DJ Simon Bassline Smith

Influenced by his love of underground funk, soul and hip-hop the infamous Simon ‘Bassline‘ Smith started spinning the decks at the tender age of 17. At this point in his life he was setting the stage for the rest of his musical career by pioneering the sound of the underground all over the UK at many all day parties which was the basis of the rave scene as we know it today. He was given the name ‘Bassline’ after destroying the majority of the speakers at these early parties through his heavy sub bass sounds.

Besides being the youngest DJ on the scene at the time he quickly moved on to the next level by moving to Tenerife to spread the sound globally. Within days of his arrival he was playing at one of the biggest clubs on the island and soon found himself with a massive following dedicated to his underground style. Simon stayed in Tenerife for 3 years (1987 / 1990) before returning to England to play a resident slot for one of the biggest dance organisations in the country  TIME in the city of Birmingham alongside Mickey Finn, Grooverider & Fabio.

As the underground music scene progressed in the early 1990’s Simon ‘Bassline’ Smith was at the forefront, spearheading the new musical form (Jungle) better known as Drum and Bass. Simon quickly set up his first record label in 1991 called Absolute 2 recordings. It was this label which gave birth to such legendary producers such as Doc Scott,  best known for the classic ‘ Surgery EP’, Nookie for the epic  'Give a little love' EP and Ray Keith for the controversial  News At Ten.

In 1992, with the success of Absolute 2 under his belt, Simon began his career as a producer. His first project - Smith Inc. -  ‘ The Music and Life E.P ‘was an instant success containing 2 of the biggest tracks of the era and was held on Dubplate for a whole year by the likes of Grooverider, Fabio, JJ Frost and Bryan G.

Simon, also under the alias Smith Inc, came straight back with another classic the incredibly named Palomino. This track brought more musicality to a scene, which, at the time, was incredibly dark. Grooverider and the rest of the pioneers including Goldie who still plays it today busted the tune. Over the years Simon has released tunes on numerous compilations as well as on such reputable labels as DeeJay Recordings, Absolute Zero, DeeJay’s Delight, Death Becomes Me and of course his own label Absolute 2.

Throughout Simon’s career, which now spans over 15 years, he has played at most if not all of the biggest events ever including: - Amnesia, Perception, Raindance, Dreamscape, AWOL, Slammin’ Vinyl, Elevation, One Nation and Warning to name but a few. It seems, as if there is no one out there that, at some point or other, has wanted this man for their line-up. Apparently not as the list goes International. He has played in Tenerife, Italy, Germany, Holland, South America and Canada.

In 1998 the paths of Simon ‘Bassline’ Smith and Andy ‘Drumsound’ Wright crossed, as they were both residents at a forward thinking night called Technique in their hometown of Derby. Their mutual understanding and musical tastes were a factor which initially brought them together and it was soon decided that a combined imprint should be formed in order to showcase their joint projects i.e. Future Tech and own individual projects. The first two release from Future Tech - ‘Future Tech’ and ‘Explosive ‘ smashed many a dance floor. The ‘Conspiracy EP’ which has already been released on Urban Take-over expands on the framework which they have built. The future will see releases on ‘Formation, Flex and of course Technique Recordings. Their mutual relationship continues to grow at a phenomenal rate and the rest as they say is History.

Simon can be found most weekends blowing speakers across the UK and across the globe.

Technique Recordings is a new label from Derby instigated by Andy Drumsound and Simon 'Bassline' Smith. Simon has been synonymous within the scene from its very origins, but Andy is a relative newcomer to the industry as part of the Drumsound collective. However, he's already versatile in production methods and has formed a potent alliance with the man like 'Bassline'. Having previously been responsible for Absolute 2 Records, one of the original pioneering labels within the scene, Simon emphasises that the Absolute 2 project simply ran its natural course. In the aftermath, he returned to solely concentrate on his DJing but since he teamed up with Andy recently they've been busy in the studio and now feel ready to unleash the Technique sound.

