Calibre | |
---|---|
Background information | |
Birth name | Dominick Martin |
Also known as | Loose Dragon |
Origin | Belfast, Northern Ireland |
Genres | Drum and bass, liquid funk |
Occupation(s) |
|
Years active | 1995–present |
Labels | Quadraphonic, Signature Records |
Dominick Martin, better known by his stage name Calibre, is a Northern Irish drum and bass music producer and DJ from Belfast. He started producing at a young age. He is a classically trained musician, playing a variety of musical instruments. Martin started producing Drum and Bass in 1995 and his first signed release was credited under the now defunct Quadraphonic record label. [1]
He soon came to the attention of drum and bass DJ Fabio, who signed Calibre to his record label, Creative Source. [2]
While studying Fine Arts at the University of Ulster in Belfast, he became interested in the music of John Cage whose work was influential in titling Martin's first album release Musique Concrète in 2001. Since his initial releases in 2001, Martin has been known for his consistent signature style and sound.
XLR8R magazine refers to him as "one of the quietest people in drum and bass". [1] Although one of the scene's most prolific producers, he shares tracks with only a small circle of friends and many of his works remain unreleased. Beginning in 2007, the 'Shelflife' series of albums were created as a way of sharing previously unreleased productions with his fans.
Over 20 years of music production, he has self-published over 60 singles and 20+ albums. Also, according to UKF as of 2014, none of his original productions have ever been officially remixed. [3]
On 25 September 2001, Calibre released his debut album on the Creative Source label run by the DJ and Drum & Bass veteran Fabio. Spanning 5x vinyl / double CD, the album began to define Calibre's soulful and melodic sound and imprint his name amongst the emerging Liquid Funk artists of the time.
CD1
CD2
In 2003, Martin decided to launch a self-published record label, Signature Records, which became his vehicle for publishing his music. Martin states, "There won't be any other artists on the label for the foreseeable future". For a few years the label's website ran of the back of Soul:R, the record label he ran alongside Marcus Intalex. With the Soul:R website receiving very few updates since 2006, Calibre published most of his work and news through his own MySpace page however he deleted this in early July 2011.
November 2005 marked Martin's second full-length album release, through the Signature label, entitled Second Sun. Second Sun was released after much anticipation following his 2001 release. He stated, "I look upon my move to Logic as a process in the studio to be a second part of the story. But having said that, the 22nd is my birth date, it's my second album, I'm the second son in the family, this is the second phase production wise but for me its nothing to do with numerology, its more to do with reinvention, a new life." The album Second Sun is regarded by those working in and those listening to Drum and Bass as a landmark release for the genre. On 17 September 2008, BBC 1Xtra Drum and Bass DJ Bailey gave special praise to the title track of the album, noting it as the tune of the festival for Sun and Bass 2008, a dedicated Drum and Bass festival which is held in Sardinia.
In October 2007, Martin released Shelflife a retrospective album featuring 21 unreleased productions spanning from 1998–2005.
CD 1
CD 2
Martin released Overflow in Spring 2008. Overflow features vocals from Martin himself, along with his artwork.
CD1
CD2
In January 2009 there were final confirmations from S.T Holdings and Calibre's MySpace, Shelf Life Vol. 2 was to be released on 11 May 2009. Another retrospective album including the long lasting dubplates "Life" and "Why Time". As with previous albums, this release featured few guest artists, but there were vocal contributions from Lariman and MC D.R.S. As with previous albums, this was a double album. It also includes many downtempo tracks. [4] [5]
CD1
CD2
Soon after the release of Shelf Life Vol. 2, Calibre stated he would be releasing his long anticipated downtempo album, Shine a Light. In October 2009 S.T Holding announced it to be released on Monday 16 November. Calibre stated that he has wanted to release a downtempo album for the last two years, but decided to release his second retrospective album first. “I have spent over 10 years writing music, the majority of my work being drum and bass, so i wanted to write an album that wasn’t attached to a particular musical genre; to me it felt like feeling my way in the dark” [6]
In June 2010 Calibre released Even If on his label Signature Records. Featuring predominantly Drum & Bass, Calibre said of the album, "If I wanted to achieve anything it was mainly to write something that I personally enjoyed, on an individual basis I wanted to mix some genre’s and try to transcend the DNB tag as much as I was referencing it, and hopefully in the process reach out to those out there that like my music." [7]
Released in October 2011, Condition was described by Mixmag magazine as “a shape-shifting trove of wonders that leaps ambitiously from the serene to the brutal”, awarded Drum ′N′ Bass album of the month and rated 5/5.
