S4 : EP4 - Paul Hartnoll - Orbital

Anyone doing great work in the field of dance music in the 1970s deserves credit. Anyone who is still doing high quality work five decades later deserves an absolute abundance of respect. The birth of the 12 inch single? The birth of the remix? If you want to know how it all started, listen to Tom Moulton. Salsoul, Grace Jones,Philly International….Toms production and mix skills have made an enormous impact. This man is dance music royalty and here in the final episode of this series Nick and Eddy hear all about his journey.

It takes some doing to be a founding member of not one but two trailblazing acts. But that's Martyn Ware, without whom we wouldn't have The Human League or Heaven 17. After that, amongst other things, production duties on an album that sold over 14 million units and delivered a USA Hot 100 number 1. Not too shabby. Still performing, teaching ,writing and exploring, here Nick and Eddy learn how Martyn charted his fascinating course. For further research check out his autobiography and podcast ‘Electronically Yours.’

There was a time when locating an illicit pressing of 'Say Kids What Time Is It?' - a trailblazing cut up by Coldcut - was a significant enough event to warrant a diary entry by one of this podcast's hosts. Crossover hits followed for the innovative Coldcut duo (including 5 weeks at number one with their production of 'The Only Way Is Up' by Yazz) and in time Jonathan More found himself enjoying further success with partner Matt Black as they oversaw the rise and rise of the award winning Ninja Tune record label (home to Bicep, Bonobo and so much more.) In this conversation Jonathan talks Eddy and Nick through his fascinating journey in music.

When one thinks of Brazil it may be football or the sun kissed Copacabana beach that initially springs to mind but of course it's also a land of beats and this week's guest is someone who was central to launching the explosion of dance music that took his homeland by storm. From Sao Paolo raves via mega festival stages to ground breaking nights at Bar Rumba in London DJ Marky has soundtracked many a memorable night, becoming a global drum and bass ambassador in the process. His passion for quality dance music remains as strong as ever and his live Twitch streams helped us get through lockdown. Here he talks to Nick and Eddy about an amazing life in music.

It’s unusual for a bands name to reference the scene which propelled them to break through but that’s just one of the many interesting aspects of Orbital. Developing a following from exposure at events around Londons M25 ‘Orbital’ motorway, brothers Paul and Phil Hartnoll took their iconic sets to festival stages, becoming Glastonbury legends and subsequently performing far beyond the UK's shores. In this conversation Paul talks Nick and Eddy through his fascinating life in music.  

This week on Trailblazers : electronic pioneers, we welcome the one and only Grooverider . Making his name initially at warehouse raves as dance and electronic music exploded in the UK in the late 80s, Grooverider went on to forge a position as a guiding light of the drum and bass scene, taking the sound across the planet. His residency at Rage in London is the stuff of legend as are multiple releases on his Prototype label. In this episode he tells us how he developed a taste for punk , headed to Australia with his records packed into a milk crate and he gives us his theory on the enduring power of drum and bass.   

House music legend Roger Sanchez is the next guest to join Nick and Eddy in this brand new series. In this episode he talks them through the rush of that early moment when he stood behind the decks and the needle hit the groove in front of a crowd and he realised that something very special was happening. He also breaks down the story behind how an intention to make an underground track resulted in his number one smash 'Another Chance.’ 

In the first episode of a brand new series Nick and Eddy meet with The Peoples Choice, The Original 3 deck Wizard, The King – Carl Cox ! Here Carl discusses his humble origins as a child selecting 7 inch singles at family parties and how he progressed from there to becoming one of the most loved and respected DJs on the planet.

Learn about what's coming up across future weeks as Nick Halkes and Eddy Temple-Morris return with a brand new series!