The wait is over: Wilkinson’s debut album Lazers Not Included is out today!
One of 2013’s runaway D&B success stories, this mighty debut has been two years in the making and can be grabbed on iTunes (http://bit.ly/1aOoTB9), Amazon (http://amzn.to/17nkIkq) and right here on Drum&BassArena (http://bit.ly/1aAfaBC).
A varied collection boasting both power and a pristine production, it’s designed as much to be heard through headphones as it is in a club and it showcases the RAM Records artist at his most colourful and comprehensive. To understand the album more it’s best to go back and understand how Wilkinson got here…
Prior to becoming a card-carrying drum & bass ambassador, Wilkinson was a drummer in bands, playing at charity fairs and old people’s homes. Following a music tech course at school in Twickenham and similar studies at Esher College, he started experimenting with Cubase and, using money left to him by his granddad, he acquired a studio once owned by the sample-crafty beat outfit The Herbaliser!
Dropping his job at a garden center in Petersham where the likes of The Rolling Stones’ Ronnie Wood was a regular customer, he started working in music full time. Thrown headfirst into a world of international rave chaos, Cyantific took him under his wing, nurturing Wilkinson as a DJ and producer, eventually introducing him Ram Records where an exclusive contract awaited.
The rest is history, let’s remind ourselves of five of Wilkinson’s key releases that brought him here today. For full details on how the album was created and please read our full interview with Wilkinson.
Moonwalker (2010)
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xrfROoP-3dQ
Premiered on Andy C’s mammoth Nightlife 5 mix, Moonwalker was Wilkinson’s debut into the big league. Over three years old, it still sounds as killer today as it did when we first heard it rip through our speakers.
Tonight (2011)
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Az9QWhZEdqo
Reach for the lasers… The lush, spine-shuddering vibes of Tonight guaranteed Wilkinson a place in all D&B DJs’ playlists with this perfect balance of euphoria and low-end drive. No end-of-night huggathon was complete without it.
Automatic (2012)
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1mUSVUum_Nk
The ultimate rave-blaster, Automatic provided critical balance following the pristine emotion of Tonight. One of his most hype-fused tracks, it caused hench-like dancefloor behaviour on an international level.
Need To Know (2012)
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cUoIEtWgIhM
Showcasing a more melodic, organic side to his repertoire Need To Know saw Wilkinson shoot up the D&B premier league once again. Picking up props from broadcasters as well fellow DJs, it galvanized Wilkinson’s reputation as a producer with true scope.
Afterglow (2013)
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aAH-dDQB-ow
Wilkinson’s first top 10 smasher, Afterglow has been one of the biggest D&B tracks all year. Delicate enough for airwaves, heavy enough for floors of all sizes, there’s been no better introduction to Lazers Not Included.
Five examples of his extensive discography, five wholly distinctive examples of the young producer’s talents… And if you think that range is bountiful, just check out his album. “It takes people on a journey, musically,” he explains. “It goes from nice one minute to hard-hitting and aggressive the next.” – Just the way all the best DJ sets and album should do.”
Amen to that. Don’t forget to catch Wilkinson at Brixton O2 Academy on November 1 where he’ll be performing alongside Andy C, Loadstar, Calyx & TeeBee, Delta Heavy, Culture Shock, Rene LaVice and many more.
Lazers Not Included is out now on iTunes, Amazon and right here on Drum&BassArena. Grab it today!