Our DJs
David Pearce
David started DJing at the age 11 playing at various nights with double entendre sounding names up and down the country in and around the M25, He's been playing at Elberts since he was 12 and was the mastermind behind the Pegs Lane Peace Punk sound we all still love today. David is a model citizen and a pillar of the community. David is also one of the greatest philosophers of the 21st century and sometimes quoted in the same breath as Plato, Aristole, Hail and Pace.
Leslie Omi
The Omni was born in Brownsville and grew up on Donny Street in Jacksontown. Surrounded by the high-life, savvy to the funk, wise to the soul and down with the roots whilst open to the raw folky rhythms of ancestral spirits. The resultant sound is a global fusion of the weird and the wonderful, the funk and the fear, the now and the then, tomorrow and futurity, near and distant always broad never narrow. Word has travelled far and wide, from Acton to Australia and he’s been granted audience with Prestigious Sultans, Janet Jackson, Burberry, Robbie Williams, Formula 1, Beyonce, Nokia, Jamiroquai, the inventory continues at length… For references and reviews, highlights and headlines, check the local broadsheets and international press, alchemy textbooks and cookery bibles. It’s like peachy edible magic. You’ll hear what you expect… and then some…
J.P.
DJ J.P. has been playing out for over 15 years now and has never been to far from anything funky in and around London and has played at Elbert's from the beginning of time! He has had residences at most of London's 'better' R&B/Rap night's including Trevor Nelson's 'Club YoYo', 'Fresh & Funky' at the Hanover Grand, Sound in Leicester Sq, the MTV Lick Party's & Pasha Global Room Ibiza with Trevor Nelson and the Big Squeeze with 1xtra's Ronnie Herel. He has also played live for the likes of the Brand New Heavies, Destiny's Child & Jay-Z! As he's getting somewhat older these day's he's musical tastes (and waistline) have widened some what so don't be surprised to hear the likes of Glen Campbell, Elvis, Chas 'n' Dave and anything else that feeds his rum ravaged brain... He's so old school in fact he still plays vinyl, what a hero! (:
Kenny Boots
Kenny has been working the club circuit for over two and a half decades now and is well qualified to know what works his audience with a diet of House, Electro, Progressive, Minimal, Deep Tech, R&B, Funk, Hip Hop, Jazz and other genres of music. Straight out of school, Kenny started as a DJ 25 years ago where he promoted and ran his own underground parties. Working in some of the most renowned record shops in London, Spin Offs, Vinyl Mania, Red Records & Unity Records as well as representing them as a DJ at various club nights all over London. Kenny is also well known as a producer of his own specially edited mixes for the urban specialist market in all aspects of music. In Kenny’s early years he worked at Prism Distribution where he learnt the ropes to start up on his own. Kenny used to run his own very successful record distribution outlet and fashion store in London, so he is more than qualified at being on top of the latest releases. Kenny has also played on the radio and played celebrity parties for Lennox Lewis & Gok Wan. Kenny played in Covent Garden where he had a weekly residency at the African Centre for over ten years, the birthplace of the legendary Soul II Soul group. Ken has Dj’d at some of London's most happening clubs which have included Wall St. (Mayfair) Crazy Larry's (Kings Road) Jazz Cafe (Camden) The Brain (West End) Bar Royal (Camden) Ion Bar (Ladbroke Grove) Subterainea (Ladbroke Grove) Camouflage (Islington) Open (Charring Cross Road) Q Bar (Swiss Cottage) Emporium (West End) Zebra Bar (Soho) Funkin' Pussy (Convent Garden) The Fish (Oxford Street) Brixton Academy (Brixton) Glass House (Blackfriars) Urban Games (Clapham) Shepherd's Bush Empire (S. Bush) Bar Academy (Islington) Islington Academy (Islington) Planetarium (Dubai) Invasion (Abu Dhabi) Yatra Club (Mayfair) Skate City (Wembley) Hot 96 FM The Burlington Club (West End) Evening Standard Magazine Party (Mayfair) Hedges & Butler (West End) SLP (S. London) 02 Arena (Greenwich) BLC (British Luxury Club) Club Victory (West End) Republic (Austria) BaroQue (West End) Embassy Club (West End) Kumo (Knightsbridge) Albannach (Trafalgar Square) Nozomi (Knightsbridge) Supperclub (West London) Hertford House (Hertford) Elberts (Hertford) T47 (London Bridge) Terrace Bar (Wimbledon) All this and Kenny has also finds time to DJ in places as far as Trinidad, Dubai, Norway, Austria, New York & Russia.
