Stepwise #1

11:V1 STEPWISE 0012-0024-1997 Issue number 1 volume number 1 DJ 3D DJ Snuggles DJ Tre DJ Swamp DJ Krispi Q System, Force, 3D, Beth & Tom B Q System 3D & Snuggles

PAGE 01 STEPWISE HITORY 4 DJ 3D: CODENAME THE TECHNICIAN 5 BETH WILLIAMS 6 DJ SLAK 8 DJ SNUGGLES 9 DJ TRÉ 10 DJ SWAMP 11 TOM B. 12 STEPWISE EVENTS 13 STEPWISE DISCOGRAPHY 14 END PARTY-PEEPLE AT A STEPWISE EVENT TABLE OF CONTENTS Thank you for your interest in stepwise recordings. We have produced a Stepwise Magazine to inform you about the Stepwise artists and their projects. If you have any questions or suggestions for the label feel free to write or call. Stepwise also is willing to contribute any promotional items for events, DJs, radio stations, etc. If you are interested in booking any DJ affiliated with the label do not hesitate to call. MAGAZINE Event Booking and Info Lines: Stepwise Recordings 314.367.4579 5092 Waterman #3C, St. Louis, MO 63108 Faded Productions 314.408.7730 Uptempo Dance/Forte Recordings 847.604.0579 Strictly Jungle 312.409.7249 DJs and live acts available for bookings: DJ 3D DJ Snuggles DJ Slak DJ Tré DJ Swamp DJ Kookie Emminant Force 3D, Beth & Tom B Q System 3D & Snuggles 0012-0024-1997 TABLE OF CONTENTS design by: gregorian/question/reality inc. send e-mail to: [email protected]

STEP RIGHT. STEPWISE. STEPWISE recordings Event Booking and Info Lines: Stepwise Recordings 314.367.4579 5092 Waterman #3C, St. Louis, MO 63108

STEPWISE RECORDINGS HISTORY Stepwise Recordings became an official corporation as of April 16, 1996. A lawyer took care of all of the business paperwork and it was forward from there. From the start owner/DJ/producer Beth Williams had intentions of pressing well produced, up to date tracks by top Drum & Bass artists comparative to what was being released simultaneously in the UK. In order to have a comparable sound recording she made a special trip to London to have Stepwise 001 mastered and pressed. The concept of Stepwise 001 was to feature a track by a top US producer and a top UK producer on each side. With the generous help of DJ SS from Formation Records UK Stepwise was finally off the ground. Even his graphic designer Vas was all to kind to help out by laying down the first Stepwise graphics. All one thousand copies of STEP-001 DJ SS: The Blues/DJ 3D - Step to me were taken by UK distributor SRD. The record was a success and sold out in one week. It received excellent reviews in leading UK and US music magazines. After a few months had elapsed STEP-002 was released. Unlike the first release a jump up jazzy style STEP-002 charted new territory by its being on the dark tip. This was also the record that owner Beth Williams displayed some of her own production work under the alias "Ten". The tracks on this record were Ten and Dysphonix-Search and DJ 3D - Cairo. Stepwise 002 was also mastered, pressed and distributed in the UK. 3D's track Cairo was rated number 10 on the DJ magazine top ten Drum & Bass list. This was one of the first times a US Drum & Bass producer has been recognized by the UK. Priority Records an American Hip-Hop label licensed this same track for their 15,000 CD/Cassette production of Ultra Mix - The best of Jungle Volume 1. Teaming up DJ 3D, Beth Williams and newcomer Tom B. began production together under the group name Emminant Force. Their track Project 13 was featured on Stepwise 003 alongside Snuggles and Slak-The Reckoning. Geffen/DGC Records licenced The Reckoning for their Infinite Beat CD/Cassette compilation. It was released in October 1997 and Stepwise simultaneously threw a CD release party to celebrate. Stepwise was the only US label to contribute a track to this CD compilation. Other producers featured were Shizuo, Squarepusher, Decoder and Nico/Fierce. Stepwise 004 is soon to be out featuring three tracks, Emminant Force-Robotix, Snuggles-Cairo (VIP remix) and Tom B. and Antimony- Magnify. Today Stepwise Recordings is focused on bringing the world the future of Drum & Bass. Stepwise producers will keep their minds open to experimenting with sound to release quality productions. We feel that through music emotion is heard and without the expression of emotion there is no hope for progression. We feel that through music emotion is heard and without the expression of emotion there is no hope for progress.

