Artist description Solo Producer with releases on some of the high profile Independent U.K. Record Labels.

Music Style DRUM AND BASS.

Similar Artists Full Cycle, Reprazent, Metalheads, Kosheen, DJ Kalm, DJ Dagga,

Artist History J-RAQ DISCOGRAPHY DIGITIZE / DIGITIZE REMIX : Full Cycle 1997. WAITING FOR THE BASS / MOLECULE : Full Cycle 1998. STATIK SOUND SYSTEM REMIX ; CLEAR : Cup of Tea 1999**. FLYING FISH REMIX ; RED DOG SALOON : Federation 1999**. MOONBATHER / B-MOVIE REMIX : 24Seven 2000. FUTURE MACHINE / CONFLICT : Tribe 2000. BINARY BROTHERS & CLARI-T ; THINKING LOUDER REMIX : Talkin’ Loud 2000. AQUASKY REMIX ; GHOST : Sonix 2001**. TRIOPTIK ; ANGRY / CYCLES : Federation 2001*. FULL THROTTLE : Federation 2001. THE BUZZ : Central Intelligence 2001. JAWRACK VOL#1 E.P : WHITE LABEL 2002*. GREEN DESTINY ; LOST & FOUND / RUFF BEATS / LUCKY LOOP : Green Destiny 2002. THE GETAWAY / PRESSURE : Tribe 2002 ....... . * = ALIAS ARTISTE. ** = COMMISSIONED REMIX.

Group Members J RAQ

Instruments 2 networked P3 P.C.s some sick-ass software, Semi-Accoustic Bass, SPL Transient Designer, Focusrite Compounder, Mackie mix-board.....

