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Noise Factory (group)

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Noise Factory
GenresBreakbeat hardcore, jungle
Years active1991–1994
LabelsIbiza, Kemet, 3rd Party, XL Recordings
Past membersJames Stephens
Terry Turner
Kevin Mulqueen

Noise Factory were an English breakbeat hardcore and jungle group active in the early 1990s. The group is credited as being pivotal in the transition between hardcore and jungle music.

History

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DJ James Stephens went to Paul Ibiza of Ibiza Records' house to set up a newly acquired Akai 950 sampler. After a session of creating beats, Stephens decided to call himself 'Noise Factory', later bringing Terry Turner into the group. Ibiza invited Stephens to use the Ibiza Records label, as it was an established name at the time. Noise Factory released its first track, "Box Bass" in 1991. The track featured a reggae sub-bass, which was almost unheard of at the time.[1][2][3][4]

After working for the Ibiza label, Stephens helped to set up his own labels Kemet Records and 3rd Party Records in 1992 with old friend Mark Rangers, known as "Mark X".[4][5][6] Noise Factory opened the 3rd Party label with the EP "My Mind" featuring its title track, “Be Free", and "Breakage #1" which would be pivotal in the early development of jungle and would be later remixed by the group several times.[2] The group would continue to release singles such as "Set Me Free", which sampled Fleetwood Mac's "Sara".[6][7]

In 1993, The Capsule EP was released. The track "Breakage #4" became a huge hit with DJs, who according to Vice "played it to death".[5] The track was up to 20 BPM faster than other tracks at the time, and would prove to be an important record in the transition from hardcore to jungle.[6][8] Noise Factory proceeded to release several 12" singles that would set a blueprint for the emerging scene.[2][9] Additionally, a side project known as Straight from the Bedroom was launched, releasing records from not only themselves, but also other up-and-coming jungle producers.[10]

The final collaboration between Stephens and Turner would be on "Dreams", released on Kemet Records' "Revelation Part 2" EP. Stephens would maintain a solo career under the name Family of Intelligence.[2][6]

Noise Factory was briefly revived in 2002, releasing two singles for Three Lions Recordings.[11] Additionally, Terry Tee had resurrected the Straight From the Bedroom side-project in the 2000s to carry nu skool jungle bootlegs.[10]

Members

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  • James Stephens
  • Terry (Tee) Turner
  • Kevin Mulqueen

Selected discography

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  • "Box Bass / Recession Time" (1991)
  • "Who Are You / The Dungeon" (1991)
  • "Noise Factory / Warehouse Music" (1991)
  • "The Buzz / Imperative" (1991)
  • "Loving You / Jungle Techno" (1991)
  • "Feel the Music / To the Top" (1991)
  • "Set Me Free / Bring Forward the Noise" (1992)
  • "We Have It / Warning" (1992)
  • "Urban Music" (1992)
  • "Behold the Jungle / We Can" (1992)
  • "My Mind / Be Free" (1992)
  • "The Fire / Skin Teeth" (1992)
  • Alienation EP (1992)
  • The Capsule EP (Breakage#4 / Futuroid / Survival)" (1992)
  • Year of the Ladies EP (1993)
  • A New Something EP (1993)
  • "Generation X" (1993)
  • "Can You Feel the Rush / Run Come Follow Me" (1993)
  • "The Future" (1994)

References

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  1. ^ McQuaid, Ian. "Gone To A Rave #51: Paul Ibiza Gets Real". Ransom Note. Retrieved 25 April 2021.
  2. ^ a b c d McQuaid, Ian. "Gone To A Rave #41: Kemet & 3rd Party". Ransom Note. Retrieved 25 April 2021.
  3. ^ Hubzin, Ivica (15 July 2014). "Q&A: Digital Niyabinghi". DJ Mag. Retrieved 25 April 2021.
  4. ^ a b Deadman, Alex (2 December 2016). "An Interview With Paul Ibiza on the Birth of Jungle". We Love Jungle (Interview). Archived from the original on 15 August 2019. Retrieved 25 April 2021.
  5. ^ a b McQuaid, Ian (4 January 2016). "The Inside Story of the Best Jungle Labels You've Probably Never Heard Of". Vice. Retrieved 25 April 2021.
  6. ^ a b c d Shapiro, Peter (24 June 1999). Drum 'n Bass: The Rough Guide. Rough Guides. p. 109. ISBN 1858284333.
  7. ^ Reynolds, Simon (19 June 2013). Generation Ecstasy: Into the World of Techno and Rave Culture. Routledge. pp. 137–138. ISBN 978-1136783166.
  8. ^ Jenkins, Dave (6 April 2012). "Rep Your Roots #1: Jungle". Drum and Bass Arena. Retrieved 25 April 2021.
  9. ^ Reynolds, Simon. "4: The Second Wave of Rave". Energy Flash: A Journey Through Rave Music and Dance Culture. Faber & Faber. ISBN 0571289142.
  10. ^ a b "Straight From The Bedroom". Here Come the Drums (Podcast). Podplay. 10 February 2015. Archived from the original on 25 April 2021.
  11. ^ "Noise Factory: Discography". Discogs. Retrieved 25 April 2021.

Further reading

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  • James, Martin (3 April 2020). "1: All'a the Junglists". State of Bass: The Origins of Jungle/Drum & Bass. Velocity Press. ISBN 9781913231026.
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