Scott Albon
Dj’ing probably started for Scott aged approximately 8 years old when he gathered the kids from his street and held a party in his parents garage... One turntable and a dozen 7” popular choice cuts, some his, but mostly his Dad’s. Things haven’t progressed too much from there, a few more tunes were bought and there was the addition of another turntable enabling Scott to educate the masses through the medium of the mobile disco jockey experience and a little bit of the illegal radio, small scale mind you. These days he keeps it casual, playing parties and Elbert's for the past 8 years. You’ll get it down tempo early on in a typical night with some jazzy beats and soul progressing to randomness by the end, with plenty of old skool hip hop, latin, disco, house, a smidgen of old hardcore and some classic dance floor movers, culminating in the finale of the Muppet Show closing theme. Slick!
Daz Dua
From getting involved with djing at the age of 13, Daz pursued and went on to DJ at parties, making mix tapes before landing a resident spot at Rotation and Camouflage. North and West London based club nights that occurred every Friday and Saturday night. At this establishment Daz understood about working as a team, incorporating his natural flamboyancy, and creative input. Together with others involved including his brother, the club went on to win an award for best club night at the MOBO’s in 1998. Daz was part of a group of young enthusiastics originally from the dancing and battle circuit. These west London based guys formed a production team by the name of Ignorants. Ignorants were responsible for pretty much changing the whole remix game in the UK. Being a resident at Rotation enabled them to showcase exclusive mixes before hitting the streets to test crowd response, much similar to market research. They did remixes for people like SWV, 702, Shola Ama, Honeyz, Kelly Le-Roc, Another Level, All Saints all the way down to the likes of Kci & Jojo. They basically remixed everyone. It was at these times that Daz was able to analyze the game for what it was watching the way people would like the exclusive joints and how they were being played.
Femi Fem
MOBO Award Winner 1998; Producer/Re-mixer/Song Writer Ex-Young Disciple Femi Fem’s musical adventure has always centred around funky good times. Sometimes it’s jazzy, sometimes soulful, sometime folky but always funky. With this foundation, his extremely varied collaborations have include All Saints,The Saturdays, Randy Crawford, Justin Timberlake, Darkman, Mary J. Blige, D’Influence and Pasadenas. His pioneering sound is known the world over from the legacy left by the Young Disciples. Since then he has continued to be a leader in the field, seeking to be cutting edge, he has been labelled a trendsetter in his involvement with any musical activity, whether it be in writing, production, remixes, DJing or promoting. Spinning a unique and impressive blend of funk, rare-groove, acid jazz, and new grooves, DJing duties in the UK are too numerous to mention, but include Cream (Liverpool), Ministry (London), Elbert Wurlings (Hertford), Jelly Jazz (Plymouth), Old Skool (Sheffield), The Beetroot (Nottingham), Subtone (Cheltenham), Jazz Cafe (London) and Fresh & Funky (London). Furthermore, he also runs a number of clubs; The MOBO Award winning Rotation (Fridays at Subterania in London) and until the developers moved in, he also promoted the highly popular and respected Camouflage (Saturdays at The Complex N1), all clubs attracting a trendy, happening, multicultural and multimusic loving audience. He has other projects on the go – Aces Wild (@ Woodys, Notting Hill) a residency at the White House Clapham. Saturdays at GIESHA LOUNGE 3 OLD BURLINGTON ST and at Dusted with Norman Jay showing Femi’s breadth of style. Femi has been a resident @ PENTHOUSE Leicester Sq helping to host their NYE party In addition Femi has vast international appeal, his DJing talents have taken him around the world including Australia, Japan, Germany, Switzerland, Hong Kong (supporting Gill Scott Heron), Austria, France, Spain, Ireland, The Czech Republic, New York, Los Angeles, Detriot, New Jersey................. His services are also in demand at various ‘select’ parties and on sellout tours such as those for Janet Jackson, Prince, Stella McCartney, Julien Macdonald Jamiroquai, Naomi Campbell, Gap, Bella Freud, Puff Daddy, All Saints, Ronny Wood (Rolling Stones), Jade Jagger@ JEZEBEL PACHA IBIZA Natalie Imbrulia, Brand New Heavies, , Levi’s, Bannarama, GUCCI INTERNATIONAL. Production duties have seen Femi Fem in the studio with Estelle, Heidi Vogel, Mattafix, Just Jack, Booty Luv, The Saturdays, amongst others… Currently Femi is working with Matti Roots, Otiz Ryder Elizabeth Troy (Talkin’ Loud), Sean Escoffrey (Oyster), Kele Le Roc, Lifford David (featured Artful Dodger vocalist), Blue James (Basement Jaxx/Restless Natives) and Louise Francis.
