| Alex Reece | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Alexander Charles Ernest Reece[1] |
| Also known as | Kid Twist The Original Playboy |
| Origin | Ealing, England |
| Genres | Drum and bass |
| Years active | 1992–present |
| Associated acts | D.E.A Electronix Experienced Fallen Angels Interception Jazz Juice Reece Project Unit 1[1] |
Alex Reece (born Alexander Charles Ernest Reece,[1] Barnet, England) was an influence of the jazzstep sound, a mix of drum and bass and jazz, and one of the musicians under the Metalheadz collective, who also works under the pseudonym of Fallen Angels.
Although he was most interested in acid house and early Detroit techno, Reece came to prominence in the mid 1990s as a jungle star.[2] Reece began DJing in the late 1980s.[2] In 1992 Jack Smooth offered Reece a trainee studio engineer job, and Reece went on to engineer for Smooth on many of the early Basement Records releases.[2] Reece first tried house (recording with his brother, Oscar, under the name of Exodus), but graduated to drum and bass.[2]
His initial releases appeared on the Sinister, Creative Wax, and Moving Shadow record labels, but Reece made his name with Goldie's Metalheadz Records. Single releases "Basic Principles" and "Pulp Fiction" became jungle standards. The latter is originally called "Pulp Friction" as on Alex Reece's debut album So Far. Supposedly there are two different songs out - "Pulp Friction" and "Pulp Fiction". But even when the album version is used in a set it is incorrectly referred to as "Pulp Fiction".[2]
Reece cemented his reputation with additional recordings as Jazz Juice (for Precious Materials), Lunar Funk (for Mo'Wax), and the Original Playboy (for R&S).[2] In early 1996, Reece secured a recording contract with Island Records recruited him for their Quango subsidiary.[2] His debut album, So Far was released in September 1996, but whilst the issue was well received in most circles, the jungle underground - led by Goldie - had practically disowned Reece by that time.[2] His 1996 singles "Feel the Sunshine", "Candles" and "Acid Lab" were released under the Fourth & Broadway banner without real commercial success.[3]