SL2

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SL2 was the name of a popular and pioneering hardcore/rave outfit from London, England. They also recorded, remixed or produced under the names "Slipmatt & Lime" and "T.H.C." The name came from the Technics SL1200 turntables they used to perform their sets with.

[edit] Background

The act consisted of DJ/remixers Matt "Slipmatt" Nelson and John "Lime" Fernandez, accompanied by two female rave/breakbeat dancers (One of them being future Cappella member Kelly Overett) and male Dancehall vocalist Ronan Fitzgerald. The latter three appears with Nelson and Fernandez whenever they do live shows or in their videos.

SL2 was also one of the most influential acts in the early days of the Happy hardcore movement by weaving samplings of Dancehall, Detroit electro/techno, and DNB into memorable club classics. They also played a part in the successful early days of XL Recordings, and even though the act never released a full-length CD during their tenure with the label, most of their tracks can be found on the "XL Recordings:Chapters" compilations, as well as many others.

The duo released their first single, "Do That Dance," in 1990 as a promo. But it wasn't until 1991 when they scored with their signature 'breakthrough' classic "DJs Take Control". In 1992 the act joined the many rave artists who would crossover to the British Pop charts with a pair of hits that have also become classics in their own right: "Way In My Brain" and "On A Ragga Tip". The latter was also their only biggest and highest charting hit in their career, peaking at number 2 that same year.

Although the duo had moved away from the rave scene, they still do various projects and DJ sets from time to time.