Aquasky

Biography

Originally from Bournemouth but later transplanted to London, Kieron Bailey, Brent Newitt and Dave Wallace come from a generation of junglists with neither a strict focus on breakbeats nor even a fusion of jungle with various other styles (hip-hop, reggae, jazz, etc.). The trio's recordings as Aquasky have encompassed a range of styles, some with the pristine jazzy feel of LTJ Bukem productions, others for Moving Shadow that hark back to the original hardcore spirit of drum'n'bass, and still others with a hip-hop base -- and vocals from actual rappers, including Big Shug from Gang Starr.

The three were all school-chums from an early age, though their paths eventually separated; Bailey played drums for a variety of metal and funk bands, Newitt grew into an electro/hip-hop fan and break-dancer, and Wallace became a production tech-head influenced by Kraftwerk and the Art of Noise. All three were producing tracks (Bailey as Jazziac Sunflowers, Newitt as Artinis, Wallace as an engineer for both) when they decided to reunite in 1993 under the umbrella of Britain's drum'n'bass movement. Naming themselves Aquasky, the trio recorded a full dozen singles from 1993 to 1996 -- for Moving Shadow, Reinforced, Black on Black, Blue Bazique and their own Aqua Records -- then provided a remix for the Art of Noise's Drum & Bass Collection. The mini-LP Orange Dust emerged in 1997, followed by their full-length debut Bodyshock two years later. Besides their alias recordings as Soul Motive and Skindivers, Wallace has also recorded as himself for Moving Shadow and All Good Vinyl. ~ John Bush, All Music Guide