Photos courtesy of Base Planning
Alex Attias	Volcov

On April 8, resident DJ of leading Aoyama club Loop’s long-running In the Mix parties, DJ Mochizuki (Under Groove Productions) is looking to introduce Tokyo clubbers to the latest sounds from London by inviting two special guests, DJs Alex Attias and Volcov, to perform in Archive Records’ Japan Tour 2000.

As part of highly-regarded jazz-funk label Archive Records, Alex Attias and owner Volcov join company with an elite crew that also boasts such UK legends as drum‘n’bass innovator Dego from 4Hero, and Restless Soul’s Phil Asher.

Launching his DJ career with a four-year residency at the Mad club in Lausanne, Switzerland, Alex Attias was soon spinning his distinctive electro style, blending elements of funk, classic disco, house and hip hop, at clubs throughout Europe. He created a stir with his first single, “Magik,” released under the name Bel Air Project in 1996, and went on to release a number of well-regarded underground club hits including “Jazz with Attitude,” “Dark Jazzor” and “Future Talk.” After catching the ear of UK dance powers Dego and jazz-funk impresario Gilles Peterson, Attias moved to London to further his career at the heart of the dance music scene. He has also toured Japan as part of the ‘99 Wide Open tour, alongside Rainer Truby, Jazzanova, and Patrick Forge.

Hailing from Italy, Volcov started DJing hip hop at age 15, but was soon inspired by Detroit techno pioneers like Carl Craig and Derrick May to start his own Psyche Group parties in Milan. Following up with the drum’n’bass party Sonica Night, named for his newly-launched d’n’b label Sonica (under which he releases his own tracks), Volcov moved to London, starting another label, Archive, in 1998. Boasting a wide range of sounds from breakbeat to house, including 4Hero, Ross Allen, Patrick Forge, Gilles Peterson, Kirk de Giorgio and Jazzanova, Archive is pushing the boundaries of dance music with a vision entirely its own.

Archive Records Japan Tour 2000: Loop, 4/8, 10pm, JY3000 w/1d. Tel: 03-3797-9185. www.music.co.jp/~loop