Dave Ralph

A true DJ veteran, Dave Ralph spun records for nearly two decades before finally making it to the top of the international circuit in the mid-'90s, when he held residencies in both America and Europe as well as performed at festivals as large as Woodstock and Love Parade. Back when Ralph first began spinning records in the late '70s, he didn't necessarily have high aspirations of being an elite globe-circling DJ, instead focusing on pleasing a given audience with the sounds they wanted to hear. When he heard Larry Heard's legendary "Washing Machine" back in the mid-'80s, though, Ralph heard his calling and made the long commute regularly to London to pick up the latest vinyl. He then slowly built his reputation, holding residencies at esteemed clubs such as Cream and Shelley's and eventually hooked up with Paul Oakenfold's Perfecto label. After serving as Oakenfold's opening DJ on the 1996 Perfecto tour, Ralph began enjoying the luxuries of being an internationally recognized DJ. He performed at huge festivals like Woodstock and Love Parade and recorded an entry in Kinetic's popular Tranceport series of mix albums. By the end of 2000, he had relocated to the sunny beaches of Florida to reside, holding residencies at some of the U.S.'s top clubs such as Washington D.C.'s Buzz and Detroit's Motor. Reflecting on his move from his native Liverpool, he recorded the double-disc Naturalized in 2001 and followed it with Resident Alien in 2003. ~ Jason Birchmeier, All Music Guide