MJ Cole

Last updated

MJ Cole
Birth nameMatthew James Firth Coleman
Origin London, England
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • DJ
  • record producer
  • musician
  • remixer
Years active1997–present
Labels
Website Prolific Recordings

Matthew James Firth Coleman, better known by his stage name MJ Cole, is an English garage DJ, record producer and remixer.

Contents

Career

Born in London, England, in his youth, Cole was classically trained on the oboe and piano, and won scholarships to both the Royal College of Music Junior Department and City of London School. [1]

Having graduated from City University, Cole began working at the drum and bass label SOUR, as a tape operator and sound engineer to the likes of Freq Nasty and Ed Rush. It was working on Ramsey & Fen's 2-step remixes for Kym Mazelle, however, that gave him the garage bug. He was the trusted engineer and lead producer of tracks on the UK garage label V.I.P. (Very Important Plastic) between 1997-1999 and a pirate radio DJ on London Underground FM, alongside the likes of the Dreem Teem.

From there, Cole penned and produced "Sincere" in 1998 using a sampler and Atari, which was eventually picked up by Pete Tong and AM:PM and became one of the earliest garage records to break into the top 40 on the UK Singles Chart. [2]

He signed with Gilles Peterson's Talkin' Loud label where in 2000 he produced his first album, also called Sincere , which earned him two top 15 singles on the UK Singles Chart, a prestigious Mercury Music Prize nomination, Brit Award nomination and beat Dr. Dre to win MOBO's Best Producer award in 2001. [3] [4] He received a BPI certification for UK sales in excess of 60,000 copies. [5] Cole formed a live band to accompany his Sincere album performing on Jools Holland's Later Show as well as on Top of the Pops , CD:UK , The Chart Show and at the Mercury Music Prize and MOBO Awards. In 2003, Cole followed Sincere with his Cut to the Chase album, also released via Talkin' Loud. [6]

After leaving Talkin' Loud in 2004, Cole released several singles and EPs via his own Prolific Recordings label. Cole's output on the label has included many notable collaborations including grime artist Wiley and long-time collaborator Elisabeth Troy.

In 2014, he co-wrote and produced "Nobody But You" for Mary J. Blige with Sam Smith and Jimmy Napes, and again in early 2015 on Napes' own Making of Me EP. [ citation needed ]

He collaborated with T Williams on "Privilege", released in 2015 on Today Records and Tomorrow Records and released "Bouldaz" on Disclosure's Method White label the same year. [7] [ citation needed ]

Cole continued to produce for artists across the musical spectrum. Dizzee Rascal's "Bassline Junkie", Example's "Something in the Water" and Katy B's "Blue Eyes" were all produced by Cole.[ citation needed ] He has also remixed tracks for Amy Winehouse, Mariah Carey, De La Soul, Alicia Keys and many more.[ citation needed ] He released remixes of Jess Glynne's "Hold My Hand" on Atlantic and DJ Fresh and Adam F's "Believer" on Ministry of Sound.

He released "Alcatraz" on Redlight's Lobster Boy Records in early 2016. This was followed by "The Rumble" in August 2016. A hard hitting, genre crossing record featuring hotly tipped UK MC AJ Tracey. Cole said of the record that it was "a slice of London, the energy of now, a fusion of all that is exciting in the U.K. for us." [8]

Through 2017 to 2018, Cole has been releasing a steady selection of singles under the 892 label, including "Pictures in My Head" and "Soak It Up". Some singles would also be accompanied by VIP mixes, also created by Cole. In 2018, he released a new EP entitled "Foundations", stating that the project "takes a step away from my more traditional form of writing". [9]

Alongside his producing, writing and remixing work, Cole continues to tour as a DJ at festivals and clubs around the world. [10] Cole has also written and produced scores for several major TV advertising campaigns including the Schwartz "The Sound of Taste" campaign and wrote a piece called "Lava" for O2. [11] Cole was also responsible for the construction and design of a new recording studio complex in Clerkenwell called The Gin Factory.

Personal life

Cole enjoys cycling and has ridden Land's End to John o' Groats. [12]

Discography

Albums

TitleDetailsPeak chart positionsCertifications
UK
[13]
Sincere
  • Released: 4 December 2000
  • Label: Talkin' Loud
  • Formats: CD, vinyl, digital download, streaming
14
Cut to the Chase
  • Released: 21 April 2003
  • Label: Talkin' Loud
  • Formats: CD, vinyl, digital download, streaming
MJ Cole Presents Madrugada
  • Released: 3 April 2020
  • Label: Decca
  • Formats: CD, vinyl, digital download, streaming
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released.

