Peshay
{{Short description|British music producer and DJ}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2019}}
{{Use British English|date=May 2019}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| honorific_prefix =
| name = Peshay
| honorific_suffix =
| image = File:PESHAY028bright.jpg
| image_upright =
| image_size =
| landscape = yes
| alt = Seminal record producer, composer and DJ, Peshay
| caption =
| native_name =
| native_name_lang =
| birth_name = Paul Pesce
| alias = The Peshay · Beyond the Future · 5th Assassin · Outer Limits · Revelation · Secrets
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1970|12|18}}
| birth_place = London, England
| origin =
| death_date = {{Death date and age|YYYY|MM|DD|YYYY|MM|DD}}
| death_place =
| genre = Drum and bass · house
| occupation = Record producer · DJ · remixer
| instrument = Synthesiser · softsynth · turntables · drum machine · sequencer · sampler · laptop
| years_active = 1992–present
| label = FFRR · Island · Mo' Wax · Good Looking · Metalheadz · Reinforced · Infrared Records · Cubik · Peshay Music
| associated_acts = LTJ Bukem · Photek · Fabio · Goldie
| website = {{URL|https://peshay.com/}}
| module =
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}}
Paul Pesce (born 18 December 1970), better known as Peshay, is a British drum and bass and electronic music producer and DJ.
Early life
Peshay is of British and Italian heritage.{{cite web|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/breaking-the-loop-1.209528|title=Breaking the loop |date=23 July 1999|website=Irishtimes.com}} His first introduction to music was at an early age through his mother who was a well regarded classical singer. He is described as a music obsessive from an early age with interests in jazz, funk, soul and early electro and hip-hop. Although he is widely regarded as an influential music producer, he is also regarded as a groundbreaking DJ having been behind the turntables from as early as 13 years of age.
Music career
Peshay began to come to prominence in the early 1990s, playing at East London raves and releasing classic tracks on Reinforced Records, Good Looking Records, and Metalheadz such as Protege EP, 19:5, Piano Tune/Vocal Tune, and Psychosis/Represent. In the mid-1990s, he would play at the seminal 'Metalheadz at the Blue Note' nights.{{cite web|url=https://breakbeat.co.uk/interviews/peshay-get-funky/|title=Peshay: Get Funky!|date=22 March 2013|website=Breakbeat.co.uk}}
In 1995 at the peak of drum and bass being recognised by the mainstream media, Peshay suffered an accident that left him almost bed-bound for two years.{{cite web|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/breaking-the-loop-1.209528|title=Breaking the loop |date=23 July 1999|website=Irishtimes.com}}
His early releases are often referenced as groundbreaking for his unique production techniques and pioneering use of samples and effects. He is also highly regarded for his early use of live musicians and instruments in pursuit of pushing his music forward. His releases are also considered to be timeless pieces of music that have gone on to inspire future generations of producers from all electronic musical disciplines.{{cite web|url=https://thequietus.com/articles/28122-state-of-bass-jungle-drum-bass-book-martin-james-playlist|title=Junglist Massive: State Of Bass Author Martin James's 20 Essential D&B Tracks |date=18 April 2020|website=Thequietus.com}}{{cite web|url=https://www.whathifi.com/features/20-of-the-best-dance-and-electronic-music-tracks-to-test-your-system|title=20 of the best dance and electronic music tracks to test speakers |date=31 March 2020|website=Whathifi.com}}{{cite web|url=https://mixmag.net/feature/the-12-best-mid-90s-jungle-tracks|title=The 12 best mid-90s jungle tracks |date=20 October 2017|website=Mixmag.net}}{{cite web|url=https://www.redbull.com/gb-en/90s-drum-and-bass-classics-picked-by-jonny-l|title=10 timeless '90s drum 'n' bass tracks selected by Jonny L |date=10 June 2019|website=Redbull.com}} In particular, prominent early releases such as Psychosis, Piano Tune, On The Nile and Vocal Tune are often cited by peers and press as some of the most highly influential within the genre.{{cite web|url=https://www.fabriclondon.com/blog/view/crate-diggin-sub-focus-15-favourite-90s-drum-bass-tracks|title=Crate Diggin'Sub Focus' 15 Favourite '90s Drum & Bass Tracks|date=3 April 2015|website=Fabriclondon.com}}
In 1999, he released the critically acclaimed jazz-influenced album Miles From Home on Island Records.{{cite web|accessdate=2019-05-22|title=Classic album: Peshay on Miles From Home|url=https://www.musicradar.com/news/tech/classic-album-peshay-on-miles-from-home-591341|website=MusicRadar.com|date=15 January 2014}}{{cite news|accessdate=2019-05-22|title=Pop: CD Reviews|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/pop-cd-reviews-1109973.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220525/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/pop-cd-reviews-1109973.html |archive-date=25 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|date=1 August 1999|website=The Independent}}{{cite web|accessdate=2019-05-22|title=Miles From Home|url=https://www.nme.com/reviews/album/reviews-nme-1236|website=New Musical Express|date=12 September 2005}} This was followed up in 2002 with his disco-inspired album Fuzion, which spawned the single You Got Me Burning. A further album Jammin' was released in 2004.
