Keep an eye on Audiojack

Keep an eye on Audiojack

19 April, 2009 | 1.42AM

• Written by: Liz Miller
• Filed under: Music News: 2020 vision recordings, audiojack, new talent

Leeds-based duo Audiojack, otherwise known as James Rial and Richard Burkinshaw, could well become one of tech house’s hottest acts of 2009 off the back of their outstanding debut longplayer ‘Radio’.

Despite a paltry three years on the scene, the duo have released music on an impressive number of leading UK and European labels that includes Cr2 Records, Renaissance, Great Stuff and Audio Therapy.

But fast rising legacy aside, ‘Radio’ swaggers with the kind of well rounded musical confidence that defies their age and combined experiences.

Audiojack were always destined for great things of course, after their first single ‘Robot’ was signed to Matt Tolfrey’s prestigious Leftroom Limited label back in 2006, which ended up being named ‘Best British Single of 2006’ by DJ Magazine.

Their next big step was doing a remix of Paul Woolford and Bobby Peru’s underground smash ‘Erotic Discourse’, which at the time of its release, was the biggest tech house record in the world. After a dozen or so remixes and productions, they remixed one of the biggest bands in dance music, Underworld.

The anticipation surrounding their album then has been high, and with 12 tracks of wide-reaching, colourful tech house grooves encompassing all manner of sub genres it seems the duo’s heritage is about to get another major boost, perhaps even into the major league.

From the gorgeously manipulative piano roller ‘Jack The Keys’, to the late night druggy vibe of ‘Red Eye’, to the slamming Atari-inspired electro of ‘No Control’ and the Eastern electronic blues of ‘Shanghai’, ‘Radio’ positively brims with inspiring and individualistic tech house tunes.

There isn’t a mundane moment, or a fast forward track contained within the debut album, and that’s an incredible feat considering it is squarely aimed at the dancefloor.

The way they have constructed their electronic sounds around flourishing key changes and improvisational instrumental moments is impressive.

It is no wonder then, that dark electro artists like Ivan Smagghe are fans of Audiojack, as is DJ/robot James Zabiela who clearly finds potency in the duo’s futuristic electronic funk.

This could be the year that belongs to Audiojack.

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• Get 'Radio' on Beatport