Konflict

Last updated

Konflict
Kemal-and-Rob-Data.jpg
Background information
Also known asKemal and Rob Data
Origin Glasgow, United Kingdom
Genres Drum and bass, neurofunk
Years active1998–2000 as Konflict, 2000–2002 as Kemal and Rob Data
LabelsRenegade Hardware, Negative, Cryptic Audio, Underfire, Audio Blueprint, Moving Shadow, Black Sun Empire Recordings, Deeper Realms, DSCI4, Cyanide, Nerve, Industry
MembersKemal Okan (right)
Robert Rodgers (left)

Konflict, also known under their separate artist names Kemal and Rob Data, were a musical duo that composed drum and bass music, consisting of Kemal Okan and Robert Rodgers. Their music had a strong techno influence, and it was influential in the shaping of the neurofunk subgenre. The majority of their material was released between 1999 and 2002; a period which carried the Anthem status in the Drum and Bass music scene. They released their first work in 1998 under the name Konflict, but after abandoning the name in 2000, they continued to release music as Kemal and Rob Data. After the Konflict period, Kemal also released many solo works as well as collaborations with other drum and bass artists.

Contents

Description

Kemal Okan and Robert Rodgers, both from Glasgow, United Kingdom, had their origins in the Detroit Techno scene, [1] with their preferred sound being the minimal style of Techno. [2] Kemal started to DJ at an early age and worked at the iconic [3] 23rd Precinct record store in Glasgow. Their techno background can be heard as it had a strong influence in their music. In 1998, they released their first track under the alias Konflict. The track was a remix of a trance tune named Share of Bitterness by Paragliders . [4] It was released on a Scottish label named WAQT Recordings.

Their first breakthrough occurred when they signed to Renegade Hardware in 1999. Their most notable releases on this label include Roadblock, The Beckoning, the Maelstrom EP and their hit, Messiah, which in 2010 was named the number one most essential Drum and Bass track of that decade by the influential Knowledge Magazine. [5] After a struggle over the release of Messiah, [6] when Kemal and Rob left Renegade Hardware in 2000, they abandoned the Konflict name as it was owned by and exclusively signed to the label. They continued to make music as Kemal and Rob Data and started their own label, Negative Recordings.

Rob Data decided to quit in 2002 to return to his studies for reasons unknown, though it has been rumoured that it had to do with his brother passing away at a Rave party .[ citation needed ] After the closing of Negative Recordings, Kemal started his own Cryptic Audio label, through which he released music until 2004. On its first release, Kemal used the alias Paranoid User, which was the only known occasion when he released under a different pseudonym.

Besides releases on Renegade Hardware and their own labels, their music appeared on labels such as Outbreak, Moving Shadow, Underfire, Audio Blueprint, Timeless, DSCI4, Cyanide Recordings, and Industry Recordings. Kemal produced much music alone as well as with his companion Rob, and he also co-operated with other artists such as Dom & Roland, Technical Itch, Paul Reset, Black Sun Empire, Sinthetix|Rob F and Impulse, and Dresden Codex. Rob Data only produced with Kemal, and never had a solo release.

In 2004 Kemal also decided to quit, having been quoted to be, "fed up with the current state of the Drum and Bass scene"[ citation needed ] and returned to his studies. He continued to work on music production as he joined the arabesque world music formation Nomad'iqa and produced their first album. [7] He also produced an album for Velahavle, a Bosnian Trip hop-Electronica band from Sarajevo that was released in 2005. [8] [ non-primary source needed ]

Recently, Rob Data has been playing old skool rave records at small nights held in local bowling clubs. These nights have also involved 808 State and Basement Phil. [9] [ non-primary source needed ] [10] [ non-primary source needed ] [11]

Influence

Their music has been cited as being heavily influential in the development of the neurofunk subgenre, which can be recognised in releases later that decade. Artists such as Phace have stated [12] that Konflict had a great influence on their sound, as Florian from Phace puts it; "I have to point out Optical and Konflict as my favourite producers of all the time. They practically paved the way for the sound we love and try to continue nowadays." The more widely known Pendulum, also named Kemal and Konflict as one of their biggest Drum & Bass influences in their early years. [13]

