Dave Angel

Dave Angel (born David Angelico Nicholas Gooden; 13 May 1966) is an English techno musician. Angel was born in Chelsea, London, England. He is the son of a London-based jazz musician, and the elder brother of rapper Monie Love. He had an unorthodox musical education; his father influenced him deeply, as did his friends and his environment, including the radio. He listened not only to Miles Davis and Charlie Parker, but also to soul music and funk. Even though he was playing instruments at 14 years old, including percussion, his musical development was not easy or straightforward.
Career
His musical career started when he borrowed an old electronic keyboard from a friend and, using a double tape deck, assembled a bassline and drum track, over which he laid "Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)" by Eurythmics. He called the result his Nightmare mix, and borrowed money from a friend to press 500 copies. When BMG, and thus the Eurythmics, learnt of this, Annie Lennox wanted to prevent the sale of what was in effect an unlicensed version of their song; however, her partner Dave Stewart liked the mix, and persuaded her to allow Angel to go ahead. The track, involving elements of jazz, Detroit techno and breakbeat hardcore, was successful, reaching number 23 on the UK Singles Chart.
Not long afterwards, Angel received many invitations, and gained much respect from European artists, becoming part of the Phaze One team together with the drum & bass DJs Fabio and Grooverider (who used to play styles from house to hardcore at that time). The doors were also opened for his career as a producer. Despite the quality of his productions, however, such as the EPs "The Family" by Apollo and "Royal Techno" by Rotation Records, he was unable to make much impression in England. Through his label, Rotation Records, he gave opportunities to many of the current producers, including many of other nationalities, such as Paul Hazel, Cisco Ferreira, Vince Watson, Samuel L. Session, Steve Rachmad, and Sharpside.
He released tracks for labels such as Black Market, Love, Rotation, and specially the Belgian R&S Records. 1995 saw the release through Studio !K7 of his CD "X-Mix-4 – Beyond The Heavens", which included songs from all over the world such as Chez Damier's "Help Myself", F2's "Dominica" and his remix for Sun Electric's "Entrance." The second half of the 1990s brought Angel closer to funk than jazz when he released tracks from the LP Globetrotting, such as "Tokyo Stealth Fighter", "This is Disco", and "Funk Music". Over the years that followed, he gained a central position on the international scene, making appearances at the biggest events and festivals; he plays all over the world, and has become an important figure in international techno. Angel is the father of UK rapper Fabien Darcy.
Discography
Albums
Tales of the Unexpected (1995), Blunted
Globetrotting (1997), 4th & Broadway
Frame by Frame Remixes (2011), Plaza in Crowd
Compilations
Classics (1996), R&S Records
16 Flavours of Tech Funk (1998), React
DA02: The Reworks Album (2002), Trust the DJ
Singles and EPs
Eurythmics / Angel* – Angel / Sweet Dreams (Nightmare Mix) (12", Promo) RCA 1990
1st Voyage ◄ (3 versions) R&S Records 1991
Rolling Thunder ◄ (4 versions) Outer Rhythm 1991
Stairway To Heaven ◄ (2 versions) R&S Records 1992
Never Leave ◄ (2 versions) Love Records 1992
Outrages Angel EP (12", EP) Outrage Recordings 1992
The Family EP ◄ (2 versions) Apollo 1993
Royal Techno EP ◄ (2 versions) Rotation Records 1993
New Orchestrations EP ◄ (2 versions) Fnac Music Dance Division 1993
3rd Voyage (12") R&S Records 1993
Original Man (12") Aura Surround Sounds 1993
In Flight Entertainment ◄ (3 versions) Blunted, Island Records 1994
Seas of Tranquility EP (12", EP) Rotation Records 1994
Handle With Care EP ◄ (6 versions) Blunted 1995
Stalker / Timeless (7", Ltd) Jockey Slut 1995
Timeless ◄ (3 versions) 4th & Broadway, Island Records 1996
Funk Music ◄ (6 versions) Island Records 1997
Tokyo Stealth Fighter ◄ (7 versions) 4th & Broadway 1997
This Is Disco ◄ (4 versions) 4th & Broadway 1997
Excursions E.P. (12", EP) Jericho 1998
Insights EP (12", EP) Rotation Records 1998
Knockout EP ◄ (2 versions) Rotation Records 1999
Dave Angel / Jamie Anderson – The Knockout EP / The Rematch (12", EP) Rotation Records 2000
Dave Angel / Jel Ford – Myths EP ◄ (2 versions) Rotation Records 2002
Ocean Dwellers ◄ (2 versions) Rotation Records 2003
Warriors E.P. (12", EP) Rotation Records 2005
Rotation (DJ Marky & XRS Remix) / Brothers (XRS Remix) ◄ (2 versions) V Recordings 2006
Taurus / Gemini (12") Niah 2007
Sheba / Mothership – Part 1 (12") Niah 2007
Medusa (12") Jericho 2008
Ghost Train E.P. ◄ (2 versions) Plaza in Crowd 2009
Dogspray (12") Jericho 2009
Front And Back (12") Jericho 2010
K Road Nz (12", S/Sided, W/Lbl, Ltd) Unknown
DJ mixes
Trance Lunar Paradise ◄ (3 versions) Sound Dimension Recordings 1994
X-Mix-4 – Beyond The Heavens ◄ (4 versions) Studio !K7 1995
Darren Emerson & Dave Angel – Mixmag Live! Volume 13 – Techno ◄ (2 versions) DMC Publishing 1996
Dr Alex Paterson* / Mixmaster Morris / Mr C* / Sven Vath* / Darren Emerson / Dave Angel – The History of Mixmag Live – 3 (Volumes 009/011/013) (3xCD, Comp, Mixed + Box, Comp) DMC Publishing 1997
London Electronica – In The Mix With Dave Angel (CD, Comp, Mixed) Kickin Records 1997
39 Flavours of Tech Funk (2xCD, Mixed, Comp) React 1998
DA01 (CD, Comp, Mixed) Trust The DJ 2001
DA03 ◄ (2 versions) Trust The DJ 2003
References
External links
English techno musicians
English record producers
Living people
1966 births
Musicians from Chelsea, London
Rhythm King artists