Spacek (band)
Encyclopedia
Spacek is a British
electronic music
band. Its members are Steve Spacek, Ed Spacek, and Morgan Spacek. The group released its debut album, Curvatia in 2001 (see 2001 in music
), followed by 2003's Vintage Hi-Tech. Although primarily performing electronic music, the group also fuses elements of R&B, Hip hop
, Trip hop
, Broken beat
and Soul
into its anomalistic soundbed.
By 1998, the group had obtained a record deal with British label Island Blue, and began recording in Knight's Clapham-based studio. Their first release was "Eve", which received a great underground buzz in late 1999. The hypnotic, bass-trembling song was ambiguous in nature; a feature which would become a stylistic trademark for the group. The band caught the attention of acclaimed rapper Mos Def
, who subsequently contributed a verse to a re-edit of the song and the band signed an American deal with his Goodtree label (MCA/Universal). "Eve" was re-released in 2000, with a remix by producer J Dilla
, and a guest appearance from Frank-N-Dank.
After an extended recording period, the group finally premiered their debut album, 2001's Curvatia, to great critical acclaim, and comparisons to artists such as Massive Attack
and D'Angelo
. Curvatia displayed the group's complex and challenging sensibilities and established them as a promising new talent in the British alternative music scene, but a change in the Island Records hierarchy meant that they were no longer a priority and it was not a strong seller. The second single was "Getaway" with "How Do I Move?" as its b-side.
of soul".
-based label Sound In Color. The album's lead single "Dollar", produced by J Dilla, became an unexpected moderate hit and was particularly popular in the club and among DJs. The song contained a sample of the Billy Paul
recording "Let the Dollar Circulate", and dealt with the pros and cons of living with or without money. Notable producer, and former Digable Planets
member, King Britt
, described the song as "what Curtis Mayfield
would be doing today!" Spaceshift was also popular among mainstream critics, with Rolling Stone
magazine noting that Spacek "...gives new meaning to the phrase space funk", and Fader magazine
calling the group "the most futuristic soul group of our modern age".
The group, fronted by White, continues to tour and gig all over the world. Its members now live in Los Angeles
, Munich, and Sydney. In 2007, White appeared as a lecturer at the Red Bull Music Academy
and also made a guest appearance on Katalyst's
album What's Happening
. As of late 2009, White is working on a new project with Katalyst under the name "Space Invadas".
Morgan Spacek has also continued to produce music both as Morgan Spacek and Morgan Zarate, working with artists as diverse as Dizzee Rascal, Raphael Saadiq, Eska and Ghostface Killa.
As Steve Spacek
As Steve Spacek
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
electronic music
Electronic music
Electronic music is music that employs electronic musical instruments and electronic music technology in its production. In general a distinction can be made between sound produced using electromechanical means and that produced using electronic technology. Examples of electromechanical sound...
band. Its members are Steve Spacek, Ed Spacek, and Morgan Spacek. The group released its debut album, Curvatia in 2001 (see 2001 in music
2001 in music
See also:* 2001 in music Record labels established in 2001-Events:*January 1**Comeback of Guns N' Roses in House of Blues**Hum disbands.*January 17 – Bass player Jason Newsted leaves Metallica after 14 years with the band....
), followed by 2003's Vintage Hi-Tech. Although primarily performing electronic music, the group also fuses elements of R&B, Hip hop
Hip hop music
Hip hop music, also called hip-hop, rap music or hip-hop music, is a musical genre consisting of a stylized rhythmic music that commonly accompanies rapping, a rhythmic and rhyming speech that is chanted...
, Trip hop
Trip hop
Trip hop is a music genre consisting of downtempo electronic music which originated in the early 1990s in England, especially Bristol. Deriving from "post"-acid house, the term was first used by the British music media and press as a way to describe the more experimental variant of breakbeat which...
, Broken beat
Broken beat
Broken beat is an electronic music genre that can be characterized by syncopated rhythm typically in 4/4 meter, with staggered or punctuated snare beats and/or hand claps....
and Soul
Soul music
Soul music is a music genre originating in the United States combining elements of gospel music and rhythm and blues. According to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, soul is "music that arose out of the black experience in America through the transmutation of gospel and rhythm & blues into a form of...
into its anomalistic soundbed.
1996-2001
The trio was formed in the mid-90s by bassist, vocalist, and songwriter, Steve White but initially was a 5 piece that included Francis Hylton (Now in Incognito) and keyboardist Steve Morgan. Through a mutual friend, White was introduced to guitarist Edmund Cavill and with manager Jason Knight approached drummer, Morgan Zarate to the lineup to form Spacek. All three members subsequently adopted Spacek as their surnames.By 1998, the group had obtained a record deal with British label Island Blue, and began recording in Knight's Clapham-based studio. Their first release was "Eve", which received a great underground buzz in late 1999. The hypnotic, bass-trembling song was ambiguous in nature; a feature which would become a stylistic trademark for the group. The band caught the attention of acclaimed rapper Mos Def
Mos Def
Dante Terrell Smith is an American actor and Emcee known by the stage names Mos Def and Yasiin Bey. He started his hip hop career in a group called Urban Thermo Dynamics, after which he appeared on albums by Da Bush Babees and De La Soul. With Talib Kweli, he formed the duo Black Star, which...
, who subsequently contributed a verse to a re-edit of the song and the band signed an American deal with his Goodtree label (MCA/Universal). "Eve" was re-released in 2000, with a remix by producer J Dilla
J Dilla
James Dewitt Yancey , better known by the stage names J Dilla and Jay Dee, was an American record producer who emerged from the mid-1990s underground hip hop scene in Detroit, Michigan...
, and a guest appearance from Frank-N-Dank.