Rapson
I'd like to think I've got an open mind when it comes to music. I'm a big Stevie Wonder fan, and love pretty much everything that's influenced by Soul. I'm also heavily into anything produced by J Dilla (for those of you who don't know what I'm talking about, think Q-Tip's "Breathe and Stop", "Runnin" by the Pharcyde, "The Light" by Common). A typical night with me on the decks will almost always begin with some 70's Soul and Rare Groove records, followed by some Funk, Nu-Soul, and when it's time to start the party you'll hear anything from Michael Jackson to Missy Elliot, with shades of Disco, Rock, Cheese, Hip-Hop and a little bit of House every now and then. I'm also a musician and producer, so I may even drop some of my own stuff if you're nice! See you on the dancefloor!
Neil a.k.a. DJ LOK
A professional club/bar DJ with over 10 years experience. An avid record collector and black music enthusiast and also a beatmaker for singers/rappers! Has held down regular residencies in London's West End since the age of 18 and still does. Playing a cross section of music from 80's Soul, rare groove, disco, R&B, hip hop, bashment, reggae, house, garage and party classics. Expect a selection of dancefloor friendly tracks from all the above - put together in an fresh fashion!
Fitzroy
Fitzroy aka “Da Buzzboy” has transcended as dancer, DJ, remixer, producer, compiler, songwriter, and radio and media presenter with nearly 30 years experience in various countries behind him. Fitzroy carved himself a niche working with live acts mainly at the Mean Fiddler’s Jazz Café since 1991 supporting an eclectic list of renowned Black music artists including 70’s icons Gil Scott Heron, Roy Ayres, Bobby Byrd, and War to 90’s acts Digable Planets, The Pharcyde, De La Soul, Naughty By Nature, Omar, Incognito, and contemporary acts like Mint Condition, Floetry, Eric Roberson, Erykah Badu, Jill Scott, Angie Stone, Leela James and Pete Rock. Within the media Fitzroy was credited on BBC’s 1998 documentary A Tribute to Mohammed Ali for contributing music. He’s mixed a gold selling Twice as Nice Urban Flava’s compilation and hosted radio shows on Choice, Kiss and Solar Radio. He currently DJ’s and writes for the Southport Weekenders’ Funkbase Room’s official program review, as well on occasion running DJ workshops aged (12-17) and being a panellist on music forums. His corporate experience includes five consecutive years for the Designers Guilds Christmas parties, The 1991 UK tour of Wella’s Hair and Fashion show, The Four Weddings & A Funeral After Party, the MOBO Awards 2000 after party and more recently the highly publicised Cabot Financial 2009 10th Anniversary Christmas party at the Indigo2 He has been requested to DJ and performs at various sell out concerts at the Indigo to for Cameo, Incognito Teena Marie and the forthcoming SOS Band dates. Fitzroy co-founded the bi-monthly magazine “The Soul Survivors” aimed at the 70’s & 80’s of Soul Jazz Funk teenage generation in 2006. Distributed around the UK and abroad, Fitzroy has interview icons who have influenced his musical education including Jocelyn Brown, Tashan, Omar, Leroy Burgess, Jean Carn and Jeffery Daniel, Melba Moore, Ronald Khalis Bell and Frankie Beverly, Brand New Heavies, John Legend, Leon Ware, Larry Blackmon and Thelma Houston, Teena Marie, Teddy Riley of Blackstreet, Nile Rodgers, Randy Muller and Smokey Robinson. Fitzroy continues doing what he loves…sharing his passion and education of music with the universal world and brings that doing weekly Thursday 6pm-9pm shows on Colourful Radio and 9pm-11pm show on Stomp Radio .