DJ 3D: CODENAME: THE TECHNICIAN • DJ 3D started buying records in 1983 and actually spinning in 1984. He was dedicated to the era of breakdancing where Afrika Babaataa reigned and electro funk was a way of life. From electro spun a Latin style of Hip-Hop where black and Latino youth sang full on lyrics over these electro break-beats. Today they call it freestyle. Throughout the years he mixed at school dances, house parties, roller rinks, and even got involved in some local suburban club work, spinning various styles from freestyle to house music. • Just as these styles seemed to explode onto the pop charts in the late 80's and early 90's, techno music started gaining massive popularity worldwide in the underground dance music industry. As it developed, 3D was still involved in his club work but he noticed that some of the techno tracks used the same Hip-Hop and electro breaks he originally fell in love with, only they were sped up to suit the tempo. He immediately fell in love with this newly found breakbeat techno and started his quest for knowledge into this truly amazing realm of music. While collecting early Suburban Base, Production House, and Reinforced Records, he studied this thing called rave. • He had always attempted producing his own freestyle and Hip-Hop tracks without the proper equipment but he realized that it was time to get serious and really start producing. As he made the tracks, he would play them for a guy named JJ Jellybean who was very enthusiastic about getting the tunes pressed to dubplate and start releasing them. By accident, he caught a rave flyer featuring Danny Breaks from London. This was the first rave he attended and from that point on it was truly evident that his career dreams could become reality. JJ and 3D teamed up together to release Chicago's first dubplate called the "CHA Anthem". Later they did a remix for the world renowned Kool Rock Steady and released another Chicago jungle anthem called "How Many Ways". Since then, countless tracks have been caned on dubplate across the Midwest. Currently, 3D is signed to Stepwise Recordings. Releases "Step to Me" and "Cairo" have received excellent reviews from most rave-oriented American magazines and even leading UK underground magazines such as Mixmag and Atmosphere. STEPWISE ON DJ 3D THE TECHNICIAN