Trivia

The title of their track "Bios-Fear" together with Stakka & Skynet got its name because of the computer trouble they experienced while writing the tune (probably it was BIOS related). "Kemal and Rob came down from Glasgow to Brighton for a few days and we all went in the studio and out of it came 'Bios-Fear'. Named because at the time because our PC had a complete meltdown and Kemal and Rob spent hours trying to revive it." [14]

It took Kemal only a few days to write the remix of Crisis, a breaks tune by Paul Reset; "I asked if he fancied taking on one of my breaks tunes. I met him for a coffee and gave him the parts to "Crisis" (originally released on NB004) and within a couple of days – he'd finished it, the man was a genius in the studio." [15] It was the biggest release in the history of Nerve Recordings, but as the distributor went bankrupt, they were never able to determine how many were sold.

The track Stranded, a collaboration between Black Sun Empire and Kemal, was made after Kemal was literally stranded at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, and then stayed with the three Dutch members in Utrecht for several days. [16]

Kemal's last releases were The Anthem (Kemal Remix) in 2006 and Tamghra Nouchen (Kemal & Dresden Codex Remix) in 2011. These two tracks were composed years before, and were released years later after Kemal left the scene, due to delays and problems with label managements.

Discography

Singles and EPs

Remixes

Related Research Articles

Techstep is a dark subgenre of drum and bass that was created in the mid-1990s.

Counterstrike is a drum and bass music producer duo from Cape Town consisting of Justin Scholtemeyer and Eaton Crous. They are considered to be one of the pioneers of the South African drum and bass scene. Counterstrike are known for their composition of raw, high-energy sound inspired by metal, techno and early techstep.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dieselboy</span> American DJ and producer

Damian Higgins better known by his stage name Dieselboy, is an American drum and bass DJ and music producer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bad Company (drum and bass group)</span> English drum and bass group

Bad Company, Bad Company UK or simply BC is the stage name of the English drum and bass record producers Jason Maldini (Maldini), Michael Wojcicki (Vegas), Dan Stein and Darren White (dBridge).

Torgeir Byrknes, better known by his stage name Teebee, is a Norwegian DJ and producer of drum and bass. He also runs the record label Subtitles Recordings. Teebee began DJing in 1990 and released his first record in 1996. He won the Knowledge Magazine award for Best International Producer in 2001.

Jamie Quinn, better known by his stage name Matrix, is a British drum and bass producer, DJ, and founder of record label Metro Recordings in London.

Calyx is a British drum and bass act, specialising in the techstep and neurofunk styles. It was previously the duo of Larry Cons and Chris Rush, it is now a solo project of Larry Cons.

<i>The 6ixth Session</i> 2000 compilation album (Mix)

The 6ixth Session is a drum and bass compilation album mixed by Dieselboy, and included for the first time a second unmixed CD of complete original tracks. It was released by Palm Pictures on March 28, 2000. The 6ixth Session featured a cyborg-themed mix described by the Washington Post as “hard-edged hyperdriven dance music.” This project marked the beginning of Dieselboy’s VIP remix phase. The cover is a CGI generated image of the side of a robot's head.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rob Swire</span> Australian musical artist

Robert Swire-Thompson is an Australian record producer, singer, songwriter, and DJ. He is the founder and vocalist of the drum and bass and electronic rock band Pendulum, as well as DJ and co-founder of electro house duo Knife Party formed of Swire and Gareth McGrillen.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jon Gooch</span> British drum and bass, dubstep and electro house producer and DJ

Jonathan 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pendulum discography</span>

Pendulum are an Australian drum and bass band originating from Perth, Western Australia. They have released three studio albums, one live album, one compilation, one extended play, twenty-five singles and twelve music videos.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Another Planet/Voyager</span> 2004 single by Pendulum

