JDNB Interview - Universal Project + Taelimb

Taelimb:

Taelimb has to be one of the finest technicians in the drum and bass scene we have heard in recent years. Not one to shy away from flexing his technical abilities both as a DJ and air tight producer. Clean percussion and contrasting textures of bass and atmospherics are rapidly becoming his trademark sound. His sets flow delivering a collection of tracks showcasing the versatility of the 170 framework.

Taelimb has been around the block and his releases show his eclectic musical influences and style. Bloodclart jungle techno. Reflexions 2, Inmates Vol1 and the recent Snap Back EP have all been met with critical acclaim.

His ability in production to make stripped back, fizzy steppers with enticing progression through a sparing use of sounds make the most of the space available. The groove he manages to build along with the gnarly and tense textures, the breakdowns make you complacent before the drop kicks in and rolls out with more pace is a work of someone who really understands taking you on a journey with their music. He’s making you emotionally invested in the tracks and succeeds even time.

Taelimb’s DJing skills and ability to generate a crowd reaction are equally impressive. His style is moody, emotional, minimal and manic all at once. Managing to make you feel like a rag doll being thrown around a room made of trampolines. Building up momentum, overlapping tracks by using only the tightest and most delicate drum work with occasional licks of soulful vocals.

A technical producer and gifted DJ that brings memorable atmospherics with stomping beats to any party. Taelimb will leave you haunted and insatiably wanting more.

Universal Project:

The Universal Project sound is Bboy breaks, it's got techno elements, dubwise bass and everything in between with a futuristic twist.

Initially formed in 2000 as a foursome, their tracks began to smash up dance-floors everywhere, including classics such as "The Craft" and the huge sound-system banger "Haunted Dreams". Soon, big drum & bass labels were knocking on their door. Renegade Hardware and Virus came calling and UP's techno tinged anthem "Vessel" was released on the now legendary imprint.

The Universal Project Recordings label idea came soon after with an aim to annihilate clubs and spread the sound, with a manifesto to bring through like-minded producers from across the globe. Some of UP's largest releases hit, in the shape of "Glock", "Warboyz", "Bleach" and "Outrun".

The original foursome went in individual directions, and Universal Project is today made up of 2 of the founding members. Both hailing from an early musical background, they began DJ'ing in 1993, everything from Hardcore through to Jungle as the sound progressed. Spending many years playing on some of London's most notorious Pirate Radio Stations and finding a following in the underground, the pair are widely respected amongst the DJ'ing community.

Over their illustrious DJ'ing career, the duo have played alongside heavyweights the likes of Andy C, Friction, Grooverider, Bad Company, Loxy, Chase & Status and many many more. Touching down on stages and in clubs across Europe, the US and beyond, always bringing their inimitable sound to the masses.

With their 'MouseTrap' EP out now on Innerground Records we thought it would be a good time to have a chat and find out more about the release and about them.

Tell us a little bit about yourself and where you are from?

Aaron-U.P: I’m a South London man born and bred. Yeah I started my journey from the age of 15. I used to bunk off school. Then I would divert and go round to my good good pal Lee AKA DJ Nut Nut, that’s the guy that taught me how to mix. Yeah from once I could mix I knew DJ’ing is what I wanted to do. Over to you Max (Taelimb)

Max - Taelimb: I’m 36, also from South London and I got into music production when I was about 18. I started out making hip-hop and branched out into drum and bass/jungle production when I met John Conscience in about 2003. I always made music just because I enjoyed doing it but began to think about releasing music seriously around 2013.

What musical influences did you have growing up?

Max: I have always liked a big variety of music. Growing up I listened to lots of rock, blues, hip-hop and dance music. Bands like Metallica, Guns and Roses, Wu-Tang Clan, Prodigy, Bill Withers and Marvin Gaye were some of my earliest influences

Aaron: Since I can remember as a kid my mum was always listening to reggae -MJ- Terence Trent Darby. Then I moved on to Guns and Roses and Metallica, and hip-hop artists like Public Enemy, Ice T, Ice Cube, Dr Dre, Snoop Dogg and of course Biggie and Mob Deep.

What first got you into jungle drum and bass, and was there a specific track that made you think “yeah this is the genre for us”?