Albums Photosynthesis on Tribe Records available Autumn 2002

Press Reviews DIGITIZE (Full Cycle): "Full cycle unleash the beats from their new signing J-Raq who has produced a sublime debut. There's two mixes to choose from, the a-side being led by the crispest jazz b-line while the intricate breakz scuttle around at breakneck speed. Flip for rinse out beatz that will cane the floor the moment the delicate piano riffs are dropped in the mix." ... VELOCITY 1997 "A debut and one of the most leftfield jazz singles to come out in a while, with Full Cycle pushing the boundaries of psychic jazz as well as beefy soul. Teeth clenching piano rolls in the opening given life through rising cymbal echoes and a soon following simple but deeply soulful guitar riff. Snares then sweetly sing to spring fresh key commotion. Incredible bassline bridge, obvious talent. Coffee bar set beats, but a coffee bar set who carry .22s in their Trilbys / handpurses." ... DJ 1997 "Full Cycle unveil their new signing, who fits the bill perfectly with this impressive 21st century jazz funk workout, sparked by intoxicating key swirls and feverish beats manipulation before levelling out into a storming fat funk bass voyage. Turn over for an even more eclectic take." ... MUZIK 1997 STATIK SOUND SYSTEM REMIX ; CLEAR (Cup of Tea): "Following on the heels of their support slots with Spiritualized, Statik Sound System unleash another helping of razor sharp breakbeat action. J-Raq's drum & bass mix ultimately steals the show but the whole package is full of personality and will raise the profiles of both label and band." ... MUSIC WEEK 1999 MOONBATHER / B-MOVIE REMIX (24 Seven): "Lead cut 'Moonbather' opens with an unsettling, though strangely warming vocal sample, nothing can quite prepare you for the turmoil that awaits on this track. Without warning you are launched into a terrifying aural assault that creates sheer havoc on the dancefloor. Flip for an equally vicious outing that finds J-Raq licking the label's first release, from XS & Powder, into an even more deadly slice of bassline battery. Raw and unforgiving. This is what's known in the trade as a proper rinse out." ... KNOWLEDGE 2000 "Full Cycle contributor Raq torches the tranquillity of his hometown Bristol with this rave incinerating amen assault. Ennio Morricone meets Dillinja in a sonic slaughterhouse, and the resultant fury will hotwire even the lamest crowd. The rampaging remix of XS & Powder's B-Movie likewise attempts to separate the listeners head from their body. Explosive." ... JOCKEY SLUT 2000 "Amen drum rinse out saga with rude usage of classic drum and bass synth sounds, there's a 'Dominator' in there, I can also spot 'Fairydust' and a few others. One for the trainspotters." ... DJ 2000 "Ex-Full Cycle man here in a very angry mood. Both 'Moonbather' and the remix of 'B-Movie' are definitely J-Raq, but think of all your favourite old skool Belgium hardcore tunes and the fiercest of breaks and bass and then multiply it by ten. This is for those who like their d&b hard with no holds barred. When played out the crowd reaction is crazy but don't play it at home or you're likely to give your neighbours brain trauma!" ... HIP-HOP CONNECTION 2000 FUTURE MACHINE / CONFLICT (Tribe): "After a couple of releases on Full Cycle, J-Raq debuts for another Bristol label, Tribe, with this adventurous outing. It's the rawest track to come out of the scene in ages, with throaty vocals by MCs Retna and Thaw over a rasping bass and marching rhythms." ... MIXMAG 2000 "This is drum & bass for a new era with futuristic breaks and beats to knock you into the next century. The title track features the vocal talents of MCs Retna and Thaw breaking down the boundaries between musical genres. This will appeal to hip-hop and jungle heads alike, making it a contender for 12" of the year." ... HIP-HOP CONNECTION 2000 "Full Cycle extended family member J-Raq drops a ferocious follow-up to his terror step classic 'Moon Bather'. Aided by the sci-fi-fixated raps of MCs Retna and Thaw, the obscure breakbeat and evasive bassline are a testament to the originality shown by this sonic storm trooper." ... JOCKEY SLUT 2000 "The Tribe imprint from Bristol have been pumping out some rather good stuff of late and this (in my opinion) is the release that could finally give the label the recognition it deserves. It's a twist from their normal jump-up sound and is totally different from anything I have heard all year. You know about J-Raq from his brilliant 12"s on Full Cycle, but this is quite simply the lick. Check for MCs Retna & Thaw giving up a full vocal excursion over tight beats, techy acidic stabs and a real full bassline." ... SEVEN 2000 "One time Full Cycle collaborator and now abstract audio gun for hire , J-Raq turns to Bristol's ever impressive Tribe imprint with a cut quite unlike anything else out there. Loping breaks are barraged with a pounding low end as raucous MCs Retna and Thaw spit lyrics into the sequence. 'Conflict' is equally subversive, taking the pulsing 'Virus' bassline to the obvious next level with thrash guitar sure to encourage stage-diving at Movement" ... WAX 2000 "A name that has seen two fine releases on Full Cycle – a release on that label being an achievement in itself. Such a formidable vibe to this one it's untrue – UK Style rap vocals pummel your eardrums to metal door-banging drums and warping bass, completely militant and brimming with boom factor." ... DJ 2000 "The irrepressible J-Raq crops up again, this time on Tribe, with a pair of tracks that have honed the art of dancefloor bombin. 'Future Machine' is a fierce ride into the world of twisted bass and raw break beat turbulence, with lyrical assistance coming from Retna & Thaw. This is a track that will bust up the dance every time. Matching that for energy and style is 'Conflict' a real head-banger of track." ... KNOWLEDGE 2000 GHOST REMIX (Sonix): "J-Raq's re-lick is an improvement on the original, the fragmented flow of his breaks creating considerably more tension." ... MUZIK 2001 "The first of a few appearances in this months issue, with this amen remix tearing it down through furious Amen pressure and sweeping strings." ... KNOWLEDGE 2001 TRIOPTIK ; ANGRY / CYCLES (Federation): "J-Raq teams up with hip-hop Mc Retna to form drum'n'bass live act Trioptik. 'Angry' combines a hint of punk attitude and guitars with drum'n'bass beats, the hissing female vocals of Clari-T and Retna's rapping. Breakbeat Era comparisons will abound, but this is a worthy take on the Bristol Sound and should be judged on it's own merits" ... MIXMAG 2001 "J-Raq of the Full Cycle crew on a high experimentation tip, mixing the grinding, raw riffs of punk with the angry tribal b-boy percussion of drum & bass here. A sanguine female vocal and British style rap complete this heady, extremely busy production. Like Breakbeat Era losing their minds. Very cool." ... DJ 2001 "J-Raq's live project, featuring vocals from MC Retna and Clari-T, and here comes the first 12". Already receiving airplay by Steve Lamacq BBC Radio1, the lead cut 'Angry' is a frantic fusion of punk attitude and drum & bass techniques, flowing with live bass from J himself, a sleazy vocal from Clari-T, raging rap from Retna and an irresistible motion – this is one record you shouldn't miss. Gonna blow up big. The flip switches the flavour a dynamite dancefloor roller, simple and effective, and cut with a lock-groove (curiously rare on drum & bass records) this side of wax is specifically tailored for all the DJs out there." ... KNOWLEDGE 2001 "Grungy bass guitars, live percussion, complete with female singer and male rapper interlacing is a formula which works well for Reprazent and also for Trioptik from Federation records. 'Angry' is a little darker perhaps, not quite as mainstream but this definitely bears resemblance to the Bristol crew's world famous live band. 'Cycles' also by Trioptik dictates squelchy bass and more bass guitar licks on the flip to reveal a funky little number, both of these tunes played at the right time of night will do some damage." ... LEXICON 2002 J-RAQ & DJ DAGGA ; E.P.#1 (Green Destiny): "First release from this new Bristol label, and there are three tracks to choose from on this EP. 'Lost & Found' takes the a-side and builds at length before letting rip with some acid'n'amen mayhem. The dirty hip hop'n'hardcore infusion of 'Ruff Beatz' then kicks off on the flip in a manner suiting it's title, but the best has been saved to last with the wickedly catchy bassline tune, 'Lucky Loop'. This tune's a right little bubbler and proves the old adage that simplicity is the key." ... KNOWLEDGE 2002

Location Bristol, ENGLAND - United Kingdom

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