Calibre himself describing this album: "Condition is my drum and bass follow up to "Even If", I originally wanted to make an album that was more dance floor influenced, to have a more light hearted approach, in some ways it has that, but I couldn't stop myself from making the deeper material, for years i have wrestled with the subtle side of drum and bass, my journey has been one that tries to attain the simple groove, to keep removing the layers of this music, this album is an expression of this, and how im still feeling the underdog waiting for the cycle....... it came about as it always has and that's the way its supposed to, enjoyable and moving fast to discover the stillness."
In 2013 Calibre released his ninth album entitled Spill featuring collaborations with Steo and Chimpo. Of the album he states "The collaborations gave me something a little bit different and that has encouraged me to follow this path for the next lp which will be a journey of collaborations over the next year, one which I have already started. My favourite track would probably be ‘Sick Of It All’ because it feels a bit different than the rest."
In 2013 Calibre released the album Valentia under his own name, Dominick Martin. The album was titled after Valentia Island, located off of the south-western coast of Ireland, where much of it was recorded. Martin, who brought with him only a laptop and microphone, said of the location: "in one of the rooms sat a piano, and as my fingers touched the keys I knew there was a story there waiting to be told. The sound of the piano in that place was something very magical as 100mph winds battered the house and interrupted my recordings." [8]
In a 12 April 2013 interview with DJ Magazine, he described the project in more detail: "This album is like a singer/songwriter album, it’s like its own big story in itself. I went to the West Coast of Ireland and there was this big storm brewing, and I was scared to death, and I was writing out of fear, it was crazy. I wrote this album down there, I sampled a piano and it’s exactly that material that brings me away from drum & bass." [9] Valentia was released digitally as well as in a limited physical CD and Vinyl release through Signature records on 15 July 2013. [10]
The third addition to the 'Shelflife' series was released in 2014, Shelflife 3 contained thirteen of his most requested unreleased productions from 1997 to 2013. Production was primarily by himself with the addition of vocalist MC D.R.S. on the songs "Fear Of Letting Go" and "Eschaton".
Released in 2016, Shelflife 4 features primarily drum & bass productions, with collaborations coming from Jazz vocalist and MC Cleveland Watkiss and fellow Drum and Bass DJ and producer DJ Marky.
In 2016 Calibre released Grow on 'The Nothing Special' label run by fellow DJ and friend Craig Richards (DJ). Marking a departure from his label Signature Records, Grow is notable for its primarily downtempo productions and the absence of its title track, which featured as a separate release on the label.
Composed entirely of his own productions, 'The Deep' is a mixture of downtempo and Drum and Bass featuring Calibre's own lyrics and vocal textures.
Released in June 2018, Shelflife 5 is the fifth in the 'Shelflife' series of previously-unreleased productions and includes collaborations with long-time artistic partner MC D.R.S. and producer Marcus Intalex.
Announced exclusively via Calibre's unofficial Facebook group, 4AM was released in 2018 and showcased the darker side of Calibre's Drum and Bass sound. Departing once again from his own label, the album was released on Doc Scott's label '31 Records'. Scott said of the surprise release "We wanted this to be a surprise release and I think we pulled it off. Everyone seems to know everything nowadays and that sucks, sometimes secrets are fun."
Calibre released Planet Hearth in 2019. First coined in 2015, the album took four years to complete and was in his own words ‘part of a slow metamorphosis that I have wanted to do for a long time’. Inspired again by the island of Valentia on the West Coast of Ireland, the album explores Calibre's ambient persona in a series of atmospheric, narrative-driven works. The album is dedicated to a close friend.
Released at the start of May 2020, Shelflife 6 is the 6th iteration in Calibre's successful series of compilations. The album features productions spanning several years previous to its release and includes many tracks played at Calibre's previous summer residency at XOYO club in London, England.
Released on 26 February 2021, Feeling Normal shipped on his Calibre's own Signature imprint, and features collaborations with DRS and Cimone, the 13 track album follows 2019's Planet Hearth LP as another fully non drum & bass body of work, this time centered around a 140bpm theme with a variety of break beat and half time rhythms while remaining rooted in the familiar and warm sonic range associated with his style of mastering. [11]
Released on 24 November digitally, with a 4 x 12" Vinyl LP to follow in May 2022, Shelflife 7 is the latest iteration in Calibre's successful series of compilations featuring many unreleased and sought-after tracks. This album is distinct as it features many songs as suggested in Calibre's unofficial Facebook fan page, the 'Calibre aka Dominick Martin Appreciation Society™'.