In 2000, Peshay was asked by Red Bull Music Academy to present a lecture on music production, Djing and the music industry in Dublin, Ireland.{{cite web|accessdate=2020-04-08|title=Red Bull Dublin 2000|url=https://www.redbullmusicacademy.com/about/projects/dublin2000|website=Red Bull Music Academy}}
In 2001, he was nominated for and won Best Drum and Bass DJ at the DJ Awards ceremony held annually in Ibiza, Spain.{{cite web|accessdate=2020-04-08|title=DJ Award 2001: 4th Edition Winners Man and Machine|url=https://djawards.com/winners/2001-4th-edition-winners/|website=Djawards.com}}
In 2013, he released a live jazz-funk and soul album on the Tru Thoughts record label named Generation.{{cite web|url=https://breakbeat.co.uk/interviews/peshay-re-generation/|title=Peshay: Re-Generation|date=12 December 2013|website=Breakbeat.co.uk}} The widely acclaimed album was written, produced and composed by Peshay.{{cite web|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/music/peshay-generation-1.1631803|title=Peshay: Generation|author=Jim Carroll|date=20 December 2013|website=Irishtimes.com}}
Peshay's seminal remix of Inner City Life was given a new lease of life in 2020, being released as exclusive content to celebrate the 25 year anniversary of Goldie's drum and bass album Timeless.{{cite web|url=https://mixmag.net/read/goldie-timeless-capsule-iconic-debut-album-jungle-drum-n-bass-pete-tong-news/|title=Goldie launches the 'Timeless Capsule' to celebrate his iconic debut album|author=Dave Turner|date=3 August 2020|website=mixmag.net}}{{cite web|url=https://djmag.com/news/goldie-launches-timeless-capsule-celebrate-25th-anniversary-edition-seminal-db-album|title=Goldie launches Timeless Capsule to celebrate 25th anniversary edition of the seminal d&b album|author=Eoin Murray|date=3 August 2020|website=djmag.com}}
Peshay launched his own record label Peshay Music in 2019. The vision for the new label is to produce a wide spectrum of music and electronic music. The tracks released will feature live instruments all composed by Peshay allowing him to express his creativity as a composer and a producer across multiple and diverse musical genres.{{cite web|url=https://ukf.com/words/ask-me-about-the-future-drum-bass-pioneer-peshay-returns/25367|title=Ask me about the future: Drum & bass pioneer Peshay returns...|author=Dave Jenkins|date=18 September 2019|website=Ukf.com}}
Discography
=Albums=
| class=wikitable |
| Year
!Release !Label |
|---|
| style="text-align:center;"| 1999
| style="text-align:center;"| Island Records |
| style="text-align:center;"| 2002
| style="text-align:center;"| Cubik |
| style="text-align:center;"| 2004
| style="text-align:center;"| Cubik |
| style="text-align:center;"| 2013
| style="text-align:center;"| Tru Thoughts |
| style="text-align:center;"| 2018
| style="text-align:center;"| De:Tuned |
| style="text-align:center;"| 2019
| style="text-align:center;"| Peshay Music |
| style="text-align:center;"| 2023
| Underground Vol. 2{{cite web|url=https://ra.co/news/79324 |title= This week's new music: Peshay & Krazeman feat: Steppa - Underground Vol. 2 | |website=ra.co |date=2023-07-21 |accessdate=2023-07-28}}{{cite web|url=https://www.decodedmagazine.com/peshay-a-revolutionary-fusion-of-drum-bass-in-underground-vol-2/ |title= Peshay – A Revolutionary Fusion of Drum & Bass in 'Underground Vol. 2 | |website=decodedmagazine.com |date=2023-09-18 |accessdate=2023-09-27}} | style="text-align:center;"| Peshay Music |
=Selected singles/EPs=
| class=wikitable |
| Year
!Release !Label |
|---|
| style="text-align:center;"| 1993
| "Rude" (with Dave Charlsworth) |
| style="text-align:center;"| 1993
| style="text-align:center;"| Brain Records |
| style="text-align:center;"| 1993
| style="text-align:center;"| Reinforced Records |
| style="text-align:center;"| 1993