Max: Raving at the End nightclub and Mass in Brixton got me into the music. The track that sticks out the most to me is Omni Trio - Renegade Snares. I still play the track regularly to this day, absolute classic!

Aaron: My good pal Calum from Balham took me to my first rave - it was called Orange, and it was at the Hippodrome. It was the first time I saw someone on the decks, DJ Kenny Ken, and funny enough he was playing Omni Trio - Renegade Snares too… then that was the game changer.

What would you say has been your 3 biggest achievements so far within the drum and bass scene?

Aaron: 1 would be making tunes that no one forgets about on well-respected labels in the scene. Another is hearing my tunes getting played 5 times travelling all over the world and seeing the joy on everyone’s faces.

Max : Three things that stand out as milestones to me are playing at Fabric for the first time, Noisia telling me they admire my production skills and being in the position to be able to release my music across various labels in the scene.

What does your studio consist of, and what’s your fav plug-in (if used)?

Max: I use a pair of Yamaha HS80s, with a Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 interface. I also have a pair of Beyer dynamic DT 880 pro headphones and an M- Audio Oxygen 61 Mk IV keyboard. I sometimes use the Virus Ti and the Mini Moog as well but nowadays I tend to do the majority of my production inside the box. Favourite plug-ins include the NI products, the Fab-Filter bundle and Xefer’s Serum.

Who are your top 3 dnb djs, mcs and artists right now?

Aaron : Randall DLR LOXY, MC GQ MC VISIONOBI

Max: DJ’s : Randall, 6Blocc and AMC - Producers: Amoss, DKN and Halogenix - MC’s: Visionobi, Joe Raygun and SP:MC

How did the link up between Universal Project and Taelimb occur?

Aaron: We both were playing at the same gig in Brighton, it was a Rebel Music night. I was the guest DJ playing the last set and Max was playing earlier so we both said what about going back 2 back. I was feeling that. The rest is history.

You have your next release ‘Mouse Trap’ EP dropping on Innerground. How did this opportunity come about?

Aaron: We started sending each other half done tunes. We have done it 3 times: sent my loops, Max dropped them into Logic and boom tune done …. mad thing …

What bit of advice would you give to new producers wanting to get their tracks heard by the major labels?

Aaron: Just keep working hard and keep sending your demos to all labels.

Max: Yeah I would have to agree with this, consistency is the key. And also sticking true to the sound you believe in. Try not to be swayed by what everyone else is doing. Do you and keep doing it. Eventually you will get through.

Where do you get your inspiration from when making tracks?

Aaron: Taelimb lol lol, Everything really it doesn’t have to be music

Max: Universal Project lol, Same as Aaron, I try to draw inspiration from as wide a source as possible. It could be any genre of music or a sound I hear walking down the street. I try to not take influence from other dnb tracks as much as possible. I feel like if I have heard it in a dnb tune then it’s been done already, so rather than try to copy that I would prefer to draw influence from other genres as much as possible.

If you could remix one track from Innerground, which one would it be?

Max: Tephra and Kathryn Brenna - Free your mind

Name your top 3 Innerground tracks?

Max:

Calibre - Typical things

Tephra and Kathryn Brenna - Free your mind

Collette Warren - Hidden Lines EP

What are your goals for the next year, hopefully plenty more music?

Aaron: Universal Project LP for Dispatch AND GET Universal Project Recording right up there in the mix again.

Max: Yeah defo rapping up the release schedule, got loads on the horizon. Also we will hopefully be out DJing properly again! The Covid thing has seriously fucked everything up lol. Can’t wait to do some festivals and gigs abroad.

What would you say you like most about the JDNB Website?

Max: Loads of content, clear layout with a clean design. Nice and tidy!

Thanks for your time. Lastly, any thanks or shoutouts?

Aaron: Shout to my girlfriend Coral and my son Marley. Also to Geoff, the Rebel Music family and all the Universal Project fans.

Max: Gotta give a massive shout to Ben OB1! The guy is one of the hardest working out there and is constantly striving to push the scene forward.

Universal Project + Taelimb ' Mouse Trap' EP is out now on Innnerground Records: Download / Stream Here

JDNB Heavyweight Boxers Mix 'Universal Project': Listen Here

Universal Project Socials:

Beatport / Soundcloud / Facebook

Twitter

Taelimb Socials:

Soundcloud / Facebook / Twitter