| Karl was
running reggae and 70's sound systems in his
teens, then gained an electronics diploma
at college. He was part of the pop group/
mixing team 'Double Trouble' in the 1980's,
achieving chart success as Double Trouble
& The Rebel MC, mixing Morgan Khan's "upfront"
acid LP's and producing regular Double Trouble
megamixes for the Chris Forbes show on capital
radio. Karl left Double Trouble to become
an individual DJ and Remixer, working with
artists such as J.D.Braithwaite, and producers
such as Mark Cyrus, Mike Spencer and Aston
Harvey ( who first taught Karl how to program).
He teamed up with Matt "JAM" Lamont
to form TUFFJAM in 1993, and remix & production
work as TUFFJAM increased rapidly over the
next 6 years. Karl's own DJ career reached
and maintained headline status during the
same time. TUFFJAM's own record label UVM
was launched in 1997, featuring tracks such
as "Peekay - Sweet Sensation" and
"Dawn Tallman - New York City Girl".
Karl & Matt compiled and mixed the album
"Havin' It Stateside" o n D.W.A.
followed by two TUFFJAM mix cd's "Underground
Frequencies" Vol.1 (silver sales status)
and Vol.2 in 1997 and 1998 for Satellite Records.
Another album was compiled and mixed for the
U.S.A. entitled "TUFF JAMS".
UVM recording studio was built in 1998
to allow the duo more freedom to refine
their sound (using logic emagic sequencing
to replace the previous atari cubase system),
and to produce "in-house" to the
highest standards. They remixed numerous
tracks for artists such as Rosie Gaines,
Tina Moore, Ce Ce Peniston, En Vogue, Brand
New Heavies, Mark Morrison, Usher and Coolio,
as well as entering the charts with their
own productions, such as TJR Feat. Xavier
"Just Gets Better" and TUFFJAM
Feat.Jaquee Bennett "Need Good Love".
Their first radio show was broadcast on
KISS 100 in 1997. The weekly show continued
until March 2000. Karl released his first
solo mix cd "Pure Silk - A New Dimension"
in 1999, which has now achieved silver sales
status, followed by second mix cd "KISS
- UK Garage" in March 2000. Both cd's
entered the music week top 10 dance compilations
chart immediately after release. TUFFJAM
parted amicably with the end of the KISS
show in march 2000, both Karl and Matt wanting
to pursue their own individual projects.
Those who acknowledge the contribution that
the duo made to the phenomenon that is now
known as "UK Garage" will be pleased
to see that Karl and Matt individually continue
to support and develop the genre, taking
it to larger and wider audiences in 2000
and beyond...
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