Glenny C
I have been mixing since I was 12. It was just something that I kinda fell in to. My Bro had decks as did a lot of kids at the time. Djing was a popular hobby with freedom of expression. I quickly found myself saving my dinner money for a record or two. I would spend my weekends mixing with mates. I became more confident in my Djing and I'd play out at peoples party's and that. I played in a couple of places before approaching Wurlings. Wurlings was the perfect place to DJ. There music policy was very open minded. There's a lot of great DJ's at Elberts and I think that's one of their strong points. If you catch me there you can get anything from a banging party set to a load of modern underground nonsense. I like people to think outside the box with music. Theres so much of it in the world it's not like anyone can actually say that they've heard all the music they like. Music... A reason to celebrate!
Rommel
‘Rooms’ real name Rommel grew up listening to music since an early age. “I remember listening to music in my dad’s car. He was really into his music and I guess that’s where I get the love for music from. He listened to the likes of The Beatles, Stevie Wonder, Barry White, James Brown, Bob Marley, War, Tom Jones and the list goes on really. So I was brought up listening to all types of music.” “I always looked forward to watching programmes like Dance Energy & Top of The Pop back in the day” “Films like Breakin’ and Beat Street showed me, the many aspects of Music ” Rommel started out in the music scene in mid nineties. “The Jungle scene was where I started out. MC’ing on sets, on different London based Pirate radio stations and birthday parties” He also developed his talents at ‘Labyrynth’ in Dalston East London which later moved to Tottenham North London. “My MC’ing partner was Mr. Dee and we MC’ed for DJ Pee Wee & DJ Sept“. Whilst MC’ing Rommel discovered music production. “Music producing was something else. My girlfriend at the time had a brother who played the guitar and piano. One day he decided to hook up his keyboard to his computer and got Cubase Logic. So, that’s when I started to use music programmes and messed around with beats” Amongst MC’ing and discovering music production, Rommel had a go on the turntables. “Yeah, I mean when I was around friends houses who had a set-up, I usually had a go on the turntables. That was fun and challenging. To try and mix different tracks together which where at a different bpm’s from each other, to make them sound like just one track and not ‘clang’ was the initiation for me to become a DJ” Rommel stopped MC’ing and continued to mess around with beats, while he put a lot of his focus on DJ’ing. Rommel gained a resident spot as a DJ for a Student night called ‘Impressions’ held every Tuesday at the London based Club Strawberry Moons and whilst playing sets there got a residency at a night called ‘Crazy, Sexy, Cool’ held every Friday at The QBar just 2mins walk from Strawberry Moons. At the same time as this, Rommel was at college and there he met his friend who would later introduce him to the ‘Sound Clash’ Scene. “In 2001 I met my friend J.A. Katana at college and we became very good friends, he was an MC and a DJ. He started MC’ing on my sets and I became a member of his crew, a Trinidad based Sound System or ‘Sound’ whatever you want to call it, called X-Caliber International Disco. I got introduced to ‘Dubplates’. That was taking DJ’ing into another dimension for me. Having a personalised tune that no one else had was one of the main ingredients for ‘Sound Clashing’ as well as having an MC who was quick & relentless at mocking the opposition. We had ‘Dubs’ from Damien ‘Jr Gong’ Marley, Sean Paul, Kardinal Official, Warrior King, Shinehead, Elephant Man, Bounty Killer, Capelton, Beres Hammond and the list goes on... Becoming a member of X-Caliber introduced me to Reggae & Soca Music on a different level, discovering all types of artist in both of these genres. We had a show on Street FM, We were there for around a year and then we moved to neighbours Unique FM. We were also on BBC 1Xtra hosting and covering shows on the ‘Reggae Dancehall’ movement. After 3 years I decided to go my own way and focused on production. 2004 is when I met production partner Daz through my cousin. We hit it off and that’s when The Resistance was formed. A lot has happened since then and it’s time to share with the world the gifts we’ve been blessed with. Music is the language we speak and Music is life.” “All I can say is watch this space...”
