More Rockers
Rob Smith, one half of the seminal Bristol crew Smith & Mighty, whose 1995 album is still turning heads for its mind-boggling mesh of dub, reggae, dance, and jungle. Smith & Mighty’s influence can be heard today in the music of such luminaries as Massive Attack, the Roni Size Reprazent crew, and many others.
Peter D. (Peter D Rose), had participated in an early formation of Massive Attack, and after that, became busy producing in Bristol studios. First hooking up with Rob Smith to form the drum and bass outfit, More Rockers, and later as their partnership grew, joining Rob and Ray Mighty in the ongoing work of Smith & Mighty.
When Rob partnered with Peter D to form More Rockers their critically acclaimed and groundbreaking mix album "Dub Plate Selections," released in 1995, changed the face of jungle and drum and bass. In 2004 Rob Smith released his first solo record on Grand Central, "Up On The Downs," which bears all the hallmarks of his great production.
The Angel
Via Brooklyn and London, The Angel, now based in Los Angeles, as a female producer, has broken all industry rules; producing and recording her own artist releases and producing and remixing many other artists.
The Angel has released a series of singles and albums representing a wholly individual amalgamation of urban beats and sonic landscapes and also made serious inroads in the world of film and television composition.
Her career began in 1993 with remix work for The Pharcyde and was quickly followed by works for the The Brand New Heavies, Donald Byrd and DJ Food. Her remix work would encompass many artists in the following years.
"I see my days laid out before my eyes
Drinking in life’s disguise
Drinking in life’s disguises…"
Thru The Haze by Jaz Klash
The Angel then began releasing singles in her own right. These began with a number of vinyl only releases, but progressed to a series of full length albums under the names 60 Channels and The Angel. The first of these was the 1998 electronic project 60 Channels and the album "Tuned In Turned On" featuring guest vocalists like Angie Hart from rock outfit, Frente, and Japanese jazz producer/vocalist, Monday Michiru. She switched directions and released the hip hop leaning downtempo full-length, "No Gravity" on her own Supa Crucial Recordings label in 2001 featuring Divine Styler, Mystic, Tre Hardson and Navigator. Back to 60 Channels for the 2004 release, "Covert Movements," this concept album brought back Angie Hart, Navigator and Monday Michiru on vocals, joined by new collaborators, DJ Collage, Rain Phoenix and Karen Grant.
Meanwhile Angel had been producing other artists including Mystic, Monday Michiru, Jacky Terrasson and Tre Hardson (The Pharcyde).
Album Releases: "Tuned In Turned On" 60 Channels (1998), "Boiler Room" The Angel (2000), "No Gravity" The Angel (2001), "Covert Movements" 60 Channels (2004).
Her work as a film composer has included additional score for "Gridlock’d" (Tupac and Tim Roth), her first full score, "Boiler Room" (2000), the documentaries "Let’s Get Frank" (2003), and upcoming "The Heart Of The Game" (2006) along with the new UK feature, "Kidulthood" (2006).