| "Warped" (as Beyond the Future) | style="text-align:center;"| Paradise |
| style="text-align:center; | 1994
| "Psychosis/Represent" | style="text-align:center;"| Metalheadz |
| style="text-align:center;"| 1994
| "19.5" with LTJ Bukem | style="text-align:center;"| Good Looking Records |
| style="text-align:center;"| 1994
| "Piano Tune/Vocal Tune" | style="text-align:center;"| Good Looking Records |
| style="text-align:center;"| 1995
| "Futurama / Endless Thoughts" | style="text-align:center;"| Basement Records |
| style="text-align:center;"| 1995
| "On the War Path" | style="text-align:center;"| Street Beats |
| style="text-align:center;"| 1996
| "Jah VIP Rollers Mix" | style="text-align:center;"| Razors Edge |
| style="text-align:center;"| 1996
| "Music Rework" | style="text-align:center;"| Nexus Records |
| style="text-align:center;"| 1996
| "Headz 2" | style="text-align:center;"| Mo Wax |
| style="text-align:center;"| 1998
| "Miles from Home" | style="text-align:center;"| Mo' Wax |
| style="text-align:center;"| 1999
| "Truly" | style="text-align:center;"| Island Blue |
| style="text-align:center;"| 1999
| "Switch" | style="text-align:center;"| Island Blue |
| style="text-align:center;"| 2000
| "Lethal (Volume 1) vs Special Forces" | style="text-align:center;"| Photek Productions |
| style="text-align:center;"| 2002
| "You Got Me Burning"{{Cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/dance-singles-chart/20020428/104/|title=Official Dance Singles Chart Top 40 | Official Charts Company|website=Officialcharts.com}} | style="text-align:center;"| Cubik |
| style="text-align:center;"| 2002
| style="text-align:center;"| Cubik |
| style="text-align:center;"| 2004
| "Ronaldo" | style="text-align:center;"| Cubik |
| style="text-align:center;"| 2005
| "Buzz/Atlantis" | style="text-align:center;"| Cubik |
| style="text-align:center;"| 2011
| "Solina/How We Used to Live" | style="text-align:center;"| V Records |
| style="text-align:center;"| 2013
| Funkster EP | style="text-align:center;"| V Recordings |
| style="text-align:center;"| 2013
| Generation EP | style="text-align:center;" rowspan="2"| Tru Thoughts |
| style="text-align:center;"| 2014
| Vanguard EP |
| style="text-align:center;"| 2019
| style="text-align:center;"| Infrared |
| style="text-align:center;"| 2019
| "Face Peel/After Dark" | style="text-align:center;"| Peshay Music |
| style="text-align:center;"| 2019
| "Let It Go/Infinity" | style="text-align:center;"| Peshay Music |
| style="text-align:center;"| 2020
| "Warpizm" | style="text-align:center;"| Peshay Music |
| style="text-align:center;"| 2023
| "Brighter Days" | style="text-align:center;"| Peshay Music |
=Mixes/compilations=
| class=wikitable |
| Year
!Release !Label |
|---|
| style="text-align:center;"| 1997
| Promised Land Volume 3 | style="text-align:center;"| Higher Limits |
| style="text-align:center;"| 2001
| Renegades of Funk | style="text-align:center;"| Renegade |
| style="text-align:center;"| 2007/2008
| Inside Cubik | style="text-align:center;"| Caramelle Recordings / ZYX Music |
Awards and nominations
;DJ Awards
{{awards table}}
|-
| style="text-align:center;"| 2001
| Peshay
| Best Drum 'N' Bass & Beats DJ
| {{won}}
{{end}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [https://peshay.com Official Website]
- [https://www.discogs.com/artist/278-Peshay Peshay] at Discogs
- [https://www.allmusic.com/artist/peshay-mn0000310634 Peshay] Allmusic Discography
{{DJ Award for Best Drum & Bass, Bass, Beats, Trip Hop DJ |state=collapsed}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Peshay}}
Category:British electronic dance music DJs
Category:English drum and bass musicians
Category:English electronic musicians
Category:English record producers
Category:English people of Italian descent
Category:People from Woodford, London
Category:Reinforced Records artists