STEPWISE BETH WILLIAMS

Beth Williams since early childhood has been interested in music. She picked up the ability to play the piano by ear from listening to the school piano lessons. When Beth was young she would come home from school and write her own original sheet music to play. In fourth grade she got her first Casio mini keyboard. She took it out school for show and tell a grammar school tradition. She then showed the other kids the instrument and told them about how to write songs using it. As a preteen she got her second keyboard at a pawn shop. With a friend she began a project in which she would program drum beats and play the synth and he would sing and play guitar. She was influenced by early 80's synth pop, ska and hip-hop. The movie "Wild Style" was also very influential to her. As time went on she was introduced to punk and hardcore music. She loved the tight vibe and the raw aggression at the clubs she would frequent. At this same time her boyfriend out with his record label and learn the ropes of what to do. This is where this idea of starting a label originally came to her. A friend from Los Angeles sent her a tape in the mail and through this she was introduced to electronic music. After speaking to him on the phone and telling him how much she loved the tape. She was introduced to all aspects of electronic music. Although, introduced to the rave scene quite late (1994) the music she was played at raves was just what she was looking for. The fast breakbeats had a Hip-Hop feel with a hardcore edge and its aggressiveness. At this point Beth began to collect each and every record she could find (Although her real fast, Pac-Man fever from her Atari years) When she finally laid hands on Goldie's Angel she was hooked on Drum & Bass. After witnessing Dieselboy's set at Inner Stellar Outback and learning a few tricks from Kid Droid, Beth bought her own set of Technic's 1200's and began spinning in early 1995. At this point seriously wanting to be a DJ she began to spin out at house parties and raves. Beth threw her first event "Underground elements" with the help of fellow promoters Albion and Lia in December of 1995. Original Chicago Junglist JJ Jellybean and her played alongside each other at this event. This same night she discussed her ideas with a start of one of America's first Drum & Bass label. She had already secured a track for the A Side by legendary UK Junglist DJ SS (Formation) but, she needed a B Side track. Jellybean told her about the just the person she was looking for. DJ 3D had been spinning and producing since the early days and was dedicated to his love for music. 3D provided the track "Step To Me" for Stepwise-001 to go on the flip side of DJ SS "The Blues." From there the roots of Stepwise were planted and they still continue to grow. Emminant Force was formed by Beth and 3D later Tom B (Drummer) joined with intentions to play live drums when they do live performances. 3D does production and engineering and Beth vocals and production. So far this has yielded a track on Stepwise #003 "Project 13" and also a VIP Remix of that same track that will appear on 3D and Snuggles present CD Compilation out on Forte Recordings. Tom B. and Beth are continuously in the studio collaborating on new tracks. The two are currently working on enough tracks to complete an album. Beth can also be found going under the alias 'Ten' or 'Antimony'. On another angle, DJ Trei and Beth have recently started throwing a monthly club event in St. Louis. So far there have been two featuring Phantom 45, Mindrive, 3D, Snuggles and Swamp. These events will continue to go on as long as possible. The long awaited Stepwise-004 is about to go out to the presses. Beth will be flying to London once again in December to have it mastered. This record will have another Emminant Force track on it "Robotic" along with "Cairo" the Snuggles VIP remix. Possibly an added bonus track will appear on this record by Tom B. and Antimony. Beth will continue to work on tracks with others and her own. Her goal is to eventually do her own album. She also has a Stepwise Remix Album planned. Most of all she is encouraged by other people doing what they love and being just as dedicated no matter what it may be. She is very thankful to anyone who has helped her in any way. From a kid who buys a record, goes to an event, a fellow record label owner that has given her advice, graphic designer or another artist that turns her on to a new form of music. All of these encourage her to continue on.

STEPWISE DJ SLAK DJ Slak is hands-down one of the finest mix and blend DJ's in America. All you have to do is ask any DJ or raver who has witnessed his stunning technical skills. He originally hails from Toronto, the Drum & Bass mecca of North America. Raised on the sounds spun by the likes of Dr. No, Ruffneck, and Jungle Ph.D., DJ Slak adopted these styles and added his own specialized flavor when he began manning the decks in 1993. DJ Slak spent 2 years in Indiana honing his skills, then burst onto the Chicago scene at Uptempo Dance legendary "Jungle Warriors" series of events. He became a resident on the Strictly Jungle show and subsequently teamed up with DJ Snuggles to create one of the most formidable and respected Drum & Bass duos in the US. At the end of his tenure in Chicago, DJ Slak moved to Philadelphia in 1996, where he continued to devastate parties, this time in a solo fashion. He became a resident at the prestigious Konkrete Jungle club, and played numerous raves for promoters such as Special K and Ultraworld. He also began production work, resulting in tracks such as "The Reckoning" (with DJ Snuggles) that appeared on Stepwise Recordings as well as on the Geffen Infinite Beat compilation. Look for his new track "How Ya' Like Me Now" (also with DJ Snuggles) on the Evil Teen Apple Pie Drum and Bass compilation, the Forte Recordings Terminal Beatz compilation, and a limited edition Forte 12". 0012-0024-1997