Double Bend was released on 2nd April 2022, and features 9 tracks of primarily 140 BPM productions. The album is the second of Calibre's to be released on fellow DJ Craig Richards (DJ)'s label 'The Nothing Special', following the Grow LP released in 2016.
Unexpectedly released on 19th April 2023 digitally, with vinyl set to follow in September, Shelflife features 13 tracks of Drum & Bass productions, with some tracks going back over 20 years since they were first played.
Released on October 10 2023, 'Rudy' is Calibre's 23rd album and features primarily Drum & Bass productions including unreleased tracks from Calibre’s Boiler Room set, such as Stunted, Dumb Bum, The Game, Cousin, No Stopping & Treason.
Year | Title | Record label | Release date |
---|---|---|---|
2001 | Musique Concrète | Creative Source | 25 September 2001 |
2005 | Second Sun | Signature Records | 24 October 2005 |
2007 | Shelflife | Signature Records | 1 October 2007 |
2008 | Overflow | Signature Records | 1 May 2008 |
2009 | Shelf Life Vol. 2 | Signature Records | 18 May 2009 |
2009 | Shine a Light | Signature Records | 16 November 2009 |
2010 | Even If | Signature Records | 12 November 2010 |
2011 | Condition | Signature Records | 3 October 2011 |
2013 | Spill | Signature Records | 20 May 2013 |
2013 | Valentia | Signature Records | 15 July 2013 |
2014 | Shelflife 3 | Signature Records | 19 March 2014 |
2016 | Shelflife 4 | Signature Records | 26 February 2016 |
2016 | Grow | The Nothing Special | 23 December 2016 |
2017 | The Deep | Signature Records | 31 March 2017 |
2018 | Shelflife 5 | Signature Records | 29 June 2018 |
2018 | 4AM | ThirtyOne Recordings | 16 November 2018 |
2019 | Planet Hearth | Signature Records | 29 November 2019 |
2020 | Shelflife 6 | Signature Records | 1 May 2020 |
2021 | Feeling Normal | Signature Records | 26 February 2021 |
2021 | Shelflife 7 | Signature Records | 24 November 2021 |
2022 | Double Bend | The Nothing Special | 02 April 2022 |
2023 | Shelflife 8 | Signature Records | 19 April 2023 |
2023 | Rudy | Signature Records | 10 October 2023 |
Year | Title | Record label | Release date |
---|---|---|---|
2003 | Just Fine | Creative Source | - |
2006 | Late Night Squeeze | Signature Records | 24 April 2006 |
2006 | Corner Dance | Signature Records | May 2006 |
2006 | Deranged | Soul:R | 23 October 2006 |
2008 | Roundhouse | Signature Records | 11 September 2008 |
2008 | Don't Mind | Signature Records | 22 October 2008 |
2010 | Judgement Day | Samurai Red Seal | 7 June 2010 |
2011 | Hummer | Samurai Red Seal | 29 August 2011 |
2012 | Renaissance EP | Footprints | 19 November 2012 |
2015 | Strumpet EP | EXIT Records | 18 May 2015 |
2015 | Fourfit EP | Soul:R | 31 July 2015 |
2015 | Dreamz Dub EP | C.I.A | 18 September 2015 |
2015 | Break That EP | The Nothing Special | 18 January 2019 |
2019 | Cowper Street EP | Signature Records | 5 July 2019 |
Kirk Thompson, better known by his stage name Krust, is an English drum and bass producer, DJ and co-owner of the Full Cycle record label. Beyond his roles in the music industry, Thompson is also responsible for two businesses: creative consultancy Disruptive Patterns and Amma Life, a CBD oil company he co-owns with Sophia Ali
Klute is the primary recording alias of Thomas Harold George Withers, a drum and bass producer and DJ from Ipswich, UK. He is also the drummer, vocalist and songwriter of the English hardcore band The Stupids.
Mocean Worker is the recording alias of jazz musician and producer Adam Dorn.
Randy Katana is a popular Tribal-Tech-Trance DJ. He is also known as Phantom, Noski, Katana, and DJ Randy.
Jonathan Barry Gooch, more commonly known by his stage names Feed Me and Spor, is a British drum and bass, dubstep and electro house producer and DJ. He is currently managed by Three Six Zero Group.
Makoto Shimizu, professionally known as Makoto, is a Japanese drum and bass musician, DJ and actor. Among other distinctive elements of Makoto's musical style, a heavy influence of 1970s-era soul, funk and jazz fusion can be heard throughout the vast majority of his repertoire.
