Editorial & Sync
Luke Solomon
Biography
Striding into his third musical decade, Grammy-winning Luke Solomon’s influence stretches far and wide across a scene that's been embedded in his DNA since the early 90s. The rebirth of Classic Music Company in recent times has brought one of the UK's most intriguing and respected artists to new audiences, ensuring his fingerprints remain indelibly imprinted on house music. A writer, producer and remixer, Luke’s latest contributions to two of 2022’s most anticipated albums, from Beyoncé and Honey Dijon, are a testament of his technical prowess as an artist.
Solomon’s infamous 90s midweek London ‘Space’ parties at Bar Rhumba alongside Kenny Hawkes introduced him to Derrick Carter, with whom he’d go on to form their seminal Classic imprint – its reemergence proved a musical renaissance for Solomon. Reviving the label in 2012 sowed the seeds for the emergence of his acclaimed second album, Timelines, a labour of love that highlighted the passion and positivity of an artist who invests much more than just studio hours into his records. Resident Advisor noted it “candidly advertises the joy Solomon takes in making music, a rambunctious, far-reaching extension of his DJ sets, unshackled from the sonic confines of the club.”
As Freaks, with Justin Harris, he’s tasted the dizzying delights and inevitable pitfalls of fame, with their single, ‘The Creeps’ catapulting them into the UK charts. 2014 saw a final Freaks album, bringing the cherished project - “a whole story in itself” - to a fitting end. As these chapters close, focus falls into what remains: fresh solo work and new collaborations. As a solo producer his output spans the spectrum from warm, deep grooves to boisterous dark room techno on famed labels like Crosstown Rebels, Playhouse, Classic’s own expansive stable and Rekids, home to his first album, 2008’s The Difference Engine. Having first started while at Middlesex University in the 90s, he continues to power dancefloors across the globe - it’s the one element of his career that’s no different from when he was a fresh-faced debutant: “Just a good fucking mix, it’s one of these indescribable things”.
Luke’s album The Lost Art Of Getting Down with his band Powerdance was released in July 2017 to critical acclaim including a five-star review in The Guardian, “Smart and funny without being cynical, varied but coherent, experimental without losing sight of the dancefloor”. A collaborative project with Nick Maurer (of Greenskeepers), Powerdance’s debut featured a host of talent including Al Doyle from Hot Chip and Terry Grant, amongst others. He ended the same year on a huge high, producing a run of singles with London collective Horse Meat Disco and taking home the DJ Mag award for Soldier of The Scene, an accolade which pays tribute to his tireless dedication to music and nightlife.
2022 saw Luke’s career reach new heights – now a two-time Grammy-nominated producer for his contributions to Beyoncé’s chart-topping, life-giving studio album, Renaissance. Inspired by dance music’s greats, album favourites Cozy and Alien Superstar ooze confidence with Luke’s and long-time co-producer Honey Dijon’s distinctive club-ready production. “Beyoncé’s seventh album is not just a pop star’s immaculate dance record, but a rich celebration of club music and its sweaty, emancipatory spirit,” Pitchfork.
Rounding off an extraordinary year, teaming up again with close friend and collaborator Honey Dijon, Black Girl Magic was introduced to the world in November, marking the boundary-pushing artist’s second album. Described as “an uplifting and engaging tribute to love and the golden years of house music” by Resident Advisor, the Classic release featuring Eve, Compton royalty Channel Tres, Pabllo Vittar, Mike Dunn and more ended the year topping Billboard’s round up of 2022’s best dance albums.
Luke continues to run Classic, as well as the label’s monthly radio show Business as Usual, which to date has hosted artists across the dance spectrum, spotlighting underground talent and the scene’s most-loved pioneers such as Louie Vega, Channel Tres, Syreeta, Snips, Floorplan and the late K-Hand. The highly anticipated release of Luke’s Defected House Masters compilation sits him alongside legends Frankie Knuckles, Masters at Work and DJ Gregory, presenting a musical journey of un-edited and un-mixed tracks past and present. Since 2008, the series has compiled collections of the finest productions, documenting the careers of the scene’s key players.
