, massive impact all around the world.
pick up — a genre-shy segue of proper forthcoming album ‘You’re Nicked’ will be and we’ve been trailblazing for years.” These are vibrant times. People like
heads d&b fl avours, half-tempo among next year’s contenders. Benga, like Skream, now have people like
electronica fl exes and pulsing, futuristic And trailblazer after trailblazer has made Pharrell ringing out their phones saying
dubstep bumps. Dishing out of this evening’s awards, our it here to receive their awards. London’s that they have to work with them. The big
amiable host for the ceremony is Goldie fabric seem to have their entire staff in international players are looking to the
With nominees, winners, liggers and — a true British institution if ever there the crowd, rather greedily (albeit young British producers to give them
industry heads all fl owing into the venue, was one, the man who spearheaded drum deservedly) hoovering themselves three some fi re in their music.”
there’s a clear sense of anticipation & bass with the legendary Metalheadz gongs. One is for the club itself, another
building before the awards. But before imprint, and who these days is goes to Commix and their ‘fabricLive 44’ Other rising Brits, like Instra:mental,
that we’re treated to a live showcase from spearheading entire orchestras. Arriving mix album, and the fi nal, and most agree. “It means people are paying
UK nu disco-duo Weirdo Police. with a cold sweat-inducing 15 minutes to important, is for Outstanding attention,” says Damon Kirkham. “Other
Contribution — presented to fabric’s countries are then quick to jump on the
Jamie Jones
generous and genuinely modest director sound. Grime came big, and now all the
Keith Reilly. In rather typical style, Reilly is hip-hop artists in America are jumping
quick to praise all those around him rather straight on it. It feels like things are going
than take any glory for himself. back to the roots, to when things were
“I am so lucky,” he says. “It’s such a joy to experimental. British music is always at
spend such a majority of my life working the forefront. We have love for Warp
with these people. It has been a privilege Records, for Detroit, and we try to inject
and a luxury. They’ve put up with some of that into what we do, and our
everything, my unconventional behaviour, tempo. Try and put some emotion in the
the mad ideas, and they’ve been really music.”
supportive. It’s never one person. And it’s
always been that way.” And with our lyrics waxed, we get down to
Of his old friend Goldie, he is particularly fellow winners Jamie Jones (Best
effusive. “He’s just a joy to be around,” he Producer) and Funkagenda (Best
says. “That pure enthusiasm, it’s almost Breakthrough DJ) who put a well-
childlike. He’s perpetually passionate. connected, savvy crowd through their
Pure, unbridled enthusiasm.” paces. It’s another fi ne crop of talent on
The enthusiasm is clearly infectious display, that’s for sure. A regular credit to
tonight too. the nation. BEN ARNOLD
www.djmag.com
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