This venture is not about individuals, it is the collective name and the label that they believe it is important to establish. As Simon states, "The more people see the name and my name, people will begin to familiarise with our music. Through DJing people know me and so I think 'let's get these guys coming through as well'. Let people know that we are here." At a time when dance music is threatening to overindulge itself with an obsession of glorifying individuals, it is refreshing to see labels content in pushing collective names for artists. Technique recordings, embodies this mutual appreciation that everyone involved has something to offer and advancement is for the benefit of the project as a whole.

The Drumsound Collective has four individual components, Andy of course but also Benn G, DJ Scope and Static. They were based in the Nottingham region and are now settled in Derby. It was at Derby's most prominent drum & bass night that Simon and Andy first met, Technique. They are quick to emphasise that the label, although sharing the name of the night is an entirely different project. Simon gives his insight on the matter, "I was asked to play there about two years ago... it was the first time I had played in Derby for a while, because it's a fairly small place and there weren't many drum & bass nights. Andy Drumsound was already involved in the night, that's where we met and started bouncing ideas off each other... now it's important to us as it's somewhere local that we can go and spin tunes... an outlet for the label." The fact that the Technique night initially inspired their collaboration is recognised in the label's name. It continues to be import as the label needs a local venue to judge reaction to fresh material.

Simon is quick to emphasise the skills they both bring to the project "When you see people coming through with any creative talent, you have to hook up with them. For a good couple of months we would meet up and I'd reassure him about ideas." he declares. "Eventually we had to do something because I've been in this business for a while, so let's just do it. Since we have, there's been no looking back."

The first release, Future Tech's "Future Tech", is in the shops late September. Future Tech is a pseudonym for Andy and Simon while the flip has Drumsound's "Target Practice". It has received considerable support from DJs like Grooverider, Mickey Finn, Aphrodite, SS and E-Z Rollers. Other forthcoming Future Tech material includes 'Conspiracy' for Urban Takeover while Drumsound have done a tune that SS wants to release on Formation. As we listen to the sparse yet rolling 'Conspiracy', it is blatant that it is a rapid departure from usual Urban Takeover releases. "I've also done some things for Second Movement and there are more tracks on Tribe," continues Andy. "I'm helping the other guys from Drumsound develop their production and we're experimenting a bit more. I've also got a couple of speed garage things that I am working on with Chris Lockdown from Hysteria." They certainly have been very busy in the studio recently.

The second Technique release is also under production and will appear in the form of an EP in November. The format of the release is crucial as Simon states, "basically that's where we really try to establish the label." Andy interjects, "...so we can build on our own style as we continue to work together." To which Simon responds, "it will feature four tracks and hopefully they'll all be slightly different but still strong dance floor orientated tracks."

Technique is obviously something they believe in strongly and therefore are willing to finance it themselves. They also stress that they're lucky to have talented friends in Derby willing to help out. In particular one who works for a 'wicked design company.' As Andy reiterates, "...you need strong logos so that it sticks in peoples heads and you gain an identity, an image."

We are nearing the end of the day and the Technique sound is pounding out of the speakers. A brief cessation enables a final few thoughts on the immediate future, "...we are busy most weekends in September and October. Dates are confirmed in Cambridge, Apex in Bristol, Aphrodite's birthday in London, and we're doing things in Nottingham, Derby, Sheffield and Birmingham..." enthuses Simon. So what can people expect to hear within your sets? Andy ponders then responds with, "Bad Company, Ed Rush & Optical, most of the Ram stuff, a lot of our material... the sets I play are completely rolling all the way through, our stuff is on a similar sort of vein..."

Excellent news for all those punters who like to hear tough and tearing selections as these boys flex their method across the country. Technique Recordings are set to make their presence felt... their mission to promote the name of the label, establish their sound and build a flavour that is devastating on any dance floor.

Links to Fantazia

Simon played at a number of events for Fantazia.

Set of which can be purchased here