Umek & Valentino Kanzyani

Umek
Born in 1976 Lubljana, Slovenia, Uros Umek began DJing in 1993 while he pioneered large scale techno parties with some of his friends in his home country which quickly became the county's favourite. Through his hard work creating these parties, techno became the most popular form of music in Slovenia and made him a very popular individual. He is currently the biggest DJ from Slovenia, and his nickname is "Votter", which means father..

He currently co-owns runs Consumer Recreation Records, as well as releasing on, amongst others, Tortured (as Mumps), Planet Rhythm, Audio, Missile, Communique. His current style is the combination of many different roots, which the more long term Umek fans may recognise. Starting with a rough, uncompromising edge he quickly built a reputation in the studio.

More recently he has developed a new funkier sound highlighted on his last double pack on Tortured under his Mumps guise, a real winner due to its funked up style - this was Carl Cox's number 1 record for 3 months. Recent productions included the hugely successful Recycled Loops (with close friend Valentino) and the first of Billy Nasty's new electro label (Electrix).

He has toured Australia and America already, and moves on to Japan and Singapore as well as scheduled dates for Brazil, Australia and America. He has been working on a follow-up from his massive Mumps tracks on Tortured and will be mixing the next of Billy Nasty's Torture Chamber CDs. Also, expect more from his electro alter-go Zeta Reticula.

Finally, from June 2001 onwards Umek will be playing on 4 decks, the fist time anyone has tried this on the scale that Umek is planning, be prepared.

Valentino Kanzyani
Of electronic producers from Eastern Europe that are setting new standards. In a short space of time he has reached a high level of production that is a reflection of his enthusiasm and total discipline towards his love of music.

His debut on Intec was on the International EP Vol 2 and was the excellent "Fever". A high energy house workout that was licensed by Slam, Steve Lawler and of course Carl Cox and is a definite hit amongst the Intec catalogue. He has followed this up with his finest work yet "House Soul", a truly crossover hit that can only be described as a great dance record pure and simple. With a killer set of remixes from DJ Q and Audio Soul Project this record seems destined for great things.

Valentino began his career as the main man behind one of Slovenia's most famous clubs, Ambasada Gavioli. He booked and played with almost every popular DJ from around the globe and was inspired by the variety and depth he heard in that time. Since then his production has lead to releases on labels such as Primary, Frogman and Superbra to name a few. His Porn Headquarters release will shortly be re-released on Deep Dish's Yoshitoshi label.

With fellow Slovenian pioneer Umek he has set up Recycled Loops, a label where their collaborations have worked to devastating effect. A global DJ schedule takes him from Australia to Germany to Asia and every point in between.