SHAZAM

After blowing up in the early-'90s hardcore techno scene and spending several years out of the spotlight, Jonny L's status as a rave castoff underwent heavy modification when his drum'n'bass deviations became quite respected in the dance community. He's one of the few dark-side jungle producers with a distinctive style, his productions enervating the favored two-step clichés with retrofitted 303-style acid effects that are the audio equivalent of hi-res computer monitors. A constant on Britain's XL Recordings -- along with Prodigy -- since 1992, Jonny L debuted with straightahead rave staples like "Love You So," "Ooh I Like It" (a number 73 hit in Britain) and "Make Me Work." By the mid-'90s, he turned to more expansive releases like "2 of Us" and the Tychonic Cycle EP, reminiscent of intelligent jungle L.T.J Bukem style. The 1997 "Piper" single and Sawtooth LP were glowing returns to his hardcore breakbeat origins and highlights of the year in the drum'n'bass arena (foreshadowing the dark, intelligent scene termed neuro-funk). Magnetic followed one year later. Though he kept recording singles, it was as a producer that he paid the bills during the next few years; one of his tracks, Truesteppers' "Out of Your Mind," hit number one on the British charts behind the commercial weight of Victoria Beckham and Dane Bowers. ~ John Bush, Rovi