LTJ Bukem

Born in Watford, England, Daniel Williamson, aka LTJ Bukem, established himself at the turn of the 1990s in Britain’s rave scene with an approach to jungle and drum and bass that favors atmospheric textures, harmonies drawn from jazz fusion, and rhythms that are more airy than the harsher side of breakbeat hardcore. Trained in classical piano and influenced by rare groove, acid jazz and Detroit techno, LTJ Bukem developed an early, distinctive sound on tracks such as “Logical Progression” and “Demon’s Theme” (1991–1992), then “Music” (1993) and “Horizons” (1995). Around his Good Looking Records label, as well as his Looking Good and Cookin’ outfits, he plays a central role in the rise of a more melodic and ambient branch of drum and bass, often linked to the compilations Logical Progression, Earth and Progression Sessions. His career builds as much on production as on DJing, notably at the London club Speed alongside Fabio, and later on international stages often accompanied by MC Conrad for many years. On the album side, LTJ Bukem released Journey Inwards in 2000, a double album that extends his synthesis between rapid breakbeats, deep pads and soulful, funk and jazz influences.