After an extended recording period, the group finally premiered their debut album, 2001's Curvatia, to great critical acclaim, and comparisons to artists such as Massive Attack
Massive Attack
Massive Attack are an English DJ and trip hop duo from Bristol, England consisting of Robert "3D" Del Naja and Grant "Daddy G" Marshall. Working with co-producers, as well as various session musicians and guest vocalists, they make records and tour live. The duo are considered to be of the trip...
and D'Angelo
D'Angelo
Michael Eugene Archer , better known by his stage name D'Angelo, is an American R&B and neo soul singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and record producer. He is known for his production and songwriting talents as much as for his vocal abilities, and often draws comparisons to his influences,...
. Curvatia displayed the group's complex and challenging sensibilities and established them as a promising new talent in the British alternative music scene, but a change in the Island Records hierarchy meant that they were no longer a priority and it was not a strong seller. The second single was "Getaway" with "How Do I Move?" as its b-side.
2002-2004
The following year saw the group go through some label changes as they began recording their follow up to Curvatia. The group left Island Blue Records and were picked up by Studio !K7 records. 2003's Vintage Hi-Tech saw the group further exploring the more extreme aspects of Curvatia, such as the minimal use of standard song structures, more experimentation with lead singer White's vocals, and an even more stripped down, and disjointed instrumental sound. The album's first single was "Motion Control", followed by "Starz". Like its predecessor, Vintage Hi-Tech was embraced by critics, who called it "a downtempo musical masterpiece that draws no comparison". Style magazine even went as far as to call them "the RadioheadRadiohead
Radiohead are an English rock band from Abingdon, Oxfordshire, formed in 1985. The band consists of Thom Yorke , Jonny Greenwood , Ed O'Brien , Colin Greenwood and Phil Selway .Radiohead released their debut single "Creep" in 1992...
of soul".
2005-present
In 2005, lead vocalist, White, launched a solo career as Steve Spacek, and began recording Spaceshift, after signing with Los AngelesLos Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
-based label Sound In Color. The album's lead single "Dollar", produced by J Dilla, became an unexpected moderate hit and was particularly popular in the club and among DJs. The song contained a sample of the Billy Paul
Billy Paul
Billy Paul is a Grammy Award winning American soul singer, most known for his 1972 number-one single, "Me and Mrs. Jones" as well as the 1973 album and single "War of the Gods" which blends his more conventional pop, soul and funk styles with electronic and psychedelic influences...
recording "Let the Dollar Circulate", and dealt with the pros and cons of living with or without money. Notable producer, and former Digable Planets
Digable Planets
Digable Planets is an American alternative hip hop trio based in New York City, composed of Ishmael "Butterfly" Butler , Mary Ann "Ladybug Mecca" Vieira and Craig "Doodlebug" Irving . They released their debut album Reachin' in 1993, and their follow-up album Blowout Comb in 1994...
member, King Britt
King Britt
King Britt is an American DJ and record producer from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.King Britt is his actual legal name.- 1987: Tower Records Years :...
, described the song as "what Curtis Mayfield
Curtis Mayfield
Curtis Lee Mayfield was an American soul, R&B, and funk singer, songwriter, and record producer.He is best known for his anthemic music with The Impressions during the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960's and for composing the soundtrack to the blaxploitation film Super Fly, Mayfield is highly...
would be doing today!" Spaceshift was also popular among mainstream critics, with Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone is a US-based magazine devoted to music, liberal politics, and popular culture that is published every two weeks. Rolling Stone was founded in San Francisco in 1967 by Jann Wenner and music critic Ralph J...
magazine noting that Spacek "...gives new meaning to the phrase space funk", and Fader magazine
The Fader
The FADER, or FADER, is an United States-based music/culture/fashion magazine that covers hip-hop, reggae, independent rock, pop and dance music from around the world.-Overview:...
calling the group "the most futuristic soul group of our modern age".
The group, fronted by White, continues to tour and gig all over the world. Its members now live in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, Munich, and Sydney. In 2007, White appeared as a lecturer at the Red Bull Music Academy
Red Bull Music Academy
The Red Bull Music Academy is an annual international music event where up and coming producers, singers, arrangers, DJs and musicians get the opportunity to learn from top industry professionals.- History :...
and also made a guest appearance on Katalyst's
Katalyst (musician)
Katalyst is an Australian DJ/Producer. He won awards at the 2002 Australian Dance Music Awards for Best Album and Best Producer.- Biography :...
album What's Happening
What's Happening (album)
What's Happening is the second album from the Australian hip hop artist, Katalyst . It is a follow up to Katalyst's award-winning debut album, Manipulating Agent. What's Happening was released by Invada Records on 25 August 2007...
. As of late 2009, White is working on a new project with Katalyst under the name "Space Invadas".
Morgan Spacek has also continued to produce music both as Morgan Spacek and Morgan Zarate, working with artists as diverse as Dizzee Rascal, Raphael Saadiq, Eska and Ghostface Killa.
Albums
As Spacek- Curvatia (2001, Island Blue)
- Vintage Hi-Tech (2003, Studio !K7)
As Steve Spacek
- Spaceshift (2005, Sound In Color)
Singles
As Spacek- "Eve" (1999/2000, Island Blue)
- "Getaway" b/w "How Do I Move?" (2001, Island Blue)
- "Motion Control" (2003, Studio !K7)
- "Starz (Remix)" (2004, Studio !K7)
As Steve Spacek
- "Dollar" (2005, Sound In Color)
- "Baby Baby" (2006, Jazzy Sport)
- "I Wanna Piece Of Ur Luv" (2006, Jazzy Sport)
- "How You Gonna Feel" (Commix feat. Steve Spacek)
External links
- Official Website
- Morgan Spacek on Andrew Meza's BTS Radio