Alix Depauw, better known by the stage name Alix Perez, is a drum and bass DJ and producer, originally from Charleroi, Belgium. Based in New Zealand, his music is sometimes characterised as liquid funk amongst other labels, and released on labels such as Liquid V, Bassbin, Creative Source, Horizons, Progress, Brigand, Shogun Audio, Fokuz and Soul:R.
DRS is a British rapper, born Delroy Pottinger. He was one third of UK hip hop trio, Broke 'n' £nglish, and has collaborated with the likes of Calibre, Marcus Intalex, Lynx, LTJ Bukem, Icicle and LSB.
Epiphany: The Best of Chaka Khan, Vol. 1 is a compilation album of recordings by American R&B/funk singer Chaka Khan, first released on the Warner Bros. Records label in 1996. Although the compilation, which reached #22 on Billboard's R&B chart and #84 on Pop, was given the "Vol. 1" tag, it remains without a sequel to date.
Hallway Productionz is a 3x Grammy Nominated, Dove Award-winning music production duo made up of producer/mixer/engineer/multi-instrumentalist Teak & Dee Underdue. The pair reside in Stockton, California. Teak and Dee's production is most notably featured on Ice Cube, WC, T-Bone, Angie Stone, Dave Hollister, Mindless Behavior & Blackalicious records.
Commix is a Drum and Bass project now solely composed of George Levings from Cambridge, UK.
Natalia Sheppard, better known by her stage names MC Tali and Tali, is a New Zealand drum and bass artist, first found acclaim for her 2004 hit "Lyric on My Lip", which reached #39 in the UK Singles Chart. Tali has also worked with prominent artists, such as former Mercury Music Prize nominee Roni Size. Tali prefers to use the name "Tali" when singing and songwriting acoustically or live, preferring to use 'MC" whenever she collaborates with electronic music artists, sometimes using the former. In November 2019 Tali won the Vodafone New Zealand Music Award for Best Electronica Artist for her 2018 album "Love & Migration".
Shelflife Vol 2 is the second retrospective album & the fifth solo studio album by Calibre. Released on May 18, 2009 by his own imprint Signature Records. The Vinyl collection brings together eight of the most sought Calibre classics showcasing why his sound remains his own after ten years of producing and releasing drum and bass.
Very soon after the release of Shelf Life Vol. 2, Calibre stated he would be releasing his long anticipated down-tempo album. Shine a Light, the sixth album by Belfast singer-songwriter & producer Calibre, was released on November 16, 2009 through his own imprint Signature Records. This was his first downtempo album. For many years Calibre suggested that he wanted to produce one but he seemed to avoid the situation. “I have spent over 10 years writing music, the majority of my work being drum and bass, so i wanted to write an album that wasn’t attached to a particular musical genre, to me it felt like feeling my way in the dark”.
Hugh Pescod, better known as Redlight, is a British DJ, record producer, remixer and songwriter from Bristol.
"Blk & Blu" is a song by British record production duo Chase & Status, featuring vocals from British singer Ed Thomas. It was released independently on 24 March 2014 as the fourth single from their third studio album Brand New Machine. However, the song charted prior to independent release and entered the UK Singles Chart at number 181 upon the album release, rising to number 48 after release. The Preditah remix premiered on DJ Target's BBC Radio 1 show on 8 February 2014, and the Calibre remix premiered on UKF Drum & Bass on 9 February 2014.
Ken Delsol, better known as Kenny Ken, is a British jungle and drum and bass DJ and producer.
Johan Linus Eklöw, better known by his stage name Style of Eye, is a Swedish DJ, record producer, songwriter and percussionist. He was part of the electropop music group Galantis from 2012 until the end of 2021.
Charlene is the third studio album by American singer Tweet. It was released on February 26, 2016, by eOne Music. "Won't Hurt Me" was released on September 21, 2015, as the album's lead single. The second single "Magic" was released on January 21, 2016, followed by "Neva Shouda Left Ya" on February 11, 2016. Rolling Stone listed Charlene as the 12th best R&B album of 2016.
Marcus Julian Kaye, better known by his stage name Marcus Intalex, was an English drum and bass producer, DJ and musician. He additionally made house and techno music under the pseudonym Trevino. Between 1993 and 2000 he co-hosted the drum-and-bass radio show Da Intalex on Kiss 102 FM in Manchester. Kaye was the founder of the Soul:R, Revolve:R, and Birdie recording labels, and was active as a DJ, record producer, and touring artist from 1991 until his death in May 2017. His albums included the 2007 release FabricLive.35 and the 2011 release 21.