Slam - Soma Label Mix

Biography of Slam

Slam is Stuart McMillan and Orde Meikle. Synonymous with Glasgow's underground club scene and their sound-searching record label, Soma, the duo have garnered a reputation as international DJs, accomplished recording artists and respected collaborators. Their schedule regularly takes them to clubs worldwide confirming their status as one of a handful of artists that truly shape their genre. Resident at Fabric, London and Pressure, Glasgow, they are about to undergo their 8th annual Slam tent at Scotland's T in the Park festival (15 000 capacity).

Slam were nearing the end of their 'Alien Radio' tour when they shared an epiphany. Rather than feeling jaded after trekking around the world at a time when the media were reporting on the so-called 'decline of dance music' Slam were fired-up, focused and ready to start work on their third album. The duo had been searching through their record collections collating ideas for a radio one 'Breezeblock' guest show and re-discovered the music that had brought them together in the first place; Tom Tom Club, Funkadelic,Mantronix and urban labels like Celluloid and Sugarhill.

This music was Slam's 'year zero', informing their salad days. 'It usually takes us ages to make an album,' laughs Stuart McMillan, 'but we knew what we wanted to do. When we first met we were listening to electro, funk and reggae. What was exciting about the early house scene was that it wasn't just about one thing. We wanted to step back to go forward.' Orde Meikle agrees, 'We were looking for a fresher feeling. What we used to play when we started Djing was niche-less, a very eclectic mix of music. We wanted to return to these influences but draw something fresh out of them.'

After the success of 'Alien Radio's collaborations with Dot Allison and Tyrone Palmer, whose soulful 'Lifetimes' Orde believes is their most requested track - Slam were confident that 'Year Zero' should be song based. 'It is electronic music with vocals,' Stuart says of their formative influences and the ensuing tracks on the aptly titled album. Despite having a canon of masterful club tracks to their name ('Positive Education', 'Virtuoso' and 'Step Back' to name just three) Slam admit they are still exploring and experimenting. Working with vocalists, in particular, is relatively new territory. 'We are used to working on our own,' Orde admits, 'throw someone else into the melting pot and you're never sure how it's going to turn out.' Dot Allison and Tyrone Palmer return alongside Elbee Bad, Envoy and the legendary voices of Ann Saunderson and Billy Ray Martin. 'It's less club influenced,' reckons Orde, 'the songs and music carry the album.'

With the machines on their side 'Year Zero' is Slam at their most accomplished. Stunning opener 'This World' channels prescient social comment through Tyrone's soulful voice. 'We'd been listening to Prince's 'Sign O' The Times', ' Stuart admits, 'and wanted to write something similar but relevant to now, though it's not just about the war in Iraq.' Orde reflects that after 'too many evenings in foreign hotel rooms watching News 24', it was a song they felt had to be written. Joining Tyrone from the 'Alien Radio' sessions is fellow Glaswegian and Massive Attack vocalist Dot Allison whose unique voice graces 'Kill The Pain'. 'It's a haunting song with a message about dependency' Orde explains.

'We always try and make records that sound like classics, those are the records we love,' Orde sums up. On 'Year Zero' they have made the album they always threatened to make; an album of fully realised songs and future classics. Slam will be touring with their live 'Year Zero' show this summer including a showcase performance at their own 15000 capacity 'Slam Tent' at ' T In The Park'.