Tmoney
DJ Tmoney has always been a champion of setting party off in style , a wizard behind the decks mixing and blending all forms of music to make you move .A fixture at the capitals more exclusive clubs(SUPPERCLUB, BOUJIS ,MADDOX ,CUCKOO ,MAGGIES....) its with great pleasure he makes his return to Elbert's after an all too long absence. Check out DJ Tmoney's mixes free to download listen and enjoy at your leisure. http://www.mixcloud.com/djtmoney/dj-tmoney-201011-upfront-rnbhip-hopurban-house-live-dj-mix/ and www.soundcloud.com/djtmoney
www.soundcloud.com/djtmoney
Ashley Beedle
Ashley Beedle – DJ/Producer
"Ashley has been a total inspiration to me ever since I started getting into funk, Balearic and house back in
1991. His eclectic taste and wealth of musical knowledge has made him one of the best UK DJs and
producers out of the last two decades, but just as importantly, he is also a thoroughly decent bloke. Long
may he reign!" Rob Da Bank, Radio 1
HISTORY
Ever part of the loving pulse of the London music scene, Ashley brought
house music to Notting Hill Carnival and co-produced one of the first British
garage tunes ‘Give Me Back Your Love’ by The Boyz in Shock. His early
production moniker Black Science Orchestra, released on Junior Boys
Own, broke the ice internationally with a collection of disco and raregroove
inspired tracks. However the ‘big time’ came with X-Press 2’s
massive hit, ‘Lazy’, an inspired collaboration with former Talking Head
David Byrne, which reached #1 in the US Dance Chart and #2 in the
Official UK Chart. X-Press 2’s albums and renowned 6-decked live
performances have traveled the globe and back before finally in 2009
Ashley left the group to focus on his own projects and the legacy he
created at the helm of this international success lives on in his own live shows and solo projects.
THE OTHER MONIKERS
Other past projects include: Delta House Of Funk, Disco Evangelists with
protégé David Holmes (Ocean’s 11, 12 and 13 Hollywood score master),
Roots Revolution on Roger Sanchez’ label, the demon dub-house of
Jamayka Boys (championed by many as the first Dub Step production),
Black Jazz Chronicles, the London Heavy Disco Revue, Afro Art, and, of
course, the Ballistic Brothers. Not satisfied with one sound, he has continued
to develop new projects to label the different twists and turns of his music.
More recently there’s been the futuristic-reggae inspired Warbox, and the
kraut-rock/techno guise Ralph und Beedle shared with Mark Ralph of Filthy
Dukes fame. In 2009 Ashley began producing a series of podcasts under
the title: Ashley Beedle’s Space Programme. Bringing us into the present is
his most recent creations, Afrikanz on Marz & DarkStarr (right). The latter a
collaboration with the legendary Colleen ‘Cosmo’ Murphy of The Loft
parties, is host to a regular night at London’s Dalston Superstore on the first
Sunday of every month as well as a monthly blog. Watch out for the
DarkStarr remix compilation, due out in Spring 2010
DarkStarr Blog: http://darkstarr.tumblr.com/
Ashley Beedle’s Space Programme, episode 1:
http://thinkespionage.com/AshleyBeedleSpaceProgramme/chapter1.mp3
Ashley Beedle’s Space Programme, episode 2:
http://thinkespionage.com/AshleyBeedleSpaceProgramme/chapter2.mp3
Too many compilations of Ashley’s have made their way out into the musical ether over the years however
‘Strut’s Grass Roots series, launched by Ashley, has earned its place in history as well as most DJs boxes.
