Dubfunk

Deep, pulsating grooves laden with inspired sonic crescendos that ebb, flow, peak and trough: these are the inimitable sounds of Dubfunk, one of Progressive House music’s truly formidable talents. From humble beginnings in his homeland of Egypt, global recognition for the quality of both his DJ performances and forward-thinking productions has seen Dubfunk firmly establish himself as a key player in electronic dance music’s ever-evolving landscape. And, having achieved so much in so little time thus far, it’s clear that this master of grooves’ meteoric rise has really only just begun …
Renowned for crafting seamless progressive mixes of distinction, as a DJ, Dubfunk’s sets have gleaned global notoriety for their smooth programming, flawless transitions and constant, resonant groove. Fuelled by an eclectic blend of childhood musical heroes (including Led Zeppelin, The Doors and Nina Simone) and inspired via an epiphany induced by the iconic Northern Exposure and Global Underground compilations of the mid-1990s; his trademark penchant for embracing diversity and concocting cohesive fusions of sound today, comes as little surprise.
Commencing his career behind the decks in 2002 in his own co-owned club in Cairo, Dubfunk’s passion and talent for DJing both grew rapidly … as did demand for his deep, dancefloor-rousing sounds. A prominent residency at Sharm El Sheik’s Pacha soon followed – a vital posting which not only saw him share the booth with some of the world’s leading progressive figures, but moreover, earn their critical praise, support and acclaim. Recognising the importance of Europe as the global epicenter of electronic music and enamored by a career within its wondrous midst, he boldly relocated to Switzerland in 2005, meticulously set up his own professional studio, and immediately commenced writing his own tunes … the results of which, unbeknownst to him, would soon shift his career – and his tour diary – into veritable overdrive! Indeed, as word of Dubfunk’s genre-entwining, underground tunes and deep, infectious sets spread throughout Europe, premium gig and tour offers started to flow. From shows with Sander Kleinenberg in Cairo and Hernan Cattaneo at the legendary Turnmills in London, to fully-fledged artist tours throughout South America in both 2006 and 2007; the world, it seemed, was fast becoming his oyster …
However, while Dubfunk has earned an enviable reputation for the quality of his DJing, it’s his acclaimed work in the studio that, for many DJs and fans worldwide, sets him a cut above the rest. Original tunes like ‘Mandala’, ‘Cruel’, ‘Penetration’ and ‘Eternal Rhapsody’ have each captured the imagination of electronic stalwarts far and wide over the last couple of years - and in doing so, led to an array of exciting remix and compilation projects.
Armed with an eight-year professional audio engineering career and a rare creative ability to write music from the heart that makes his mind and body sing; Dubfunk’s productions are imbued with a sublime mixture of technical precision and delicate sensibility that, together, have forged a unique, emotive sound that is all his very own. Drawing upon a passion for sounds deep within the broad spectrum of electronic genres yet forever staying true to his progressive roots, since 2007 his tunes have been regularly championed by DJs the ilk of John Digweed, Hernan Cattaneo, Sasha, Dave Seaman, Laurent Garnier, Sander Kleinenberg and Armin Van Buuren; have made their way into the upper echelons of the world’s premier music download charts; and have consistently made their way onto a list of top-shelf labels including Global Underground, Audio Therapy and Mashtronic. Furthermore, his association with these labels has in turn seen him at the helm of no less than six prestigious compilation releases: five for Global Underground (encompassing its ‘Electric Calm’, ‘Digitized’, ‘Synchronized’ and ‘5 Years Of GU’ banners) and one for Dave Seaman’s Audio Therapy ‘This Is Audio Therapy Digital 2’.
Constantly enthused and energised by the wealth of new sounds and electronic nuances that surround him, Dubfunk’s passion for music know no bounds. Although immensely satisfied with his DJ and production career, in 2007 he launched his own imprint: Dyami Records. Founded as a flexible vehicle for his own works and a catalyst for launching rising studio stars of today, tomorrow and beyond; Dyami specialises in forward-thinking progressive and tech-house sounds, and has fast become a recognised seal of studio prowess and musical quality. Artists signed to the label include the likes of Logiztik Sounds, Dibby Dougherty, Cid Inc, Chloe Harris and Dana Bergquist & Peder G, and, like Dyami Records itself, the roster’s quality continues to grow month by month, year by year …
Having recently returned from a hugely successful DJ tour of Australia and with a string of originals, remixes and Dyami releases beckoning on the near horizon, 2009 is already off to a hectic, flying start for Dubfunk … but that’s the just the way this master of eternal rhapsodies and twisting dancefloor’s minds likes it. In fact, he wouldn’t have it any other way.
By Harley Augustine (2009)