Aquasky vs. Masterblaster

Aquasky vs. Masterblaster are the UK trio with one of the more unique (and confusing) names in dance music today. Originally rising to prominence as drum & bass producers, Dave Wallace, Brent Newitt and Keiron Bailey made the decision to drop their BPM down a touch upon meeting with nu-skool breaks pioneer Adam Freeland, following the release of their third album ‘Aftershock’ in 2000.

With six albums now under their belt, as well as countless individual tracks and remixes, Aquasky vs. Masterblaster’s output of music is best described as prolific. Upon forming in 1995 the trio initially produced and released music under the name Aquasky, the group attaining success with their tracks released on respected drum & bass labels such as Moving Shadow and Reinforced. In 1997, with drum & bass hotly tipped as the ‘next big thing’ and the major labels sniffing around for underground producers to sign, the boys were picked up by Polydor. Releasing only one album on the label, Keiron is able to look back on the period with no misgivings, “They wanted the next Roni Size, which we weren’t going to be.”

Over the years the trio have worked with all manner of high profile guests, including collaborations and remixes from the Scratch Perverts, Big Shug of Gangstarr, London Elektricity, Mr Scruff, Adam Freeland, The Ragga Twins, as well as Guinness Book of Records title holder of ‘world’s fastest lyricist’, Daddy Fresh.

Initially adding the ‘vs Masterblaster’ part of their name as a way to distinguish between their breakbeat and drum & bass tracks, the moniker has stuck thanks in part to the sheer quality and quantity of breakbeat they’ve produced, remixed, and released.