Extended plays

TitleDetails
Northside / Southside
(with Matlok)
  • Released: December 2007
  • Label: Prolific
  • Formats: Vinyl
Battle Stations
(with Zed Bias featuring MC Fox)
  • Released: December 2009
  • Label: Prolific
  • Formats: Vinyl
Riddim
  • Released: 26 April 2010
  • Label: Prolific
  • Formats: Vinyl
Satellite
  • Released: 28 February 2011
  • Label: Prolific
  • Formats: Vinyl, digital download, streaming
Southern Electric
(with Scrufizzer)
  • Released: 11 October 2011
  • Label: Prolific
  • Formats: Vinyl, digital download, streaming
Panoramic
  • Released: 19 August 2013
  • Label: Prolific
  • Formats: Vinyl, digital download, streaming
Foundations
  • Released: 26 October 2018
  • Label: 892 Records
  • Formats: Digital download, streaming
Waking Up
  • Released: 27 February 2019
  • Label: 892 Records
  • Formats: Digital download, streaming

Singles

Remixes

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Adam F</span> English record producer and DJ

Adam Fenton is an English record producer and DJ who has worked across various genres. He is also the co-founder of the drum and bass label Breakbeat Kaos along with DJ Fresh. He found initial success with the 1990s drum and bass singles "Circles", "Metropolis" / "Mother Earth", and "F-Jam", before releasing his debut studio album Colours in 1997. In 2001, he transitioned into hip hop music, producing the album Kaos: The Anti-Acoustic Warfare, featuring collaborations with LL Cool J, Redman and De La Soul. He later released a remix album, Drum and Bass Warfare, and collaborated with DJ Fresh.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gilles Peterson</span> French-born British broadcaster and DJ

Gilles Jérôme Moehrle MBE, better known as Gilles Peterson, is a French broadcaster, DJ, and record label owner. He founded the influential labels Acid Jazz and Talkin' Loud, and started his current label Brownswood Recordings in 2006. He was awarded an honorary MBE in 2004, the AIM Award for Indie Champion and the Mixmag Award for Outstanding Contribution To Dance Music in 2013, the PRS for Music Award for Outstanding Contribution to Music Radio in 2014, and The A&R Award from the Music Producers Guild in 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Armand van Helden</span> American DJ (born 1970)

Armand van Helden is an American DJ, record producer, remixer and songwriter from Boston. He is considered one of house music's most revered figures, with a career spanning three decades.

Jazzanova is a German Berlin-based DJ/producer collective consisting of Alexander Barck, Claas Brieler, Jürgen von Knoblauch, Roskow Kretschmann, Stefan Leisering, and Axel Reinemer. Formed in 1995, the group's music is characterized by nu jazz, chill-out, as well as Latin jazz styles. They founded the record label Sonar Kollektiv in 1997.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Everything but the Girl</span> English musical duo

Everything but the Girl are an English musical duo formed in Kingston upon Hull in 1982, consisting of lead singer, songwriter, composer and occasional guitarist Tracey Thorn and guitarist, keyboardist, songwriter, composer, producer and singer Ben Watt. The group's early works have been categorized as sophisti-pop with jazz influences before undergoing an electronic turn following the worldwide success of the 1994 hit single "Missing", remixed by Todd Terry.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">High Contrast</span> Welsh musical artist (born 1979)

Lincoln Barrett, better known by the stage name High Contrast, is a Welsh electronic music producer, DJ and record producer. He produces drum and bass music, and his 2009 album Confidential reached BPI gold certification.

Sten Hallström, also known by his stage name StoneBridge, is a Swedish DJ and record producer. He received international acclaim with the remix of the 1993 hit "Show Me Love" with Robin S. and his remix for "Closer" by Ne-Yo which received a 2008 Grammy nomination.

Stuart Langelaan, stage name Lange, is a British DJ and record producer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Booka Shade</span> German house music duo

Booka Shade is a German house duo. It is made up of Walter Merziger and Arno Kammermeier, described as veterans of the Frankfurt electronic music scene. They have released 7 studio albums, including Memento (2004), Movements (2006), The Sun & the Neon Light (2008), More! (2010), Eve (2013), Galvany Street (2017), Cut the Strings (2018), various EPs and a mix album for DJ-Kicks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ben Westbeech</span> British DJ and record producer

Ben Westbeech, also known as Breach, is a British DJ and record producer originating from Hertfordshire who spent his formative musical years in Bristol. Trained as cellist and vocalist, his influences include house, soul, jazz and hip hop.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tinie Tempah</span> British rapper and singer

Patrick Chukwuemeka Okogwu, better known by his stage name Tinie, is a British rapper and singer. He has been signed to Parlophone since 2009, a subsidiary of Warner Music Group. He created his own entertainment company Disturbing London in 2006, along with his cousin Dumi Oburota.

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

Greg Stainer is an English house and electronic dance music DJ and producer. He is the co-creator and member of the electronic music duo Hollaphonic.