Biography
Striding into his third musical decade, Grammy-winning Luke Solomon’s influence stretches far and wide across a scene that's been embedded in his DNA since the early 90s. The rebirth of Classic Music Company in recent times has brought one of the UK's most intriguing and respected artists to new audiences, ensuring his fingerprints remain indelibly imprinted on house music. A writer, producer and remixer, Luke’s latest contributions to two of 2022’s most anticipated albums, from Beyoncé and Honey Dijon, are a testament of his technical prowess as an artist.
Solomon’s infamous 90s midweek London ‘Space’ parties at Bar Rhumba alongside Kenny Hawkes introduced him to Derrick Carter, with whom he’d go on to form their seminal Classic imprint – its reemergence proved a musical renaissance for Solomon. Reviving the label in 2012 sowed the seeds for the emergence of his acclaimed second album, Timelines, a labour of love that highlighted the passion and positivity of an artist who invests much more than just studio hours into his records. Resident Advisor noted it “candidly advertises the joy Solomon takes in making music, a rambunctious, far-reaching extension of his DJ sets, unshackled from the sonic confines of the club.”
As Freaks, with Justin Harris, he’s tasted the dizzying delights and inevitable pitfalls of fame, with their single, ‘The Creeps’ catapulting them into the UK charts. 2014 saw a final Freaks album, bringing the cherished project - “a whole story in itself” - to a fitting end. As these chapters close, focus falls into what remains: fresh solo work and new collaborations. As a solo producer his output spans the spectrum from warm, deep grooves to boisterous dark room techno on famed labels like Crosstown Rebels, Playhouse, Classic’s own expansive stable and Rekids, home to his first album, 2008’s The Difference Engine. Having first started while at Middlesex University in the 90s, he continues to power dancefloors across the globe - it’s the one element of his career that’s no different from when he was a fresh-faced debutant: “Just a good fucking mix, it’s one of these indescribable things”.
Luke’s album The Lost Art Of Getting Down with his band Powerdance was released in July 2017 to critical acclaim including a five-star review in The Guardian, “Smart and funny without being cynical, varied but coherent, experimental without losing sight of the dancefloor”. A collaborative project with Nick Maurer (of Greenskeepers), Powerdance’s debut featured a host of talent including Al Doyle from Hot Chip and Terry Grant, amongst others. He ended the same year on a huge high, producing a run of singles with London collective Horse Meat Disco and taking home the DJ Mag award for Soldier of The Scene, an accolade which pays tribute to his tireless dedication to music and nightlife.
2022 saw Luke’s career reach new heights – now a two-time Grammy-nominated producer for his contributions to Beyoncé’s chart-topping, life-giving studio album, Renaissance. Inspired by dance music’s greats, album favourites Cozy and Alien Superstar ooze confidence with Luke’s and long-time co-producer Honey Dijon’s distinctive club-ready production. “Beyoncé’s seventh album is not just a pop star’s immaculate dance record, but a rich celebration of club music and its sweaty, emancipatory spirit,” Pitchfork.
Rounding off an extraordinary year, teaming up again with close friend and collaborator Honey Dijon, Black Girl Magic was introduced to the world in November, marking the boundary-pushing artist’s second album. Described as “an uplifting and engaging tribute to love and the golden years of house music” by Resident Advisor, the Classic release featuring Eve, Compton royalty Channel Tres, Pabllo Vittar, Mike Dunn and more ended the year topping Billboard’s round up of 2022’s best dance albums.
Luke continues to run Classic, as well as the label’s monthly radio show Business as Usual, which to date has hosted artists across the dance spectrum, spotlighting underground talent and the scene’s most-loved pioneers such as Louie Vega, Channel Tres, Syreeta, Snips, Floorplan and the late K-Hand. The highly anticipated release of Luke’s Defected House Masters compilation sits him alongside legends Frankie Knuckles, Masters at Work and DJ Gregory, presenting a musical journey of un-edited and un-mixed tracks past and present. Since 2008, the series has compiled collections of the finest productions, documenting the careers of the scene’s key players.
Editorial & Sync