Goldie's Midas touch

In the ever-changing world of dance music, 15 years is a very long time. But that is how long it's been since Goldie released his groundbreaking - and aptly titled - debut album, Timeless. Today, he remains as prolific and pioneering as ever.

Widely regarded as the founding father of drum 'n' bass, Goldie's influence can be heard on countless pop and dance tracks spanning the mid-'90s through today, and thanks to the recent ascendance of dubstep, the London-based artist's stylistic breaks have found themselves refashioned for a new generation.

Goldie, born Clifford Joseph Price in 1965, had his first taste of fame in the mid-'80s when he was involved in Gus Corrall and Dick Fontaine's groundbreaking British documentary Bombin', which followed a group of young graffiti artists as they set out to explore the age-old issue of art versus vandalism.

Music, however, is clearly Price's true calling.

In 1991, the rave scene had moved on from acid-house and was slowly building its own identity based on sped-up, funk and reggae samples. Ever the pioneer, Goldie built on the foundations of jungle by serving up tracks that were darker and more unsettling. After Goldie befriended cult London DJs Fabio and Groove Rider, his debut cut, "Terminator," was given its first airing on the dance floor in 1993. The track's deep, brooding bass line and sharp breaks changed the direction of UK dance.

Through his Metalheadz imprint, Goldie was responsible for showcasing key early releases from some of Britain's most influential drum 'n' bass and jungle artists, including Doc Scott, Dillinja, J Majik and Optical, with the success of the label leading to a weekly residency at legendary London nightspot The Blue Note, which counted David Bowie and the Talking Heads' David Byrne among its attendees.

It was Timeless, however, that cemented Goldie's place in the pantheon of truly visionary recording artists. Selling more than 250,000 copies in its first year of release, the album remains a twisted and deeply bittersweet ode to life in urban Britain. The commercial success of the release led to live stints alongside Jane's Addiction and Björk - whom Price would later go on to date - yet its influence can be heard most prominently in the work of contemporary artists such as Plan B and The Streets.

Goldie's cameos in films including Guy Ritchie's Snatch and an appearance as a Bond villain in The World Is Not Enough, not to mention countless television appearances, including upcoming BBC series Goldie's Band: By Royal Appointment, which pairs troubled teens with musical mentors, prove that his celebrity status isn't in question. Yet it's behind the DJ booth rather than in glossy gossip columns where he remains at his domineering best.

Recently, Goldie has returned to his early '90s moniker "Rufige Kru," in a bid to capture the essence of what made him interested in music in the first place. With the help of young British producer Heist, Price released Malice in Wonderland, a wonderfully disparate album showcasing a restless and unsettling sound with its roots planted firmly in the grimy sound of jungle.

Indeed, while he might have the gold teeth, the tattoos and the bling, innovative breaks are undoubtedly what Goldie still does best.

Andrew Fenwick can be reached at
afenwick@praguepost.com