Got the bug in 87 from Chicago house parties at Tiffanys in Gt Yarmouth, Caister Soul Weekend and Richards Parties. Artists such as Marshall Jefferson, Fingers Inc, Nitro Deluxe, Adonis and many more appeared live at these events switching me on to this amazing new sound. Began DJing in 1989 with my mate Alex around Lowestoft, Gt Yarmouth and various other places on the East Coast of England playing Chicago house, Detroit techno, oldskool hip hop, rare grooves and anything that was hot out of a sampler. We ran a few nights including Meltdown and Another Do At The Brunswick.
Took the musical direction of Hardcore and early Jungle around 1990/91. Danny Flytronix tagged me as Jam Master Jay. Of course, its a steal from the now sadly departed Run DMC DJ legend who was a big hero of ours. At the time I didn't think much about it, didn't think this DJing lark would go that far, it was just for fun. The name did cause a problem when I started recording!
I did have a hand in the 1991 release by the Plastic Clothes Mechanics. We pressed up copies, hiring a van and distributing them ourselves. Believe me it was a steep learning curve. The studio ripped us off by saying it was ok to master to D90 cassette! Oh how they laughed when we turned up at the pressing plant!
Anyway, played at some major parties such as Dance 91 at Norwich Sports Village (Norwich's only legal dance event in 91), Eclipse in Cambridge, Cryptonite, Shrine, Raven, Raindance @ Jenkins Lane, as well as being a regular at local events, Dance Paradise, Richards Parties and many more. My JMJ mixtape series called Emotion started early 1991 through to 93, ran for 14 tapes all of which I have blown the dust off and converted to digital.
Around 1993, myself and Richie hooked up in Jonny Tekniq's studio. We got busy sampling and our first decent attempt at 2 tracks (Hall Of Mirrors / Case Closed, Shadow35) was signed by the legendary Moving Shadow records. We released under the name JMJ & Richie. I shortened it to JMJ as Moving Shadow had a connection with RUN DMC and Jam Master Jay's American label who wouldn't allow the use of the full name. Of course I wouldn't have wanted too, out of respect for the original Jam Master Jay.
As well as recording for Moving Shadow as JMJ I recorded for Bukem's Good Looking Records under the name Parallel World, White House Records as Spirits From An Urban Jungle and E-Z Rollers with Moving Shadow Records, V Records and Intercom Recordings. Currently working on new E-Z Rollers material.
TO BOOK JMJ FOR OLDSKOOL DJ SETS please drop me a myspace mail.