Robert James Details

Robert James has made a big impact in a short time. Firstsurfacing amidst a new wave of house talent on Lee Foss and Jamie Jones’ labeldu jour, Hot Creations, he has gone on to take his infectious dancefloor soundto all corners of the globe as well as labels like LA based Culprit, Jef K’sSilver Network and the legendary Strictly Rhythm.

It was hearing Andy Weatherall at Sankeys in 2005, however, which inspiredRobert to leave the army and focus on music full time: Since then he’s laid outhis own nu-school sonic template with releases like “Sleep Moods”, “Malibu”(alongside Burnski) and “Big Ass Biscuit” (as Pteradactil Disco with Jamie, Leeand Fb Julian) begin championed by international spinners and respected musicpress alike.

“My style is all about the groove” says Robert. “I play house andtechno, but always with groove.” He’s not wrong, and channelling that groove – as well as otherinfluences like various fabric CDs, Radio 1 Essential Mixes and the work ofFrench funksters Daft Punk, Robert has gone on to remix Hot Creations duoClockworks, play Sonar in Barcelona, DEMF in USA and Hideout in Croatia.

As well as working larger crowds, Robert’s sound lends itself to moreintimate club spaces just as well, with close associations to clubs like Mintand My House in Leeds, fabric in London and the Rainbow in Birmingham, as wellas institutions like DC:10 and Space in Ibiza. He’s also managed to play livefrom Sheffield on Pete Tong’s Radio 1 show as the dance music don highlightedRobert as a talent to watch in 2011.

If last year was the year Robert James broke through, 2012 is the year heestablishes himself as an essential talent: there are remixes and soloproductions coming on Saved (plus a collaboration with Simon Baker on the samelabel) as well as a return to his favoured Hot Creations labels for anothersolo EP and plenty more in the pipeline. He Also this summer starts his summerresidency at Dc10 for Jamie Jone's Paradise night on thursdays. With dates atCircoloco, Trouw Amsterdam, Panorama Bar Berlin and US tours. 2012 is going tobe a another good year for Robert James.