"Another Planet" / "Voyager" is the second single by Australian drum and bass band Pendulum. It was released on 23 February 2004 by independent label Breakbeat Kaos, and was their first single to use the 12-inch picture disc format. The single peaked at number 46 in the UK Singles Chart, and reached number one in the UK Dance Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Back 2 You / Still Grey</span> 2004 single by Pendulum

"Back 2 You" / "Still Grey" is the third single by Australian drum and bass band Pendulum. It was released on 22 March 2004 by independent label Timeless Recordings, and was their first and only release with the label. The song "Still Grey" featured guest guitarist Evan Short of Concord Dawn, and was included on the CD edition of Hold Your Colour, released in July 2005.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Showdown (Pendulum song)</span> 2009 single by Pendulum

"Showdown" is the fourth single and first track from the album In Silico by Australian electronic rock band Pendulum. It has been remixed by several artists, including DJ Clipz and Excision. It is also the first single taken from In Silico not to use the album logo prominently on its cover.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">DJ EBK</span> Musical artist

EBK is a drum and bass producer and DJ from London, England, with 10 years of releases on influential labels including Renegade Hardware and Dispatch Recordings.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maztek</span> Musical artist

Maztek aka Matteo Cavo is a drum and bass neurofunk producer born in Rome, Italy. He began his career in 2004, after several releases on various independent record labels he was featured in 2012 on Renegade Hardware with his Single "Galactica/Odyssey".

Billain is a Bosnian drum and bass producer, DJ and sound designer from Sarajevo. He is mostly known for his distinctive style within the neurofunk genre and his collaborations with Frenkie and Edo Maajka.

Robert Dickeson, known by his stage names Apex and Robert Oaks was a British drum and bass music producer and DJ from Kent, England.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Phace</span> Musical artist

Phace fka DJ Energize fka Bluescreen is a German music producer, DJ and label owner living in Hamburg, Germany. Influenced by bands and artists such as Kraftwerk, Tangerine Dream, The Prodigy, Photek, Thomas Bangalter, Miles Davis, Optical and Konflict, he is known for his state of the art, futuristic, and distinct sound-design and songwriting. He records music both with analog and digital equipment in his studio in Hamburg Altona.

Matt Quinn, known by his stage name Optical, is a British musician, producer and DJ. He is co-founder and owner of Virus Recordings, a widely regarded drum and bass record label. He is best known as one half of drum and bass duo Ed Rush and Optical, whose debut album Wormhole has been described as one of the most significant LPs of the drum and bass genre. He is also the brother of Jamie Quinn also known as Matrix.

References

  1. ↑ Kemal biography at Industry Recordings (Retrieved September 2011)
  2. ↑ Biography of Kemal under the section "our labels / kemal"
  3. ↑ Daily Record: Iconic record store 23rd Precinct closes after 50 years, 2009
  4. ↑ Paul Reset on nerverecordings.co.uk, 7 October 2009, Konflict remix of Paragliders “Share of Bitterness” (Retrieved September 2011)
  5. ↑ "Knowledge Magazine Feature: The essential DnB tracks of the 00's". Archived from the original on 28 April 2015. Retrieved 15 September 2011.
  6. ↑ Clayton (Label manager / Owner) on the Messiah release in a Q&A Archived 12 October 2012 at the Wayback Machine on Dogs on Acid, 2004
  7. ↑ Nomad'iqa website archived by the Internet Archive
  8. ↑ Velahavle biography on Myspace
  9. ↑ 808 State Event Information
  10. ↑ 48K Facebook Page, 2013
  11. ↑ Phuturelabs Interview with 48K
  12. ↑ Francesco Caccamo (ATM) – Interview with Phace, 2007, archived on dnbmovement.it
  13. ↑ Pendulum Interview by dnbforum.com, 2003,
  14. ↑ Knowledge Magazine: Stakka & Skynet interview Archived 2 April 2012 at the Wayback Machine , 2001
  15. ↑ Paul Reset on nerverecordings.co.uk, 13 August 2009, Nerve 005 – Paul Reset/Kemal/SKC/Black Sun Empire
  16. ↑ Black Sun Empire Q&A Archived 12 October 2012 at the Wayback Machine on Dogs on Acid, 2005
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.