Next year look out for the Harmless 15th Anniversary Special: “Ashley Beedle Edits”.
REMIXES & PRODUCTION
Ashley’s remixes have ranged from pop and rock bands, little house labels; hip hop mixes, house mixes
both as a solo remixer through numerous monikers. From Elton John’s number one hit ‘Are You Ready For
Love’ and Bob Marley’s ‘Get Up Stand Up’ leading the most renowned of his catalogue to crucial
moments with The Streets ‘Weak Become Heroes’ and Bent’s ‘Always’. The Warbox project has included
chart-smashing remixes for the likes of Lily Allen, ‘LDN’ and Gabriella Cilmi, ‘Sweet About Me’, this latter
remix ending up on her debut album. This year Ashley has leant his magic touch to the new Madness single
‘Dust Devil’ and ‘Happiness’ by Island Records soul-boy Jonathan Jeremiah, as well as producing several
tracks on the debut album of XL Recordings new darlings Magistrates. Ashley is now remixing under his new
moniker DarkStarr, alongside Colleen ‘Cosmo’ Murphy’, so keep eyes peeled early next year for their mixes
of Mavis Feat.Candi Staton ‘Revolution’ and ‘Don’t Do It’ by Salvador Santana (yes, the son of Carlos!).
Check out the DarkStarr Juno chart here:
http://www.juno.co.uk/charts/dj/585760-Ashley_Beedle/337880-Chart
OUT HEAR AUDIO RECORDINGS
Ashley set up his underground label Out Hear Audio as a home for his ever-multiplying
artist monikers; shortly after its initial appearance in 2007 the label went under due to its
distributor’s collapse. A second outing was almost marred in late 2008, but was saved in
2009 and released “Attention Cherie” by April March (Ashley Beedle Vox Mix) followed
by ‘Remember’ the final outing from London Heavy Disco Revue, and then ‘Made of
Stars’ by Ralph Und Beedle – all releases have sold out of physical copies. Look out for
the new release ‘The Road We Travel’ by Afrikanz On Marz Jan 2010.
Forthcoming Releases:
Fresh With Your Head Vol. 1
NOVEMBER 2009 (digital only) a compilation of Out Hear Audio tracks
http://soundcloud.com/lululevay/freshwithyourheadvol
DarkStarr’s Psychedelic Disco-Tech ‘They Live by The Night’
FEBRUARY 2010 Double CD Compilation
INSPIRATION INFORMATION
In 2009 Ashley embarked up a collaboration with international reggae superstar
Horace Andy, as part of the Strut recordings ‘Inspiration Information’ series which
takes two musicians from juxtaposing genres, one of which has been an inspiration
to the other, and puts them in the studio together. The album was released to
critical acclaim and a 17 date European live tour featuring both artists followed.
“Variety is Certainly the spice of life and this fine album delivers in by the cartload”
Record Collector, 4*
MAVIS
"I hadn't written anything except a tiny little scrap of a song since my illness in 2005, Ashley's music gave me
the push I needed to get back to songwriting and for that I'm truly grateful." Edwyn Collins
A strong buzz is underway for Ashley’s next album release, a blue eyed soul
project called ‘Mavis’ which is to be released on !K7 in Feb 2010 and features
revered artists such as: Lambchop’s Kurt Wagner, Cerys Matthews, Ed Harcourt,
Edwyn Collins, Sarah Cracknell and soul diva Candi Staton. Inspired during an
evening of listening to the Staple Singers, Ashley and his writing partner Darren
Morris came up with one instrumental track, passed it round their vocalists who
each wrote individual lyrics & melodies. Beedle & Morris then went about rewriting
the music to come up with a stunning collection of songs all tied by the legendary Mavis Staples.