09 0012-0024-1997 STEPWISE DJ SNUGGLES DJ Snuggles began DJ-ing in Houston in 1992 in the original... crew... Wisc. They... ked on the UK hardcore sound that was being played at raves, and both adopted that music as th... ary style. In 1993, ...ggles moved to C... here he quickly became entrenched in the city's burgeoning Drum & Bass scene. Alongside JJ Jellybean, Phantom 45, and RP Smack, Snuggles was responsible for bringing the music to forefront throughout 1994, including collaborating on the legendary CHA (Chicago Hardcore Authority) Magazine and playing at many of the first drum & Bass all-nighters in Chicago thrown by Ripe Productions and Jungle Ting. The parties like FUSE, UNIVERSAL LOVE, BIG SEXY BASS, PURE (New Year's Eve 1994), and 95 ROCKOUT still to this day remain some of the best parties in Chicago's storied history. In January of 1995, Snuggles began hosting the Strictly Jungle show on 89.3 WNUR FM, the first weekly jungle radio program in the country. Now three years running and the most widely respected and listened to Drum & Bass program, snuggles and guests broadcast to thousands of listeners every week in the Chicago area. Guests have included Goldie (November of '95), Zinc (December of '96), Dextrous (April of '97), Ry N. Troll and Mogli, etc. Residents on the show have included JJ Jellybean, DJ Slack and DJ 3D. Now entering its 3rd year, the show brings the cutting edge of Drum & Bass to listeners every Friday night. Snuggles has also been busy on the production side of things, releasing tunes on Ghetto Safari, Stepwise, Kultbox, and his own label (with 3D) Forte Recordings. Tracks such as "The Reckoning" and "How Ya Like Me Now" have appeared on compilations for Geffen and Evil Teen Records. There is also an album deal in the works, so watch this space.

STEPWISE DJ TRE DJ Tré has been on the forefront of the US Drum & Bass scene since day one. His DJ Skills are completely on point and his ability to scratch and do tricks just adds to his flavor. Tré also runs his own promotion company Faded Productions which has thrown many St. Louis Drum & Bass Parties. Recently Tré has hooked up with Stepwise Recordings to throw monthly club events featuring top Drum & Bass DJ's. He and the other members of his crew Jim K, B Wise, Kopke and OB Juan are constantly spinning at all clubs and club events. After Tré returns from London in December Tré plans to begin producing some of his own tracks. In the Future Tré would like to open his own record store/coffee shop/clothing store. We here at Stepwise wish him all the luck in the world. DJ.TRÉ To recieve information on aquiring one of Tre's mixed tapes or booking him or any of the Faded Crew for and event contact - FADED PRODUCTIONS AT 314.408.7730.

dj swamp DJ Swamp was the 1996 USA DMC Champ, and for the last year has been on a world tour with Beck. Swamp is the DJ in the band who adds his own touch to each song and creates an energy that brings the show to another level. Swamp has his own style and a willingness to experiment with different sounds and equipment (sometimes a guitar wha pedal). That sets him apart from any other trick DJ today. He is also a producer/re-mixer who can write tracks as diverse as Electro, Reggae, Hip-Hop, Funky, Breakbeat and Drum & Bass. For these reasons is exactly why upon a chance meeting with DJ Swamp, Beth Williams at Stepwise asked him to work on a few tracks including live scratching over Drum & Bass. Dysphonix, Beth Williams and Swamp then teamed up to create "Complete Silence" an aggressive breakbeat track with a Hip-Hop flare. A music video was also produced to go along with this track. This also has lead Swamp to write a track with DJ 3D and Snuggles that will appear on the "3D and Snuggles Present" CD compilation out on Forte Recordings. DJ Swamp has a wonderful open mindedness about him and an amazing drive. When he isn't on tour playing clubs and raves or producing for his own upcoming album he will still continue to work with Stepwise producers to bring Drum & Bass to the next level. STEPWISE 0012-0024-1997

TOM B STEPWISE Tom B has been involved with music since the early age of eleven. This when he got his first drum set and began to play. In his younger years he was in a total of five different bands. In 1995, he joined with a few friends to form 'Ultrafink'. This band was the most successful, as they played in and out of town very often and had a few newspaper articles written about them. They also had a track on the KPNT 105.7FM 'The Point' CD Compilation. Before the bands official CD was released Tom left the band to pursue electronic music production. The band, now even more successful replaced him with another drummer but they still remain friends. Tom B was there from the beginning to help get Stepwise off the ground. He flew to London to help start the label and meet DJ SS. Returning with a new outlook on Drum & Bass, he began putting together various equipment to form his own personal studio. As of now Tom, who enjoys all forms of music writes anything from Hip-Hop to Drum & Bass. Currently he and Beth of Stepwise have formed a group "Sound Therapy" and are working on putting together enough songs to finish and album. One track in the works will require bringing his old bands bassist into the studio for a jazzy track with live vocals. He is also part of the trio 'Emminant Force' alongside DJ 3D and Beth. To date they have released three tracks. Emminant Force plan to have Tom do live drumming during their live acts in the future.