<i>Sincere</i> (album) 2000 studio album by MJ Cole

Sincere is the debut studio album by English musician MJ Cole. It was released in December 2000 under the Talkin' Loud label. The album reached number 14 on the UK Albums Chart in August 2001. It was included in the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Crazy Love (MJ Cole song)</span> 2000 single by M. J. Cole

"Crazy Love" is a song by UK garage musician MJ Cole, released on 24 April 2000 as the second single from his debut album Sincere. Elisabeth Troy Antwi provides vocals on the song. The song peaked at No. 10 on the UK Singles Chart, No. 1 on the UK Dance Singles Chart, and No. 17 in Iceland. In the United States, exactly one year after its UK release, the song was serviced to rhythmic radio and reached No. 22 on the Billboard Dance Club Songs chart.

DJ S.K.T is an English record producer, DJ and label manager, known for his work involving house, and tech house.

UK garage, abbreviated as UKG, is a genre of electronic dance music which originated in England in the early to mid-1990s. The genre was most clearly inspired by jungle, but also incorporates elements from dance-pop and R&B. It is defined by percussive, shuffled rhythms with syncopated hi-hats, cymbals, and snares, and may include either 4/4 house kick patterns or more irregular "2-step" rhythms. Garage tracks also commonly feature 'chopped up' and time-stretched or pitch-shifted vocal samples complementing the underlying rhythmic structure at a tempo usually around 130 BPM.

Ceri Evans, better known as Sunship, is an English record producer, DJ, remixer and jazz pianist.

"Sincere" is the debut single by English UK garage musician MJ Cole, released in 1998. It features Nova Casper and Jay Dee on vocals. The song initially peaked at No. 38 on the UK Singles Chart, but a re-release in 2000 containing new mixes proved even more successful, peaking at No. 13. It also reached No. 1 on the UK Dance Singles Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">My Love (Kele Le Roc song)</span> 1999 single by Kele Le Roc

"My Love" is a song by British singer Kele Le Roc. It was released on 15 March 1999 as the second single from her debut album, Everybody's Somebody. Like her previous single "Little Bit of Lovin'", the song peaked at No. 8 on the UK Singles Chart, and it also peaked at No. 48 in New Zealand in January 2001. In 1999, the song won a MOBO Award for Best Single. Several remixes of the song became underground hits in the UK.

"Dreams" is a song by English house/UK garage duo Smokin Beats, featuring singer Lyn Eden on vocals. It was first released on the duo's own label Smokin Beats in 1996, then released as an official single on the AM:PM label in 1997, containing remixes by Erick Morillo, Ian Pooley and Kings of Tomorrow. The song peaked at No. 23 on the UK Singles Chart, and also reached No. 1 on the UK Dance Singles Chart in January 1998.

References

  1. "MJ Cole". Red Bull Music Academy Radio. Archived from the original on 1 June 2015. Retrieved 13 January 2016.
  2. "Interview with MJ Cole by DJEQ Magazine in 1999 | Interviews". www.garagemusic.co.uk. Archived from the original on 13 April 2016. Retrieved 13 January 2016.
  3. Lomax, Sophie (16 January 2001). "Soulful Craig David looks set to sweep Brit awards". the Guardian. Retrieved 13 January 2016.
  4. "2000: Craig David, DJ Luck and MC Neat, Eminem and Left Eye | MOBO Awards". mobo.com. Retrieved 13 January 2016.
  5. "MJ Cole - fabric nightclub, london". fabric london. Retrieved 13 January 2016.
  6. "Cut to the Chase - MJ Cole | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 13 January 2016.
  7. "T. Williams and MJ Cole see in spring with piano house on 'Privilege'". FACT Magazine: Music News, New Music. 17 March 2015. Retrieved 13 January 2016.
  8. "Get Hyped For Carnival With AJ Tracey And MJ Cole's Fiery New One, "The Rumble"". The FADER. Retrieved 14 November 2016.
  9. Staff, XLR8R (26 October 2018). "MJ Cole Shares 'Glistening' 'Foundations' EP". XLR8R. Retrieved 9 January 2019.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  10. "RA: MJ Cole tour dates". Resident Advisor. Retrieved 13 January 2016.
  11. "MJ Cole: Schwartz "The Sound of Taste"". mj-cole.blogspot.co.uk. Retrieved 13 January 2016.
  12. Instagram - MJ Cole
  13. 1 2 Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 114. ISBN   1-904994-10-5.
  14. "British certifications – M J Cole – Sincere". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved 13 May 2021.
  15. "British certifications – MJ Cole – Crazy Love". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved 16 January 2023.
  16. "Waking Up – Single by MJ Cole & Freya Ridings". Apple Music. Retrieved 20 June 2019.
  17. "Rushing Back (feat. Vera Blue) [MJ Cole Remix]". Soundcloud. Retrieved 31 March 2021.
  18. "Gone (MJ Cole Remix) - Single by GRACEY on Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved 26 April 2020.