TF Archives

Teriyaki's Great Big Knockout Xmas Parti

Author: Michelle Pirovich
Monday, December 15, 2003
The last one for the year, featuring 100% LIVE from the U.K: The legendary Justin Berkovi!!!

Influenced at the earliest possible point by a jazz pianist father followed by a youth spent delved in the world of 1980s hip hop and graffiti, Justin Berkovi developed a passion for innovative music and design and has evolved into a true artist from his home in sunny Brighton, UK.

Berkovi's first album, 1998's Charm Hostel was a dark and introspective debut which displayed a maturity and depth belying Berkovi's years. Lauded by critics, DJ magazine described it as "percussive genius . . . at once accessible and thought provoking" while Magic Feet predicted Justin ". . . could well turn out to be a future leading light in UK electronica".

After The Night (1999), his second album on Force Inc., again received critical acclaim and displayed a filmic evolution to Berkovi's music. While creating abstract soundscapes, Justin simultaneously rocked the dancefloors of clubs worldwide and released a host of 12s on various labels including Djax-Up-Beats, Projex, Sativae, Mosquito, Harthouse, Force Inc. (the fierce and brooding 01279 Violence EP was NME's "Dance Single of the Week"), Sonic Groove, Kne Deep and many more.

His third album In The Bag (released on Harthouse in 2000), preempted the bassline techno which was to become extremely popular among Berkovi's peers; while Transit - Justin's most recent album release on Music Man - was a representation of the live set which by this stage had been played across the world from Japan to the USA, Israel, France, Belgium, Holland, Germany, Malta and as far away as Australia.

Berkovi heads up the Predicaments and Nightrax labels. The former having played host to artists such as DJ Rush, Miss Kittin (Jockey Slut labeled 2002's Berkovi Vs Kittin My Voice . . . EP a "Hit"), Adam X, Subhead and Dave Tarrida among others; Predicaments' first release (one of Justin's own) was branded by Mixmag "Techno Tune of the Month" and five years later the label is heading towards it's eighteenth release.

Justin has used Nightrax to release only his own music inspired by nighttime drives along highways - deeper and more melodic than the material found on Predicaments and closer to his heart. Closer to his heart still though was the opportunity for Berkovi to produce four tracks for the John Peel Session on BBC Radio One (1998) - a great honour bestowed upon Justin and a great feat when the Session was replayed a second time.

2003 sees Justin releasing his fifth and finest album so far - the work of a full year in the studio; textured melodies, deep subliminal chords and sparkling percussive elements sum up an inspired techno album. In the meantime, Berkovi's live shows continue to astound and cause dancefloor mayhem wherever they are heard - most recently a partnering with DJ Rush for live shows across Europe. The incredible fusion of Rush's beats and vocals and Berkovi's twisted take on slamming dancefloor techno under the BTrax moniker has already been causing a stir. Check for new 12s on Monika Kruse's Terminal M, DJ Rush's Kne Deep imprint, Djax-Up-Beats as well as Projex.

Line up also includes:
Mike Callender
DJ Pixleton
Dee Dee
Slack
Slieker
& Disko Pussy.

Friday 26th December
Teriyaki's Great Big Knockout Xmas Parti.
Room 680

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