Top Buzz | |
|---|---|
| Origin | London, United Kingdom |
| Genres | House, breakbeat hardcore, jungle |
| Years active | 1988–2023 |
| Labels | Basement Records |
| Past members | Mikee B Jason Kaye Mad P |
Top Buzz were a British breakbeat hardcore and jungle DJ/MC crew.
History
Top Buzz were originally formed in 1988 by MC Patrick Jarrett ("Mad P"), DJ Mikee B and DJ Jason Kaye. All originate from areas in north London, Tottenham and Enfield respectively.[1][2]
They were one of the first to popularise the term jungle techno, meaning to encompass both jungle and techno influences as it began to emerge from the hardcore sound from 1991. They released Livin' in Darkness on Basement Records in 1992, which encapsulates much of the flavour of the era. They were headline performers at Amnesia House, Fantazia, Universe, Dreamscape and Obsession events, amongst many others.
A distinct feature was the ragga MCing of MC Patrick, strongly influenced by Jamaican dancehall. Patrick often referred to the team as "Two Blacks and a Bubble", a reference to their ethnic origins, with 'bubble' referring to Bubble and Squeak, the Cockney rhyming slang for Greek (Kaye is of Greek Cypriot descent).[3]
Mikee B moved on to become part of UK garage outfit Dreem Teem, with a slot on BBC Radio 1 until May 2005.[4]
Jason Kaye went on to become a successful and influential DJ, producer and promoter of UK garage. His record label, Social Circles, is widely considered to be one of the best underground record labels in the UK, and he founded the 'Garage Nation' series of events with Terry Turbo.
Patrick Jarrett studied to become a chef, a trade that he is still doing today. Jarrett is the son of Cynthia Jarrett, who died in the Broadwater Farm Estate riots in London in 1985.[5]
Mad P and Kaye were still performing as Top Buzz, up until Kaye died on 11 March 2023.[6][7]
Selected discography
Selected singles/EPs
- Livin' in Darkness/Violas Delight (Basement, 1992)
- Livin' in Darkness 93/Maintain Her (Basement, 1993)
- Livin a Dream/The Wok (Basement, 1994)
Selected mixes
- Dreamscape Vol. 02 - The Vision (Dreamscape, 1997)
References
- ↑ "Top Buzz - Obsession Promotions". Obsession Promotions. Archived from the original on 29 April 2012.
- ↑ "DJ Top Buzz - old skool / rave / hardcore Inc Mad P, Jason K, Mikey B". Fantazia. Archived from the original on 8 June 2008.
- ↑ "The meaning and origin of the expression: Bubble and squeak". phrases.org.uk. Retrieved 22 June 2015.
- ↑ "Mikee B - Biography". Resident Advisor.
- ↑ "What caused the 1985 Tottenham Broadwater Farm riot". bbc.co.uk. 3 March 2014. Retrieved 22 June 2015.
- ↑ "Jason Kaye, influential UK hardcore and garage DJ, has died". DJ Mag. 13 March 2023.
- ↑ "Hardcore DJ and Top Buzz member Jason Kaye has died aged 54". MixMag. 13 March 2023.