STEPWISE EVENTS PHUTURE AND PAST Jungle Kombat- May 17, 1997 Destination: St. Louis, MO DJ's: Faded Crew Nomic Playaz Bonanza - October 12, 1997 Stepwise 003 Record Promo Party Seften Infinate Beat CD Release Party Destination: St. Louis, MO DJ's: Snuggles, 3D and Swamp among others. Shellshock: November 14, 1997 Destination: St. Louis, MO DJ's: Phantom 45, Chad Mindrive among others Upcoming Promotional Events: Jamfloozle-Memphis, TN Stepwise will provide FREE Promo Records Magazines and Stickers DJ's: Snuggles, 3D, and ANI (Dee-Lite) Promoters Please Contact Stepwise Regarding your upcoming events. We will provide free promo items in exchange for add space on your flyer. 314.367.4579 For booking info on any Stepwise DJ/Producers Please Contact Us. To be on our Mailing List write to us at Stepwise 5092 Waterman #3C St. Louis, MO 63108 Or E-Mail Us At: [email protected]

dj swamp ob-juan & tre phantom 45 snuggles, beth & 3d dj ss tom b DISCOGRAPHY 14 Forthcoming Releases: Evil Teen Records "Apple Pie Drum & Bass" Compilation (CD I Dec. 1997) Snuggles & Slak - On My Mind DJ Wisc - Cadence Q-System - On My Mind Snuggles & Slak - How Ya Like Me Now 3D - Acid Revival Genfen Records "Infinite Beat Vol. 1" Compilation (CD/2XLP I Oct. 1997) Snuggles & Slak - The Reckoning Reviews Stepwise 003 (12" I Jun. 1997) A: Emminant Force - Project 13 B: Snuggles & Slak - The Reckoning Kultbox 001 (12" I Jun. 1997) A: 3D & Snuggles - Empire B: 3D and Snuggles - Enchanted Lumpen Magazine "Lumptronic" Compilation (CD I May 1997) Snuggles - Rebuke Demo ('94 Mix) 3D - "Step to Me (VIP Remix) Ghetto Safari 001 (12" I Apr. 1997) A: 3D & Snuggles - The Rock B: 3D & Snuggles - Defender/Phalanx Reviews Stepwise 002 (12" I Jan. 1997) B: 3D - Step to Me Stepwise 001 (12" I Jun. 1996) A: 3D - Cairo Dub Society 001 (12" I Jan. 1995) A: 3D - How Many Ways (Remix) B: 3D - How Many Ways (Original) / Jungle Intellect Out Now: Forte Recordings Discography FR 1201 (12" I Sept. 1997) A: 3D - Acid Revival B: Snuggles & Slak - How Ya' Like Me Now FR1202 (12" I Dec. 1997) A: Q-System Featuring DJ Swamp - Three Wheel Motion B: Desperado - Ride the Rhythm FR CD01 - 3D & Snuggles Presents: Terminal Beats (CD/CS I Nov. 1997) Track01: Q-System Featuring DJ Swamp - Three Wheel Motion Track02: 3D - Millenial Dawn Track03: Snuggles - Alternate Realities Track04: Cold Fusion - Freq Track05: Imminent Force - Project 13 (VIP Remix) Track06: 3D & Snuggles - Empire (Slak Remix) Track07: Kid Entropy - Ippon (It's Oh) Track08: DJ Wisp - Extreme Prejudice Track09: Desperado - Ride the Rhythm Track10: DJ Flow - Smoking Section Track11: WIX - Jeweler's Dive

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STEPWISE MAGAZINE WE FEEL THAT THROUGH MUSIC EMOTION IS HEARD AND WITHOUT THE EXPRESSION OF EMOTION THERE IS NO HOPE FOR PROGRESSION If you are interested in advertising in Stepwise Magazine call 314.367.4579 Write Us at: Stepwise Recordings 5092 Waterman #3C, St. Louis, MO 63108 or E-Mail Us at: [email protected] STEPWISE WOULD LIKE TO THANK